Swollen area under left armpit? Photo attached

[Anyonelse]

My anxiety is through the roof and I’m really worried.

I haven’t been feeling great for a while and I’m due to get bloods tomorrow. I told the doctor 2 weeks ago one of my symptoms was a soreness under my left armpit and down my arm. Whilst getting dressed tonight I’ve noticed my left armpit looks swollen compared to my right side.

Does anyone else have this? Or is it normal that I’m concerned?

@Calliopespa I see what you mean! It is my left, the picture was taken in front of a mirror, definitely my left!

I have had this for years. I have lots of extra breast tissue under one armpit. Even bigger now I’m breastfeeding again!

Lipoma, lump of fat??

I think it might be less that it’s swollen and more just that the breast is not coming out so far. If you drew your black bra coming out sideways a little more ( fuller boob) then drew a line from that imaginary black bra line up to the “ swelling” I think the swelling would be more like the other armpit!

But armpits are kind of part of your breast tissue area, which is just quite a fatty, fibrous, tissuey, irregular part of the body.

Try not to worry @HasB (easier said than done I know).

Is the lump soft?

I still have mine. No change whatsoever.

@JustLaura it is soft and had it checked again today as seems to have grown a bit - drs looked worried - have my appointment At breast clinic on 13th. My period due in a few days so wondering if that's why both armpits a bit tender and aching, also stopped breastfeeding just over 3 weeks ago. My anxiety is through the roof since also in process of being diagnosed for hyperparathyroidism! Need moral support.

@gingerbears how much did that cost? I have to wait till 13th for breast clinic. So anxious.

Have you had flu /covid vaccinations recently as this happened to me after flu jab and I was told by doctor was common side effect

@Worsethingshappenatsea no not had any injections

@HasB

Breast changes are fairly common when breastfeeding. I do recall someone who had a similar post to yours - their lump turned out fine.

When I got my 'all clear' I went to the GP on a Thursday afternoon, I got a phone call from the hospital later that afternoon with an appointment for 7.30am on a Saturday.

I was examined, had an ultrasound then had a mammogram - all was fine - just a shift in fat distribution due to pregnancies!

It does ache. I was told the fat is pressing on a nerve and this can worsen with hormonal changes.

It does seem to increase at times too as lymph nodes inflamed when I'm fighting a common bug.

Also, if both underarms are aching I would take that as a positive.

Do you mind sharing your age?

I'm Perimenopausal. There's a whole realm of symptoms associated with peri.

Try to stay positive.

@JustLaura thanks for the reply - I'm 41 years old. Might phone up hospital to see if they have any cancellations sooner as it's another 8 days away!

@HasB

Good idea. Mine have a separate list of people who can attend at short notice in case anyone cancels.

It could well be Peri.

I'm a bit older now but I experienced it at around your age.

This probably isn't relevant but I checked through old photos of myself and I could see a change in my underarms/bra fat area happening over time in photos where I'm wearing swimwear and vest tops. That actually helped me accept this may be an age thing.

Lump is still there. I do check it about twice a month though as the breast clinic nurse said the golden rule was if it feels like a hard lump for over 3 days, get seen urgently. Fingers crossed it's always been soft.

@JustLaura thank you for your advice - helps me stay calm.

@JustLaura no appointments available sooner - anxiety through the roof and feeling so poorly with yet to be diagnosed primary hyperparathyroidism!

Hi @HasB

There may be an appointment that comes free in the next few days though?

On a positive note, IF the GP thought there was something really sinister, you would have been seen within 24 hours.

Is the lump still soft?
What sort of size is it?
Is it moveable?
Is there any family history of lumps?
How fast has the lump appeared?
Is it just since breastfeeding started?

There are lots of benign things this could be.

I don't want to suggest googling but have a look at 'Lipoma' on the NHS website.

Another route is to ask if there are any other places you can go to with a quicker appointment time?

Try to say positive. I do remember I went into a whirlwind especially when I realised I'd ignored it for a while.

I had this OP and like you I was climbing the walls with worry, I got referred to a consultant who performed a scan, turns out it was just fatty tissue that collected in the armpit, it's called Lipoma, this was 12 years ago and I've still got it now.

@AbbeyGrange @JustLaura I really appreciate your input - feeling sick with worry. Mine is right armpit (just below) and very much like the picture on the original thread. It is aching maybe due to poking and prodding plus period due in a couple of days. I don't have a family history of bumps, it is soft tissue feeling. I would say since stopping breastfeeding 4 weeks now it's appeared - like it did after giving birth.

Funny you say that OP, mine appeared a few months after giving birth and stopping breastfeeding, mines on the right armpit too..

@AbbeyGrange I'm trying to be positive that its nothing scary. It appeared 4 weeks ago soon after stopping breastfeeding. Have breast clinic next Wednesday 13th. Also dealing with high blood calcium levels and Parathyroid hormone levels and awaiting a firm diagnosis of hyperparathyroidism which is making me feel completely ill, anaemic, muscle weakness and bone pain. This is also similar symptoms to late stage breast cancer according to Google! Which I need to stay away from! This forum is really helping me. Feel like I'm losing mind! I'm not being able to look after my children or my baby and luckily hubby taking care of that side.

Aww bless you OP, I know you're worried but you're doing the right thing and getting it looked at but you need to stay away from Dr Google or else it will drive you crazy. In fact if you Google ANY symptom the word cancer appears somewhere so it's useless really!

@AbbeyGrange you are absolutely right! Every symptom has the big C in it! Even when trying to understand blood results like anaemia! Just terrifying!

@AbbeyGrange @JustLaura still feeling awful today and not slept at all

@HasB

It's a tough time so it's understandable.

Have you had any blood tests done? I have terrible sleep for a week before my period.

I know it must be stressful for you, but you are getting it sorted, obviously I'm not a Dr but when I was examined by my GP and Consultant they both said that cancerous lumps in the breast and ovaries tend to be hard and not squashy..try and get some rest OP..