Unexpected Bumps on Neck and Shoulder Area
Recently, I discovered two small protrusions on the right side of my neck and another on the left, seemingly appearing out of the blue just two days ago. Today, I observed the emergence of two additional bumps: one on the right side of my neck and another located where my neck blends into the shoulder. According to my research, it seems that fatty tumors typically develop gradually; however, these appeared quite abruptly. Their sizes range from approximately 1 to 2 centimeters—relatively small yet visible. A couple of them appear slightly larger, especially if one knows where to look. Should I feel concerned about this? I consulted my general practitioner, who was swift in scheduling an appointment for me in six days. About me: I'm a 20-year-old female, measuring 169 cm and weighing between 50 and 55 kg. I belong to the Caucasian demographic and do not smoke or consume alcohol. Currently, I am being treated with Lamictal at a dose of 25 mg twice daily. Additionally, I take omega supplements and vitamin D regularly.
Answers (1)
8/1/2025, 5:50:45 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to feel concerned about new bumps appearing on your neck and shoulder area, especially when they develop suddenly. While many bumps may be benign, their emergence warrants monitoring.
Explanation:
The bumps you describe could be caused by various factors, including:
- Lymph Nodes: Swollen lymph nodes can feel like bumps and may occur due to infections, inflammation, or other conditions.
- Cysts or Lipomas: These are typically non-cancerous growths that can appear quickly in some cases.
- Skin Conditions: Certain skin infections or conditions can also present as lumps.
Since you noticed new bumps rather quickly, it's wise to pay attention to accompanying symptoms such as pain, soreness, or changes in size or appearance. Given your age and healthy lifestyle, the bumps are likely to be harmless, but this should be confirmed by a healthcare professional.
Next Steps:
-
Monitor the Bumps: Keep track of any changes, such as growth in size, color, or pain. Note if you develop any other symptoms (fever, fatigue, etc.).
-
Gentle Care: Avoid touching or manipulating the bumps too much, as this can lead to irritation or infection.
-
Maintain a Symptom Journal: Document any additional symptoms, when the bumps emerged, and any other relevant changes in your health. This will be helpful for your healthcare appointment.
-
Follow-Up Appointment: Continue with your scheduled visit with your general practitioner. They will be able to assess the bumps physically and may suggest imaging or further tests if necessary.
-
Stay Informed: Until your appointment, try to reduce any undue stress by focusing on your overall well-being, like maintaining a healthy diet and engaging in activities that make you feel good.
Your upcoming doctor's visit is a positive step in addressing your concerns, and keeping a close eye on any changes will provide valuable information for your healthcare provider. Let me know if you have any more questions or if there’s anything else you’d like to discuss!
Related Questions
Anxieties About Moving Amid Cardiac Concerns
I'm a 20-year-old who has been dealing with constant mild symptoms that are somewhat vague for nearly five months. Coupled with my background of severe anxiety, I often experience a range of symptoms without warning. What truly frightens me is that I consistently feel a little unwell whenever I engage in any physical activities. Whenever I stand or move around, I tend to feel at least slightly lightheaded or dizzy. Generally, it feels more like my body is weak and light rather than on the verge of fainting. I should note that the only times I've experienced true presyncope involved getting my blood drawn or, once as a child, during a gym class in hot weather. In addition to that, I frequently notice odd symptoms. Sometimes, these are chest-related, like mild tightness—usually on the left side—feelings of fullness, or even slight soreness. Other times, I encounter more random sensations, such as pressure in my ears or head, distorted vision (though I don’t have blurred vision or loss of sight, leading me to believe dissociation might be influencing this), or a sensation that my breathing feels tight, even though I’m not gasping for air—just discomfort. I’ve considered the possibility of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), as my heart rate sometimes spikes significantly—over 40 beats per minute—just from standing up, although there are days when this doesn’t occur. Symptoms vary day-to-day but tend to be milder during the evenings. I recognize that I have become deconditioned, but despite not being very active even before my symptoms worsened, I had managed some exercise. A few weeks ago, I attempted a ten-minute workout designed for seniors, but it left me extremely sore and raised my heart rate to 190 bpm. Nowadays, my physical activity mainly consists of walking around my home and yard for a few minutes a few times daily, very light yoga, meal preparation, and basic hygiene routines. As someone who is also recovering from agoraphobia, my outings have been limited to scheduled exposures. Tomorrow, I'm scheduled to move, and I can’t shake the fear that the stress of the process will land me in the hospital. A couple of weeks ago, I started doing light packing for about 30 to 60 minutes a day, but I always felt fatigued enough to stop well before finishing and often experienced the aforementioned chest discomfort. For instance, on one occasion, I had fleeting chest pains along with the typical tightness, whereas on another day, I noticed dull aching in the left side of my chest. Nearly every time I experience chest discomfort, it sends me into a panic. Additionally, I frequently feel some form of air hunger or labored breathing, although my oxygen saturation levels are consistently normal. This leads me to wonder if my struggles with breath are simply perceived. Although the tightness does vary, it's generally not severe or unbearable—merely a troubling annoyance that sparks concern due to its location. I suspect my anxiety about packing has exacerbated my symptoms in recent months. Now that the majority of packing is done, I feel like I’m in a peaceful phase before a chaotic transition. While I’ve been moving less, the chest tightness appears to be more constant, sometimes reflecting as a dull pressure or tension. My fatigue and feelings of dissociation have