Advertisement

 

doctorslounge.com

 
Powered by
Careerbuilder

 

                    Home  |  Forums  |  Humor  |  Advertising  |  Contact
   Ask a Doctor

   News via RSS

   Newsletter

   Rheumatology

   News

 

 Conferences


   CME

   Forum Archives

   Diseases

   Symptoms

   Labs

   Procedures

   Drugs

   Links

advertisement.gif (61x7 -- 0 bytes)

   Specialties

   Cardiology

   Dermatology

   Endocrinology

   Fertility

   Gastroenterology

   Gynecology

   Hematology

   Infections

   Nephrology

   Neurology

   Oncology

   Orthopedics

   Pediatrics

   Pharmacy

   Primary Care

   Psychiatry

   Pulmonology

   Rheumatology

   Surgery

   Urology

   Other Sections

   Membership

   Research Tools

   Medical Tutorials

   Medical Software

     
 
 

 Headlines:

 
 
 

Doctors Lounge - Rheumatology Answers

"The information provided on www.doctorslounge.com is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a patient/site visitor and his/her physician."

Back to Rheumatology Answers List

Forum Name: Rheumatology Topics

Question: Hard neck lumps and fibromyalgia


 marina42 - Mon Jun 29, 2009 11:32 am Bookmark and Share  

Dear Dr.,

I am a 33-year-old woman (5'4, 120 lbs) recently diagnosed with fibromyalgia after exhaustive testing. My pain has decreased and my sleep has improved with daily yoga and diet modification (I gained 7 lbs back).

But I still have several hard lumps in my neck that cause great discomfort. Three lumps are where lymph nodes would be above the clavicle and under the jaw; two are right on the SCM; four are along the trapezius, on the back of the neck. Some are as small as 1 cm; some are much larger.

An ultrasound, chest X-ray, a CT and a PET/CT, all in the last seven months, have shown no malignancy -- and no significant lymphadenopathy. A needle biopsy failed to show what the lumps are. My doctors say "reactive nodes" (for seven months?) or "scar tissue" and "don't worry about it." All CBCs are normal; no Lyme disease, either.

The lumps themselves don't hurt, but they make everything around them hurt. I also have constant rock-hard swellings and pain in my jaw muscles.

What are these lumps, since they are not cancer? Sarcoid? Calcifications? Does "scar tissue" make sense as an explanation (with no injuries or accidents)? How can I get them to go away?

Thanks,
Grace
 Tom Plamondon PA-C - Wed Aug 05, 2009 8:57 pm Bookmark and Share  

User avatar Hello Grace,
I am at a loss for what the lumps are given that all the testing has shown nothing of significance.
I may speculate that the lumps are muscular related since there are located over the muscle. They could be balls of fascia which cover the muscles. If so, then treatment would be myofascial release.

All the best to you.

|

Check a doctor's response to similar questions

 

advertisement.gif (61x7 -- 0 bytes)
 

Are you a Doctor, Pharmacist, PA or a Nurse?

Join the Doctors Lounge online medical community

  • Editorial activities: Publish, peer review, edit online articles.

  • Ask a Doctor Teams: Respond to patient questions and discuss challenging presentations with other members.

Doctors Lounge Membership Application

 
     

 advertisement.gif (61x7 -- 0 bytes)

 

 



We subscribe to the HONcode principles of the HON Foundation. Click to verify.
We subscribe to the HONcode principles. Verify here

Privacy Statement | Terms & Conditions | Editorial Board | About us
Copyright © 2001-2010 The Doctors Lounge. All rights reserved.