Lump in neck - not sure what to think

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Karen3
Karen3 Member Posts: 307
edited June 2014 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

Dear all,

From details below, you will see that I have had two bouts of TN BC within four years (opposite breasts). My latest was two years ago on the left side - but fortunately that was 4cm DCIS (invisible to scans but found by me during breast exams). I just had a bilateral and that was that - no chemo or radiation the second time which was a relief! Early summer I had a stiff neck on my left side - it just felt a bit 'odd'. I also had a buzzing in my left ear and then I found a raised area / lump on the back on my neck under the hairline. I went to the doctors thinking I had an ear infection. He told me that I had wax in my ears and that the lump was not a lymph node but a knotted muscle. He gave me anti-inflammatory pain killers. They did work - for a while. The swelling went down and the neck stiffness eased BUT the lump was still there along with the buzzing in my ears. I was due to see my breast surgeon for a six month check. The sugeon told me that the lump in the back of my neck was not a muscle but a lymph node but 'forget about it - it's not a problem'. I had also noticed a swelling under my left arm with a little pain. The surgeon couldn't feel what I felt and said that it was too far up under the arm anyway to be anything significant. Fast forward to early December. The pain in my neck was keeping me awake at night - I could move it but it was uncomfortable. I teach and at times have found writing on the board difficult - I work long hours and am constantly on the move. I went to the chemist and they gave me an ointment with pain killers and anti inflammatory combined. When I massaged the ointment in, I noticed the original lump under my hairline BUT several new lumps in my neck now - all on the left side - including down the side of my neck. I went back to the doctors and saw a new doctor who felt the lumps and said it was 'highly suspicious' given my history of BC and she has ordered an MRI - I am just waiting for the appointment to come through from the hospital. So that's it - I am trying to think of a reasonable explanation for all this but it's hard. I am on my Christmas break at the moment and have noticed that the pain is not as much since I am not moving around as much - although my neck is still a little stiff and there is a distinct feeling that something is there. The pain was bad on Christmas Eve because I spent several hours bent over wrapping presents! Has anyone experienced anything like this? I am still hoping that it's not cancer and there is a B9 explanation such as a bulging disc or arthritis. I am even hesitant to post this because I really do not want to worry myself unduly thinking that BC is back.

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  • pajim
    pajim Member Posts: 2,785
    edited December 2013

    Karen, I have no good advice, but I'll cross my fingers for you!

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  • Karen3
    Karen3 Member Posts: 307
    edited December 2013

    Hi pajim,

    Thanks for your response! Until a doctor tells me different I will assume that this is B9; worry and fretting about things really doesn't help. 

    I appreciate your good wishes - it means a lot to me - and I'll let you know how I get on. I haven't received a date for the MRI yet but it should be fairly soon.

    Karen XXX

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited December 2013

    It's VERY scary when lymph nodes and other bumps appear!! Of course you will think the worst as you've already lived the worst. That is logical. But the fear, that is primal. You have the right to be afraid, but as you know, there are many reasons for the lumps to be there. When I bled all over the mammogram machine years ago, the tech looked me right in the eyes and said "Don't worry - but be concerned." I've lived with those words ever since. Being concerned means you are pursuing an answer and that's the right thing to do. "Be prepared." Yep, you're ready. At least you won't be blind-sided. Prepare for the worst, but expect the best. Keep us posted here, sweetie, you are in my prayers!!

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  • edwards750
    edwards750 Member Posts: 3,761
    edited December 2013

    Bless your heart Karen; I know you are concerned. No one can tell you not to be because none of us are doctors and I agree with prepare for the worst and expect the best. FYI I had a growth on my neck - in the front. I didn't even notice it so it wasn't large but a neighbor did. This was many, many years ago. I smoked so I was even more afraid of it being lung cancer because it sometimes shows up that way. Anyway went to my GP and the first thing he said was I have been on you to quit smoking. He squeezed it and it moved back and forth which supposedly meant it wasn't cancer because it wasn't stationary. Long story short it turned out to be fatty tissue. This was right after one of my brothers was dx with melanoma. He is fine now but he naturally was beyond scared. Keep the faith and keep us posted. Diane

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  • Karen3
    Karen3 Member Posts: 307
    edited January 2014

    Thank you for your response Diane and Barbe. I really appreciate it! I have been on holiday from work for two weeks and the pain from my neck hasn't been as bad, most likely because I haven't been as active. The lumps are still there but the inflammation around them has subsided. The lumps are not movable but seem to be fixed into the muscle somehow. Anyway,  since it's nowhere near as painful, I will take that as a good sign. Still no MRI date but I'm not too concerned apart from the fact that I am back at work on Monday and it would have been good to get this sorted before then.

    Karen xxx

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  • nora_az
    nora_az Member Posts: 720
    edited January 2014

    Karen,

    I read your post and wanted to let you know I'm sending out many well wishes for you. I sincerely hope all turns out ok.

    I know with me, I thought I had metastasis to the lungs over a year ago. What other explanation is it to have 2 nodules in the lungs (shown on ct scan) with pain? Especially given my aggressive form of cancer with a high rate of recurrence. 

     I was prepared to hear the word "metastasis to the lungs" after my lung surgery. My Doctors were expecting to hear that. My family seemed to be resigned that I would cross to stage IV after my lung surgery. When they woke up me they informed me I had a disease (Valley Fever) that caused it, no cancer. Relieved was an understatement!

