Large lump behind ear

tribrats · #1 19 September 2009, 10:20 PM

I noticed it a few weeks ago and didn't think much of it. I thought it was just swollen nodes since I had a fever and other symptoms of a bug. Now I'm not so sure. It's now about an inch across and I think it has something to do with the headache I can't seem to ever fully shake. Hubby agrees that it doesn't feel like tissue as much as if feels more solid. Like bone.

I think that along with the headache, it may also have something to do with the steadily worse ear-achey feeling.

I have TMJ so the ear-ache could be from that.

I'm taking Nate to the doctor's Monday so I'm gonna bring it up but maybe someone might have some ideas about it.

franjava · #2 19 September 2009, 11:15 PM

A cyst? Those show up in weird places.

tribrats · #3 19 September 2009, 11:41 PM

Cyst is a possibility. I had a growth on my leg that was removed 1 1/2 years ago that was what the doc said was a solid cyst. Pressure on the lump causes pain.

blucanary · #4 20 September 2009, 12:48 AM

Is it in line with your tubes? They can get painful and swollen when you have an inner ear infection. I'd say a trip to the doctor is in order.

tribrats · #5 20 September 2009, 01:51 AM

Ear infection also crossed my mind. It could still be the node too.

I don't have a fever. But about a week ago I spiked a fever and slept for 15 hours straight.

erwins · #6 20 September 2009, 01:54 AM

I would bet it's the lymph node. I had one on the back of my head swell like that, and it felt pretty solid, and also hurt a lot to put pressure on. And you should definitely have it checked out. For it to get that big and swollen, I would think that it's probably because of an ear infection.

(In other words, um, what everyone else said....)
erwins

tribrats · #7 20 September 2009, 01:59 AM

I'm gonna go ahead and call Monday morning and see if rather than just glance at it while in for Nate they can schedule me in too.

Might have to wait until Tuesday though. Nate has been diagnosed with hypoglycemia and we also see a nutritionist Monday.

Undiagnosed ear infection would explain the constant headache, ear-ache (minor, feels more like when a hair gets in there) and the swelling though. Just never had swelling like this with one (then again, only have had a couple so not too familiar with them anyways).

ETA: Come to think of it, an infection would also explain why my blood pressure has been slightly up.

purpleiguana · #8 20 September 2009, 03:24 AM

My mom gets a recurring cyst behind her right ear. It gets about the size of a large pea. It definitely feels hard, but I wouldn't say as hard as bone. Cartilage, maybe. If it's honestly as hard as bone... well, no matter what, I would definitely say go see a doctor.

tribrats · #9 22 September 2009, 01:45 AM

I don't have an ear infection. The gland is, as she said, "very, very swollen" though. She said that the position and size are pushed against the tube in the ear causing it to mimic an inner ear infection.