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Armpit pain, swelling and shoulder pain

Kbb30
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Around 3 weeks ago I started with some tenderness in left armpit and boob. More uncomfortable than painful. I couldn't feel a lump but the area near my armpit side of boob looked/felt very slightly swollen compared to other side. Since Wednesday I've had a lot of tension, shoulder pain especially in the shoulder blade region. Went to doctors Friday and she couldn't feel a lump but said she thought she could maybe feel some swelling/thickening at side of boob near armpit and agreed it looked slightly more swollen than other side. I forgot to mention the shoulder pain to her as was all worked up. Anyway she has referred me under 2 week pathway to breast clinic. Anyway I have been super anxious, teary, cannot concentrate since then. Currently working from home (not much work getting done as can't concentrate but need a distraction). But I am more and more aware of the shoulder pain which now is effecting my sleep. Anyway not sure what the aim of the post is other than from reassurance that the shoulder pain isn't anything sinister as I now cannot stop googling my symptoms (no matter how much I try not to) and a handhold whilst I wait for my breast clinic appointment which I am terrified about. Also the armpit/boob pain now seems reduced but not sure if this is now because the shoulder pain is always on my mind. Anyway I'll stop waffling.

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    Hey, I know how you are feeling as I have been going through something similar. Mine started with shoulder blade pain which I thought was trapped nerve. I paid for physio for a few months and realised it wasn't resolving. It gradually got worse and I was very uncomfortable at night but by this point I realised my left boob (same side as shoulder) was swollen and sore and so was my armpit. I booked to go to doctors who agreed there appeared to be a lump. I have since been told that I have multiple cysts in my left breast (from an ultrasound) but the pain is not connected and I possible have an autoimmune disease linking it all together. I am an active, healthy person so it's all a bit of a shock and I'm still waiting on the answers/puzzle pieces. In the meantime I recommend a hot water bottle or something warm that you could try to use to sleep with as that has really helped me. I know it's an anxious time waiting but try to occupy your mind on coping with the pain and sleeping better. Speaking from experience the lack of sleep made me more fragile and unable to concentrate on anything else. Thinking of you xx

  • Offline in reply to OctoberDay

    Hi!

     

    I hope you are doing well. I know this was posted a while ago however I am experiencing the exact same symptoms as you and I was wondering if you had receieved any more information on the cause. I have my appointment at the breast clinic in a week and a half but my anxiety just keeps getting worse and worse. My GP thought my breast swelling might be caused by a cyst, however since going the pain in my shoulder and back has just got worse which is making me worried. I have made the mistake of googling which has only worsened my anxiety about my appointment.

     

    Thank you in advance xx

  • Offline in reply to Kitcat1233

    Hi Kitcat, 

    I really do know how you are feeling. I think we all head to Google which like you say just worsens our existing worries. Glad to hear you have an appointment in a week,  time goes so slowly waiting but just hang on in and try to distract yourself as much as possible. If you can I found getting out for walks and staying off my phone helped :)

    I'm not much further on to be completely honest but most things are pointing to an autoimmune condition. Just incredibly hard to get answers. I don't know much about your symptoms but I went for a lymphatic massage and I feel that this has helped my breast cysts quite a bit - they now very rarely bother me. The clinician said I had two nodes around my chest area enlarged. I still have a lump under my left armpit which hasn't changed and I just keep monitoring everything. I got sent for a ultrasound of my uterus and they found a rather large ovarian cyst on my left side too (approx 7cm diameter). I still don't know if it's all connected but I am just listening to my body and staying off Google.

    Please try to stay positive and don't be fobbed off. Along the way I was told to buy news bras, that it's period related etc etc. If you have questions, ask them before you leave and if they spot cysts try to get them to write down the size and location as this will help you monitor your breasts for any changes each month. 
     

    If you need to talk I am here and please come back and let me know how you got on. Sending love xx

     

     

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