Swollen armpit lymph nodes:
Hello All,
I am a 30 year old male.
for the past month or so I have been having a mild pain (discomfort) in both my armpits. I went to a Dr and was advised there were two swollen lymph nodes, one under each arm. Left armpit was slightly more swollen. I was given antibiotics. A couple of weeks later the pain was still there, the Dr has now said it is most likely muscle related and not to worry.
Sometimes it feels more like a burning feeling than actual pain. And other times I don't feel anything at all. I don't have any other symptoms and generally feel fine. Although I do have high blood pressure. At times I have also noticed the pain is in my bicep region.
i habe been to 4 doctors now who all say it is nothing to worry about.
Should I be worried?
Comments
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Nodes
Ramz,
I would go see an oncologist. If they require a referral, get one of your docs to do it (many oncologists do not require a referral, but your insurance might).
The doctors should not have objections to giving a referral. Cancerous lymph nodes normally present no pain or soreness, but can. I would not let these docs attribute it to infection forever, especially if meds did not reduce them.
Most of all, be calm and do not panic. I was late stage 3 lymphoma, but never felt a node ANYWHERE before diagnosis, and my biopsy node (from my armpit) was the size of a golf ball. My cancer was discovered due to heart pain -- it ended up being nodes pressing against the wall of my heart.
I would spend a little money at an oncologist's office for the peace of mind. Too many people here were blown off at a family doctor's office, only to get bad news later. The average internal med/family practice guy never assumes the worst. They expect to see sort throats and high blood pressure all day long, no something potentially catastrophic.
max
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Thanks Max,Nodes
Ramz,
I would go see an oncologist. If they require a referral, get one of your docs to do it (many oncologists do not require a referral, but your insurance might).
The doctors should not have objections to giving a referral. Cancerous lymph nodes normally present no pain or soreness, but can. I would not let these docs attribute it to infection forever, especially if meds did not reduce them.
Most of all, be calm and do not panic. I was late stage 3 lymphoma, but never felt a node ANYWHERE before diagnosis, and my biopsy node (from my armpit) was the size of a golf ball. My cancer was discovered due to heart pain -- it ended up being nodes pressing against the wall of my heart.
I would spend a little money at an oncologist's office for the peace of mind. Too many people here were blown off at a family doctor's office, only to get bad news later. The average internal med/family practice guy never assumes the worst. They expect to see sort throats and high blood pressure all day long, no something potentially catastrophic.
max
I had a bloodThanks Max,
I had a blood test which came back normal, however I will follow this up.
the swelling is hardly noticeable, my main issue is more a feeling of discomfort in the armpit region and occasional pain. Some days however its fine.
i did have something similar awhile back which got better with time.
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Ramz
What are the doctors who are telling you not to worry basing it on? Have they done blood tests? CT scan? Any tests at all? If you are concerned, and I know you are or you wouldn't have posted here, you need to go ahead and press for a diagnosis, and not just a "don't worry".
Let us know how it goes, OK?
Rocquie
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Not to worryRocquie said:Ramz
What are the doctors who are telling you not to worry basing it on? Have they done blood tests? CT scan? Any tests at all? If you are concerned, and I know you are or you wouldn't have posted here, you need to go ahead and press for a diagnosis, and not just a "don't worry".
Let us know how it goes, OK?
Rocquie
had a blood test which they said was ok, only vitiamin was lacking, but the main reason I was told was because the pain was going from one armpit to the other. Some days it would be the left other days it would be the right.
Not sure if this matters, but I do have high blood pressure And am a little overweight.
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RamzRamz said:Not to worry
had a blood test which they said was ok, only vitiamin was lacking, but the main reason I was told was because the pain was going from one armpit to the other. Some days it would be the left other days it would be the right.
Not sure if this matters, but I do have high blood pressure And am a little overweight.
I agree with Max view. Do visit the oncologist. Even I was misguided by my G.P. He always told me that the enlarged node in my neck region was nothing to worry about. It came out to be NLPHL 3A latter. Pl visit a Onco at the earliest.
Suresh
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Be pushysureshwani said:Ramz
I agree with Max view. Do visit the oncologist. Even I was misguided by my G.P. He always told me that the enlarged node in my neck region was nothing to worry about. It came out to be NLPHL 3A latter. Pl visit a Onco at the earliest.
Suresh
Yes! Please be pushy and go visit another doctor. doctors make you feel bad when you keep asking for more tests, but you have the right to do so. Just do it and have piece of mind. At least do an ultrasound. It will show if the nodes are abnormal looking or just enlarged. Good luck! And yes, don't panic just do it for reassurance that it's nothing.
