I get pain to my right shoulder/crease of the right shoulder and neck when I drink alcohol. It doesn't matter what kind, it happens within the first few sips and is an intense pain 9/10. If it had ever happened on my left side I probably would have called 911 thinking it was a heart attack it's that intense, but it is always in the same spot on the right.
I also have a 3cm lymph node on the right side of my neck by my carotid. It's firm, painless, and pretty immobile.
My primary doctors (I've seen 2) seem skeptic of lymphoma as they've never heard of alcohol induced pain as a symptom, but I did get a surgical referral for the enlarged node. They did an excisional biopsy 2 days ago, but pathology just called back and said that the sample they received was actually a salivary gland.
I feel so lost, I don't know where to go from here. I convinced myself to just make an oncology appointment because my insurance doesn't require referral, but the receptionist seemed very put off that I wanted an appointment with no referral and no diagnosis.
Am I crazy? How worried should I be that this could be Hodgkin's lymphoma? And where should I go from here?
Alcohol Induced Pain - 1289161
amsterlu
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Reply # - November 11, 2016, 11:29 AM
Edit to add: I had an
Edit to add: I had an ultrasound before biopsy that confirmed a 3cmx?cmx1.9cm lymph node at my carotid, my neck is currently too swollen and sore post op to verify that the concerning lump is still in my body, but I'm fairly certain he removed the wrong thing.
Reply # - November 11, 2016, 07:43 PM
Hi amsterlu, I'm sorry you
Hi amsterlu, I'm sorry you're going through this. I know how scary and stressful it can be. However it would be quite unusual for an oncologist to see someone not diagnosed with cancer. It's up to a doctor outside oncology to do workups and diagnoses. If the appropriate nodule was taken and the whole node was taken and it only represented normal tissue then it's probably not cancer. Perhaps an ENT in your case since the node is in the throat could look into possibilities. Nodes swell when there's an infection. There's not much to say from here since we couldn't have all the details nor are we equipped to diagnose.
Prepare for appointments with specific questions (in writing) about you and your symptoms and with the knowledge you've gathered that makes you think you have such a specific disease. The doctor will be able to answer questions and explain your findings. The web is an incredible place to educate yourself but it's also a place to pick up anecdotal information that often doesn't pertain to most people. Most doctors are more than willing to discuss your situation but only as usually only from your lead in the discussion. I remember a time (1990 to be specific) when I obtained info about something and when I told my doctor and wanted to discuss what I was learning he told me to stop trying. Today is a new day and most doctors are willing to have patients be a part of their own care.
I hope you find answers and I hope it's not cancer. But if it is we will be here to find your way through the process.
All best,
Janine
Reply # - November 11, 2016, 07:45 PM
And...
And...
I wonder if the pain with your drink alcohol is because the alcohol comes into contact with an injury to the esophagus.