Just wanted to ask if anyone else has experienced this. I had a lumpectomy in October last year, and 6 lymph nodes removed (all clear) from left armpit. I have finished radiotherapy back in March and am just taking the hormone therapy now.
For the past couple of days I’ve had first one lump and then a second lump under the same armpit. Very painful when I push them (pea sized) and uncomfortable to raise my arm above shoulder level.
Is this anything I should be worried about. I’m assuming they are probably inflamed lymph nodes. I’m fit and healthy apart from this and not run down or over doing anything, so not sure why this has happened. Should I just wait a few more days and see if they disappear, or should make a visit to the doctor.
Look forward to hearing your thoughts.
Many thanks
Lynne x
Lynne,
I’ve just found a lump on the site where they removed my lymph nodes - i’m 3/4 way through chemo. my underarm feels very heavy and when I feel around its a little painful. The lump is quite large and I thought it may be fluid that would need draining. I contacted my BC nurse and visited her yesterday. she believes that it is scar tissue (although its only just appeared and my op was in march) but to make sure she has arranged for it to be scanned next wednesday - what she said is that by scanning it they will then have a base line to look for any changes in the future - my advice is to get it checked - don’t go to GP - go straight to your BC nurse
Thanks so much for your message. I have just spoken to my BC nurse and I’m going to see her tomorrow morning for her to check me over.
Good luck with the rest of your treatment - you are nearly there!
Best wishes
Lynne
Lynne
Please let me know how you get on and what she says tomorrow if you don’t mind.
I think the after service with BC is brilliant - can’t fault being seen within 24 hours!!!
I had a lump under my arm after having 18 nodes removed. This was last April and thankfully it WAS scar tissue. I contacted my BC nurse who sorted referral - didnt have to wait long for results. Now have found small lump just above elbow on inner arm and am worrying!!! Should I contact BC nurse again? GP says it is phlebitis!
Good Luck for 2moro
Hope you dont mind me butting in here. Helen I would contact the hospital either your BC nurse or breast surgeon. I dont think GP’s are experts in BC and often miss something.
I am not wanting to panic you but i think you should be seen by the experts. it could be the start of lymphodema or a gland as we have them in that area.
Do hope it is only phlebitis. Has he given you antibiotics or said why you have it? If you have had so many lymph glands removed you will be prone to infection and it will require expert treatment.
Rx
Hi there
Thanks to everyone for your messages.
I saw my BC nurse this morning. When I took my top and bra off, the first thing she said is that my left breast was quite swollen - something I hadn’t really noticed. Although, I told her that when I’d taken my bra off in the evenings, I was left with several indentations and red maks from the bra on the affected breast, but the other was normal. Then she had a good feel around under my arm.
She felt that my lymph system wasn’t draining properly, which was why my left breast was swollen and lymph nodes were up under my arm. She showed me how to do a lymph node massage on myself to encourage it to drain to the other side, which should help. I was also given a DVD on Lymph massage and she is going to refer me to a lady who practises Lymph drainage massage too. I found this all really helpful. Hopefully the swelling will start to go down soon. I have just started to get back into doing some exercise,as I noticed my weight was creeping up - running and a few weights, perhaps this had effected me. So, I’m going to take it a little easier and stick to the pilates class twice a week and maybe cycle instead of run, and leave the light weights for a while longer.
I also mentioned that I was having a lot of hot flushes still and she is also going to refer me to an acupunturist.
What an amazing resource we all have access to - I was so releived to be able to speak to someone knowledgeable about how I was feeling and if that was normal. I came out feeling very relieved and confident that the lumps weren’t anything to worry about. If anything else comes up, I will definately give the BC nurse a call first rather than my GP, as she really knows what I’ve been through.
Best wishes
Lynne x
Lynne
Pleased to hear your breast care nurse has given you some reassurance. However, I think you should also see a doctor and get checked out…maybe with an ultrasound too. Sometimes a sudden onset of lymphoedema can mean the cancer has returned. A good breast care nurse should suggest you get checked out by a doctor.
Don’t mean to firgthen you…but am speaking from experience.
Jane
Thanks Jane,
If the swelling doesn’t reduce soon - say over the weekend, I’ll ask to see my breast surgeon next week hopefully. On diagnosis I was told my tumour was a grade 1 (thankfully) and nodes were clear, so am hoping that another onset isn’t iminent! Really appreciate your comments though and understand where you are coming from.
Best wishes
Lynne x