Ambien--Have you experienced these side effects?

I have been taking Ambien for some time. I have been having a tightness in my throat as if I'm being strangled. This has been happening for the past 6 months. After many tests I have been diagnosed with a cyst and nodules in my thyroid and swelling of the lingual tonsils at the base of my tongue. Has anyone else experienced these problems or had similar diagnosis? The manufacturers have recently postly swelling of the throat & tongue as a possible side effect.