Arm Pit Lump, tenderness, and no insurance

[Fabric Lady]

I am a 50 y/o female.  I felt a tenderness under my arm pit about a month ago.  I felt a small lump, smaller then a grape.  I researched the symptom on the Internet and the most common cause is a lymph node.  I do suffer from terrible allergies and feel like I have a cold that never ends.  I decide to put off going to an MD and see if it goes away.  It did seem to shrink and is hard to locate, but I think I can still feel it.  Now there is a tenderness or slight soreness coming from my armpit running half way down the underside of my arm.  It feels deep in my arm.  I don't have any insurance as I am self employeed with a small home based business.  My questions are;
Should I go see an MD right away?  If so, what kind?  I can probably afford to get a basic health plan now.  Any suggestions as to who has a good one?  If this tenderness is something bad, can I get insurance now and wait to see an MD?
Any suggestions on self care if it is just a lymph node?

Thanks!

[tharealistuno]

i am a 24 year old male...about three days ago i noticed a small lump (size of a pea) under my right armpit. within the last three days i have noticed that my whole armpit area has swollen. i have been using a warm compress and some of the infection has came to head. i have no insurance and i had to go through emergency to get a lump behind my ear lanced about a montha ago.  i am wondering if these issues are related and what i can do on my own to remedy the situation before i am forced to go through emergency again...it really ***** to work to 6 days a week to pay bills an rent, not be able to afford insurance an then when somethin serious comes along to be scared to go through emergency more than once a year bc of the cost... i could really use some advice, its greatly appreciated....

[hyepod]

A tender armpit mass is often an ominous sign, and should be addressed immediately (e.g. breast cancer, lymphatic disease, etc.)  Is there a county or other hospital that accepts uninsured patients with limited ability to pay?  I am concerned about an insurance company's stance on pre-existing conditions.  Good luck.  Please act on this soon.

[phleb]

NEVER WAIT to have a lump tested. The law states you have to be treated with medical care. You will receive a bill for services and you pay what you can afford. As long as you tell them you have to be a self pay they will bill you less due to no insurance reimbursements and you will be on a payment plan. My cousin had a lump also with no health insurance. Had I known sooner I would told her the same thing. But she didn't tell anyone she had this until a year later. Not to scare you but she was gone 4 months later because it spread to her bones. DON'T LET MONEY CAUSE YOU TO POSSIBLY LOSE YOUR LIFE!!!

[jifnif]

well i had the same issue only i have insurance.  I went to my obgyn and they said that its probably swollen lymph nodes.  I have had this problem for the past 4 years only i cant get tested because i am prego.  I wuold go to a clinic if you have no insurance....planned parenthood???

[lovinit11]

There are usually hospitals in the area where you live that offer financial assistance programs based on income.  Try calling around or looking on the internet.  They usually can rate you so you only have to pay a certain percentage or nothing at all depending on income.  Good luck!  This is how I recieved healthcare when I wasn't able to afford it.  My prayers are with you.

[Carol in PA]

Fabric Lady:
If you haven't bought health insurance in a while, you've saved yourself many thousands of dollars.
We have health insurance, but I have a $5000 deductable, up from $1000 last year.
So even if you buy insurance, you'll be spending alot.

You should see your family doctor to be evaluated.
He should check all the other lymph nodes too, and will probably do a breast exam and blood work.
If this is a lymph node, stop palpating it every day, this can keep it from decreasing in size.

You won't know if it's serious until you have it evaluated.
Tell him you don't have insurance, and see if his office can offer any kind of price adjustment.

Good luck, and I hope you follow through.
Carol

[myproblem]

I suggest getting insurance first, but quickly, and then going to the Dr. It may be just an swollen lymph node, but can also be a sign of lymphoma, or something else bad. You should be able to get coverage in only a week or so. Just try a few of the big companies like blue cross, or kaiser, whatever is in your area.