Lump in Axilla?

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

OK, I've got a wee bit of a predicament......it's so easy when I'm the nurse talking to a patient, but not so great when I AM the patient.

A few weeks ago, I found a small lump under my right arm that I thought at first was perhaps an ingrown hair. No matter how often I bathe and/or shave, I get these rather frequently in the summer, due to heat I imagine, but they always go away within days. This time, however, it didn't, and what's more, it's bigger than it was when I first noticed it.....about the size of a marble now. It doesn't hurt, and it feels a lot like the fibroadenoma I had in my left breast way back when I was in my late 20s. But I mentioned it today when I had my annual mammogram, and while the technician naturally couldn't tell me what it was, she emphasized that she would make sure the doctor looked at it, as it evidently showed up pretty plainly on the films.

Now, maybe I'm a little jumpy because of my friend and co-worker dying of lymphoma just last week (the funeral is tomorrow, and I am soooo not looking forward to this :crying2: ), but I'm just a wee bit troubled by this development, even though I can't imagine it would be anything serious. I haven't been sick recently; there's no new areas of pain or discomfort, and except for my latest bout with asthma and allergies, I feel great! So where would this swollen lymph gland come from, I wonder? It's the only one I can feel......even the ones in my neck, which sometimes swell up with NO known provocation, are normal.

Any ideas? I know I should've called my PCP for an appointment weeks ago, but to be honest, I'd put off the mammogram he ordered at my LAST appointment because I was waiting for this dumb thing to go away, and now it's grown. :uhoh21:

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Specializes in OR,ER,med/surg,SCU.
ok, i've got a wee bit of a predicament......it's so easy when i'm the nurse talking to a patient, but not so great when i am the patient.

a few weeks ago, i found a small lump under my right arm that i thought at first was perhaps an ingrown hair. no matter how often i bathe and/or shave, i get these rather frequently in the summer, due to heat i imagine, but they always go away within days. this time, however, it didn't, and what's more, it's bigger than it was when i first noticed it.....about the size of a marble now. it doesn't hurt, and it feels a lot like the fibroadenoma i had in my left breast way back when i was in my late 20s. but i mentioned it today when i had my annual mammogram, and while the technician naturally couldn't tell me what it was, she emphasized that she would make sure the doctor looked at it, as it evidently showed up pretty plainly on the films.

now, maybe i'm a little jumpy because of my friend and co-worker dying of lymphoma just last week (the funeral is tomorrow, and i am soooo not looking forward to this :crying2: ), but i'm just a wee bit troubled by this development, even though i can't imagine it would be anything serious. i haven't been sick recently; there's no new areas of pain or discomfort, and except for my latest bout with asthma and allergies, i feel great! so where would this swollen lymph gland come from, i wonder? it's the only one i can feel......even the ones in my neck, which sometimes swell up with no known provocation, are normal.

any ideas? i know i should've called my pcp for an appointment weeks ago, but to be honest, i'd put off the mammogram he ordered at my last appointment because i was waiting for this dumb thing to go away, and now it's grown. :uhoh21:

i will be praying for it to be a fluid filled cyst, or a swollen lymph node trying to get rid of your latest infections that you may have been totally unaware of , or , or ,,,,anything simple and non threatning.

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OK, I've got a wee bit of a predicament......it's so easy when I'm the nurse talking to a patient, but not so great when I AM the patient.

A few weeks ago, I found a small lump under my right arm that I thought at first was perhaps an ingrown hair. No matter how often I bathe and/or shave, I get these rather frequently in the summer, due to heat I imagine, but they always go away within days. This time, however, it didn't, and what's more, it's bigger than it was when I first noticed it.....about the size of a marble now. It doesn't hurt, and it feels a lot like the fibroadenoma I had in my left breast way back when I was in my late 20s. But I mentioned it today when I had my annual mammogram, and while the technician naturally couldn't tell me what it was, she emphasized that she would make sure the doctor looked at it, as it evidently showed up pretty plainly on the films.

Now, maybe I'm a little jumpy because of my friend and co-worker dying of lymphoma just last week (the funeral is tomorrow, and I am soooo not looking forward to this :crying2: ), but I'm just a wee bit troubled by this development, even though I can't imagine it would be anything serious. I haven't been sick recently; there's no new areas of pain or discomfort, and except for my latest bout with asthma and allergies, I feel great! So where would this swollen lymph gland come from, I wonder? It's the only one I can feel......even the ones in my neck, which sometimes swell up with NO known provocation, are normal.

Any ideas? I know I should've called my PCP for an appointment weeks ago, but to be honest, I'd put off the mammogram he ordered at my LAST appointment because I was waiting for this dumb thing to go away, and now it's grown. :uhoh21:

Would it help if I told you I found the same thing a few months ago in May and it was nothing more then a cyst. It was scary so believe me I know exactly what you are going through. Have the mammogram get it over with so you can rest.

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

Thanks to both of you.......it probably is a cyst, although it feels solid and circumscribed rather than fluid (I've had both types of lumps), or it's another fibroadenoma. Can't help being a little nervous about it, but I've been here before and nothing serious has ever been found. I'm sure I'll be OK. Thanks for caring. :)

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Specializes in ER, Medicine.

humm... you know, when i was 10 i found a lump too. it was like a hard sore pea that was right under my skin. it would pop up every now and then. i've always had it though. i'm now 21 and it's still the same thing. i haven't felt it in maybe a year. it's just one of those things with me. i hope yours is nothing serious...best of luck.

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i know what your going through. A few weeks agoa swelling came under my left arm. Doc didnt know what it was, he said i had to go and see a breast specialist. I'm pregnant and i thought it might be connected. Doc wasnt sure......i was so scared. i had to have an ultra sound cos couldnt have a mammogram due to me being pregnant.The doc confirmed it wasnt anything nasty something to do with lumph gland ?an infection. i still have this swelling and is tender to touch i still have to check tho to make sure no lump appears. i know situation is different to yours but i know how you feel. To be honest i think mine is due to me being pregnant.

i will be thinking about you and good luck. keep us posted!

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