PMR and swelling on neck above breastbone

[Rosshigh]

Hi has anyone experienced a swelling just above breastbone where you have a hollow on neck. Just wonder if it might be to do with my thyroid.

Wonder if this is linked to PMR.

[123mossie]

Yes I have, that little pad of fat that just sits there. I don’t thinks it’s related to anything other than age & maybe weight gain due to pred. It came up on a post ages ago & many people have it.

[Rosshigh in reply to 123mossie]

Thanks for your reply. You have put my mind at rest. X

[SnazzyD]

Does it feel like a pad of fat? This can happen after a few months of Pred which tends to make one move fat to around face and neck. Really, a doc needs to set it to determine whether it is fat, an enlargement of a structure underneath or a growth.

[Rosshigh in reply to SnazzyD]

It does feel like a fatty lump so sounds like fat transfer but might mention it to gp next time we speak thanks x

[Kendrew]

Yes...I've developed a fatty pad exactly where you said and also either side of neck on top of shoulders. Seems to be diminishing as dose of steroid drops.

[Rosshigh in reply to Kendrew]

Thanks Kendrew was worried about it as my daughter noticed it. Thank goodness for this forum x

[lalar]

Doesn't hurt to get a blood test for thyroid. Especially if you are experiencing any other thyroid symptoms -Feeling cold, or increased sensitivity to cold temperatures.

Hoarseness.

Dry skin.

Constipation.

Fatigue.

Memory problems.

Thinning hair or hair loss.

Hard to distinguish as some of these things appear to cross over to PMR. I am puffy everywhere including neck/shoulder area and now developed a buffalo hump on back of neck. This is after 5 months on pred. My Dr. just gave me Furosemide as a diuretics' to supposedly help with all this. - My problem is don't want to take any more stuff- anybody familiar with this drug?

[Rosshigh in reply to lalar]

Hi lalar I actually do have a couple of the other things like hair loss, fatigue and dry skin so maybe worth getting it checked anyway thanks x

[lalar in reply to Rosshigh]

Probably a good plan,, ,my sister started with a swelling and it turned in to a gouter

[Rosshigh in reply to lalar]

Thanks will get it checked x

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to lalar]

A diuretic isn't going to help remove the typical fat deposits due to being on pred - around your face, midriff and back of your neck. Care is required with diuretics when on pred as pred tends to make you lose electrolytes anyway and diuretics may make that even worse.

What can help a lot is a low carb diet, especially cutting processed carbs and added sugar. That also cuts the salt in your diet a lot and is helpful in reducing the puffiness. Carbs also tend to store water. It also allows you to avoid weight gain when on pred, or at least minimise it, and many people have even been able to lose weight.

[lalar in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for the advise...I am going to hold off on that for now. Yup no more quick dinners....back to scratch cooking again...I've got this!

[Susan1705]

Now you mention it, yes I do!! had not noticed before

[Rosshigh in reply to Susan1705]

Hi susan1705 I hadn't noticed it myself but my daughter did. However not so worried about it now.

[Tarym]

I’m in the process of having a similar neck swelling investigated. I was referred to ENT at hospital, had a very thorough examination and then later on had an ultra sound scan. The consultant thought it was sternoclavicular joint arthritis which might be related to my Polymyalgia. I’m still awaiting a telephone follow up with him after my scan, but it seems it’s not anything to get too worried about. It’s worth getting it investigated for peace of mind.

[Rosshigh in reply to Tarym]

Thank you. Please let me know when you get results as would be very interested to know. I will mention it to go next conversation.

[Tarym in reply to Rosshigh]

Will do.

[Tiredcat]

Yes, I have a round pad of fat there, plus some squishy fat at the end of one clavicle just above there. I asked my doctor, she sent me to the hospital to have it checked, and the conclusion was that it's a fatty deposit caused by prednisone. My doctor had been a little worried it might be thyroid related. At one point someone on this forum sent in a photo of hers, mine looked exactly the same.A number of people answered when I asked about it on the forum, the gist of the replies said it goes away either as you get close to zero, or at most, some time after you are off prednisone, up to two years.

[Rosshigh in reply to Tiredcat]

Thanks. Sounds similar to mine so reassured.

[Fimckenz]

Interesting, as I had a lump appear on the tip of my right collar bone at the centre. But it is almost like the bone has grown! It is solid and has got bigger. Saw the doc, saw ent now having a CT scan tomorrow.

[Rosshigh in reply to Fimckenz]

Mine is definitely soft. Hope your scan goes OK and nothing to worry about 🤞🤞

[Karenjaninaz]

Yes, I!m glad I’m not the only one.

[Seacat30]

Found this while looking for something else.

Neck

[Rosshigh in reply to Seacat30]

Thanks that is exactly like mine. Reassuring x

[Bennijax in reply to Seacat30]

Thank you for posting the image

[Marcy47]

Yes I have had this for several years, started Pred 6yrs ago.

Fatty lump on neck.

[Rosshigh in reply to Marcy47]

Definitely like mine so greatly reassured thanks x

[Islandgirl50]

I was on prednisolone for 4 1/2 years High doses for GCA and PMR , I certainly noticed my usually noticeably “ hollow” had become a spongy blob of (fat? ) I am fortunately in remission now and yes , my blob has gone , along with my full moon face . ,

[Rosshigh in reply to Islandgirl50]

Yes it is a bit strange but nice to know it will go eventually 🤞x

[Golden20]

Me too. It’s not tender at all and it just sits there. Mine also seems to be diminishing as I’m reducing my pred.

[Rosshigh in reply to Golden20]

Thanks. Sounds the same as mine x

[Golden20]

Me too. It’s not tender or anything and seems to be getting smaller, as I lower prednisolone dose.

[Sharitone]

Me too!🤣 good to know it will go away one day!

[Rosshigh in reply to Sharitone]

Yes thank goodness!

[Bennijax]

A year after I had first major symptoms of PMR I developed a swollen right clavicle. It didn’t hurt, I only saw it when someone took a photo of me and was shocked to see it so blatantly protruding. My breast cancer consultant had ct scanned but no bone or other cancer was found. My rheumatologist thought it was ‘something’, but turned out not to be. As I began to take more preds it gradually reduced in size. It is slightly bigger than the left clavicle but no one notices it.

[Rosshigh in reply to Bennijax]

Hi glad it is nothing sinister x

[suenewberry]

Think it might be worth getting checked out if the swelling it showing. Where you have described is the thyroid gland. A blood test will show whether you have an underactive thyroid. I also had an ultrasound on my neck which showed up a nodule which was benign.

[Rosshigh in reply to suenewberry]

Thanks I am planning to speak to gp hopefully today x

[Whitner]

So good to hear so many have the same thing. I noticed it after I started prednisone. Mine is on both sides just above my collar bone. They are soft and squishy. My daughter noticed them. I've reduced my pred dose and they might be a little smaller.

[Rosshigh in reply to Whitner]

Thanks. It was my daughter who noticed mine too. Hoping it will get smaller as I reduce too