Persistent Neck Swelling and Discomfort Over Two Years
Greetings everyone, Back in February 2022, I experienced an intense case of angina accompanied by severe throat pain, which was by far the most agonizing episode I have ever had. The recovery period stretched out to roughly three weeks before I started to feel somewhat normal again. Not long after this incident, I observed a swollen lymph node on the right side of my neck, located just beneath my jaw - essentially in the same region where I suffered from that harsh angina. Despite undergoing multiple ultrasounds, the results came back normal. Initially, this swelling was my only symptom; at times it caused pain, and at other times it was more of a nuisance, as it was consistently present and movable, not fixed in place. Fast forward two years, and the surrounding area has become sensitive to touch, almost tender, suggesting inflammation, and I have recently begun to experience a slight discomfort when swallowing - it’s not unbearable but certainly worrying. Additionally, I’ve noticed two other nodes developing in the same vicinity. Approximately six months ago, I also started feeling discomfort and mild pain in the sinuses on the right side, which persists but is less intense than it was initially. I’m unsure whether these issues are connected or not. What troubles me most is the progression of my symptoms; what began as simply a swollen node has escalated to a slight pain while swallowing. Furthermore, I can feel significant pain when I press deeply behind the swollen node under my jaw; it feels like there’s something else there, potentially another small node, which is extremely tender to the touch. I can only sense it upon probing. A quick note: I become particularly aware of the pain during strenuous activities like sprinting and while consuming coffee. I am planning to undergo a CT scan soon, but at the moment, I am aboard a ship as a seaman and unable to do so. Any suggestions or insights would be greatly appreciated!
Answers (1)
8/2/2025, 11:31:00 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're dealing with a persistent and complex issue, and I can understand how concerning it must be to experience ongoing discomfort and swelling in your neck. The symptoms you've described, including persistent neck swelling, discomfort while swallowing, and tenderness in the area, may indicate inflammation or some form of lymphatic response, which suggests your body is still reacting to a past issue.
Key Points:
- Persistent Swelling and Tenderness: The long-standing swollen lymph node combined with tenderness indicates some form of ongoing inflammation.
- Difficulty Swallowing and Pain: This could be related to the swelling itself or possibly irritation of nearby structures like the throat or sinuses.
- Upcoming CT Scan: This should provide more detailed information and help guide next steps.
Explanation:
Swollen lymph nodes can occur for various reasons—common causes include infections, inflammation, or even, less commonly, malignancies. Given your symptoms and history, especially since there has been a progression with added discomfort upon swallowing and additional nodes, this is worth monitoring carefully. Since you have already had normal ultrasounds, the CT scan will provide a more comprehensive view and help clarify any developing issues.
Next Steps:
-
Monitor Symptoms: Keep track of any changes in your symptoms, such as increased pain, any new swelling, or changes in swallowing. Note when symptoms worsen (e.g., after certain activities or food).
-
Pain Management: Try over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to help manage pain and inflammation, especially when engaging in strenuous activities.
-
Hydration and Soft Foods: Staying well-hydrated and opting for softer foods can help ease discomfort during swallowing.
-
Avoid Irritants: As you noted that coffee can exacerbate your discomfort, consider limiting intake until you can have a proper evaluation.
-
Prepare for CT Scan: Make sure you inform the medical professionals about your complete history and any changes since your last ultrasound. This information is crucial for accurate interpretation.
Final Thoughts:
I encourage you to maintain close observation and prioritize getting that CT scan as soon as possible. Being aboard a ship may complicate immediate access to healthcare, but once you're able to seek care, sharing this comprehensive history will help your providers assist you better. If your symptoms escalate significantly or you experience new concerning signs (like fever, weight loss, or severe pain), seek medical advice promptly. Your health and well-being are paramount, and it's great that you're taking proactive steps toward understanding your situation better. Stay safe!
Related Questions
Unexplained Symptoms Over the Past Few Years
Greetings, Around three years ago, I started to experience a variety of symptoms that appeared quite abruptly. They seemed to improve briefly, only to return later. This initial onset threw me into a panic, leading me to suspect something severe, like cancer. After consulting my physician, I underwent tests through a neurologist and had multiple lab analyses, yet no definitive diagnosis emerged. Frustrated by the ongoing uncertainty, I ceased my attempts to find answers and have not revisited the doctor for these issues in years. This situation dates back to approximately 2021, coinciding with my time as a nursing student. While I can't be sure if there's a connection, it was around this period that I contracted COVID-19 for the first time and also received my annual flu shot as part of my nursing curriculum. Additionally, I was treated for melanoma during this time, undergoing a Mohs procedure to eliminate it, which was part of the initial anxiety surrounding my symptoms. Below are the symptoms I’ve documented: The first change I noticed was an unrelenting muscle fatigue. Simple tasks such as carrying groceries or working outdoors left me feeling immensely winded. I began to realize that the muscles in my neck felt excessively weak, and my arms and legs, although still functional, felt distinctly weaker than before. Although I could still perform my usual activities, I often felt unsteady, especially when descending stairs. Shortly thereafter, I began suffering from frequent muscle cramps at night and persistent twitching in my muscles during the day, particularly in my legs. I also observed involuntary movements in the inner arches of my feet, which, while somewhat common, were consistently present and unusual for me. Another concerning symptom was the onset of intermittent blurred vision. This issue varies in intensity, making it particularly troublesome during episodes that seem to flare up, often exacerbated by bright lighting, like that from screens or sunlight streaming through open windows. I found myself increasing the font size on screens and printed material because reading became quite challenging. While I haven’t seen an eye care professional yet, the suddenness of these vision problems caught me off guard. Additionally, I observed a significant size disparity between the muscles in my arms; my left arm appeared