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AIBU?

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Original poster

Come reassure me, just found a lump

212 replies

Notimeforaname · 08/02/2021 22:54

In my right armpit.
Its very sore to touch/press lightly.

I suddenly noticed the pain about an hour ago and there's a visible red mark where the lump is. Its definitely not an ingrown hair as it doesn't hurt if I drag my finger across the hair follicles if you get me,its definitely in my armpit/a lymph node possibly?

But I've had some other issues over the last few weeks which are really concerning me now.

About 6 weeks ago I started getting pain in that right shoulder,like it was the rotator cuff or something was trapped if I I tried using my full range of motion. I just got on with things. It didn't go away.
For the last two weeks I've had more severe shooting pains in that shoulder and arm.
My neck has been stiff and painful on and off and some small stabbing pains in different parts of my chest and shoulders (sometimes both sides). On and off through the day.
I have lost about 8lbs in the last 3 weeks..I have lost my appetite a little... But I still eat.

Now this coming up in my armpit is freaking me out and I have stabbing pains in my arm/shoulder/armpit area as I write.
The pains are quite strong now. And if I raise my hand above my head...it feels like I'm tugging on the lump kind of..like the lump wont allow me to get my arm up all the way. If that makes sense.

My whole upper arm feels heavy and sore as well as the stabbing pains.

I'm going to call my doctor in the morning and beg to be seen.

My partner was here when I found it. He tried his best to calm me down. I had a shower and got myself together.
He's asleep now and I'm starting to let my mind wander and I really don't want to start crying and panic again so if any of you nice people have any advice,words of encouragement or perhaps a similar story to mine that might help me out do please leave it here.

Thank you so much, I can attach a lovely picture of my pit if it helpsConfused but it just shows up as a small red patch on the photo so not very helpful.

OP posts:
ConeHat · 10/02/2021 09:33

I hope it went ok.

Original poster
Notimeforaname · 10/02/2021 08:26

Thank you year5teacher I will be leaving in half an hour for appointment..I just felt the lump again and it's hard now. Like a pea? Dont know if that's good,bad or indifferent as I I havnt looked at google once 😅🤣 but I'll know soon enough. Thanks again everyone for keeping me calm.Wink

OP posts:
year5teacher · 09/02/2021 20:36

And re: your worries about if you need to look out for signs of worsening infection - no, probably not, but lots of swelling and a temperature are key signs. You won’t get either of those things, you’ll be absolutely fine!

year5teacher · 09/02/2021 20:34

Awww I feel for you! Sounds super sore, but probably benign as cancerous lumps like this aren’t usually red, painful and inflamed. It sounds like maybe a abscess under the skin or some kind of cyst. I’d put money on it! I’m not a doctor obviously but it sounds annoying but I probably wouldn’t be worrying. And I’m a worrier!

Original poster
Notimeforaname · 09/02/2021 20:24

No hot water bottle unfortunately but will get one off a friend tomorrow. Thank you.

OP posts:
Stoptherideiwannagetoff · 09/02/2021 20:20

OP do you have a hot water bottle? If you do, lay with it over the bump and see if it goes down at all. Sometimes cysts and lymph nodes get a little blocked and the heat helps the fluid start moving again. Good luck.

Original poster
Notimeforaname · 09/02/2021 16:25

Thanks WaterBottle123! Smile Will do.

OP posts:
WaterBottle123 · 09/02/2021 14:26

Just like any infection you should be alert for fever or chills or weird rashes. But chances are will stay localised and doc will you give you antibiotics. Pls come back and let us know you're ok :)

Original poster
Notimeforaname · 09/02/2021 13:43

(I had a cyst inside my rotator cuff - it was pressing on the nerve and I was getting very severe shooting pains if I raised my arm
Right so. It sounds a bit like this..or as a pp suggested infection.

