Underarm lumps?

[-mermaid-]

About 2 weeks ago I noticed my right armpit was very achy all day which worsened into the evening, it felt like I'd pulled a muscle- especially when I lifted my arm or rolled my shoulder. Got in the shower that evening to find a lump under my armpit which wasn't sticking out much but roughly ping pong ball size in diameter? It felt hard & was uncomfortable to press on.

Anyway the next day most of the achyness had got but the lump remained for about 4 days, after which it started to disappear but a smaller, peanut sized lump slightly further up from this had appeared, which was slightly red and also remained a few days. They both disappeared and probably a day later I felt (to a lesser extent) the same achyness to find another lump similar to the first. This one disappeared after about a day now & I can't feel any of them in my right armpit now.

Tonight my left armpit is achy and there is a lump similar to the first one under my right armpit, and a little red.

Really stumped as to what these are, when I press on this one the pain feels muscular, which has been the case with all of them except for the peanut sized one. The achyness seems to mainly be present when they are appearing, and subsides almost completely. A friend said they could be my glands swelling up if I'm run down? The only sickness I've had recently is a cold a few weeks ago and I feel 100% well from that.

Does anyone have any ideas as to what this could be? I'm reluctant to go to the doctors as I went about 2 days ago for something entirely unrelated (didn't ask about this as all the right lumps were gone & the left hadn't appeared yet) but they weren't very helpful & I don't want to seem a hypochondriac! Also they come & go fairly quickly & it'll be my luck that there's nothing there when I get an appointment!

I'm in my early 20s, have never smoked, drink a little (although maybe a more than usual recently as I've just finished uni- hooray!) and am on no medication except for the contraceptive pill.

[-mermaid-]

"Tonight my left armpit is achy and there is a lump similar to the first one under my right armpit, and a little red. " Sorry- I meant my right armpit is achy, left is fine! =]

[Sir Alec]

I have had exactly the same thing many years ago. I went to the doctor and they said that it was a blocked lymph node. I was given a course of anti-biotics and was fine in a few days.
I suggest a quick visit to your GP just to put your mind at rest. It worried me sick whilst I had it, so I can imagine what you are going through.

[-mermaid-]

Did yours swap sides like mine has Sir Alec? Although left & right clearly challenges me (ha!) I've had 3 on my right side & 1 one on my left, is what I meant to get across. When left without antibiotics will they eventually sort themselves out, if blocked lymph nodes is the case? Thanks!

[Sir Alec]

Still best to see a GP, I'm afraid. Mine seemed to concentrate on my right side, but unchecked, I've no doubt that they could have moved. I hate going to the docs, but sometimes it's necessary, just to be sure. If it turned out to be more serious, at least you will have nipped it in the bud. Good Luck!
I don't get on here very often, but will look out for your answer.

[Sqad]

This is nothing sinister and certain;y nothing to do with cancer.
Almost certainly viral in origin, even may ber a mild form of glandular fever.

What would I suggest? monitor the situation for another 2 weeks and they should have settled, but if not after that time, see your GP.

[NoMercy]

I agree with Sqad. I had lumpy arm pits with gladular fever.

[Sir Alec]

Sqad, I am not decrying your diagnosis in any way, but don't you think that a visit to the GP is preferable than waiting in anxiety? I know, I was scared 'shitless' when it happened to me.

[Sqad]

Sir Alec........maybe, bur she doesn't seem to be that keen on going and in 2 weeks time, they may all have disappeared in which case a GP visit will be avoided.
If not, she has only lost 2 weeks and this is nothing in the "bigger picture."

NoM....good morning gorgeous.

[Sqad]

Sir Alec...sorry.......good morning gorgeous.

[-mermaid-]

Morning, thanks everyone for your responses.
I think I'm going to leave them be for another few weeks, as sqad says, as ultimately they're not causing much discomfort and I don't feel ill at all.

I'm mainly curious, rather than worried! I really hope I don't come out with a virus & it stays in my armpit though- I'm looking forward to enjoying my Jubilee weekend healthy! =]

I'll update this if they don't seem to be going away. Cheers!

[-mermaid-]

A little update- yesterday evening I had the tell tale ache in my right armpit and started to get a sore throat and today seemed to be getting what appears to be bad cold (sore throat, runny nose). I had a really bad cold just over a month ago but have felt 100% better for at least 3 weeks.... although it was after this that the lumps started.

No lumps at the moment but this evening my left armpit is very achy! So as sqad says I think I certainly have some kind of virus.... but at least it waited until after my weekend away to show itself though, to look on the bright side! Am hoping it buggers off out of my system for good after round two! =(