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How, exactly, does a swollen lymph node look
Saturday I noticed my right underarm looked slightly swollen. It is in the middle of the underarm and looks like a pocket of fat. I can't feel any lumps. I have a friend who is a nurse at the local Women's Center look at it. She said it does appear slightly swollen but is hard to tell. She couldn't feel anything abnormal. When I first noticed it was not hurting but now I have slight occasional pain in the underarm and some pain in the right breast and nipple. I have an appointment with my doctor tomorrow. I am very scared. Does a swollen lymph node have a certain appearance?
If it was an enlarged node, or esp. a greatly enlarged node, you and/or your husband and/or the nurse would likely be able to feel a discrete, fairly firm lump.
Yes, swelling under the arm can occur for other reasons, but there is little point in trying to speculate about them until the doctor exams you. You will no doubt get a better answer from him/her tomorrow than anything you will learn on the Internet tonight.
As hard as it may be, due to your anxiety, the best thing to do now is to find a way to distract yourself by going for a walk or playing a game or watching TV--whatever might work for you-- then try to get some sleep.
Hang in there,
bb
Yes, swelling under the arm can occur for other reasons, but there is little point in trying to speculate about them until the doctor exams you. You will no doubt get a better answer from him/her tomorrow than anything you will learn on the Internet tonight.
As hard as it may be, due to your anxiety, the best thing to do now is to find a way to distract yourself by going for a walk or playing a game or watching TV--whatever might work for you-- then try to get some sleep.
Hang in there,
bb
Thank you bluebutterfly. Would mine be greatly enlarged since I can see swelling even though I can't feel anything in the swollen area? My husband said it looks like a fat deposit but the other arm does not have the same appearance. Can swelling happen in the underarm that is not a lymph node?
It's generally not somthing you would SEE (unless it was greatly enlarged), but rather something you or a health care provider would FEEL.
A pea or lima bean would be normal, but more like a walnut would be an enlarged node.
Even if you do have an enlarged node, this can happen for a reason like an infection, so try not to panic.
Hope all turns out well when you see your doctor! Let us know by adding another post to this same thread, okay?
Best wishes...
A pea or lima bean would be normal, but more like a walnut would be an enlarged node.
Even if you do have an enlarged node, this can happen for a reason like an infection, so try not to panic.
Hope all turns out well when you see your doctor! Let us know by adding another post to this same thread, okay?
Best wishes...
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