concern about a lump near my neck
Urgent assistance needed! I'm a 19-year-old, weighing 51 kg and standing at 148 cm. Last night, I discovered a painful lump next to my neck, and it's left me feeling quite anxious. Previously, I encountered a small, painless lump behind my ear that didn't bother me, but this new one is larger and causes discomfort. I’m feeling overwhelmed and uncertain, especially since I can only wait until tomorrow morning for medical evaluation. Sleep will likely elude me tonight due to this worry. I find myself turning to prayer, hoping for comfort through this ordeal. I’m not accustomed to having such sensations in my body and am hoping for swift medical attention. Additionally, I experienced a fever four days ago, and now I'm dealing with a persistent itchiness all over that feels more like a nerve-related issue; there’s no visible rash, yet the irritation feels electrifying. If anyone has experienced similar symptoms or has advice to offer, please share, as I'm feeling frightened and lost regarding the next steps to take.
Answers (1)
7/17/2025, 3:10:48 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to feel anxious about a new lump, especially when it's painful and accompanied by other symptoms like fever and itchiness. Here’s what you need to know and the steps you can take while you wait for medical evaluation.
Main Points:
- Changing Lumps Can Indicate Different Causes: A painful lump in the neck might arise from infections, lymph nodes reacting to illness, or other conditions.
- Associated Symptoms Matter: Fever and itchiness could suggest a viral infection or another underlying issue that may be linked to the lump.
Explanation:
The presence of a larger, painful lump near your neck could be your body reacting to something like an infection (such as a swollen lymph node due to a viral or bacterial infection). The fever you experienced four days ago might indicate your body was fighting something. The itchiness could relate to many factors, including skin sensitivity or even nerve-related issues, which may require further evaluation. It's normal to feel overwhelmed, but many cases like this are often manageable once properly assessed.
Next Steps:
- Monitor Your Symptoms: Keep a close eye on the lump—note any changes in size, shape, or pain level. Also, track your fever and itchiness.
- Manage Anxiety Tonight: Engage in calming activities that help you relax and distract you from your worry (like reading or gentle stretches).
- Pain Relief: If the lump is painful, over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen can help alleviate discomfort, but only if you have no contraindications (consult product labels).
- Avoid Irritants: Keep your skin moisturized, and avoid harsh soaps or lotions that might irritate sensitive skin further.
- Prepare for Your Appointment: Write down your symptoms, their onset, and any relevant medical history to share with the healthcare provider.
If you experience severe symptoms like difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or an increase in fever, you should seek immediate medical attention. Remember that you’re taking appropriate steps by preparing for a medical evaluation tomorrow, and many conditions respond well to treatment once diagnosed. Take care of yourself tonight and try to rest as best as you can.
Related Questions
Seeking Guidance on Infant Diagnostic Test Results
I'm looking for assistance with understanding my infant son's test results. He is now 7 months old, measuring 28 inches and weighing 20 pounds. He was delivered via cesarean section at 37 weeks, arriving at 5 pounds 10 ounces. As he was conceived through in vitro fertilization, my husband and I ensured carrier screening along with preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) for all embryos, all of which were of high quality. The embryo that became our son was noted to be the best among them. At 2.5 months, our son was diagnosed with Milk Soy Protein Intolerance (MSPI) after we noticed blood in his stool. An abdominal ultrasound was performed to check for intussusception, and we were referred to a gastroenterologist. During our appointment, the gastroenterologist noted that the ultrasound indicated a slightly heterogeneous liver, prompting her to order blood tests. The results revealed elevated levels of AST and ALT, leading to a referral to a hepatologist. We visited the hepatologist in June, during which she ordered a repeat of the laboratory tests along with several additional ones. Subsequently, his creatine kinase (CK) and aldolase levels were found to be high (530 and 24.2), and she recommended re-testing in a month alongside another ultrasound. We completed that last week, and the doctor shared the results—his liver appears improved, being described as "less bright," yet the CK and aldolase levels remain elevated but have decreased (399 and 12.5). I noticed that AST and ALT levels continue to be high (80 and 61), with his globulin level low (1.6) and triglycerides elevated (291). Furthermore, several parameters from the Manual Differential and CBC were out of range, although the doctor did not address these. According to her, his liver, kidney, and thyroid functions are normal, but the existing numbers indicate possible inflammation elsewhere in his body. She wants to conduct a comprehensive metabolic evaluation in a month and mentioned the possibility of a liver biopsy should the forthcoming tests yield inconclusive results. Despite my inquiries about the specific concerns she has, her responses seem rather ambiguous. She has suggested that an enzyme deficiency could be a contributing factor, which has left me feeling anxious about genetic metabolic disorders. While my son is currently thriving, healthy, and robust, I know of a family whose child, similarly healthy, experienced a serious decline from a comparable condition and tragically passed away at the age of 5. Given my pre-existing health anxiety, I’m extremely worried about our situation. I suspect the doctor may be deliberately vague to prevent unnecessary distress, yet my concern persists regardless. I desperately need some guidance regarding my worries—could any of these findings potentially signify nothing significant, or is there a definitive issue that we need to address, the severity of which is uncertain? I plan to follow up with the doctor for further clarification while also hoping for insights from others who may have faced similar circumstances.
