painful lump under both armpits

Last night after washing underneath my armpits I decided to feel if I had enlarged lymph nodes. My sister has had this problem before. I never have. I discovered a very painful lump under my left armpit and a not so painful one under my right armpit. I got my tonsils out in July and I have had 2 colds since then. The last few days I have been feeling kind of sick, (sore throat) and I am about a wekk and a half late on my period. I have never had sex so pregnancy is not an option. Anyways, I was wondering if there is any connection with my symptoms and these painful lumps? And about how long does it take for them to go back to normal.

[CCF-RN,MSN-JS]

Dear Dream, Lymph nodes can become enlarged if a person is fighting infection, which may be true in your case considering the feelings of sickness and sore throat.  You would find as your body works through the infection the swelling of lymphnodes should resolve.  It is hard to say how long this process would take but if you are having worsening symptoms and this lasting over the usual time for a cold/flu, check with your doctor.