notably intensified. Occasionally, the discomfort is triggered by movement, but it also appears without warning. There were days where a tight fullness gripped my left chest for an hour or two before fading away. Over the last few months, I have had "flare-ups" of both chest discomfort and fatigue that seem to worsen for periods before subsiding, though other symptoms may arise. Each day, I grow increasingly aware of how even the simplest tasks feel daunting due to these troubling sensations. Just yesterday, even taking out the trash or playing the piano triggered symptoms. In recent days, my chest discomfort has lingered for most of the day. I am in the process of selecting a new primary care physician, as my previous one has closed their practice, but it will likely be weeks before I can secure an appointment—definitely not in time for the move. Recently, I had a telehealth consultation and blood tests, which failed to provide me with any solid reassurance, the results showing only minor abnormalities. Hence, I remain uncertain whether my issues are indeed related to my heart, a concern that has persisted for some time. Two years ago, I underwent both an EKG and a Holter monitor, which returned normal results; however, I believe those tests may not have ruled out all potential issues, so I plan to request a referral for another cardiologist once I establish care with a new PCP. I’m unsure how to proceed. I do not want to feel completely helpless on moving day, but even if this is just a result of my anxiety, I know I will struggle to assist while worrying about my well-being. I have also been contemplating a visit to urgent care prior to the move; however, I'm uncertain what they would do beyond an EKG and possibly more blood tests, and many concerns still wouldn't be addressed. I definitely want to avoid an emergency room visit on moving day. If the move were not looming, I would likely opt to wait for a PCP appointment, but I'm feeling desperate to make it through the day in one piece.
Seeking Help for My Mother's Health Concerns
I am reaching out for some advice regarding my mother's health, as I am quite distressed about her situation. My mother, aged 50, is approximately 5'4" tall and her weight is not exactly known, but I estimate it to be between 190 and 200 pounds. She has been living with multiple sclerosis (MS) for the last twelve years and has a family history of autoimmune disorders. Her alcohol consumption is minimal, roughly one drink per week. Recently, she has begun experiencing sporadic outbreaks of hives. In attempting to identify potential triggers, she has eliminated certain foods and switched her detergents and personal care items, but to no avail. Despite consulting her healthcare provider, the source of her hives remains unclear. Notably, the rashes appear in different areas of her body each evening. Today, she went to the emergency room after lab tests revealed significantly low hemoglobin and hematocrit levels, alongside abnormal liver panel results. The medical staff suggested that she might be suffering from hemolytic anemia. She sought treatment due to swelling in her leg, initially suspected to be deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or a clot. Additionally, she has been having episodes of increased heart rate and difficulty breathing. Fortunately, an ultrasound ruled out any clots in her leg, but a chest CT scan revealed a pericardial effusion and an enlarged spleen. She is currently being admitted to the hospital for further investigation into the cause of her anemia and will also undergo a liver ultrasound. A peripheral blood smear may also be conducted. While I understand that finding concrete answers might be challenging, I am curious if there could be a link between these recent health issues and her autoimmune condition. Furthermore, could the hives be signaling something more significant? My concern is immense, as I deeply care for her, yet I live several hours away and she assures me she is fine and advises against my returning home. Any insights would be greatly appreciated to help alleviate my worries. Thank you in advance for any guidance you can provide.
Experiencing Numbness and Tingling
I’m a 23-year-old female, and for the past month, I've been experiencing intermittent numbness and tingling in my right shoulder blade. This sensation strikes unexpectedly throughout the day, particularly while I’m seated and concentrating on work. Recently, the numbness has escalated to include my right cheek and my left arm as well. Additionally, I sporadically feel discomfort on both sides of my neck. Although the numbness itself isn’t painful, it does have a tingling feeling. Initially, I suspected it might be due to a pinched nerve, but I’m beginning to have doubts. Can anyone provide insight or share similar experiences?
Could I Have Injured My Xiphoid Process?
A 38-year-old man weighing 245 pounds has been experiencing back discomfort recently. While trying to alleviate this, he decided to stretch on the floor. After turning onto his stomach and lying flat, he suddenly felt a distinct popping sensation at the lower end of his sternum. Although it wasn’t painful, it was certainly noticeable. He describes a mild ache when applying pressure to the area at the bottom of his sternum, but he wonders if this discomfort is merely a result of excessive pressing. When he lies on his back and presses down, he hears another pop and senses a shifting sensation. Apart from this, he doesn’t notice any additional symptoms. Is this a common occurrence, or could I have fractured my xiphoid process?
Considerations on Ketorolac Use After Ibuprofen
On August 1, I underwent my third surgery for an anal fistula. The first procedure took place in March, and the second occurred in mid-July. Following each of those surgeries, I was prescribed ketorolac for five days to manage pain effectively. Once again, I have received a prescription for this medication. However, my research indicates that using ketorolac for a five-day course twice a month may pose risks to kidney health. For the past two weeks, I have also been taking ibuprofen as part of my recovery from the second surgery, which included a hemorrhoidectomy. At the moment, I am experiencing some pain and weighing my options regarding whether to commence ketorolac or simply stick with Advil. I am 31 years old, standing at 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 57 kilograms. This journey began when I developed a small anal fissure.