Swelling/tenderness in armpits, ache in rib?

martyzl
martyzl Member Posts: 196
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hello all,
Well, here I am, halfway through my pregnancy that was never supposed to be possible and I am having some concerns....
I have swelling and intermittent pain in my armpits. I know there are milk ducts/breast tissue in this region but given my bc background, it's still disconcerting.
Has anyone else experienced this? It's been 1.5yrs since I finished chemo. Hoping that it's just a normal part of the pregnancy and the body's preparation to nurse. (Now I am wondering if the glands in that side without a "real" breast will just stop producing or? Wonder how that will work out. I'll be sure to keep everyone up so if others come along after me, they can have some idea of what to expect!)
Today the OB told me he had other patients with the same swelling and aching but we will be very careful due to my background. We cannot feel any lumps but they could not feel anything when I had a one cm. tumour in my right armpit either... eek!
On to the rib pain. It's just under my tumour sites and of course, this is very worriesome. It's not constant and I am wondering if I've somehow pull some intercostal thing or another. Anyone have any input here?
Otherwise, things are marvelous. Baby is thriving and pregnancy is a breeze. Life is good!

By the way, still have not yet found anyone who has successfully completed a pregnancy after a TramFlap! Several hits on the internet on women who were mid-pregnancy and then seem to disappear. Egad!

Thank you for any insight into this wild ride of mine!

Be well all!
Marty

Comments

  • inkblot
    inkblot Member Posts: 698 Member
    #2
    Hi Marty:

    I can see your "glow" here, even through cyberspace! Ha. Sounds as if you're doing incredibly well in your pregnancy!!! This is such wonderful news!

    It's interesting about the armpit thing you've got going on. Your doc knows your history though and it sounds like you're in good hands.

    I don't recall having any armpit soreness/discomfort/swelling during my pregnancy but I did have some rib discomfort off and on from about the 6th month. Just the way my son was positioned in there. Someone who'd had a similar situation, gave to me the most adorable little pillow to use for sleeping at night which made me so much more comfortable. (She'd used one and it had worked great for her) I used it right up until delivery actually. I also used it when lying on the sofa, on a lounge chair outside...everywhere. I tucked it under my ribcage when lying down and it relieved the pressure and the discomfort would immediately dissipate. The pillow being small, it was a cinch to adjust and it wasn't so large as to be cumbersome, etc.. May be worth a try.

    Hoping the axillary thing clears up for you soon.
    Did your obgyn say when it typically improves for most women who have it? Did he happen to say what causes it?

    Has your doc mentioned a tummy supporter, as you advance along, due to the tram procedure? I gained all of 14 pounds when pregnant and it was ALL in my tummy (I had problems gaining the ideal amount of weight). I carried my son very low to boot and being a small person, I felt like I was carrying around a watermellon! LOL I got a good tummy supporter and what a difference it made! My balance improved too and I could once again walk and chew gum at the same time. LOL

    Continued good health and please keep us posted.

    Love, light and laughter,
    Ink

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