Painful lump in my armpit

[Anxiouslump]

When I had my shower this morning I felt a painful lump in my armpit. It’s quite deep in my armpit, not just under the skin. It hurts if I press it, a bit like a very painful spot (but it is definitely below the skin, so it’s not a spot, and actually quite difficult to press. It just appeared overnight, I know I didn’t feel anything unusual when I last shaved my armpits a few days ago, but this morning it was quite sore.

I am going to contact the GP and get it checked out.
But what is likely to happen? Would they go straight to something like a biopsy, or would they tell me to monitor it at home to see if goes away on its own before doing anything else? I don’t think a mammogram would help because it’s in my armpit not my breast? Might they just give me antibiotics in case it’s an infection?

I know from google that it could be an infection, but I have never ever had a painful armpit before when I’ve been run down or ill.

I just want to be prepared for the possibilities because I am super busy at work and just feel a bit stressed.

I am 38, no children and never been pregnant, so it’s definitely nothing to do with breastfeeding. My mum has had breast cancer twice, tested but not thought to carry a gene for it.

Any information, advice or experiences you can share most gratefully received.

[CruCru]

Hello

Yes, please go and see your GP (and tell them about your Mum). It may be that this is not serious but if you are stressed, it would be good to find that out.

[youdontneedtopoo]

Could it be an ingrown hair?

[Anxiouslump]

Thank you, yes I am definitely going to go.
It’s not knowing what will (or could) happen next that is stressing my out the most.

I can’t ask my mum about this because she would totally and completely freak out, so I’m on my own with the worry for now.

[Anxiouslump]

@youdontneedtopoo

Could it be an ingrown hair?

No, it’s deeper than that, I have to really poke my armpit to feel it from the surface. But when I raise my arm it hurts inside.

[TruthThatsHardAsSteel]

www.nhs.uk/conditions/lumps/

Click on armpit at the bottom

[gamerchick]

It could be a lymph node. A part of your immune system.

You probably should get it checked out though. In the meantime, stop poking at it. You'll just make it more sore.

[JessicaFletcherInvestigates]

Had pretty much exactly this recently, was referred to breast clinic on 2WW, more as a precaution really. Was absolutely fine - swollen lymph nodes but not cancery or abnormal ones.

[DistinguishedSocialCommentator]

OP

Frist of all, see GP

It could be an infection as lumps like that if cancer do not hurt from the little knowledge I have via what clients told me via my work years ago as I took peoples health into account during the assessments. FYI, I'm not medically qualified or even close to that but did study certain medicals but not this

So, get it checked via GP and get you mind put at rest

Good luck

[TheFormidableMrsC]

So sorry you've got this to deal with. Lymph nodes can hurt and be raised for all sorts of reasons. Given your family history, seeing your GP is important. Make sure they know about mum. I've had breast cancer. I imagine in the armpit you'd likely have an ultrasound and possibly a needle biopsy but in all honesty, people will be guessing here because it's not as simple as just doing a mammo. Also are you due a period? My nodes used to hurt a lot before then and sometimes raise but then it would disappear quickly.

[springhop]

You must get it checked.
Go to your GP and they will refer you to the breast clinic. It will get an appointment within 2 weeks as it will be a cancer pathway.
At the breast clinic you are likely to have a mammogram and an ultrasound. If they see anything of concern ( eg if it's not something like a cyst) they will do a biopsy and you will wait for the results.
Good luck. It's a worry and you won't know until a doctor can confirm for you so don't put it off .

[ShopoholicIn]

@gamerchick

It could be a lymph node. A part of your immune system.

You probably should get it checked out though. In the meantime, stop poking at it. You'll just make it more sore.

This. I had the same last week. It was an infection in the lymph node. Had to take antibiotics but it got better in a day after I started them. Hope you feel better soon.

[TheFormidableMrsC]

@DistinguishedSocialCommentator

OP

Frist of all, see GP

It could be an infection as lumps like that if cancer do not hurt from the little knowledge I have via what clients told me via my work years ago as I took peoples health into account during the assessments. FYI, I'm not medically qualified or even close to that but did study certain medicals but not this

So, get it checked via GP and get you mind put at rest

Good luck

Sorry, I need to tell you that's not true. My tumour was actually pretty painful and throbbed a lot too. I came across a lot of women on my journey who said the same.

