Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Flip

Original poster

Pain and Lump in neck Chiropractor

18 replies

Stumpted88 · 02/12/2018 22:21

This may be long sorry.

I have been seeing a chiropractor for a few weeks now because I have a serious pain in my neck. Including causing partial deafness on the side where it hurts.

The pain comes and goes, and gets worse when seated. Chiropractor can’t find anything wrong,other than posture, and of course the pain is not there as much when I see them.

This week I have had some really bizarre symptoms, where if I eat large chunks (think a chunk of chicken in a salad), swallowing agrivates my neck in the same spot, but from the inside. I also now have a lump/knot near my spine just below the base of my skull.

The pain spreads up the back of my ear and near the front.

I can’t get an appointment for weeks on the NHS so have been paying to see a chiropractor personally. They have been doing massage and adjustments and it has helped but bow back to square one.

In quite bad pain at the minute, and really need to know where to turn to next as not sure my chiropractor can fully diagnose my issue.

It’s not glandular, I almost feel like I have a cyst or lump growing near my spine that is pressing on various nerves and muscles? Is that a thing other people have experienced and how, in light of not being able to see my regular NHS doctor, do I get a proper diagnosis, so I don’t have to spend Christmas in pain?!?

OP posts:

snowflakealert · 02/12/2018 22:38

I don't want to worry you as it may be something of nothing, but your symptoms sound similar to those of someone I know, and which has turned out to be quite serious. Please make an appointment to see a doctor as soon as possible.

Original poster

Stumpted88 · 02/12/2018 22:44

I am already worried (family history of brain tumours).

I have been trying for an appointment with my gp, but don’t seem to be a priority.

My only option is to keep paying private for pain relief or go to the nurse lead Minor injuries clinic, to be prescribed paracetamol.

Any gp would surely send me for an X-ray or MRI? Is there a way to go private for one, without a go referral?

OP posts:

redsummershoes · 02/12/2018 22:48

you need to see a gp urgently. difficulty swallowing could be due to swelling of lymph nodes or thyroid.
you might need a blood test and referral to an ent.
good luck

chiropractors are quacks

3luckystars · 02/12/2018 22:49

I dont think a chiropractor can help, it sounds like you need to see a gp urgently.

Yes you can pay privately for a scan but if there is something wrong, you will need to get back in to the public system anyway so you must get a gp to see you or go to the hospital.

Goid luck.

wafflyversatile · 02/12/2018 22:49

Have you called the NHS number?

Can you turn up for emergency appts at your gp?

Is there any other surgery nearby with better system you can register with?

Is there a walk in centre you can get to?

No point spending more time and money on a chiropractor.

Orlande · 02/12/2018 22:50

Are you just asking for a routine doctor appointment?

Usually you need to call first thing in the morning and ask for an urgent same day appointment.

PickAChew · 02/12/2018 22:53

For goodness sake, see a bloody medical professional instead of a quack. A lump that affects your hearing and makes it hard to swallow is not something to treat with snake oil, in the first instance.

Original poster

Stumpted88 · 02/12/2018 23:00

I rang 111 and got an out of hours gp appointment, who then called back and refused to see me because I am registered with a GP!

I am honestly trying! Semi rural area only one GP clinic for a large ageing population, I might have to just lie on the phone (will be my third call tomorrow) to try and get an appointment 😫😫

OP posts:

Original poster

Stumpted88 · 02/12/2018 23:01

I couldn’t see my regular GP before and ended up in a&e with pneumonia! Health services where I live are terrible!!

OP posts:

3luckystars · 02/12/2018 23:03

Tell them you need an urgent appointment or you are bringing a deck chair over to the surgery tomorrow and will sit there until you see the doctor.

RB68 · 02/12/2018 23:04

I think the point being made is you are assuming your appt isn't urgent or an emergency - its urgent so not utter priority for an appt but also not a wait three weeks job. Just push the receptionist and if she is not having any of it get a phone call from GP who once you start talking about pain when swallowing etc will likely book you in

LastOneDancing · 02/12/2018 23:05

I'm a fan of my chiropractor but she'll tell you if it's not improving in 3 sessions it's not going to work.

Why do you need to lie on the phone? You're in pain & have gone partially deaf! That's not right!
Or can you afford a private Drs appointment for the referral?

eggncress · 02/12/2018 23:07

Urgent GP appointment for asap.

If no face to face appointments ask for same day telephone consultation where gp will phone you back at agreed time to discuss your symptoms.

Failing that then I’d make an appointment to see a specialist at your nearest private hospital.
If it’s anything serious you can be referred back to nhs

Original poster

Stumpted88 · 02/12/2018 23:11

@RB68 thank you, this rationalises it a lot for me and explains my state of mind.

Was really hoping for a back door (where I wouldn’t be a burden on the services) to get an appointment with someone who isn’t just going to make me wait weeks, and then refer me on to another appointment that I have to wait weeks/months for, when it’s probably something that is (fingers crossed) nothing.

I have little faith in my GP surgery service, after my experience with pneumonia and find the receptionist really fucking rude! And don’t like the confrontational aspect of trying to see a doctor... (bonkers I know)

OP posts:

Walkingthroughawall · 03/12/2018 11:56

I can’t think of a single thing that causes deafness that a chiroquacktor can treat - it’s rather alarming that they’ve even tried.

If you insist that there is no possibility of seeing (or having a telephone appointment with) your usual GP then there is very likely to be a private GP nearby that you could start with.

Delatron · 03/12/2018 20:05

Yes, call for an urgent appointment tomorrow. This is urgent! You need to get referred and x-rayed as soon as possible. Lumps/deafness etc can not be treated by a chiropractor!

If you can’t get one then there are private GPs who will refer you.

Original poster

Stumpted88 · 09/12/2018 22:27

Update: Finally got an appointment this week with my GP, I have basically rang 5 times a day for cancellations. Including illegally using my phone when driving (I need to get to work, and they say call at 8am! Thankfully I am stuck still in the worst traffic at this time)

Chiro has been really good and wont take any more money off me until I have seen the gp, she has been great for pain relief, but as my symptoms have progressed she has been really cautious.

She has definitely not been a quack, fantastic pain relief (no big cracks etc, she has wanted to take it easy on me due to my bizarre symptoms!) and has also insisted I see my gp, much easier said than done!

After a day of so of relief my neck has seized up (although no pain) yet the pain in my neck when I eat chunky foods is back..

Will keep you posted xx

OP posts:

Starrrz · 16/11/2023 21:05

@Stumpted88 how was it ?

Flip