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jordan1995
14-04-15, 14:07
Hi everyone, I am a 19 year old, athletic male, and over 2 months ago I started having serious anxiety and panic attacks over cancer for some reason (for the first time in my life), which caused my neck to stiffen up. I ended up becoming so health conscious over my health as a result of the anxiety and started stupidly scanning my entire body for lymph nodes, and found a small (1 cm sized) movable one in the left supraclavicular fossa, this freaked me out so much (However, I do remember getting a vaccination 4 years ago which caused this area to swell at the time).

I then came down with a sinus infection and began to have aches in both my left and right supraclavicular fossa (Maybe from the constant poking and prodding or maybe from the stiff neck and anxiety). I have also been lifting heavy weights at the gym which can make the area hurt sometimes or become stiff and uncomfortable.

I used to experience shooting pains down the left side of my neck around 5 years ago (but do not get this anymore). And I have always got aches in my left clavicle my entire life when lying in odd positions for too long.

I have found that the aches are worse in my left side now, but will start to feel better after a few days. Then I'll sleep with a low pillow and wake up with the aches again. (Which is making me think it could be a strain of some sort).

Just to be safe, I visited a doctor who felt my neck and said she feels nothing to be concerned about. And also got a second opinion from a specialist in Ear, Nose and Throat who really dug around in my neck and said the palpable lymph node is nothing to be worried about.

I'm wondering what you think these aches could be on my left supraclavicular fossa? And how they could be treated? (I should mention, it also sometimes radiates an ache into my traps and upper pectoral.)

I think it may be muscular, a tendon injury or ligament. As I may be susceptible to tendon injuries as my groin is very weak (Hurts after every game of football I play) and I once suffered from a 6 month hip tendon injury. Also as the aches only really started after I suffered anxiety attacks.

Maybe useful to know, I also suffer from post nasal drip and tonsil stones. (Which the ENT told me is not a big deal, and said the tonsils themselves look healthy enough, and that I could have them out if I wanted, but did not say it was by any means necessary) I have no other aches or pains in any other part of my body other than my neck.

Sorry for the long question, just figured it would help if you knew it all!

---------- Post added at 13:07 ---------- Previous post was at 12:57 ----------

I haven't stopped going to the gym since I've had this ache, which I guess could be a reason it's taking so long to go away? Also, can panic attacks lead to aches in the left collar bone? Thanks guys, I'm just so scared its something serious.

Gary A
14-04-15, 15:08
It certainly seems very likely to be some kind of muscular injury or strain. It's maybe just the way you sleep or something of that nature. If you're worried about cancer, don't be. I'd seek advice from a physiotherapist, apply some heat pads to the area and make sure you do some kind of warm down after excersise. If you're straining that area then resting it instantly for long periods of time it will reek havoc on the muscles and tendons.

jordan1995
14-04-15, 22:04
Thanks Gary! Are strains in this area common after suffering panic attacks and anxiety? The area feels a lot stiffer and 'fuller' to the touch than the right side, almost like there are enlarged tight tendons or something, is this common with a strain? I have read the left side of the neck just above the collarbone does have a slightly different anatomy to the right so maybe I'm just feeling these differences. I've just come back from playing football tonight, my neck wasn't hurting at all for 30 minutes, then I started to feel it become uncomfortable again, so I guess again suggesting a muscle problem. I just can't keep my hands off it feeling around and rubbing the area, which can't be helping, it's so frustrating. I'll definitely take your advice on using heat packs, and will possibly use some muscle relaxants, and then I'll look to see a physiotherapist if this doesn't work.