noticeably bulkier than my right. As a left-handed individual, I had never paid much attention to this before, though it’s possible it’s been like this for some time. The most perplexing symptom, one that’s been difficult to research, involves my right shoulder area. The deltoid region developed an odd squishy sensation. This prompts me to mention the flu and COVID-19 vaccinations. I’ve found no information on this symptom, and inquiries yield little guidance. Initially, it felt as if a lump had developed beneath my deltoid. Gradually, the entire area became squishy, resembling fibrous, lumpy tissue rather than muscle. In contrast, when I flex my left arm, it feels muscular and firm, whereas the right arm feels substantially softer. This strange condition raises questions—could a flaw in the vaccine administration by classmate healthcare students have contributed to this issue, or is it related to my other unexplained symptoms? As for medical evaluations, my Basic Metabolic Panel and Magnesium levels were unremarkable, as was my Complete Blood Count. Further inflammatory markers including CRP, CK, and ESR all returned normal results. My hemoglobin A1c was towards the high end of normal but did not classify as pre-diabetic. Autoimmune tests yielded no significant findings, and a nerve conduction study did not reveal any abnormal results either. The results from an EMG suggested mild increased insertional activity in several tested muscles, though it was deemed possibly normal, yet it might indicate an EMG disease. Unfortunately, I was unable to undergo MRI imaging due to insurance challenges at that time. I am a 42-year-old male with no significant past medical history beyond the prior melanoma and not currently using medication, aside from over-the-counter Benadryl for sleep issues. Apologies for the detailed narrative, but I felt this could be a valuable forum for seeking perspectives. I appreciate your time. It’s important to clarify that I am not prone to hypochondria; prior to these developments, I rarely sought medical care and, oddly enough, didn’t even have a primary care provider when these symptoms began.
Young Plumber with Herniated Discs Seeks Guidance
Greetings, medical professionals. I am a 17-year-old plumber who has dedicated the past two years to this trade, beginning when I was just 15. About two years ago, I was involved in a car accident that led to the discovery of three herniated discs: one located in my upper back, while the other two are situated in the mid to lower back region. While it's possible that these injuries stemmed from the accident, I suspect they might not be entirely related. Interestingly, disc problems seem to be common in my family. I'm concerned about my prospects moving forward. What can I expect in terms of health as I age, especially regarding these injuries? Moreover, how can I prevent a situation where I may struggle with mobility in my 50s or 60s? For some time, my pain subsided, but recently, I've started to experience discomfort again in the mid to lower back area, reminiscent of what I felt initially. Any advice or insights would be greatly appreciated!
Concerns About Potential Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
For the past three to four years, I have been dealing with a persistent numbness in my left foot. Initially, I suspected it might be due to a pinched nerve or perhaps something similar, but the sensation has never completely returned. As time has gone by, I've encountered additional worrying symptoms: - My feet have started to develop a purple hue, particularly evident when I sit in positions that put pressure on my legs or when I take a shower. This discoloration has become one of the most alarming signs of my condition. - The growth of my toenails has slowed considerably, and they now appear uneven and ridged. - Additionally, my feet have a temperature that feels significantly colder than the rest of my body, and they no longer grow hair as they once did. I do not smoke and I’m not diabetic; however, I have high cholesterol and received an elevated result on a lipoprotein test. The prospect of PAD is frightening to me, as it seems synonymous with a grim future. I have been referred to a cardiologist, but they are reluctant to conduct an Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) test since I am under 35. I want to remain hopeful and believe I don't have PAD, yet I struggle to identify any other plausible explanations for these symptoms. What could be potential alternatives to consider, if any exist?
Unexplained Left Chest Pain, Electric-Like Jabs in Lower Back, and Unusual Headaches
Hi there, I’m a 15-year-old experiencing some peculiar health issues lately. A visit to my doctor led to a diagnosis of anxiety and poor posture after I complained about headaches and strange, electric sensations rising through my head. However, after that appointment, I became aware of pain in my heart and strange discomfort in my left chest accompanied by difficulty breathing. Initially, I thought these symptoms aligned with anxiety, but they persisted long enough to cause concern. To rule out any serious conditions, I underwent a blood test, which fortunately came back normal. Despite the positive results, I continued to feel unusual pains in my heart region and a peculiar ache in my lower abdomen. The doctor had previously mentioned my poor posture and identified an issue with my occipital nerve, which I’ve somewhat addressed. Now, though, I find myself having intermittent back pain and brief discomfort just beneath my left lung. These pains are indeed strange; they don’t always last long, sometimes just fading after five seconds or they might stick around for several minutes. I tend to spend a lot of time in bed and don’t often leave the house, yet when I do, these pains still occur. Thankfully, they aren’t debilitating, but I can't help but feel anxious thinking something might be significantly wrong with my health. It’s unsettling and I’d prefer not to dwell on such thoughts. To summarize: I experience chest pain in my lower left quadrant, specifically near my lung, alongside a mild but uncomfortable sensation that waxes and wanes. Additionally, I suffer from headaches located on the upper left side of my head. I apologize for any grammatical errors as I used voice-to-text for this message. Another detail that might be relevant is that I have recently quit vaping, now almost 22 days ago, and I wonder if this could be part of the recovery process.
Expectorated Large Tissue with Blood
At 28 years old, I experienced a fever the previous night, after which I had no other cold symptoms. To my surprise, today I coughed just once and expelled a significant piece of tissue mixed with blood. Following this alarming incident, I sought medical attention at an urgent care facility because I developed a headache immediately afterward and felt a peculiar "butterfly" sensation in my chest. The healthcare professionals did not conduct any laboratory tests or imaging studies, instead opting to prescribe antibiotics for what they suspected might be an infection. Is this an appropriate response to my situation? This is quite concerning.