Understanding Knee MRI with Contrast
I'm a 20-year-old female who recently experienced troubling symptoms in my left knee. It became increasingly stiff while kneeling, eventually making crouching impossible. I may have twisted it awkwardly a couple of times due to the discomfort. Following this, it began to swell and felt warm to the touch, impairing my ability to fully bend or straighten it. Additionally, my calf seems weak, and I'm experiencing cramps, possibly because my walking has been altered. When I move my knee side to side, I feel pain reminiscent of a previous sprain from six years ago, along with occasional muscle spasms in the knee. I underwent an ultrasound, but I'm still awaiting the official report. However, my doctor mentioned that there is more than double the usual amount of fluid in my knee and recommended that I have an MRI. Fortunately, she didn't identify any tears. About a week and a half prior to these symptoms, I had a brief illness that felt like a severe cold, accompanied by fever, chills, headaches, and muscle aches. I've scheduled the MRI for the upcoming week. My mother is increasingly concerned about the potential use of contrast dye during the procedure. I have well-functioning kidneys, do not have diabetes, and I am unaware of any allergies to medication. What is the likelihood that contrast dye will be necessary for the MRI? If my mother continues to have reservations regarding this, especially since she is covering the costs, I would like to know how critical it would be to use contrast. (I can provide images of my knee if needed.)
Understanding Hemolytic Anemia: What’s Behind It?
Greetings – I was diagnosed with hemolytic anemia fourteen years ago. Throughout this journey, I have consulted with five different hematologists, including two specialists from Mayo Clinic. Recently, they suggested that I consider having my spleen removed, even though my spleen has never shown any signs of enlargement, alongside a potential gallbladder removal. This situation escalated following my second pregnancy, which coincided with my administration of the Rhogram vaccine; my first pregnancy had normal hemoglobin levels. Currently, my baseline hemoglobin rests around 9, but it can plummet to between 5 and 7 during infections. Typically, I lose about two grams daily when fighting off an infection. Various illnesses, including cold, flu, COVID-19, as well as lack of sleep and significant stress, necessitate blood transfusions. Notably, my Coombs test returns negative, as do all results from the Agios genetic screening, although I am a carrier of Guillain-Barre syndrome. While on prednisone, I did achieve a hemoglobin level of 11. I also underwent four rounds of Rituxan in December, which left me severely ill, experiencing influenza A, B, and then COVID in quick succession, which led to three emergency room visits for transfusions. Now, I also contend with secondary hemochromatosis; my ferritin levels fluctuate steeply between 800 and 4,000, although both iron and iron binding tests appear normal. My reticulocyte count is at 16% absolute, with slight spherocytes visible in my blood smear that my doctor believes could be a result of transfusions. B-12 levels are normal, and while my creatinine is slightly elevated, all other indicators in my kidney panel remain normal. My bilirubin levels tend to vary between 7 and 12, with a baseline of around 2. Both MCV and MCH readings are consistently high. This raises the question – what might be at the root of these issues? I am extremely apprehensive about the prospect of having my spleen removed, especially since my episodes seem to arise from infections. Furthermore, my insurance has denied coverage for IVIG, and my doctors have indicated that it likely wouldn’t provide relief. Can you help clarify this for me? Is it possible that my spleen is offering a level of protection that remains unseen? Would you truly consider removing an organ based solely on a physician’s assessment of potential benefits? I am hopeful for insights on this matter. ❤️
Despairing Over Unexplained Illness 😟
Greetings everyone, I apologize for the lengthy post but I could really use some guidance, and I would be immensely thankful for any advice you might have. I am a 25-year-old woman residing in the UK and receiving care through the NHS. Three years ago, I was diagnosed with atrial myopathy and dysfunction of the SA node, accompanied by numerous ectopic beats during physical activity, as well as atrial tachycardia, AF, and A flutter. Nearly two years ago, I underwent pacemaker implantation. Shortly thereafter, I began experiencing ventricular tachycardia, which has been quite distressing, leading to frequent visits to the emergency department. Over the past year, I have felt a significant deterioration in my health, struggling daily to manage. My blood tests reveal markedly elevated levels of ESR and haptoglobin, which I believe suggest an inflammatory process at play. I often develop rashes resembling tiny burst capillaries on my skin. Perhaps one of the most incapacitating symptoms I endure are the intense intestinal cramps that occur daily, leading to diarrhea that can hit up to 15 times a day, with some episodes showing an orange hue. During these instances, I often appear ashen, vomit, nearly faint, and break out in cold sweats. A recent measurement of calprotectin came back at 200, but with a clear colonoscopy (note: no biopsy was taken), I have been informed that it’s IBS and advised to simply manage it as best I can. The upper section of my abdomen feels tense and swollen, to the point where I sometimes feel as if I look pregnant. Additionally, I experience significant discomfort beneath my ribs on the right side, worsened when lying down, which can be quite nauseating at times. My blood pressure remains very low regardless of fluid intake (despite my efforts to increase salt intake). I frequently feel dizzy and nauseated, teetering on the brink of fainting several times a day, yet my heart rate has been examined and does not seem to contribute to these episodes. A CT scan revealed a notably dilated