Ache on left side of neck under jaw when swallowing for 3 weeks

Posted , 34 users are following.

Hello, I have been going into a deep depression because of this. It all started 3 weeks ago when I noticed I had a minor sore throat on the left side when swallowing saliva. I went to a walk-in clinic last week and have almost finished all the anti-biotics I was given for a supposed "sinus infection", which I know I don't have. I have no other symptoms and feel completely fine outside of this issue.

Whenever I swallow saliva I will feel a dull ache or quick pinch deep near my left lymph node, near under the left side of my jaw. It is about an inch or two to the left of my adam's apple.

I don't notice it as much when eating but I do when drinking. I've been taking 1200mg of ibuprofen a day which sometimes gets rid of the pain for a few hours, but it's starting to have no effect. I would only rate the pain a 2 or 3 out of 10, so it's minor, but it has been constantly there for 3 weeks.

I've researched this like crazy and I feel it's not related to the throat, but more so my neck/left lymph node area that stems to beneath the left of my jaw. There's nothing visibly wrong so I'm at a total loss. I've read it could be inflammation of the cardoid sheath over my jugular vein, as I do always feel my pulse when I touch the area where it aches after swallowing. I've so read thyroid issue, lymph node issues and just about everything else.

The issue is that I have to see my Doctor to get referred to a specialist but because of the holiday season he is booked until the 20th of November. I fear going to the hospital would just lead to me getting an inconclusive result as I feel this cannot be determined by just feeling the area for it feels like it always has on the outside. Still, I cannot get away from this ache or pinch when swallowing.

Please help. Any kind of insight would go miles to calming me down. I also suffer from Bipolar 2 disorder so this does not help. I smoked for 5 years but recently quit. I'm a tall 27 years old in otherwise good health.

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  • Posted

    I’ve been experiencing this lately too. I’m not sure how long it’s been going on but it starting worrying me thinking about it today. Do you have any updates yet? I know someone said something about a wisdom tooth so I think that could be what’s wrong with me, because my wisdom teeth are trying to come in right now. My mom doesn’t think it’s a big deal even though I’m worried about it. Hope you can update us soon!
  • Posted

    Hello!  Currently I am having a dull, achey pain in my left jaw/neck area.  It's hard to pinpoint but id say it's below and/or diagnol from my earlobe.  I don't think it's a tooth issue or a infection.  I'm very nervous and would love to hear what the others who have the same ache have been diagnosed. Not sure if it's related but, I have quit smoking 2weeks ago. Please send your thoughts!!! Thanks!

    • Posted

      Mine started when I quit smoking. I cheated quite a bit and the issue continued... I'm hoping that smoke free (all types) will eliminate the issue. 

    • Posted

      Hey Jeff 

      Mine went away for maybe three weeks and I thought it had finally ended. I too quit smoking now about a month ago and now it came back about three days ago and it’s worse than before. It’s really scary especially when you start googling the symptoms. I’m seeing a dentist tomorrow to rule out a problem with me teeth first. If there’s no dental problem, my next step will be my primary care doc to request a CT scan. I must have an answer now!

    • Posted

      Went to the doctor and he found a Stoney like mass near my tonsil. X-rays were negative and I have an ultrasound on Wednesday... we'll see what comes of it

    • Posted

      Take a look at my reply today and I'll let you know what comes of my ultrasound on Wednesday 

    • Posted

      Hi...did your pain subside? I have had this for 5 months. I have no wisdom teeth or tonsils, it's not strep. Have taken antibiotics...have been to an ENT: nothing was visible in my throat. Dr has ordered a CT scan of my neck. Am seriously freaked out. Pain is back of left side of throat and into the left ear.  Also sore if I press the left side of my Adams Apple under my chin. Please send any advice you can...

    • Posted

      This is so confusing to me those are all the same symptom that I had, and the first thing the Doctor mentioned was thyroid and she send me to do some labs work and it came back positive so she gave me this medicine and I thought it was like for a month and she said is for lifetime. So then the pain came back she referred me for ultrasound and then gave me a higher dose. So today I am feeling the same symptom again... I can say that it comes back like every two to three months.
    • Posted

      my dentist says that its probably stress related. that when i quit smoking and drinking my body needed a new habit to relieve stress,so naturally my body decided the new thing is clenching and grinding my teeth, another suggestion is that i sleep with my mouth open . over use of muscles and dry throat

  • Posted

    Hey all,

    So the pain got so bad I hit up the emergency room last night. Swallowing was a chore but still no noticeable swelling and Still no cause identified. I will be seeing my doc and specialist later this week. I have never had my tonsils and adenoids out and am wondering if it could be an infected tonsil. I'm hoping to get some answers soon so I'll report back any findings. FYI, Ive quit smoking cigarettes over the last year and just quit smoking marijuana to see if this is the cause as well. I'm hoping not lol

  • Posted

    Hi everyone. I just started having similar symptoms also. 

    On 12/28/2017, I got sick. 

    On 1/04/2018, I started having a sore throat

    On 1/15/2018, I started having a sore throat where it was difficult for me to swallow food and water. The left side of my neck and mouth is swollen. There is also pain on my left teeth. 

    The pain is an 8/10 when I eat, 7/10 when I drink, and a 3/10 after I take some Tylenol. 

    I assume that this is all related to my cold, and it will go away in time, once my body fight off all of the bacteria or virus. 

    I have never smoked, so to all of you smokers, I don't think smoking is an issue. I think it is bacteria related. 

    I hope you all are relieved of this pain soon. 

  • Posted

    Reading the comments above,i had the same expirence and mine was on the left side exactly as explained by others.Very painful and hard to breath at times.I took treatment for three different things i felt was the problem and now i feel better.so much better.

    1) I had to see that i excrete daily and as much as possible.Google foods or medications that can facilitate excreting.

    2) I took Ibuprofen 342mg *2 twice a day.Antibiotics twice a day.

    3) drank much water.

    4) If you can access any Asian store or restaurant,ask for a fresh ginger,garlic drink.  ( very effective in total body cleansing,immune boasting and antibiotics)

    5) To make the ginger garlic drink,blend a handful of ginger and get only the water. ( use hot water), dice about 5 bulbs of garlic and drink with the ginger water. ( Add honey if you wish).can do it daily if you wish or simply eat about 3 bulbs of garlic every night and morning. Generally,this is very good for the human body.Do regular exercises (Note. also drink antibiotics and Ibuprofen as prescribed)

    contact me if you need more direction. 

    Moderator comment: I have removed the email address as we do not publish these in the forums. If users wish to exchange contact details please use the Private Message service.

  • Posted

    Hey everyone... has anybody figured this out. Mine's been going on for 6 months it's in my jaw it's in my throat behind my left lymph node. I've had my wisdom tooth pulled. It is draining me emotionally physically and spiritually if anybody has any answers please let me know I've had CT scans I've had blood tests I'm going insane

    • Posted

      Hey man I've also had CT done with no luck and am also loosing my mind. Been non-stop for over a year now. Any answers?

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