Q:

For the past year I have experienced a strong aching pain in my neck/shoulder area immediately after having a few sips of alcohol. It is worse sometimes than others and goes away after a couple minutes, even if I keep drinking. I have heard this is a symptom of Hodgkins Disease, I don't want to overreact but this is a strange symptom I am concerned about.

 

A:

It is true that lymphoma is associated with alcohol related pain that is unexplained, possibly sensitivity in enlarged lymph nodes.  Your history that this has been going on for a year makes lymphoma less likely as it would be unusual to have lymphoma for a year without developing other symptoms like nightsweats, swollen lymph nodes or other systemic symptoms.

It is possible you have a sensitive esophagus to alcohol and that you are feeling referred pain from your esophagus (spasm can cause pain in the neck and left shoulder).  Diaphragm muscle pain can be referred to the shoulder but a little alcohol is unlikely to inflame the diaphragm.

If you want to be checked (lymph node exam and possibly blood count and chest xray) we can do that for you for reassurance.  But we may not be able to figure out why alcohol is causing this symptom.

~The Doc