What is this swelling above my collar bone.

[MegGriffin]

I have had it over 3 months and have booked doctors for next Friday. It is above my right collarbone, the swelling is soft and inside it is a movable long thin lump. It does not hurt at all and I haven't had any infections or bites etc. It does not bother me except it hasn't always been there so o worry about things like lymphoma. I know that apparently cancer lumps are usually hard and immobile so it's probably a lymph node....Has anyone had anything like this at all or any doctors with ideas please? I keep swinging between thinking I'm over reacting and then thinking I should rush to the doctors. In case you can't notice it, it's on the left in the picture but actually on my right. The redness is my terrible British tan

MRI done.

Did anyone experience their 'swelling' throbbing? It seems worse in the morning and then late at night. My neck is also aching at times.

Randomly, someone suggested all this could be a result of 'tech neck' - anyone have it on here?

Thanks

Once mine swelled so bad I couldn't turn my neck and it hurt too. I have never had it happen like that again.

Thanks @littlelinda52 how long did it take to reduce back to 'normal' size? Would you say it felt painful or bloated/like a tyre of fat? Do you have any tinnitus (just wondering if there's a link)? Thanks

It took a couple years for the swelling to go down significantly. I don’t have tinnitus. I believe my over using Flonase is the culprit. I stopped using it and switched to saline nasal spray and the swelling went down.

@JustLaura i think I suffer from tech neck from using cell phone mostly. I’m doing better from working on posture and holding phone higher but still feel tightness in neck and shoulders sometimes. Tech neck seems to have shown up in last 12 months but the fat pads have been present for around 4 years. Not sure this info helps but never know…

I have the same fatty lump on my left side. I was originally worried about the vein there as it seemed to have a visible lump when stretch my neck out. While I was dwelling on that, I noticed this lump on my left side. My brain immediately went to the worst case senecio so I did the only thing I could think of and I googled it which led me here!!

After reading the topic, I feel much lest freaked out. Thank you all! Seems like some got answers but most are still wondering.

My theory to help me sleep tonight is that I am right handed, so maybe my right fatty pad is more trim which makes the left look much bigger.. not sure but I just seem bigger everywhere on my left. Strange.

hello everyone I’ve been following this post for a loonngg time now. About 6 years ago I woke up and seen these bulges by collar bone instantly freaked out at the time I had a 4 year old and a 7 year old so I literally thought the worse. I took my self off to the dr to get some blood work done had an examination etc nothing came back. I’ve been back numerous time as it’s got bigger and they weren’t concerned. I’ve now figured when my neck muscles play up my bulges get significantly bigger. I suffer with fibromyalgia and chronic pain syndrome so muscles are always playing up. When mine bulges I get my hot water bottle out to relax my neck muscles and it takes a few days for it to settle but the bulges deflate… there’s nothing under the bulge so I guess that’s why it doesn’t cause any concern for the doctors.. but recently I had a throat ultrasound done when I was away in Lanzarote because I passed out mid flight and it has come back I have cysts on my thyroid… could it be linked? I don’t know how long I’ve had these cysts for but they always swell up with my neck almost constantly and even been very noticeable to people looking at me.

I suffer with health anxiety and it was a nightmare of a time when I first noticed these.
Figuring out my own “triggers” for these don’t have me so stressed anymore but would love for someone to actually say it is this 🤣🫣

Thanks @Turbomama

I am wondering if I have a few things going on and I'm trying to link them up and I shouldn't be.

My phone usage has dramatically increased since 2020 so I would not be surprised if the pain is tech neck related and the swelling is a separate thing?

I still find it odd that my swelling is 1 sided but I'm definitely feeling as though my neck feels and looks thicker.

Update! MRI results.

Thank you again to all who have replied and reassured me.

I got my MRI results and I am officially fatty lumped on one side! (GP says I'm unusual to have it on 1 side only!)

The scan did show an issue with my neck discs though.

My GP says to just check the fatty lump each week and if it changes from soft to hard, to get an urgent appointment.

My blood test results remain off so I need further blood tests!

Hi hope you're okay, did you get any answers?

Hi @GenaMoore

My MRI showed a fatty lump on 1-side. GP said never seen it on 1-side only previously.

My blood work is still problematic but I don't think the blood issues are related to the lump.

How are you?

I have the same issue, it is apparent when I tilt my head back. It came on this summer after COVID infection. No palpable lymph nodes though. The puffiness has not yet resolved. I am 47 and perimenopausal. All recent blood work is normal. Any new news on this issue?