    That taught me an invaluable lesson. Never ever think what you have is the worst possible thing. Yes, know it's a possibility and plan for that but never put yourself with that until there's proof.

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  • Karen3
    Karen3 Member Posts: 307
    edited January 2014

    Hi nora-az

    That's a truly amazing story and thanks for sharing - who'd have thought that Valley Fever was the culprit! 

    I agree completely with what you have said.. I've had another bad night with my neck and it's so easy to jump to the conclusion that BC is back. I have to constantly remind myself that even BC patients can have B9 conditions too! So, thanks for reminding me again..... .

    I'll let you know what happens when I (finally) get that MRI. I wish they would hurry up and give me a date!

    Karen X

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  • nora_az
    nora_az Member Posts: 720
    edited January 2014

    Karen,

    Do you have your MRI scheduled yet?

    Just curious   :)

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  • Karen3
    Karen3 Member Posts: 307
    edited January 2014

    Hi nora_as,

    My MRI has finally been scheduled for 24th January. The lumps are still there and I'm hoping the MRI can provide some answers. It's been a bit painful this week. I feel really frustrated that the MRI has taken so long to come through, but not long now. I'll let you know what happens. I'm hoping for some kind of muscle problem perhaps. Thank you for asking xx

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited January 2014

    Karen, so glad it's finally being scanned!! Please post here with your results so we can know that you are okay. Hoping that you just have a virus or something hanging on that is affecting your nodes. I think that's why they're watching mine for so long, waiting for them to "subside", though I did have a biopsy years ago and the radiologist said that even if the results weren't conclusive to keep getting them checked. I do know that my breast cancer was slow growing......

    Side story is that they finally took out the rest of my thyroid that had new lesions on it (benign). Nodes didn't calm down after that, but that's what they had expected.

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  • Karen3
    Karen3 Member Posts: 307
    edited January 2014

    Hi barbe1958 - they did a full spine MRI which took over an hour - they told me while I was in the machine that they wanted a specialist to have a look at the pics and then they came back saying they needed a few more pics. I've never been in an MRI machine for so long! They didn't give anything away so I guess I will just have to wait (again). I will post as soon as I know anything but I would guess that it will be at least another week yet.

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited January 2014

    Karen, my last MRI that I was able to have was one hour and 20 minutes!! Scared the hell out of me as I was sure it was finding something....keep us posted.

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  • Caz13
    Caz13 Member Posts: 1
    edited February 2014

    hello Karen

    I am new to the forums. I came across your posts while doing what we should never do - googling symptoms! I too have breast cancer. Diagnosed jan, mastectomy, no lymph node involvement, grade 3, chemo (EC) starting this week. I am posting to say I have the same symptoms as you seem to have. Stiff neck, opposite side to mastectomy. Lump under ear. I have had a ct ( I paid for one!) consultant said its nothing but its not going away. I've probably had it 3 weeks. I wondered if you had you'd results yet? My gp said my ear was a bit dull past the ear drum but it was bordering on normal. I'm really scared. No painkillers, hot water bottles take away the discomfort but they make my neck slightly less stiff.

    Caroline x

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited February 2014

    Caroline, you are recently out of surgery and that may be part of your problem. I came out of a breast biopsy 30 years ago with my ear on my shoulder!!! They really manipulate your neck putting the breathing tube down and mine got damaged. Ever since, I have to warn the anaesthetist and I haven't had a problem since. Try massage of the soft tissue and gentle stretches. I wore a HARD neck brace for 3 months during PT with my neck and it was the one day when they were too busy to take me right away that they threw a masseuse at me and I walked out without the brace for the first time!!! I am an avid fan of massage. Treat yourself to a pro and make sure you mention your issue. They should know how to work it. I used a sports pro. It's cheaper than a CT and much more fun! 

    Please keep us posted on how you are doing. You are in my thoughts.

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  • Karen3
    Karen3 Member Posts: 307
    edited May 2014

    Dear all,

    My apologies for leaving it so long to respond. My MRI in January (with contrast) showed that I have herniated cervical discs C4, 5 and 6 and degeneration of the cervical spine. My ulnar nerve is also trapped and I am currently losing feeling down my left arm and hand - the pain in my shoulder can be bad. BUT I am happy! It is not cancer and that's good enough for me. I am currently having weekly physio and they are trying acupuncture next week. Apparently, an operation will be the very last resort due to the location and the risks involved. The 'lumps' in my neck are still there. They are muscles which are in spasm. Muscle fibre is made of layers / strings of muscle and some of mine are bunched up in response to the problem in my neck. So there you are, easily explained and NOT cancer. Anyway, I thought I would let you know in case anyone was wondering XX Smile

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited May 2014

    Well, thank God, Karen!!! When you disappear we can only assume the worst. What you have IS second worst, but still hard to deal with. I was off work with a similar issue in my lower back and finally graduated to Fentanyl patches. Surprise!!! Once the spasms were finally broken, I was able to handle the pain and get back to work. Am I healed? No, but I can cope. I had worked my way up from Oxycontins, through Morphine and then to the Fentanyl, but it wasn't until the pain was abated enough to break the spasms that I could function. Please talk to a pain specialist. They didn't explain this to me before I began the Fentanyl in case it didn't work, as surgery was only an option if my legs became numb, which mean the nerves (for me) were dying. Two years of my life written off!!!!

    Good luck, sweetie!

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