Lump In Neck? How Do I Make Doctors Listen? Posted: 06-09-06 17:40pm
Hi
up until I had my daughter 4 years ago, I
was always slim and healthy. For the
past three years my symptoms have
continually got worse. I have thinning
hair, abdominal weight gain, dry skin,
heavier periods, water retention to my
face in the mornings, hands and feet in
the evenings, no sex drive. More
recently a weird sensation in my throat
when going asleep, like something moves,
also very 'crampy' neck, occasionally
feels like food is getting stuck.
Dizziness also at various times, which is
quite scary.
I was refered to an endocrinologist last
year, he was convinced that I had diabetes
as I was suffering from boils at the time,
tests showed no diabetes, he never saw me
again. My own gp admitted that the
change in myself was acutely obvious, but
she could not think what it could
be...Maybe lupus? This was her thought
not mine.
I was sent for bloods, these were the
results
fbc
wbc's 9.7
rbc's 4.48
hb 14.4
packed cell volume 0.417
mcv 93.1
mch 32.1
mchc 34.5
red blood cell distribution width 13.3
platelet count 299
mean platelet volume 10.4
neutrophil count 6.3
lymphocyte count 2.8
mono 0.5
eos 0.1
baso 0.0serum sodium 141
serum potassium 4.3
serum urea level 2.6
serum creatinine 77
gfr calculated 76.9
serum ferritin 78
serum iron level 19
unsaturated iron binding capacity 45
serum tibc 64
serum totalbilirubin level 8
serum gamma gt level 31
alt/sgpt serum level 25
alk phos 100serum total protein 69
serum albumin 44
serum tsh level 1.50
i was told that the results are normal,
being not very happy with this, I have
recently changed doctors. I went and
saw my new doctor who whilst listened to
me, did not offer me any hope of a
diagnosis. I told him that I have a
lump in the front lower right hand side of
my neck, and did he think that this would
have any relevance on my symptoms. He
immediately felt the lump and told me it
was a cyst on my thyroid, but as my tsh
levels were okay on the above results
(some 7 weeks earlier), then whatever was
happening to me was nothing to do with my
thyroid!
To say that I was disappointed was an
understatement!
I am a blood donor and the above blood
test was taken 48 hours after I had given
blood.
I know my body better than any doctor, I
have gained three stone in three years,
although I cycle daily, look after a
toddler, main carer for my parents (one is
blind, the other has a heart condition), I
have a very poor appetite, I am never
hungry and can only eat small amounts, ie.
Cereal or toast for breakfast, fruit or
sandwich for tea, sometimes a bag of
crisps or fruit as a snack throughout the
day.
My doctor says that it is normal to lose
hair, and also maybe I am eating my main
meal (a sandwich or fish ) at the wrong
tiime of day (4.30)
i would like anyones opinion... The more
the merrier.
I want to know what test anyone thinks
that I should have...Would an ultra sound
on my neck be helpful?
Also should I have my t3 level checked.
Incidently I took my basal temperature
every morning for 10 days, on eight of the
days it was 96.8, the other two days it
was 96.1
any help please, or advice on getting
doctors to listen to me...
|
angie28
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 2
Re Posted: 08-10-06 16:37pm
I too have a lump in the lower right side
of neck. Dr checked thyroid and it was
low so now am on synthroid. That was
about a month ago. Now the last three
weeks my voice is strained and hoarse but
inside of throat doesnt hurt. Still have
swollen gland and lump,was told maybe
cancer. Ent dr ran scope down my throat
and said all was good, had a barium
swallow study b/c the feeling of something
stuck in throat, and that was good too. I
am getting so fustrated with all of this
and ready to give up also on paxil too.
Hope you find out soon and if anyone can
give me advise please do.
|
bevs1066
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 09 Jun 2006 Posts: 2 Location: England
Posted: 08-10-06 16:42pm
Hi
thanks for your reply, I hope that you do
feel better soon.
I changed doctors, this one was very
alarmed about the size of the lump in my
throat. Had an ultra sound yesterday.
Right side of thyroid is enlarged, but of
normal tecture, technigian said that this
would not be causing my problems, but that
he would measure it again in 3 months???
I asked him what the lump was...He said
'maybe muscle mass!'
not very pleased, as now the neck pain is
affecting my ears, and swallowing.
Will keep trying though.
|
angie28
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 2
Posted: 08-10-06 16:44pm
Lol we sound pretty much the same. Well
good luck to you and I may change drs
also. Im just tired of hearing well this
is ok and this is ok and making me feel
like its all im my head when I know its
all in my neck. Ty and good luck keep me
posted on how your doing
|
get well
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 17 Sep 2008 Posts: 5
Posted: 09-18-08 12:19pm
How are the neck things going? I have mono
(and before that St. Louis enchalitis from
mosquito bite) and have problems
swallowing for over a month-it also feels
like I'm being strangled all the time. ct
scan revealed a few lymph nodes just
slightly enlarged, but shouldn't be
causing this problem. I've also had ear
pain for 4 months. I think i will be
getting an ultra sound soon, and then my
infectious disease doc said I should
probably go to the endocrinologist. are
you guys better and what happened?