[Wavingnotdrown1ng]

Almost certainly a boil or other infection but get it checked out. The GP should be able to get you on the two-week pathway. I’ve had this twice and it’s worrying but one of the things the NHS sorts out quickly. 💐

[Anxiouslump]

Thank you. I am worried because in my 38 years of fighting off infections I’ve never once had painful glands, and I’m not feeling under the weather at all.

I have lost weight recently - but I have been on a diet, so I don’t think I can draw any conclusions from that (unfortunately).
I will ring the surgery tomorrow.

[Anxiouslump]

@TheFormidableMrsC

Sorry, I need to tell you that's not true. My tumour was actually pretty painful and throbbed a lot too. I came across a lot of women on my journey who said the same.

Thank you for being honest and open about it. Do you mind if I ask, did your pain come on suddenly?

[JessicaFletcherInvestigates]

I'm 38 too and haven't felt under the weather at all but clearly my immune system was doing its work anyway! You're right to get it checked out - they are super thorough with breast lumps and it will reassure you.

[JessicaFletcherInvestigates]

Should add I had a mammogram and ultrasound, no biopsy needed.

[Anxiouslump]

Thank you @JessicaFletcherInvestigates.

[Anxiouslump]

The timing is bad because I am due to spend Easter with my mum, who lives the other side of the country. If I have to return for appointments I will have to lie to her about why, because if I tell her she would be three times as worried as I am, anything cancer related is a huge trigger for her.

[QuietLifeNoDrama]

I have been through something similar recently. It turned out to be an infection. I had an appointment with the GP, got a course of antibiotics. Asked to return two weeks later and then referred to the breast clinic when symptoms hadn't improved. Physical exam at the clinic 2 weeks later and an ultrasound on the same day. If anything sinister had of been found I'd of had a biopsy on the same day too.

[valadon68]

I bet it will go down in the next few days OP. I've had various lumps over the years (inc a memorably visible and painless one) and anything that is remotely sensitive would disappear before a GP appointment had the chance to roll around. Do what you feel is best. I can only give you my experience, which is that I never rush to make an appt on first finding a lump. I am a terrible hypochondriac usually, too! I've had terrible health obsessions that have lasted months and months before, but never about breast lumps. My last one took about two weeks to disappear (also, just to say, I'd never want to take antibiotics for the sole purpose of getting rid of them unless I was in danger of serious deterioration). I think they're triggered by shaving/plucking (honestly, what do we put ourselves through, for nothing!). But I would hate to be the cause of someone not seeking medical advice, so I really am just trying to relieve your stress rather than to put you off making an appt. Hope it all works out - and hope the work stress recedes.

[Anxiouslump]

@valadon68

I bet it will go down in the next few days OP. I've had various lumps over the years (inc a memorably visible and painless one) and anything that is remotely sensitive would disappear before a GP appointment had the chance to roll around. Do what you feel is best. I can only give you my experience, which is that I never rush to make an appt on first finding a lump. I am a terrible hypochondriac usually, too! I've had terrible health obsessions that have lasted months and months before, but never about breast lumps. My last one took about two weeks to disappear (also, just to say, I'd never want to take antibiotics for the sole purpose of getting rid of them unless I was in danger of serious deterioration). I think they're triggered by shaving/plucking (honestly, what do we put ourselves through, for nothing!). But I would hate to be the cause of someone not seeking medical advice, so I really am just trying to relieve your stress rather than to put you off making an appt. Hope it all works out - and hope the work stress recedes.

Thank you @valadon68 x

[valadon68]

Just to say also, I've had lumps elsewhere that drove me totally anxious with worry, and my mind was not to be trusted in determining whether they had grown/were worryingly big etc. It was like I lost all reliability of perception. And if you prod them too much they can get aggravated. So try not to fixate on impressions that your anxiety is filling your head with (easier said than done!).

[Coconutter24]

Lymph nodes can be really painful sometimes for no reason or because of an infection. You say you shaved a couple of days ago so my money would be on it being related to that

[JessicaFletcherInvestigates]

It's bad advice to say don't rush to make an appointment on one lump. You should ALWAYS get lumps checked out and especially with your history.