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Welcome to the group
I can't add much except to say I agree with the others - get it checked out more thoroughly and preferrably by an oncologist to be on the safe side. Hopefully it's only a viral infection of sorts but better to have it checked out anyway.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Jim
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My 2 cents....jimwins said:Welcome to the group
I can't add much except to say I agree with the others - get it checked out more thoroughly and preferrably by an oncologist to be on the safe side. Hopefully it's only a viral infection of sorts but better to have it checked out anyway.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Jim
Hi and welcome to the group,
I agree with everything thats been said...get it checked out. You are too young to worry without having solid proof that your fears are unwarranted. I had zero symptoms when I was diagnosed other than a swollen node on my groin and a small swollen node on my neck. Blood work was great, felt good, no pain, didn't have a remote thought that anything serious was going on. That all changed after a series of tests...ultra sounds, Ct scan and biopsy of largest groin lump. I had tumors in other areas of my body that I didn't even know about because I couldn't feel them. If not for all of the testing I probably would not be in as good of shape as I am now. Please pursue this and get the answers you need. Let us know how things go for you. Praying it's nothing. Best wishes...Sue
(Follicular NHL-stg3-grd2-typA-Dx 6/10-age 62) In remission
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Blood Tests
Ramz,
Near-normal blood tests are NOT strong evidence of no lymphoma. My blood counts were near normal for most values, even though I had very widespread cancer. I have read this from at least a dozen others here: While normal ranges on blood tests are obviously better than highly abnormal ones, they do not prove the absence of cancer. And, as Sue noted below, many people who are diagnosed never suspected they had a problem. As I stated before to you, no one ever felt an enlarged node ANYWHERE on me before diagnosis, and I never felt a lump ANYWHERE.
Of the tests that best follow lymphoma, Sedementation Rate and LDH are usually among the best. Did your doc even check these ? It is possible that he or she did not.
max
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Full disclosure?
First, I do not mean to sound harsh, insensetive or uncaring. The content of your post moves me to say the following. You did not mention if you suffer from health anxiety. Consider: After visiting FOUR separate doctors, trained and board certified professionals who have a moral, ethical and legal responsibility to examine, test, treat you properly and tell you the truth; and after every single one of them told you not to worry, you contiiunue to worry. Do you see a disconnect here? From the outside looking in, this fairly screams health anxiety. "HA" runs rampant in modern society. Epidemic, almost. Further: after being competently examined by all four medical professionals, and having those tests run, you disregard their advice and seek that of total and anonymous strangers as to whether or not you should worry. Bottom line: cancer did not bring you here - anxiety did. Address the possibility of anxiety first, as it is 100% treatable.
Practically speaking, do you remember going to the doctor as a child and doctor would feel around your jaw line and armpits? Doctor was not looking for cancer, but rather for signs of common infection. Lymph nodes react to infection, whether bacterial, fungal or viral. It is prudent to monitor your nodes (not to poke, prod or squeeze them). Watch their size and number. If they continue to increase, or if you develop other measurable symptoms, then head back to doctor. You want a stranger's advice? Address the anxiety first.
Even if you have some other condition or illness, will it be easier to deal with while simultaneously suffering from anxiety?
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Get it checked
I just joined this group tonight. For the past 7 years I had an enlarged lymph node under my arm. It was first picked up on a mammogram and every year I followed up with my surgeon. There was never any great concern. However this year it had grown ever so slightly and since I wasn't working at the time I decided to have it removed. Following the surgery, the surgeon did not indicate any concern and thought everything looked fine. A week later I returned to his office for my post-op exam and was told it was lymphoma. I was then referred to a hematologist/oncologist who informed me the initial diagnosis was CLL. The pathology report was sent to Mayo Clinic for a second opinion and came back not as CLL but low grade B-cell lymphoma. I have since had a CT scan and bone marrow biopsy to determine it is stage 4. Because I have no other symptoms at this time, my doc & I have agreed to take a watchful waiting approach. I will return in 3 months for blood work and CT scan.
I urge you to take the steps necessary to ease your mind.
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Well donepo18guy said:Full disclosure?
