Swollen neck

[Mistyscot]

my left side on my neck is swollen it's not sore and the last week or so I have been feeling good best I have been for a while ........

I on holiday in France so don't want to go t a french doctor and I be home in over a week .... just i'm a bit worried

Thanks Jan

[Celtic PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Jan, is it the gland that is swollen? If so, it could be something totally unrelated to PMR but in the absence of any pain or other symptoms it is difficult for us to advise you. If you are worried, then you need someone to check it over and give you expert advice. If you don't wish to see a French doctor, what about a local pharmacist?

[Slowdown]

Mistyscot, I experienced this a few weeks ago, my neck felt 'thick' but with no soreness or other symptoms. My GP referred me for an ultra-sound scan .. nothing untoward found which did a lot for my peace of mind and it has now returned to normal. If you're otherwise feeling fine and no other symptoms develop maybe a check-up with your doctor on returning home is a good idea, just to set your mind at rest.

[Mistyscot]

This morning went to see the Doc about my swollen neck ...... have to go for a xray on my chest has anyone else had to go for a chest xray and more blood test ........

just trying to keep myself from thinking about it to much ........ it will be next Thursday or Friday before I know anything

Jan

[Mistyscot]

Update I have got a appointment with the ear,nose and throat at hospital next Friday so hoping they will find out why my neck is all swollen and stop me felling if I'm choking

Jan

[Mistyscot]

Been to the hospital and they say it is a layer of fat round my neck with the weight i have put on the last few years so I'm counting am calories and try and loss a weight , have waiting to go for a scan . has anyone had this ....... just a bit scared not a nice feeling

Jan

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Mistyscot]

Deposition of fat around that area is a "normal" result of taking pred - it's called moonface and if you google it you will find pictures.

Many of us have either avoided it or managed to lose it by not cutting calories but cutting carbohydrates drastically - I lost 36lbs in weight by doing that. And it is simple, if requiring discipline.

Others have also lost weight - but however you do it, cutting carbs from your normal level is almost essential.

[Mistyscot]

thanks PMRpro I have cut out most carbohydrates but early days ,I will keep off cabs as I am so scared with the choking feeling i will have to loss some weight and I have cut down to 10mg of pred and i'm feeling ok ........ i will go for my scan just to make sure .

I did ask the doctor if it was the pred that was making the fat under and around my neck and he said no it was because your over weight as you can imagine i was i bit upset leaving the hospital.

Jan

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Mistyscot]

What a prat! It IS because of the weight gain - but the specific area around the neck is typical of pred side effects and, to be honest, I'm a bit disappointed your GP didn't recognise it to start with either.

If it is any consolation, Sambuca on this forum had knee problems which were actually over and above PMR. She had a clinic appointment and the dear young lady doctor said "It's because you are overweight, lose the weight and you won't have knee problems." S asked her if she had read her notes: Yes. "You noted I'm on high dose pred for GCA?": Yes. "Do you know the side effects of pred? Get out and send me someone who knows their job!" The nurse was wetting herself laughing and the consultant hastened in to apologise.

It is difficult to control weight gain when on pred - but it is possible and weight loss is also possible.

Good luck.