The Last Couple Of Years I've Had 2 Or 3

The last couple of years I've had 2 or 3 instances (invariably during start or during winter) when I suddenly couldnt turn or even move my head and neck even a fraction as I got unbearable shooting pain running all the way from the top of my head to my neck and shoulders lasting 3-4 days. Lately I've been experiencing bumps on the skull which swell and is painful and then the swelling subsides and disappears. Yesterday, I had swelling with some pain on the base of the head at the back left side and swollen glands (about half to an inch in thickness) on the neck immediately to the left of the spine. The swelling is barely noticeable today. I am physically active and feel fine. Sometimes i do get headaches, fatigue and sometimes feel mild depression but all of which could be from day to day stress. There is history of cancer in my family and both my parents passed away young of different causes. i am nearing 40 and have small kids and am concerned if it could be cancer or something life threatening. Ive consulted my family physicians a couple of times during annual physicals but they didn't comment or do any tests. However Please advise.