Enlarged axillary lymph nodes just found

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orangeflower
orangeflower Member Posts: 146
edited April 2021 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

I got a CT scan today due to a cough, and my lungs were clear, but they found that my axillary lymph nodes on the breast cancer side were "borderline enlarged" and it was "nonspecific" (whatever that means). It's the same side where I got the first COVID vaccine shot three weeks ago, and the oncology nurse said the vaccine is a possible cause. I'm waiting to hear back from my oncologist about what happens next. Obviously, I'm worried because it's on the cancer side. I read that the COVID vaccine-related axillary lymph node swelling can happen on the side where you get the shot, and I wish someone had told me this before I got the vaccine so I could have gotten it on the right side instead. Now I am worried about recurrence.

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  • 2019whatayear
    2019whatayear Member Posts: 767
    edited April 2021

    ugh extra worries stink! In general if you have LN removed on one side it’s better to avoid sticks or blood pressure cuffs on that side -

    Hope you get the all clear very soon

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  • wallycat
    wallycat Member Posts: 3,227
    edited April 2021

    The cdc and many mammogram centers are asking women NOT to schedule mammography after a covid vaccine. Lymph nodes can remain enlarged upwards of 4 weeks. I had my first shot last week saturday and HOLY MEOWIES on the tenderness and swelling. The swelling has gone down but things are still tender. I could not even find lymph nodes since the whole area swelled so much. And this is the first shot. I'm DREADING the second one.

    I was also told NOT to get the shot on the cancer (sentinel node biopsy) side. I'm going to beg for the shot in the bumm....my poor left arm/shoulder may not handle a second one.

    Good luck.

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  • orangeflower
    orangeflower Member Posts: 146
    edited April 2021

    My oncologist said she's fairly certain my enlarged lymph nodes are due to the vaccine, but we're getting an ultrasound done on them in 5 weeks to be sure. I got my second dose of the vaccine on the non-cancer side today. I wish someone had warned me about this before I got the first shot.

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited April 2021

    WallyCat - if you're at at hospital or clinic, they will likely give the shot in your thigh if you ask. Apparently the bumm is no longer preferred because of the proximity to the sciatic nerve. But I had both Covid shots in my thigh, and I have had my flu shots there the last couple of years. I've heard that's where they always give standard vaccines to kids now.

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  • wallycat
    wallycat Member Posts: 3,227
    edited April 2021

    Thanks minusTwo. Easier to slip sweat pants down...ours is a driveby across the street from the hospital. Where on the thigh do they give it? I wonder if they need a longer needle and won't have it in a drive through setting. Interesting on the sciatic nerve. My groin lymph nodes will no doubt swell but the fever, chills and puking are what i'm dreading. Maybe I will luck out. DH had zero symptoms but he's on 5mg of prednisone for his metastatic prostate cancer.

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  • LivinLife
    LivinLife Member Posts: 1,332
    edited April 2021

    As others have said it is known the COVID vaccine can cause lymph node swelling. I certainly hope that is the case for you.....!

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited April 2021

    Wallycat - Same shot/same needle. It was finished before I could feel it.

    You can google for a picture, but it's just about 1/2 way between the crease at the top of the leg and the top of the knee - and a bit to the side. Typically, people who need to self-administer injections use the vastus lateralis muscle in the thigh.To locate the correct spot, imagine dividing the thigh vertically into three equal parts. Give the injection into the outer top part of the middle section.

    Because I wasn't sure they would let me "drop trou", I wore a skirt with shorts underneath. Good decision since there was really no privacy. At least wear shorts under your sweat pants just in case.

    I was just a little tired with the first one, and fatigued with the 2nd one. No other bad SEs

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  • wallycat
    wallycat Member Posts: 3,227
    edited April 2021

    Thanks for the reply. I've got "covid arm" (which is more common with Moderna) and have developed a small rash above the injection site..day 10-11 I guess it is. My underarm is finally feeling more normal. Not 100% but not like I'm carrying a baseball under there, LOL.

    Appreciate the tips. Excellent. I lack the modesty gene so would happily flash anyone and not care

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