PAINFUL ARMPITS - Autoimmune Disorders Message Board

youngatheart · 08-18-2003, 10:35 PM

I found this website by surfing the net for "lumps in armpit". I'm new to this site and am glad to find a place to ask questions. My story: I've had a small nodule under each armpit since I can remember . . . probably since puberty. After giving birth to my first son 29 years ago, my breasts engorged with milk and filled my underarms as well. Very painful. Since that time, my armpits have remained sort of puffy and tender if touched with any pressure and the nodules remained. Doctors have always said these are only lymphnodes or milk glands and not to worry. About 10 years ago I had an episode where my skin itched severely at night, I had night sweats and I developed a few growths beneath the skin inside my vaginal walls sort of like small, hard peas. My gynecologist said they're nothing to worry about, but sent me to 2 doctors for the itching (internal medicine and allergist) who both ruled out hodgkins, but my ANA blood levels were out of whack so they said it might be shingles or a compilation of symptoms with no diagnosis. Very frustrating. After a few months, the itching & night sweats disappeared on their own. Just last year, the nodule under my right armpit, for no apparent reason, grew huge, red and infected and for days I could express excessive amounts of pus and matter as it continued to refill. (Gross, huh). After that the nodule was gone, but the flesh is now puffier than the other armpit, and sort of detached (loose & saggy) and still tender to the touch. The other armpit appears normal with the exception of the small, rubbery nodule. Over the years I've developed a few more of those granular "pea-like" growths in my vagina and am still told they're normal. Then just a few months ago I began having pain next to my adams apple, on the right side one month, and the left side the next, and along with it I feel a little flu like (with no fever). There's no lump to be felt when it happens, but it's painful and lasts for a couple of days before returning to normal. I work out regularly (weights and cardio) and consider myself healthy with the exception of these symptoms that sometimes make me feel sick. I don't think I'm overweight if that's a symptom of anything (I'm 48, 142 lbs. at 5'6") but am worried that I have some type of cancer and the docors are missing it. Does anyone else have these types of symptoms or can some recommend what other steps I might take? Is there a specific type of doctor that I should go see?

[This message has been edited by youngatheart (edited 08-19-2003).]

mamu710 · 09-05-2003, 10:30 AM

Hi youngatheart
I don't have any answers for you but I thought I'd ask how you were doing. My mom and dad both have non hodgkins lymphoma so I am just browsing. I have however had painful armpits before. Not quite how you describe, but the lymph nodes have swelled from a virus also from my pores getting blocked.
Anyway, let us know if you found out anything.
mamu710

meeraboots · 09-16-2003, 04:25 PM

ive had swollen lymph nodes under my arms for about 5 years now (im 22). ive been to the docs several times and she just said they were from shaving. i sometimes get them in the genital area as well. i have no clue why i get these HUGE lymph nodes under my arms. they used to be HUMONGOUS and sooo swollen i couldnt even move my arms, now for abt a year or 2 they are not so painful. when i was taking birth control the lymph nodes would be so painful and huge but now that im off BC they are still always there but not painful. weird eh??

youngatheart · 09-27-2003, 11:51 PM

Thanks to both of you who responsded to me. I haven't been to the doctor yet as the nodes aren't swollen now. I'll go when my symptoms flare up again. I hope you're doing well. I don't take birth control pills, but maybe that's an indication that hormones are playing a role in it for both of us. Good health is wished to you from Florida. :-)

sparkey · 11-26-2003, 01:43 PM

Hi
I was browsing looking for armpit pain as I also seem to have hormonal pain in one armpit that stretches through into the breast. It lasts for about 2 weeks every month and is so painful, I wake up during the night with it and can't even cuddle my children. I was treated for edometriosis last year and my gynacologist says it is fine now. I am always tired, have "chocolate cysts" on one ovary which disappear from time to time, stomach cramps before a period, acne, and have had enough. Can anyone suggest anything t help me? I am nearly 40 years old and als had a tubal ligation last year as the pill was affecting my hormones.