Anxiety, Stiff Neck, Lymph Node

[Insina]

Dear all,

for the last 3 months I am suffering from a stiff neck. Sometimes it's rather moderate til non-existent, sometimes severe. The pain radiates from the back of my head to both sides of the neck, sometimes also in the front where I suppose my thyroid. Sometimes it rather feels like a soreness. Sometimes I feel it in my ears, not really painful, more like a slight pulling sensation. The ears then often start to crack and pop when swallowing. I also have pain in and under my right shoulder which gets better after a hot shower. I went to massage recently and they said my shoulder is hard like a stone.

2 months ago I also had some kind of sudden hearing loss in my left ear. I think it could be related to my neck symptoms as before the loss I also had these cracking sensations. The hearing loss lasted for three weeks. When I took airplane (what I do quite often due to my job) my hearing got better and I could almost pop my left ear. At the end when I was finally relieved from the pressure and hearing loss in my ear, I had some fluid in my ear. So I assumed that it is rather caused by a tube dysfunction than a SNHL.

As I suffer from extreme anxiety for quite a while I thought it could be related. I also work whole day in front of the computer. But last week I discovered a little bump on the left side of my neck which I suppose is a swollen lymph node. It's located on my neck muscle which feels not very relaxed. It has the size of a pea, is soft, moveable and actually non-tender. I sometimes have the impresssion that the area around this node is more sore than other parts of the neck. But I feel the same soreness on the other side of the neck, and there I can't feel any node.

I know that you can't diagnose through the internet. But any idea would be very much appreciated!!

Thank you so much!!!

[Bpc576]

Wow I have the same thing as the first post. Anyone have any ideas?

[helpme83]

Wow, I have exactly the same symptoms, and the fact that no one can tell me what's wrong is giving me anxiety, even though I didn't have it before! When the pain (pulling senasation; pressure) really flares up, it also feels hot like an inflammation, and when it moves up the front of my neck it feels like a sore throat.
When it's really bad all the lymph nodes in my neck and face become tender, and I can't turn my neck for more than a split second. While I don't have any hearing issues yet (just the popping and ringing sometimes) I am having vision trouble. For example, it makes me slightly dizzy and very uncomfortable to look down, like at a book in my lap: I have to hold it straight out in front instead.
Have you found out anything more about this? I am getting x-rayed for herniated disc tomorrow, but I am worried the x-ray won't explain everything, and that I'll have to get an MRI.
PLEASE TELL ME HOW YOUR SYMPTOMS ARE DEVELOPING AND WHAT IF ANYTHING YOU HAVE LEARNED ABOUT THIS EXTREMELY UNCOMFORTABLE CONDITION!

[Kevin Pho, MD]

A musculoskeletal cause of the neck pain can be considered.  If there is concern about a herniated disk or mass, a CT scan or MRI can be considered.  A referral to an orthopedist would be a good idea.

Regarding the lymph node, it can be imaged with an ultrasound to exclude other causes.  If it persists, seeing a surgeon can be done to see whether a biopsy is needed.

These options can be discussed with your personal physician.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patients education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
www.kevinmd.com