Lump in armpit

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Gwynniedog12
Gwynniedog12 Member Posts: 7
edited October 2021 in Not Diagnosed But Worried

Hi all- I was here before with a rash that turned out to be a spider angioma, and I’m back with a small lump under my armpit (like the size of a pea, maybe a tad larger and bean shaped). It feels fixed but sort of smooshy. I had like 20 (yes 20) skin tags removed a couple months ago and my armpits have done some weird stuff since then, like on the other side I’ve had multiple big pimples, and I still have healing red spots, but I’m so scared this is a cancerous lymph node and the original rash was really cancer. I saw 4 doctors who all said I was fine (primary care, gyn, 2 derms). I am trying to remind myself that IBC wouldn’t just sit quietly on the breast for two years with no changes, same for skin metastasis, but my anxiety is awful. I’m seeing the doctor on Thursday. My brain is so convinced this lymph node is the cancer sky falling on me. And if it’s in a lymph node that means it’s advanced. I’m just rambling and scared. I watched my dad die of cancer and I’m in therapy for Ptsd from that and other issues

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

    Gwynnie: Yes, doctors can make mistakes, but if you've seen FOUR doctors and they all said it wasn't a problem, you should try to move on. Maybe your primary care doc or your therapist could give you something to help with your anxiety. Good luck.

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

    It sounds like it might be an irritated node given the skin tag removal and other things you described? People have described similar findings when using a new razor for instance....

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  • Gwynniedog12
    Gwynniedog12 Member Posts: 7
    edited October 2021

    thank you both. I actually just left therapy and we decided on some next steps for my mental health that feel good to me. I am on a cocktail of psych medications, but I am at the beginning stages of my treatment, so I am still easily triggered and I don’t trust myself. I really appreciate you taking the time to answer me and I appreciate reading others experiences who are scared like me. I will definitely post an update in case it is helpful to others who find themselves here.

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  • Gwynniedog12
    Gwynniedog12 Member Posts: 7
    edited October 2021

    oops, I meant I saw 4 doctors about the rash. I haven’t seen anyone about the lump so I am doing that on Thursday. My goals from therapy were to go in with a collaborative attitude and open mind. I tend to not be the easiest patient because I get anxious and want to take over. I am working on it.

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  • Salamandra
    Salamandra Member Posts: 1,444
    edited October 2021

    Anxiety can be a bear. There are some threads on here where people discuss their coping strategies for health anxiety in particular.

    I think a good psychological/psychiatric team will be key for you - both now and at whatever point down the line you end up facing a serious health issue (which tends to come sooner or later for all of us).

    Only the doctors can tell you whether something is or isn't cancer, but if your anxiety won't let you accept benign for an answer it doesn't really leave you any better off.

    I'm so glad to know you're in therapy and have some psychiatric support. Sending good vibes!


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  • Gwynniedog12
    Gwynniedog12 Member Posts: 7
    edited October 2021

    I saw the nurse on Thursday. She could feel a smooth rounded lump smaller than a pea under my arm. She said in her opinion it's more likely to be a clogged follicle or something, but must send me for an ultrasound to know for sure. She didn't feel any lumps or masses in the breast itself and she wasn't worried about the spider angioma. I will have the ultrasound next week.


    I’ve actually already had a massive health crisis which is why I have the anxiety, and I got the psych team in place once that happened. It’s just been a really tough road inside my brain. Thank you for the good vibes!

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  • PrincessButtercup
    PrincessButtercup Member Posts: 200
    edited October 2021

    My policy is to do things that help me with anxiety about health related issues. Your ultrasound is a good plan that can set your mind at ease. And this is also a good time to remind yourself to schedule an annual mammogram.

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  • Gwynniedog12
    Gwynniedog12 Member Posts: 7
    edited October 2021

    Hi all- posting a reply with what happened and my diagnosis in case it helps others. TLDR: mammogram and ultrasound revealed a lymph node with benign characteristics and no malignancy of the breast. I am instructed to contact the doctor if I notice the node enlarging and to simply include palpate of it during my monthly breast exams.

    long story:

    Yesterday I had a mammogram of both breasts and ultrasound of the lump under the right underarm.


    The mammogram was odd and cold, but it didn't hurt. The tech was very kind to me. She asked me a lot of questions about family history. We took what felt like one million pictures bc my lump was of course in a place that is hard to see. The tech talked me through the whole thing and helped me feel comfortable. My advice to anyone getting their first Mammo who is nervous is to tell them and say whatever you need- for me that is info on why we are doing each thing. So she explained everything she was doing. It was as good as could be expected.

    Then I got the ultrasound. Unfortunately the first machine wasn't giving them the quality of pictures they wanted, so we had to go to a different department of the hospital to get a more sensitive machine. This was a little scary, but I was glad they wanted to take the extra step to be certain of what they saw. Eventually it was confirmed that my lump is a benign lymph node, yay! I asked how they knew it was benign and she explained how it would lookdifferent had it been malignant.

    I'm thankful for everyone here who helped me prepare and for the good care I received. I felt a little dumb going in for something so small but everyone reassured me that I did the right thing. I'm also proud that I didn't have a panic attack at the hospital. I'll now go back to continuing to recover from my PTSD and I am proud of myself for going through this for my health. I am wishing all of you good health going forward.

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  • AliceBastable
    AliceBastable Member Posts: 3,461
    edited October 2021

    I'm glad you got the reassurance that there's nothing wrong. Now let yourself believe that and go have a great life.

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