Question reguarding female health/anatomy

[Gilly Bean]

Ok, I found a lump that has me kinda wondering. For starters, my milk came in, and my breasts have been achy, rock hard, leaky, etc. Those who have given birth know what I am talking about. Anyway, at the same time, a some what small lump that I found a few weeks ago in my armpit (of all places) got really big. Well, it went down in size after the milk started to dissapate. Only a few ducts actually have milk in them now. Anyway, the lump went down in size after the milk started to dry up, but it is bigger then it was before.

My question: Does anyone know, is this a duct, some sort of a gland, or something I should talk with my doctor about?

 

[Natalie Nessus]

It may be nothing but talk to your doctor, yes.

 

[LukkyKnight]

Yes, get an official opinion

You're probably scheduled to make a trip in to get a checkup within a few days anyway, ask at that time. Doesn't sound like a duct to me, but I never nursed a baby either.

 

[morninggirl5]

It's probably a lymph node Gilly. Was it extremely tender when it was swollen?

My lymph nodes sometimes swell during my period and the entire area under my arms is tender and the slightest touch is painful. You probably noticed it when it began to swell because of the hormone changes prior to giving birth and that rush post-partum made the swelling worse.

You can check with your doctor, but that's probably what it is.

 

[Angel]

Gilly -

It is probably nothing to be worried about, but you might want to check it out with your doctor. My friend's lymph nodes (I think thats what they were) In her pit became swollen and sore shortly after giving birth and it was discovered she had cancer.

 

[seXieleXie]

it's most likely a lymph node, which is part of the immune system. they fluctuate in size when you're sick or fighting off an infection. i'm not sure how that relates to lactating though best to speak to your doctor if you're concerned, even if it turns out to be nothing.

 

[Gilly Bean]

Thanks everyone

Morninggirl, that's kind of what I was thinking, as well, since it was swelling just before birth, and got bad right after. I just thought it was a strange place for a milk duct, so I didn't think that was it. And yes, it was very tender, but then, so were my breasts. Hell, they still are. Bra's are torture devices, and without them, I leak like mad. -shudders- I just love the post partum, leak from all available sex organ's thing.

 

[morninggirl5]

Without the leaking, that sounds achingly familiar.

If you can stand it, warm compresses help with the pain. If you're not nursing, ibuprofen helps the pain and swelling more than other OTC analgesics.

 

[freakygirl]

Gilly, I'm assuming you aren't breast feeding.

Could be a blocked duct.. yes they are that far up.. your milk starts to come in long before baby is born.

or it could be a lymph node.. maybe serious...maybe not (more than likely NOT)... anyway.. at your 6 week check up.. have the doctor check it out. If you are really worried about it, call tomorrow and make an appointment. You can never be to careful on something like this.

 

[Oliver Clozoff]

I'll just back up what the crowd's saying here. They're right that it's most likely a lymph node. Pregnacy causes a huge fluctuation in hormone levels which can cause lots of changes in the consistency of breast tissue so it could be hormone-related changes in normal breast tissue.

Also, pregnancy is an immunocompromised state. In order to make sure that the fetus (which is, after all, a foreign wholly separate developing person residing within the mother's body) isn't rejected by the mother's immune system. Likelihood of rejection of the fetus is decreased by generally decreasing immune system's activities - hence women are more likely to get infections during pregnancy. And lymph nodes swell in response to infection.

Of course, it could be something more serious so if it concerns you, by all means go pay the doc a visit.

 

[Oliver Clozoff]

oh yeah!

Blocked milk duct - could be that too.

Thanks, freakygurl. That's a definite possibility too - what docs call "being in the differential diagnosis").

Can you tell I'm not gonna be a shrink not an OBGYN?

 

[freakygirl]

Re: oh yeah!

Blocked milk duct - could be that too.

Thanks, freakygurl. That's a definite possibility too - what docs call "being in the differential diagnosis").

Can you tell I'm not gonna be a shrink not an OBGYN?

oh darn.. and I was hoping to one day possibly working with you, Oliver.. I am/was an OB nurse.

 

[Gilly Bean]

Re: Re: oh yeah!

Ok, just out of curiosity, hoe would you get rid oof a blocked duct?

 

[freakygirl]

Re: Re: Re: oh yeah!

