hi jason, im not too familiar on your case but i gather from what i have just read from your thread that you are having trouble getting a diagnosis?....i am almost 4 years in now and having the same problem(as have most people on here). however i am in the uk and not lucky enough to have access to some of the dr's that are listed on this site.

just wanted to say that i also have had a lump on the side of my neck near the base - it has been there for the last 3 years and i would agree with jo that it is to do with a scalene or lymph node...not necessarily anything to do with an artery (of course its better to be safe than sorry and see a vascular dr). if u have had a doppler then perhaps that would've shown any blockages?....