Swollen lymph nodes - very painful (x-posted)

[scheelimama]

(X-posted in breastfeeding forum)

I noticed a week or two before dd3 was born that I had a swollen and slightly sensitive lymph node under my left arm, but they flair up every now and then for me and usually go away within a week or so. I mentioned it to my mw when I went in at 5 days postpartum and she wasn't concerned since my milk had just come in 2 days prior. But now, dd is 2.5 weeks and in the last few days, the pain has gotten much worse and all of the lymph nodes under that arm are swollen. I've got 5-6 bumps that are red, swollen, and very painful. I can't wear deodorant or shave, it hurts so much.

I should also mention that I was wearing dove deodorant but I noticed I was getting really rashy and irritated under that same arm, probably 2 months ago now. So, I switched to a natural "liquid rock", don't remember the brand, but it has worked pretty well for me and the irritation went away. But the last few days, I've been really itchy and irritated again, so I haven't even been wearing that deodorant.

I'm assuming this is somehow nursing/postpartum related. I tried to google info on it, but I'm not finding much. I'm thinking of going in to see a dr. as this is getting pretty uncomfortable. Any ideas?

[GinaRae]

I would actually go to the doctor for this. Something like that worries me. Not sure why! But it does. Could be a viral thing working its way thru the body, but I would want to hear what the doc says. Do you have a cool doc you can go to? As opposed to a clueless one

[Curlita]

I'm wondering if it could be a plugged duct... I think they extend pretty far into the armpit area. But yeah, I agree with Gina that you probably want to get it checked.

[scheelimama]

I don't really care for my regular doc at all, and I'm pretty sure he's clueless about breastfeeding. I do have a very mild cold that dh left me with, just thought of that after I posted last night, maybe it's related to the increase in this problem. But one of the lymph nodes has been swollen for a good month now already, before Piper was born. I have to take Piper back to the birth center today to have her PKU redone, so I'm going to ask the nurse while I'm there about this. It's really painful.

[scheelimama]

Talked to my mw today. She told me to put warm compresses on it a lot over the next few days and if it doesn't get significantly better in a few days, or if it gets worse or I develop a fever to call them back. She thinks it's just related to breastfeeding, and possibly plugged ducts/mastitis. I've never had mastitis before and my breasts feel fine. And she said they have an herb I can take to clear up mastitis if it does develop into that since I'm extremely prone to thrush and antibiotics are a big no-no for me when I'm nursing. Hopefully it gets better quickly. It's rather painful.