Throat & Neck

[forlegion]

I have been experiencing neck discomfort for some time now. I do not know if all of my neck discomfort has the same cause.

It started approximately 2-3 months ago when i had flu-like symptoms. I developed enlarged lymph nodes at left angle of my jaw. This swelling and discomfort lasted for approximately 1 month.

There after I experienced discomfort in the large tendon that runs the length of the neck on left side of my neck. This lasted for approximately 2-3 weeks. This may have been caused due strain.

I am currently experiencing discomfort on the front of my throat, near the hollow of my throat around the bottom of my adam's apple.

I have recently been doing alot of study. During this I have demonstrated poor posture. I have laid my computer on my chest and read the screen. While doing this, my chin is resting on my chest. I have remained in this position for 6-8 hours at a time over the last week or two.

Afterwards, I feel discomfort in the hollow of my throat / bottom of my adam's apple.

Is it likely that this recent discomfort is associated with the posture that I have been in while studying?




----------------

Also, I have had periodic discomfort in my sternum / area below the center of my ribs for some time.

Over the last 6-9 months, this discomfort has increased and remained periodic.

I have noticed that this discomfort is most common after eating and when laying down after eating.

I have noticed that I have had a frequent sore throat over the recent weeks... months. I am also experiencing soreness in the back of my mouth.

The symptoms in the back of my mouth have been most prominent shortly after waking up.

Any ideas?

[LivingInHope]

This is definitely something to discuss with your physician!  I see a lot of claims on the web of how they can dissolve these stones, but who knows if any of them are legit!  I'd ask your doctor what your options are- maybe he/she would refer you to a surgeon.

[forlegion]

My ultrasound revealed a 16mm gall stone. No gall bladder inflammation or surrounding fluid.

The rest of my abdomen is normal according to the ultrasound.


What are my options at this point? I don't know what a 16mm gall stone means to me.

[LivingInHope]

Your discomfort below the breast bone sounds close to the gall bladder (upper right abdomen) close to the middle after eating.  However, your stomach on the left side would be pretty close to the area you described as well.  Your xyphoid process is actually right in the middle below your sternum.  That's where they recommend pushing up on to do the Heimlich maneuver when someone is choking.  

Your discomfort with laying down and sore throat sound like acid reflux.  You should have a doc confirm this, but these are symptoms I have with GERD myself.  Swollen lymph nodes however, is a different matter that should be investigated by a doc, because I don't believe it is related to acid reflux.

Your neck position while looking at the computer would be enough to give me muscle strain for sure if I were in your shoes and probably a headache to boot.  Why don't you try getting a small lap table (like a breakfast tray with short legs) to set your laptop on?  It would be better for you radiation wise as well to not have that computer in direct contact like that.  

Plus, another idea- you might even be having inflammation of a chest wall muscle from resting the weight of the laptop there.  That can be very painful & I had a doc recommend cyclic ibuprofen when he diagnosed me with this problem before for three to four days.  It usually is just a small pin pointed area if you find the source when this is the problem (have a doc check).

[forlegion]

Thank you so much for your reply.

Can anyone please give more detail as to why this may be a gall bladder issue?

[LivingInHope]

You might have a doctor palpate your thyroid, which is in your neck.  It also sounds like you are describing gastrointestinal esophageal reflux disease symptoms (GERD).  There is also a name for when the reflux affects your larnyx, etc..  I have frequently feeling of sore throat myself from my own GERD.  I take a lot of ranitidine (prescription).   If you can't get to a doctor, you might see if something like maalox extra strength or magnesium supplement might help your acid reflux (if that indeed is the problem).

You might try raising the head of your bed (use a wedge under your mattress, if necessary).  Also, not eating at least 2-3 hours prior to laying down to sleep.  Avoiding fried, greasy, and spicy foods, as well as a lot of dairy (I know cottage cheese, for instance is REALLY bad for my GERD).  You might also request a doctor to make sure your gall bladder is okay.

[forlegion]

It has been about a week with no response. Just bumping this question.

[forlegion]

Also, i have noticed that I am experiencing Tonsiliths over the recent months. I'm not sure if this helps.