Hi! Good evening. I am Dr Shareef answering your query. Even though it needs a physical examination of the neck region to reach at a conclusion, from the history it seems to be a cervical lymph node swelling or a thyroid related swelling if it is seen and felt on the outside of neck while yawning. If I were your doctor, after a general physical examination with special attention to the head and neck region, I would advise you for some investigations like a complete blood count including an ESR, and a thyroid function test. Also an FNAC (fine needle aspiration cytology) of the lump and an x ray chest if need be could be helpful. Considering the symptoms of GERD (acid reflux) for a long time, I would not hesitate to refer you to a gastro enterologist for an endoscopic evaluation of your GI tract to rule out any organic cause of your feeling in the throat. In addition, you could do the following for getting some symptomatic relief from the symptoms of GERD : 1) Elevate the head end of the bed with two blocks on each side, so that the regurgitation does not occur while lying down, and the contents of esophagus and stomach flow down with gravity. 2) Some modification in your diet like more of roughage, enough liquids, avoidance of oily, fried, and fast food, and complete abstinence from alcohol and smoking if you do. 3) Regular routine exercises like morning walk depending on your medical fitness. 4) Prescription for a prokinetic agent and a proton pump inhibitor for symptomatic relief and to have a control on the acid production and facilitate movement of gastric contents downwards. Further management would depend on the reports of investigations.I hope this information would help you in discussing with your family physician/treating doctor in further management of your problem. Please do not hesitate to ask in case of any further doubts. Thanks for choosing health care magic to clear doubts on your health problems. I wish you an early recovery. Dr Shareef.