Hi,

I don't know if this is just a stab in the dark but have you had your covid jab recently???

Hi, thanks for replying. I actually did have the Pfizer jab 3 weeks ago and that's what I was hoping the reason was. However, from what I've read 1- the lymph nodes may have reacted to it but they would have likely been tender and wouldn't have gone rock hard (mine are like moveable marbles), and 2 - they would have gone down by now :(

So, I paid to go to a private breast clinic. I told the consultant my concerns - that my lymph nodes in my left arm are enlarged, the breast tissue is thicker on that side and that I have abdominal tenderness which I'm concerend is related to the breast. He just smiled and said "I don't think that's going to happen - don't worry"' (He hadn't looked at me yet). He asked if I could think of anything that could have caused my lymph nodes to enlarge. I mentioned I had the Pfizer jab 3 weeks prior. As soon as I said that he seemed convinced that it was due to the vaccine (he still hadn't felt them). When he did feel the lymph nodes and the side of my breast, he said he didn't feel anything concerning. He sent me for an ultrasound and said he expected it to come back as normal. I had the ultrasound and the radiographer said that 2 of my lymph nodes were enlarged but that she wasn't concerned (she was also thinking it was due to the vaccine). I asked her to scan my breast (she was about to put the machine away before doing so). She said "OK, I'll look at this area because you seem anxious, and I'll take pictures to compare in future". She said that part looked normal, but that I should go back just before my second dose of the vaccine to check my lyphm nodes again because she couldn't say 100% that they were reactive. I agreed to go back in 8 weeks (second dose is due in 9 weeks). But then when she realised I don't have insurance and that I was paying for myself, she said "you might want to think about whether you actually want to come back. I didn't see anything overly concerning but it's up to you if you want to have them checked again". I left feeling confused.

My NHS appointment came through after, so I kept that (it's tomorrow). I'm really concerned and confused and I don't know what to expect at all now. I'm not sure why the private consultant said they didn't feel worrying when they are enlarged, hard and painless. I don't know why the radiologist saw they were enlarged but didn't seem concerned. I feel like they are going to take biopsies tomorrow and that terrifies me. I just don't know what to think.

In case anyone has read this thread and is wondering the outcome, thought I'd update.

I had my NHS breast clinic appointment today. The consultant examined me more thoroughly than the Dr at the private clinic. She said she could feel the thickness and that the lymph nodes definitely felt enlarged. She ordered an ultrasound. The radiologist asked me where I felt the issue was and I showed her where the thicker part was. She went over my breast and said that it looked like normal breast tissue. She looked at my lymph nodes and said that although they look enlarged, they're not worryingly large and their features looked normal and just reactive (both she and the consultant believed that this could be due to the Pfizer vaccine I had 4 weeks ago. I asked if she would have been concerned if I hadn't have had the vaccine and she said 'no'.) She was very thorough and actually asked me at the end of I believed she had gone over the entire area I was concerned about.

So in the end it looks as though I just have lumpy breast tissue and reactive lymph nodes. Very relieved and grateful.

Hi, has this resolved now ? I still have mine 11 months later, I have had numerous ultrasounds and all say normal features 

thanks 

Hi. Most of the lymph nodes have gone down, but one is still quite large. I have noticed another small lump just below my areola in the same breast, so I have been referred to the breast clinic again to get that checked out. I am trying not to panic as it is quite small (the Dr said "you've done well to feel that!") and that breast is quite lumpy anyway. I should be seen within the next 2 weeks.

It's great news that multiple ultrasounds have come back as negative for you. I think they only biopsy if they look at all suspicious, but it sounds like they're very confident that yours are reactive :) I have heard/ read that it's really common for the lymph nodes to swell after the Pfizer vaccine and l that they can take ages to go back down (that's also what the radiologist told me at my last scan).

Let me know how yoh get on, I'm sure everything will be fine ️

Hi, have you had your appointment? Hope everything's ok x

Hi, sorry I have taken a while to reply. It has been a stressful week. I had an ultrasound which showed a solid breast lump. The radiologist said it looked benign, but they did a core needle biopsy anyway. Although he wasn't concerned, I was extremely anxious, especially with the raised lymph nodes. I also have a couple in my neck that have come up and one on my collarbone, which is small but still worrying to me. I had a neck ultrasound which showed these looked normal (one looked reactive), but those + the breast lump made me very nervous (actually that's an understatement - I've cried all week). Anyway, I got the results l today which has come back as benign :happy: So very relieved. 

Thanks for asking - I really hope you're doing well? :)

Hi thanks for replying. I'm so pleased for you bet you are so relieved! Did they mention the raised lymph nodes in your armpit again? And if they can last this long? 

Have a lovely Christmas! X