First, I do not mean to sound harsh, insensetive or uncaring. The content of your post moves me to say the following. You did not mention if you suffer from health anxiety. Consider: After visiting FOUR separate doctors, trained and board certified professionals who have a moral, ethical and legal responsibility to examine, test, treat you properly and tell you the truth; and after every single one of them told you not to worry, you contiiunue to worry. Do you see a disconnect here? From the outside looking in, this fairly screams health anxiety. "HA" runs rampant in modern society. Epidemic, almost. Further: after being competently examined by all four medical professionals, and having those tests run, you disregard their advice and seek that of total and anonymous strangers as to whether or not you should worry. Bottom line: cancer did not bring you here - anxiety did. Address the possibility of anxiety first, as it is 100% treatable.
Practically speaking, do you remember going to the doctor as a child and doctor would feel around your jaw line and armpits? Doctor was not looking for cancer, but rather for signs of common infection. Lymph nodes react to infection, whether bacterial, fungal or viral. It is prudent to monitor your nodes (not to poke, prod or squeeze them). Watch their size and number. If they continue to increase, or if you develop other measurable symptoms, then head back to doctor. You want a stranger's advice? Address the anxiety first.
Even if you have some other condition or illness, will it be easier to deal with while simultaneously suffering from anxiety?
Po,
I must say that your counter-point position here impressed me very much. There have been two or three individuals over the time I have been here (about two years) who obviously had issues that were not cancer. They may in fact have had cancer, but that is not what brought them here.
I am NOT saying that this is the case wtih this current thread, but it does happen, as you thoughtfully note. They "feel" something, then go to two or three doctors, have a dozen tests, and a year later, they are still asking "what they should do..." In most cases, lymphoma jumps up and gets in your face ! One of the first things my oncologist told me was STAY OFF THE INTERNET ! And, in fact, I never used a support site until my treatments were finished. One must be very cautious, given the number of flat-earther and "spinich-juice will cure you" sites. This is a well-moderated and intelligent site, but many are not.
Your post was thoughtful, and well-reasoned.
It is as critical to heal the mind as the body.
max
.
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Welcome...SadieSue said:Get it checked
I just joined this group tonight. For the past 7 years I had an enlarged lymph node under my arm. It was first picked up on a mammogram and every year I followed up with my surgeon. There was never any great concern. However this year it had grown ever so slightly and since I wasn't working at the time I decided to have it removed. Following the surgery, the surgeon did not indicate any concern and thought everything looked fine. A week later I returned to his office for my post-op exam and was told it was lymphoma. I was then referred to a hematologist/oncologist who informed me the initial diagnosis was CLL. The pathology report was sent to Mayo Clinic for a second opinion and came back not as CLL but low grade B-cell lymphoma. I have since had a CT scan and bone marrow biopsy to determine it is stage 4. Because I have no other symptoms at this time, my doc & I have agreed to take a watchful waiting approach. I will return in 3 months for blood work and CT scan.
I urge you to take the steps necessary to ease your mind.
Hi SadieSue,
Welcome to the group.
I hope you get to do watchful waiting for many years to come. While your waiting,feel free to join in anytime you want. Best wishes...Sue
(Follicular NHL-stg3-grd2-typA-Dx 6/10-age 62) In remission.
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Zebraspo18guy said:Full disclosure?
First, I do not mean to sound harsh, insensetive or uncaring. The content of your post moves me to say the following. You did not mention if you suffer from health anxiety. Consider: After visiting FOUR separate doctors, trained and board certified professionals who have a moral, ethical and legal responsibility to examine, test, treat you properly and tell you the truth; and after every single one of them told you not to worry, you contiiunue to worry. Do you see a disconnect here? From the outside looking in, this fairly screams health anxiety. "HA" runs rampant in modern society. Epidemic, almost. Further: after being competently examined by all four medical professionals, and having those tests run, you disregard their advice and seek that of total and anonymous strangers as to whether or not you should worry. Bottom line: cancer did not bring you here - anxiety did. Address the possibility of anxiety first, as it is 100% treatable.
Practically speaking, do you remember going to the doctor as a child and doctor would feel around your jaw line and armpits? Doctor was not looking for cancer, but rather for signs of common infection. Lymph nodes react to infection, whether bacterial, fungal or viral. It is prudent to monitor your nodes (not to poke, prod or squeeze them). Watch their size and number. If they continue to increase, or if you develop other measurable symptoms, then head back to doctor. You want a stranger's advice? Address the anxiety first.
Even if you have some other condition or illness, will it be easier to deal with while simultaneously suffering from anxiety?
Doctors trained so that when they hear hoofbeats they expect horses not zebras.They are right 95%. Howeveer who wants to be that 5%? Get checked by an onco.