@AJRey if it's only when you tilt your head back it's likely a muscle?

Is it on 1 side only or both sides?

Is it 'normal' when you look at your reflection straight on?

Hello - yes, it is when I tilt my head back or shrug my shoulders back in an exaggerated motion. I'm seeing my DOM today, so I'm going to have her look at it.

Hello Meg I have the same issue how did it go how was it treated what was the result

Hope someone sees this. I appreciate it's an old thread that gets updated at times.

I have the exact same on 1 side (right side).

Has anyone found out what this could be?

Is it muscular?

I do tend to sleep all night on my right side though not sure it's linked?

I would love any advice or to hear from people with the same?

@HappyDaysAreAhead If it is just one side, I’d definitely make a GP appointment. Usually muscular is both sides. However, who’s to know. Do you have any other notable symptoms?

See your Doctor.

@HappyDaysAreAhead I have had ever test under the sun with mine that is on my right side. It is fat. Turns out it is pretty common. As long as you don’t have any symptoms other than it existing, I would be pretty confident it is the same as mine. Talk to your GP to ease your mind, but if it is anything like everyone else’s on this thread, you are okay :)

@HappyDaysAreAhead mine is the same as @TomRusty I’ve had the test and it’s shown as fat. It’s quit common. I do look at everyone’s necks now to find it on people haha 😛. Definitely have it looked at though. I’m going back about mine as my arm and hand is weak. But nothing that stops my usually day to day stuff just noticed as difference so think it’s pressing on a nerve now. I do have a little on the other side too.

Seen my GP. Had an MRI. Result was that they didn't know what it was or why it's only 1 side but it had no serious features. I found this board and was shocked at how many people have it on 1 side only. So confused.

Cheers. Seen my GP. Had MRI. Result was they didn't know what it was but it didn't look alarming. Told to go back if it changes from being soft to firm. Peculiar isn't it? I do spend a lot of time on the phone at work so I have wondered if it was actually muscular! I'm right handed too.

Ha ha! I look too! Not seen a 1 sided lump in real life on someone else yet. Mine seems to flare up at times but for no reason. Perhaps it is pressing on a nerve.

I saw my GP. Had MRI. Result was they don't know what it is but no serious features so could be fat.

I still get worried about it and the panic sets in.

When it's really bad my underarm throbs. Hence my post today really. It's a bit fatty under my right underarm too. Went to the breast clinic for that one and they said fat.

I am overweight. I'm a size 14 but I'm small in height.

Are they going to do an MRI again?

@HappyDaysAreAhead I havent had an MRI on mine. Just an ultrasound, blood work and a cancer neck and head doctor look at it. Just fat his words. Though to me it feels like muscle. It’s so odd. It’s not visible all the time, just when I stand up straight and push my shoulders back, if I slouch it’s not there.

i too get sore underarms, I think that’s due to my endless prodding as my health anxiety is through the roof now after the referral for the fat lump.

I had gained weight after pregnancy back in 2017 and I have recently lost 1 stone but it’s not making a difference to the fat on my collar bone/neck. I think it’s call lipoma as it’s different to normal fat.

Mine is visible all the time.

I'm terrible at googling symptoms when I know what that leads too.

I asked about lipoma but they just said they didn't know. I'm sure that's the case on my underarm but not sure on the neck.

When it's really pronounced it looks like there's a dip in my shoulder bone to me. Sort of like a permanent dig in line if you were wearing a far too tight bra strap.

I can live with it just being there but I spiral when its throbbing.

GP even said to me "we all get these things as we age" to pacify me.

Hi Emma,
I have this condition it is called Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS) my swelling is on both sides worse on the left .
It is basically compressed nerves and artery
"The main cause of TOS is that the nerves and blood vessels going to the arm and hand get squeezed near the thoracic outlet. This can occur for many reasons.
Pressure on nerves and vessels can happen in people who have fractured their clavicle. It can also happen in people who have an extra first rib, although this doesn't always result in TOS.
Extra muscle or scar tissues in the scalene muscles can put extra pressure on the nerves and arteries. Heavy lifting and carrying can bulk up the scalenus muscles to the point where the nerve and arteries get squeezed.
Traumatic injury from a car accident can also cause problems that lead to TOS. In an accident, the shoulder harness of the seat belt can strain or tear the muscles. As they heal,"
https://www.davisandderosa.com/Injuries-Conditions/Shoulder/Shoulder-Issues/Thoracic-Outlet-Syndrome/a~373/article.html. Hope this info is useful.