Cancer Research UK main site

Left underarm pain and nipple discharge.

Smam95
Offline

Hi I am a 26 years old neonatal nurse and I am worried sick. A few months ago I had this pain in my left underarm that wouldn't go away initially I thought it was due to getting my second COVID 19 vaccine so I waited for 6 weeks and now the pain is still there. It feels like there's something stuck in my armpit (like when you put your drink bottle under your armpit when you try to carry lots of shopping bags to your car). I have been feeling weird sensations in my breasts but there are no visible changes or bumps/lumps. I have recently discovered clear nipple discharge that come in very very small amounts although it seems to be coming from the left i have noticed it sometimes from the right nipple too.  I have finally built up the courage to see my doctor about it today and she has referred me to a breast Clinic to my local hospital after she said there's a possible swollen lymph node in my armpit. I am worried sick I have pain in my left shoulder, upper left back and my neck too, I don't have any other lumps but why would she refer me if she wasn't worried. Please help. 

  • Offline

     

    Hi Smam,

    A very warm welcome to our forum. Some ladies have had changes in their lymph nodes following the Covid vaccination, so this may be related to that. You are doing the right thing in getting these changes checked out. It is normal to be referred to the breast clinic if there is the slightest possibility of anything untoward being detected, as the clinic has access to all of the necessary tests to diagnose breast cancer. However only 1 person in 8 who is referred to the clinic will get a cancer diagnosis, so try not to panic.

    You will usually be see at the hospital within 2 weeks. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Offline in reply to Jolamine

    Hi Jolamine, 

    Thank you soo much for your warm reply. This is really very reassuring. I think that's what I need right now. I had my second COVID 19 vaccine in March. Would my lymph node still be swollen? I have only recently started feeling the lump now, and numbness and aching down the same arm and shoulder. No one in my family both mum or dads side has had cancer before which is also reassuring but obviously that doesn't fully put my mind at ease as you can never be sure you'll be able to dodge it. I will be sure to let you know how I get on. Kind regards. 

  • Offline in reply to Smam95

     

    Hi Smam,

    There were a few posts about the vaccination recently, but I cannot seem to find them tonight. They were complaining that their nodes were still swollen some time after their vaccinations. This is all fairly new, so I don't expect that there will be that much information about it yet.

    I sincerely hope that all goes well for you when you reach the breast clinic. Do please let me know how you get on.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Offline in reply to Smam95

    Hi 

    How did you get on at the breast clinic ? I'm having a similar thing with a lymph node in my armpit that became tender about 10 days after my vaccine . Its a tiny mobile node which the doctor said is normal but is referring me for a scan to double check . It's been like this for a month now , my mind is going mad with anxiety . I've been reading a few posts on here and it seems people are having a few problems with this side effect . 

  • Offline

    Hi, what was your outcome please, I am having this exact same problem. I hope you are ok now.

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.