lump in armpit: clogged duct or something else

[limette]

I'm going to get this checked out at my 6 week OB appt but I thought I'd ask here for now.

A month before I gave birth I noticed a lump in my armpit. It was marble sized, didn't hurt. It either disappeared or I forgot about it because I didn't notice it again until my milk came in after the birth. I was engorged and achy and I noticed that the lump was there again but smaller, pea sized.

I've checked it periodically over the past 4 weeks. Last night after I rubbed it for a bit it started to burn and the burning went down into the top of my breast. It was painful for a couple of hours and then went away. When I nursed my baby this morning the pain started right back up again as soon as the milk let down but stopped after that. I checked it again an hour later and couldn't find the lump at all. Tonight it's back.

Dh is concerned. I've read that it's likely a plugged milk duct but that they don't last longer than a couple of days. The other options seem to be either cancerous lump or inflamed lymph node (which can indicate cancer).

Any thoughts?

[mamaw/two]

It's very likely to be a clogged duct, alot of people don't realize that breast tissue goes under the arms and up on the shoulders a bit. I had some lumps on my underarms after birth of baby #4 and asked my midwife about it, she said not to worry unless it was still there at 6 monthes post partum (it wasn't). Also, if it was a cancer it wouldn't get smaller or move around!

[Pepper44]

I had a pea sized lump under my arm after DD1 was born. It was painless and didn't change sizes. I had a breast ultrasound and it turned out to be a swollen gland. They said it was of no concern.

I also sometimes get a sore pea sized lump under my nipple that comes and goes and changes sizes. The midwife said it was either a breast cyst effected by hormones or a plugged duct that comes and goes.

[limette]

thanks. it's burny hot right now going to try to rub it out in a hot shower.

[mamaw/two]

I got some good advice about plugged ducts on this board quite a while back. You take a hot shower and then cover the plugged area with a thick coating of vapor rub, put a heat pad on it for a little while(half an hour or so) and soak in the bath or shower it all off. After that lay down and nurse, nurse, nurse baby. It has worked wonders for me, hope it helps you.