Ok, just out of curiosity, hoe would you get rid oof a blocked duct?

warm compresses.. warm bath.. massage the breast.. in a downward motion.. (this moves the milk along.. you will probably leak) also.. did they tell you to wear a well fitting bra?? almost to tight for comfort.. this will help dry up the milk.. you should wear it all the time.. even at night until you completly dry up.

 

[Oliver Clozoff]

Re: Re: oh yeah!

oh darn.. and I was hoping to one day possibly working with you, Oliver.. I am/was an OB nurse.

that's cool. All the OB nurses I worked with rocked - in general a happier group of people than those in medicine or surgery dealing with really sick folks. OB has its grim moments, of course, but in general, it's a much happier specialty.

Since we can't have a professional relationship, I suppose we'll have to settle for a sexual one, huh?

 

[freakygirl]

Re: Re: Re: oh yeah!

Since we can't have a professional relationship, I suppose we'll have to settle for a sexual one, huh?

hey.. works for me.. is that the "real" you in your av?? If not.. can you bring her along?

 

[Oliver Clozoff]

Haha... unfortunately I don't think there's anything real about my av.

 

[freakygirl]

Haha... unfortunately I don't think there's anything real about my av.

she's not real? nothing is real on her? NO WAY.. tell me you are fibbing.. please don't ruin my image of the perfect woman..

 

[Mae13]

Hey Miss GillyBean...

As others have mentioned here...it could very well be a lymph node reacting to any number of things (hormone fluctuations, fighting off an "attack" of some sort, etc.) There's a whole passle of them under the arms!

On the "not so friendly lump" side of the house...More than 50% of all breast cancers are found in the 'tail' of the breast, which is above the nipple line and up under your arm, as well as the chest wall stretching up to your collarbone. If the lump is still there, feel it carefully. If it seems 'anchored' and doesn't move around when you press at different angles, I would recommend you have it checked out immediately. If it is mobile, there is a much greater chance of it being something harmless like a cyst, gland, node, etc. Remember that pain is not a true diagnosing tool. "Bad lumps" can be painful or painless. And as far as the whole family history issue....although on one hand having a direct family history does increase your risk, it is still a fairly small number of women with breast cancer that have a documented family history.
So not having family history is never a good reason to write off an unpleasant possibility...

Not a fear factor thing I'm trying to post here, just some information that most 'laypeople' don't seem to know about...

Of course many of the things to help with blocked ducts can also increase milk production again (like warm water on the breasts, or expelling of milk, etc.) so it's something you kind of look at the 'lesser of two evils' thing.

Congrats again on a healthy wee one and a wonderful end to the year for you!

*hugs*
Mae

 

[christophe]

well Mae you beat me too it!

 

[Gilly Bean]

Well, I am doing the tight bra. I hate bra's, with a passion. And yet, I am wearing the damn evil contraptions. Bout blocked ducts, I have two spots that are far more tender then the rest of my breasts, on the underside, near the outer side. Now, my original thought, was that it could be from the bra, because that's where they cut in a bit more. My other thought was a blocked duct.

With Chris, I know I didn't have tender breasts after the milk came in. I was suprised that I didn't, I remember. Now with Rae, I recall it hurt the first day, and that I leaked after that, but I can't remember if it was tender after the first day or not.

 

[Gilly Bean]

Ok, rather then start another post bitching about my dmned body, and it's defects, I revived this one.

Gotta nother question. I can't specifically remember what the doc's said, but I thought they said that after the tubal, you could have bladder and or urinary tract infections.

Since this morning, it has started to very painfully hurt while peeing, not the burning from the wounds of birth, but physical pain that starts in my bladder before I go to the bathroom, and down to my uretha (sp?) when I actually go.

Ok, I feel really stupid explaining my physical aches and pains but I have never in my life had a UTI or Bladder infect. Does anyone know, is that what it sounds like?

I plan to call my doc's office tomorrow, but I won't get an appt until tuesday, cause he's out of the office m, w-f.

 

[morninggirl5]

I've had one UTI in my life and vowed never, ever again.


That's what it felt like to me. Call the doctor, hopefully they'll let you see another partner or call you in a prescription.

 

[Gilly Bean]

That is what I am hoping. He has 2 other partners, both I have seen (kind of). One was the 'delivery doctor' (in loose terms, since he wasn't presant when I gave birth), and the other was my admitting doc the night before I actually was in labor. Both nice guys, I guess. Either way, something that would help now, would be nice.