If it were an infection..since ive been feeling pain for about 6weeks already I'm assuming I've had an Infection since then and today its extremely painful/angry,should I look out for anything to be worried by or do infections like that just stay untreated for a while with no complications?
Ie should I look out for anything between today and tomorrow that could cause concern.
Sorry. I'm going back and forth now between ''its fine'' to.... ''jesus this is very bad pain and discomfort like ive never had before, should I be worried '' 🙄 I know there's no need. I think I'm just home alone and have too much time. Ill take more ibuprofen..Thanks everyone!

OP posts:
lanthanum · 09/02/2021 13:00

Definitely get it checked, but could well just be a cyst. Cysts sometimes need dealing with, but they're not cancer! (I had a cyst inside my rotator cuff - it was pressing on the nerve and I was getting very severe shooting pains if I raised my arm. That did have to be removed - keyhole surgery - but then it was over and done with.)

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 09/02/2021 12:52

Hope you've been seen and are getting sorted OP Thanks

covetingthepreciousthings · 09/02/2021 12:47

Glad you've got an appointment for tomorrow morning, not too much longer to wait.

ConeHat · 09/02/2021 12:26

Great news the gp is seeing you face to face. Try to put it out of mind until tomorrow morning

JesusAteMyHamster · 09/02/2021 12:25

My sister gets abscesses in her armpit and groin which sound exactly how you're describing. Try not to worry too much, it sounds much more likely to be an infection to me. Good luck with your appointment. Flowers

WaterBottle123 · 09/02/2021 12:20

Great news OP I am sure they will be able to provide reassurance. Everything you write sounds like cyst or infection

Original poster
Notimeforaname · 09/02/2021 12:11

They can see me tomorrow at 9.30am.
👍 thanks again all.

OP posts:
Original poster
Notimeforaname · 09/02/2021 11:38

Guiltypleasures001
🤣🤣🤣 that sounds like quite the find!

Still waiting for my doctor to call me back to find out if I can go down there.

OP posts:
Guiltypleasures001 · 09/02/2021 02:28

Hi lovely

TMI alert

I got one of those two days ago
Huge squeeze heard a crack and ooooo so gooey Grin

I get them now and again
It's a cyst or s blocked duct probably
Thanks

Skips off to sporners corner now

Original poster
Notimeforaname · 09/02/2021 02:20

Thanks all you lovely people. You've made me feel much better and not at all worried for tomorrow now😊🤗

OP posts:
Nursejackie1 · 09/02/2021 01:47

Lumps in this area are very common and as others have said may be an enlarged lymph node due to infection. Also it’s really common to have abscesses here too, sweat and hair and heat are the perfect habitat...both of these are far more likely than cancer but obviously whatever it is get it looked at and treated with antibiotics or whatever your gp advises.

cantmakealifeofit · 09/02/2021 01:36

And don’t worry because it doesn’t really move, that may just be the location Smile

Get checked out but I don’t think it sounds like cancer at all.

cantmakealifeofit · 09/02/2021 01:33

Hi OP, definitely worth getting checked out but cancer lumps are typically hard and painless. With it being red as well, it definitely sounds like some kind of cyst or an irritated lymph node.

According to Cancer Research UK “Cancerous lumps are usually hard, painless and immovable. Cysts or fatty lumps etc are usually slightly softer to touch and can move around.”

MechantGourmet · 09/02/2021 01:27

That sounds really painful- I hope you can find a comfortable position and manage some sleep.
It sounds as though your body is trying to fight something off, and could be a swollen lymph node as a result. Hopefully you can get some answers tomorrow.

Original poster
Notimeforaname · 09/02/2021 01:05

There was me thinking I was being proactive about my health - potentially catching something early, meaning it would be more treatable, especially given my own family history. But no!

It's so disheartening. I hope this hasn't stopped you being just as proactive in the future!

Thank you kindly, I will update in the morning after I call the doctor Smile

OP posts:
Five67Eight · 09/02/2021 00:41

DH had had a heart attack the week before as well, so it’s fair to say I was a little fragile.

There was me thinking I was being proactive about my health - potentially catching something early, meaning it would be more treatable, especially given my own family history. But no!

I’m sure all will be fine for you - it will be good to get a GP appointment confirmed.