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SWOLLEN ARMPIT LYMPH NODES
I would go to an Oncologist right away. Last year my Internist gave me a routine blood test and found white cells were up. She sent me immediately to the cancer center and recommended an Oncologist to me. Disgnosis after several tests, including CT-Scan, PT-Scsn, blood tests and finally, a bone marrow test: Mild B Cell Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkins. Treatment: Rituxan infusions every six months, ending at the end of this year.
Nancy
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NodesNodes
Ramz,
I would go see an oncologist. If they require a referral, get one of your docs to do it (many oncologists do not require a referral, but your insurance might).
The doctors should not have objections to giving a referral. Cancerous lymph nodes normally present no pain or soreness, but can. I would not let these docs attribute it to infection forever, especially if meds did not reduce them.
Most of all, be calm and do not panic. I was late stage 3 lymphoma, but never felt a node ANYWHERE before diagnosis, and my biopsy node (from my armpit) was the size of a golf ball. My cancer was discovered due to heart pain -- it ended up being nodes pressing against the wall of my heart.
I would spend a little money at an oncologist's office for the peace of mind. Too many people here were blown off at a family doctor's office, only to get bad news later. The average internal med/family practice guy never assumes the worst. They expect to see sort throats and high blood pressure all day long, no something potentially catastrophic.
max
Hello looks like this discussion is kind of old. I was searching online about a swollen node I have under my arm but closer to my right breast and came across your discussions. I had my 40 year old mamogram done and found nothing wrong there but that the node was too far for them to see and then I had an MRI done and they found nothing wrong but yet I sill have this node that is noticable and and has been a bother to me for about 2 years now. My doctor never did any blood tests on me in which I did mention it to her. I just found out she is no longer my doctor and left so I see another one in September. I am not sure if I want to keep brining the situation up if the MRI says I have nothing wrong. This node is about a jelly bean size and it irritates me sometimes. Mostly around the womans monthy time is when its really bother some and I feel pain. My grandfather on my fathers side he had lymphoma and my grandmother and aunt on my fathers side which his mother and sister both had cancer as well. I am afraid of doctors because they seem to push you in and out and not interested in what you have to say or tell them or feel. Can you give me any insight on what I should do or just let it go because the MRI says its ok.
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Two years?hlavin75 said:Nodes
Hello looks like this discussion is kind of old. I was searching online about a swollen node I have under my arm but closer to my right breast and came across your discussions. I had my 40 year old mamogram done and found nothing wrong there but that the node was too far for them to see and then I had an MRI done and they found nothing wrong but yet I sill have this node that is noticable and and has been a bother to me for about 2 years now. My doctor never did any blood tests on me in which I did mention it to her. I just found out she is no longer my doctor and left so I see another one in September. I am not sure if I want to keep brining the situation up if the MRI says I have nothing wrong. This node is about a jelly bean size and it irritates me sometimes. Mostly around the womans monthy time is when its really bother some and I feel pain. My grandfather on my fathers side he had lymphoma and my grandmother and aunt on my fathers side which his mother and sister both had cancer as well. I am afraid of doctors because they seem to push you in and out and not interested in what you have to say or tell them or feel. Can you give me any insight on what I should do or just let it go because the MRI says its ok.
Maybe an MRI or ultrasound could be done. Still, even if it was a lymphoma, at that rate you'll be gone of old age before it becomes a problem. Know also that some nodes become fibrotic (scar tissue) from certain infections and never reduce to their former size.
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OK not to worry then?po18guy said:Two years?
Maybe an MRI or ultrasound could be done. Still, even if it was a lymphoma, at that rate you'll be gone of old age before it becomes a problem. Know also that some nodes become fibrotic (scar tissue) from certain infections and never reduce to their former size.
That could be but I do not recall having any infections that could be related to that or in that arm. I guess I will just not worry too much about it anymore since the MRI did read everything is ok. I am just probably over reacting and worring about something that is nothing. Thanks for your reply back.
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The TMI age we live inhlavin75 said:OK not to worry then?
That could be but I do not recall having any infections that could be related to that or in that arm. I guess I will just not worry too much about it anymore since the MRI did read everything is ok. I am just probably over reacting and worring about something that is nothing. Thanks for your reply back.
We have enough worries, enough stress in this life. Low grade, or localized infections, and numerous autoimmune conditions can cause lymph nodes (bascially your immune system) to react - which is good. If our nodes did not react to such pathogens, we would all expire very quickly to the greatest threat: infection. If more nodes become evident, or you develop additional or worsening symptoms, then off to the doctor it is.
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