Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Swollen Muscle At The Base Of My Neck?
Question: I have a swollen area at the base of my neck on my left side, above my clavicle--I think it is lymph glands and perhaps a swollen muscle. I also have found that I can only sleep for 4 hours a night before I wake up and then I have difficulty going back to sleep because it feels like I have post-nasal drip; I can only then sleep in a prone position; yet, my sinuses appear clear. I have difficulty breathing when I sleep at night after the first 4 hours. I am a 9 year survivor of breast cancer. I am also manic-depressive (bipolar)--I tend to get mania in the spring. I have worked in a hardware store and was exposed to lots of toxins in a short period of time in 2005. I am worried that I may now have some sort of lymphoma. Trazadone and/or antihistamines gave me a short period of angina. I am very sensitive to medicines and chemicals. I take anstrazole (generic for Arimidex) and have done so since 2013. I am post-menopausal. How can I tell if I merely pulled a muscle and have some tendonitis or if it is swollen lymph glands or worse--more cancer or lymphoma? I await your answer.
Brief Answer:
You should go for fine needle aspiration cytology.
Detailed Answer:
Hi, dear
I have gone through your question. I can understand your concern.
Based on your description, this swelling seems more likely to be an enlarged lymph node. However possibility of pulled muscle or other musculoskeletal condition cannot be ruled out especially if you sustained an injury and its hurting you. Further sometimes post nasal drip leads to ear, nose and throat inflammation which can produce reactive lymph node enlargements.
A physical examination, ultrasound examination and fine needle aspiration cytology or biopsy is the means to confirm the nature of this swelling and whether or not it is related to a cancer. But if you are unable to see a doctor, you could try anti inflammatory pain medications for a few days. Antibiotic drugs may benefit you if there are clinical feature of infection. Reactive lymphnode or pulled muscle might settle down with this trial. If the lump persist, I insist you see your treating doctor and plan for fine needle aspiration cytology or biopsy once. You may have lymphoma, metastatic carcinoma from breast or some other lymph node pathology.
Continue with all other medicines you are taking.
Hope I have answered your question, if you have doubt then I will be happy to answer. Thanks for using health care magic. Wish you a very good health.
You should go for fine needle aspiration cytology.
Detailed Answer:
Hi, dear
I have gone through your question. I can understand your concern.
Based on your description, this swelling seems more likely to be an enlarged lymph node. However possibility of pulled muscle or other musculoskeletal condition cannot be ruled out especially if you sustained an injury and its hurting you. Further sometimes post nasal drip leads to ear, nose and throat inflammation which can produce reactive lymph node enlargements.
A physical examination, ultrasound examination and fine needle aspiration cytology or biopsy is the means to confirm the nature of this swelling and whether or not it is related to a cancer. But if you are unable to see a doctor, you could try anti inflammatory pain medications for a few days. Antibiotic drugs may benefit you if there are clinical feature of infection. Reactive lymphnode or pulled muscle might settle down with this trial. If the lump persist, I insist you see your treating doctor and plan for fine needle aspiration cytology or biopsy once. You may have lymphoma, metastatic carcinoma from breast or some other lymph node pathology.
Continue with all other medicines you are taking.
Hope I have answered your question, if you have doubt then I will be happy to answer. Thanks for using health care magic. Wish you a very good health.
Note: Do you have more questions on diagnosis or treatment of blood disorders? Ask An Expert/ Specialist Now
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
