Lump in armpit that’s a bit tender - hand hold/advice

[HappyHolidays22]

Hi all,

So I have some health anxiety… particularly at the minute being just over 2 weeks post partum!

I am EBF and have already suffered a bout of mastitis that has now disappeared after a week of antibiotics- thankfully! May or may not be relevant!

yesterday, though, I noticed my armpit feels tender. Initially I thought it was engorgement but the pain continued after I fed DD3 for a decent stretch of time. when I poked around a bit with my fingers, I realised it wasn’t my breast that is sore but my armpit and the top of my armpit at that (not the bit next to my breast).

I can feel a small lump - which feels like a lymph node. The tenderness is there even when I’m not poking around, it’s like a gentle pressure under my armpit that is made worse if I maul with it.

I had something similar years ago that turned out to be viral and was exacerbated by stress… but that was 15 years ago. I’ve never had anything like this since. At the time, I got tested for non-H lymphoma as my grandad died of this.

im obviously going to call the Dr later but just wondering if anyone has any words of comfort? Has anyone experienced this and it just been post partum
or hormone related? Thank you in advance for the hand hold.

It could be anything. You need to contact your GP about it and also discuss your mental health.

I had this OP, was down to a new deodrant. Have you changed anything?

Thanks @Lemsipper - I think of anything obvious - maybe a different shower gel for a few days but not something I have never used before, just a different one to ‘normal’ (my husbands actually as I ran out of mine!)

I’ll give his a miss though in case that is linked!

It is very common to have swollen glands under armpits, NHS advice is here.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/swollen-glands/

However, as you have just had mastitis, I think a check by a GP wouldn't hurt in case it is infection-related.

I had this recently and had to have a biopsy. It turned out to be a swollen lymph node, I’ve it this now for months with no obvious cause, I’ve not been Ill etc. I wonder if it’ll be similar with you if you’ve recently had mastitis and been fighting an infection.
I hope you’re GP gets you referred quickly and you can it checked out soon- not what you need at all with a new baby. Let us know how you get on xx

It sounds like a lymph node/ gland. Ask the GP to check you over.
Try not to worry

I get them ALL the time and they are actually boils/spots

i just had a similar scare after breastfeeding for 3 years. Went for a scan and it was just some breast tissue changes, you can see it on the scan and they all could feel it but it was nothing. I hope it is the same for you.
I think statistically out of 1000 women referred only 9 would have cancer. This statistic really helped me to keep it together while I was waiting.

it could also be plugged duct, it can become quite painful and often starts in the armpit.

I had similar and it was an infection in the lymph mode - best to get it checked out as I needed antibiotics.

Thank you all! It’s good to know I’m not the only one and I’m surprised by how many different reasons there could be. I’ll run up to the Drs at 8 to get an appointment (unfortunately it’s so difficult to get an appointment with our dr unless you are first in the queue on the day!)

will let you know how I get on. Also have the midwife coming today too to do a final weigh of DD. I will ask her too.

I have a lump in an armpit. It was checked a few years a go but its a harmless cyst. It does feel irritated sometimes but I think it's more with sweat/clothes that rub the area.