severe head pain accomp. with a lump at the back of his head

[limpapimpa]

My son has a lrg sized lump on the left side of the back of his head near the nape of his neck. I just saw it, he said he has had it about 6+ months now. He has not gotten injured or fell, or anything to explain it being there.
He said he exp. severe pain and the feeling of great pressure in his head. He told me he has to pull over when he is driving, or stop and be still when he is working to let the feeling pass, after it passes he is left with debilitating headaches, he described feeling his heartbeat in his head and in that bump on his head.
He has been without health ins. for some time and  felt it was just stress and would eventually go away.
he doe have an appt. this Thursday to see our old PAC, but I am frighten for him. Should he be taken to the ER when he has another episode, or wait for his appt. on Thursday?
Please help
2-1714

[Momof3Gramof2]

Any lump should not be shrugged off; take him to a doctor now...  six months and all those issues is not good. Hospitals will work with him if he has no insurance (I assume he is an adult)...and often will write off bills, especially if it turns out to be something serious. In the ER you will see an MD; PAs are good but in my opinion he needs a physician NOW, and maybe an MRI to see what this is.
I hope you get some answers, but waiting won't make it go away or take away his headaches or Mom's worry.

[louella13]

It sounds like a swollen lymph node. Make sure the doctor knows all the symptoms to get the best diagnoses. Good luck my lil sis had really bad swollen lymph nodes when she was five.

[mkh9]

I think he needs to get a CT scan of his head to determine if he had a tumor or not (most are benign) or a cyst or he could have an infection. Infection is not likely since it has been so long but check for fever anyway. The problem is that he may have a seizure at some point if this lump puts pressure on the wrong spot. He shouldn't drive any more, period. Since he is having these episodes you really should take him in right away. He doesn't have to have another episode. You want to get the scan done as soon as possible. If you find out it is a brain tumor and it is cancer I suggest you see Dr. Cloughsey at UCLA. He is the leader in this field. But I hope it is benign and not serious. My husband's brother had a BT and went to Dr. Coughsey.  We have been through a lot so if you need any information let me know. If I were you I would get him insurance today and take him in after that because it will become very expensive even for a visit to the ER and CT scan etc. meds all that stuff. It doesn't sound like he has been taking care of himself if he let this go for so long. Time to take the reins. Really he should go to he ER if you can afford it. You need to find out what is going on and they will do the CT or MRI the same day I believe. The mass (whatever it is) is putting pressure on the brain and/or nerves and causing pain. So, that is what I think.