Freaking out - lump in my armpit

Okay, so yesterday I noticed that the area under my armpit was sore. I thought it must be a bruise. I pressed on it and barely felt a little bump there. It is really not in my armpit but kind of below it, if that makes any sense. Like if I put the top of my hand at the top of my armpit the lump is about four fingers down - sort of where your bra goes across to your back.

It hurts when pressed on and seems to be getting bigger the more I press on it. Today it is apparent to the eye.

I am obviously freaking out. I cannot even look at the babies without crying and thinking that I may not always be around.

Please please please tell me I am being ridiculous. Please tell me that cancer bumps do not hurt to the touch.

I happen to have an appt. with my ob/gyn on tues. for a pap smear so I guess I will have to wait until then.
Does anyone know anything about this???

Thanks,
Amy

 

I had this twice. Once about 5 years ago and the doctors sent me for a mammo and an ultrasound. The doctor said "its a good sign it hurts. cancer lumps rarely hurt." It turned out to be fibrous (sp?) cysts and a swollen lymph node. The second time it happened right after the girls were born and my doctor said that since we all have breast tissue that extends up into your armpits, this can happen when your milk comes in. I was so engorged it backed up and I had a big lump under my arm. I don't remember if you are BF, but regardless you might have an infection. I know a friend of mine's daughter got an infection from nicking herself while shaving. If you are concerned, call your primary doc so if it is an infection they can start you on antibiotics. GL!

 

Go see your Dr. for reasurance -- but I've had this probibly a half a dozen times == its (for me) from shaving -- eventually I have to get the bump draned (and boy does that hurt) -- but otherwise -- it's nothing to worry about. As the pp said cancer RARLY hurts. ((hugs)) i know it's scary though, my mom had breastcancer - and I totally freaked the first time I got one.

 

Please see someone ASAP! Never fool around with a lump. Yes pain is a good sign but don't take any chances.

 

Amy-
I am sure it's scary to find a lump, and I know I'd be scared, too. But it's probably an infected follicle or sweat gland. Have your MD take a look at it, but I would think everything is ok. Take Care!!
Kate


QUOTE(ahmerl @ Jan 16 2008, 06:15 PM) [snapback]575095[/snapback]
Okay, so yesterday I noticed that the area under my armpit was sore. I thought it must be a bruise. I pressed on it and barely felt a little bump there. It is really not in my armpit but kind of below it, if that makes any sense. Like if I put the top of my hand at the top of my armpit the lump is about four fingers down - sort of where your bra goes across to your back.

It hurts when pressed on and seems to be getting bigger the more I press on it. Today it is apparent to the eye.

I am obviously freaking out. I cannot even look at the babies without crying and thinking that I may not always be around.

Please please please tell me I am being ridiculous. Please tell me that cancer bumps do not hurt to the touch.

I happen to have an appt. with my ob/gyn on tues. for a pap smear so I guess I will have to wait until then.
Does anyone know anything about this???

Thanks,
Amy

 

I'm sure it's nothing and pain is a good sign! But please get checked asap! Better safe then sorry.

 

I would definitly get in checked, but my guess is maybe an ingrown hair or blocked pore. Good luck and try not to worry.

 

I agree that it is probably a blocked pore or ingrown hair. Definitely call your doc. :hug99:

 

I would definitely get it checked for your peace of mind but when it happened to me a while back in the same general area it was a gland that was enlarged. The doctor could tell that it was not down in the breast tissue but more on the surface, just under the skin, if that makes any sense? Doctor's can usually tell just by feeling if it's something to worry about or not. In the meantime, if it is a swollen lymph node or some other type of gland, sometimes warm compresses will make it less sore. :hug99:

 

That happen to me a little after my twins were born... it went away a few days after it began getting sore. It was a cyst... it hasn't come back since. I was also freaked because there is quite a bit of breast cancer history in this family.

 

:hug99: PP's are right that pain is a good sign... and I am pretty sure that cancer doesn't respond to pressure by increasing in size... but nonetheless, you should be sure to mention it at your doctor's appt. Let us know how everything goes!

 

I currently have two in my armpit and had one in the other armpit a few months ago. It grows very quickly and the pain radiates into my shoulder and arm. Very red and visible to the naked eye. Both times it has been a staph infection probably passed by my razor. I can't remember what antibiotic they gave me the first time, but it did go away. However, both of my twins were diagnosed with the MRSA staph infection in December which is resistant to a lot of antiobiotics so he gave me Bactrim this time. This is the same thing the twins were taking for the MRSA. The lumps are gone although I haven't finished the medication yet.

Hope this helps! Definitely see a doctor though so he can give you something.

 

Amy,

Well, the good news is that if it hurts, it's probably not cancer and most likely a cyst. I had this last year while I was PG....Talk about being scared!! I say go and get it checked out, but, I doubt it's something to really worry about!

 

Are you breastfeeding? I noticed a large bump also...scared me to death. Thankfully I had a check up coming up, and I was told to put a warm/hot washcloth on it or stand in the shower and let hot water run over it and it would release milk. I did the shower and sure enough it was milk clogged. I am breastfeeding though. Hope this helps.

 

When I am really sick my armpit lymph nodes swell.... Hopefully it is that! GOOD LUCK!