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[Angel1964]

Hi ladies not Meno related but I can't switch brain off.  Last May I noticed my left external jugular stuck out like a thick rope and on inhaling it goes even bigger and exhaling deflates. But it's always there and I'm feeling it with fingers all the time. Had it checked out twice at walk in centre and a&e. They done ultra sound said no furring or blockages. No-one though can tell me why it's raised though. All they say is it's not heart as I've got no swellings legs/feet. That side of my neck near collarbone and up to  ear always feel
stiff and I can feel lumps which I'm told are muscular or  nodes. It worries me everyday exacerbating my anxiety. See GP last week and she just said it's been checked and stop worrying. Google done me no favours as it all says it's not normal and it's heart related JVP or JVD! .  How can I stop myself thinking about it 24/7. My partner wants me to go on holiday abroad in February but I'm stalling it as so worried about flying with the pressure on plane. 

[suzysunday]

It's so bloody awful when anxiety grips you.  It's hard to advise because you still have to live with yourself.  But you have had it checked and given some assurance, but of course you worry because you don't know what it is and it won't go away. Looking symptoms on line is a sure way to more anxiety and tears, we've all done it. Then you don't want to plan things for fear of illness, like your holiday. Many on this forum have health anxiety including me.  Always an anxious person recent health problems have escalated my anxiety to levels I can't believe. I can't offer much practical help except the usual like relaxation, supplements etc, but all you can do is plod on and keep busy, exercise and have some faith in your body.  In the last couple of days I started a thread on here called "can't cope after recent health scare" and I had many helpful replies from women in similar situations.  Don't know if you will find anything there helpful if you read through it.  For me mornings are the worse and just doing the basics is an effort. You will find kind people on this forum who will give you support. 

[AgathaC]

Terrible health anxiety over here. I'm in a mad checking phase. I look for lumps every day. I honestly think I've lost the plot at the moment. I've got two medical appointments on Tuesday for different worries. My husband has the patience of a saint. I must drive him nuts because I am driving myself nuts!
Try and stop worrying Angel. Your GP is right. It's been checked.
Keep busy. Book the holiday. Go for a walk. And remember you have kindred spirits on here xxx
Lots of love xxx

[Angel1964]

Thank you Agatha I've been a worrier since late 20/30,s but since post menopause it's rocketed and this bloody outer jugular vein is doing me no favours. Good luck at your appointments and fingers crossed all is ok xx

[CLKD]

Stop worrying?     it's age related.  Apparently.

Do keep a mood/food/symptom diary so that you can refer to it.  Might help a little.

What's the worst that could happen?

[suzysunday]

AgathaC  your sentence about losing the plot made me smile.  I think I have recently and sure my partner does, but he's too kind to say.
Agatha, know what you mean about more worry post meno.  Horrible feelings can't last forever .

[CLKD]

They can unless we learn how to deal with them.

Anxiety can trigger all kinds of issues but if hormones settle, anxiety should become less.  If indeed, the anxiety is hormonally triggered so it is important to find out what the trigger might be and treat accordingly.  Life-long if necessary.

[Angel1964]

Stop worrying?     it's age related.  Apparently.

Do keep a mood/food/symptom diary so that you can refer to it.  Might help a little.

What's the worst that could happen?

What the vein is age related? X

[Angel1964]

Hi Angel, Has the vein been the same since May when you noticed it? Did your GP do your blood pressure? How was it?
When you noticed it last May, around that time, anything different in your life? Stress levels? HRT? X

Hi Jari. Yes vein the same since May. BP was raised but then dropped, due to anxiety. Last hospital visit 29th October for stomach pains they had no concerns with BP, bloods. Got diagnosed with gastritis and I asked that doctor about vein and he said it's not heart.  I'm always anxious. Started hrt in June. Came off, went back on it October, on 6th patch now. Wasn't on anything at time of jugular appearing.

[Conolly]

Hello Angel1964,

This is the opinion of a dear friend from the US who worked as a Registered Nurse and is more knowledgeable than many doctors:

'My guess is normal muscle contraction in neck plus exaggerated muscle spasms due to stress in neck causing constriction of blood vessel in one area and resulting in bulging in another area of vein.  This opinion only after her being thoroughly checked out.'

I have found the name 'jugular phlebectasia' . Google it and see if the images and description ring a bell. Fortunately, it's a benign condition.
Conolly X

[Angel1964]

I noticed in photos I have one on my neck too.Very prominent but its been there for a few years now.Never crossed my mind to have it checked out!

Teresa does it go in and out with your breathing? If it does please let me know

[Conolly]

Another possibility... https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1387251/pdf/annsurg00436-0144.pdf


Conolly X

[Conolly]

Have you mentioned the soreness in left breast and nipple during your appointment?


Conolly X

[Angel1964]

Hello Angel1964,

This is the opinion of a dear friend from the US who worked as a Registered Nurse and is more knowledgeable than many doctors:

'My guess is normal muscle contraction in neck plus exaggerated muscle spasms due to stress in neck causing constriction of blood vessel in one area and resulting in bulging in another area of vein.  This opinion only after her being thoroughly checked out.'

I have found the name 'jugular phlebectasia' . Google it and see if the images and description ring a bell. Fortunately, it's a benign condition.
Conolly X

Hi Connolly, thank you so so much for this. I do have tight muscles all around my outer jugular, my neck and on a dip just above clavicle. So this is making sense. I will Google why you put. Again thank you so so so so much xx

[Angel1964]

Have you mentioned the soreness in left breast and nipple during your appointment?


Conolly X

No that has only started last few weeks so I'm thinking HRT patches. I have mammograms yearly without fail due to a lump in right breast that I've had biopsies on and it was fine.