esophagus, leading to a diagnosis of achalasia. My gastroenterologist subsequently referred me to a rheumatologist, suspecting a potential connective tissue disorder due to the combined dilation of the esophagus and atria. I deal with severe heartburn and take 40mg of omeprazole, but upon attempting to reduce the dosage to 20mg, I feel extremely unwell. Additionally, I am battling iron deficiency anemia. I receive iron infusions, but my hemoglobin levels fall into the 80s within a few months. My ferritin level stands at 2 without intravenous iron therapy. My menstrual periods are heavy, which could possibly contribute to my anemia since they leave me feeling utterly incapacitated. Moreover, I endure a variety of strange and seemingly unrelated symptoms: - A sensation of a phantom “band” encircling my right arm and leg frequently - Intense spells of vertigo - Daily headaches - Sharp pains in my head - Visual disturbances like flashes - Persistent eyelid twitching - Recurring skin rashes - Lung nodules identified in my CT scan - Elevated cortisol levels - Itchy skin that is difficult to resist scratching, particularly on my legs - Numb patches on my back and widespread pain To add insult to injury, after I sent in four online consultations concerning the same stomach cramps in the span of a month, my new doctor (with whom I have yet to meet due to my previous GP leaving the practice) noted in my medical records that "she seems to be quite anxious." This remark deeply offended me. Though I am thankful for the NHS, it's undeniable that many processes are lengthy. Private healthcare is not an option for me. I appreciate that I have a rheumatology referral on the way, but the ongoing struggle is overwhelming. I worry that I may be overreacting, and I acknowledge how it may sound, but there are moments when I genuinely suspect something serious might be occurring, and I fear for my life. I am seeking any insights from anyone who has faced a similar situation or has suggestions on how I can effectively communicate these concerns to my GP.
Questioning the Standard Practice of Rounding Down IVIG Dosages Without Consent
Subject: California Resident, 41 Years Old Diagnosis: Primary immune deficiency hypogammaglobulinemia Treatment: Monthly IVIG infusions via port (dosage specified below) I am writing to inquire whether my recent experiences align with standard medical protocols or if I should consider escalating the issue. Since January, I have faced significant difficulties with my IVIG infusion therapy and noticed worsening symptoms affecting my daily activities. In response to these issues, my physician decided to adjust my dosage from 38g to 42g at the beginning of January. To my surprise, I learned only yesterday that the pharmacist at the infusion center has consistently reduced my prescribed doses to 40g over the past six months. This means that my original 38g dose was rounded up to 40g, and when my dosage was increased to 42g, it was once again lowered back to 40g. Thus, despite my regular appointments and constant discussions about my treatment progress, there has been no real increase in the medication I have been receiving. I was not even aware of these changes. The pharmacy claims this approach is cost-effective, as IVIG bottles only come in certain increments (5g, 10g, or 20g), which helps minimize waste but ultimately deprives me of the necessary dosage. I was informed that this practice is, in fact, standard procedure for IVIG prescriptions. My physician expressed surprise upon learning this information, noting he had not been informed by the pharmacist. However, I have experienced similar issues in the past with my doctor being unresponsive—failing to check lab results and returning my calls. Now, my dosage has been raised to 45g to account for the previous rounding, and we will resume intensive monitoring. If the adjustments still do not yield results, we may switch to a three-week schedule, a decision that could have been made much earlier had I been fully informed of my treatment. While an increase of 2g may seem trivial, over six months, especially when dealing with an immune deficiency, this is a significant variance. I have been diligent about my health—making lifestyle changes, adhering to infusion schedules, and undergoing numerous blood draws—only to discover that this adjustment was never executed. This revelation feels like a setback to my recovery efforts, particularly as I continue to document worsening symptoms. It’s disheartening knowing that after six months of infusions, my dosage has stagnated and I feel defeated. I am seeking insights from others who might have faced similar circumstances: - Is it within legal or ethical boundaries for infusion pharmacists to round down IVIG dosages without documented consent from the prescribing doctor? - Have others encountered silent dosage reductions due to vial sizes or inventory costs? - Could it be that the pharmacist did attempt to communicate with my physician, who simply overlooked it? - Should I file a formal complaint against the pharmacy, the infusion center, or any relevant parties? For half a year, I have felt unwell while trying to adhere to every medical guideline and recommendation to improve my health. Learning that a possible oversight could have hindered my progress is incredibly disheartening. I have shed tears, questioning why my diligent efforts have not resulted in healing. Realizing that my struggles could stem from a preventable mistake adds to the sense of despair. Given that this infusion center handles serious medical conditions, one cannot help but wonder about the potential risks for patients undergoing chemotherapy or other critical treatments. A similar lapse in such scenarios could have devastating consequences. This underscores the necessity to address and review such practices thoroughly. I appreciate this community for its support and guidance. I am not looking to create controversy or blame anyone, but after all that I have endured, I hope my healthcare team prioritizes my well-being to prevent similar issues from arising for others in the future.