My name is John. I'm 22 years old. I'm 5'9" and weigh 140 lbs (64 kg). I'm hoping for some advice on how to combat a rather persistent condition.

About a month ago, I noticed a small bump on the right side of my face next to the top of my ear, close to the temple. There was some swelling and an occasional mild throbbing pain that flared when I put pressure on it. Over the next few weeks, the swelling spread down to my ear lobe and then to the top of my ear canal (just behind the jawbone). The swelling is visibly noticeable (around 1/4 of an inch/.6 cm) in these areas. The swelling also impedes my jaw when I open my mouth more than halfway. The area is now more sensitive to pressure (I would rate the pain around a 4 on a 1 to 10 scale, 10 being most painful), and the throbbing pain occurs between one and three times a day, often after I chew or move my jaw for an extended period of time. Other than after meals, the throbbing pain often occurs when I lay down to go to bed around 11pm or 12, but it could be that I just ignore the pain the rest of the day.

Suspecting an infection, starting 4 days ago, I began taking cranberry supplements (1/day) and drinking two glasses of cranberry juice every day. Since then the condition has not spread, but has not receded either. Yesterday, I experienced a severe loss of appetite (but it seems like today I'll make up for it). I take no other medications and haven't been to a doctor in several years. I do not know of any diseases or conditions that run in my family.

I cannot think of anything that could have triggered this condition. I suppose that it was a somewhat stressful time period, but I am usually not physically affected by stress. I consider myself a fairly healthy eater; I eat a few servings of fruit and/or vegetables every day and eat fast food/restaurant dining once every week or two. I feel that I should mention that I have experienced no loss of saliva, which seems to be a symptom of problems relating to the salivary glands.

I hope this enough of a description upon which to base some advice. I'd be more than willing to clarify if necessary. Thanks!

Any lump swelling like that should really be properly investigated by a doctor before you think of self treating

1. I can't afford to go to a doctor. That's why I'm here.

2. The only difference between the average doctor's diagnosis and the average non-doctor's diagnosis is their amount of medical knowledge and the tools they have at their disposal. Do not assume that I do not know more than the average non-doctor.

3. Refrain from telling me how to run my life. One of the specific purposes of this section of the forum is to allow forum members to give diagnoses and treatment advice. "Go to a doctor" is not treatment advice and as a response is an insult to your intelligence and proof of your medical ignorance.

Virtually no internet site can hope to diagnose in the way you want and it would be totally irresponsible for anyone not to suggest lumps and swellings are not checked properly after all it could be anything from Cancer or mastoid or simply a root canal infection

Precisely what kind of voodoo requires a doctor to visually confirm a condition in order to diagnose it? As I have said before, I would be more than happy to answer any questions or fill in any details necessary.

If no internet site, including this one, can hope to diagnose me based on my answers to the "Questionnaire" sticky, then what exactly is the point of the questionnaire in the first place? And why does the description of this sub-forum include homeopathy's "application to particular cases"?