What Causes Swelling And Stiffness In The Neck?

Hi, I am a 48 year old male (6'2 235), and I am having tightness in my throat/neck area. It does burn when I drink carbonated drinks or chew gum It feels on somedays that my neck is swollen, but it doesn't look like it when I look into a mirror. It's been a been a month now since this has been happening. Sometimes I feel numbness in those areas, and my right ear starts to ache a bit. I do not have problems swallowing. I am a former smoker (have quit for a year now), but I have chewed nicorette gum (10 to 12 pieces a day 4mg) for the last 7 yrs now in an effort to cut down on cigarettes. Recently I had a wheezing dry cough. It was weird because I wouldn't cough naturally or automatic, I could hold it in. But the feeling of coughing is kind of going away now. I have some post-nasal drip and it is white. I have some mild shoulder (trapezes area) and back pain (middle, between shoulder blades), but it's not continuous. I do not feel burning sensations in my stomach or chest area, so I was wondering can acid-reflux still be causing these problems even if I am not having heartburn or tasting acid? Thank you.