Resolved question:
Hi, I am a 27 year old healthy, very active girl. I've been sick on and off for the past month. Last week I was diagnosed with a bad sinus infection. I had a mild fever, aches, chills, pain and pressure in my sinuses, bad congestion, and a bad cough. I was put on prednisone and clarithromycin. My sinus symptoms cleared up, but I still don't feel a whole lot better. Also my boyfriend who I live with was just diagnosed with the flu three days ago.
I finally returned to work yesterday waitressing and began to experience a lot of soreness and pain in my right armpit. It hurts to raise my arm above 90 degrees and hurts to carry anything. There is no muscle trama, and I am a dancer-so I know the difference between sore muscles from overwork. This feels like my lymphnode is very swollen? I figure this is just a side effect of being sick, but I am concerned since it is just one arm, and also because I have never had it be so bad that it hurt to raise my arm.
I really can't afford to go to the doctor again, especially if this is just a swollen gland that will go down eventually. Can you please tell me if there is something more serious that I am missing? I will go to the doctor if i have to- but only if it's a really good reason why I should go. Or can you tell me further symptoms I should watch for in the next two days to indicate something more serious than a swollen gland? Thank you! I hope you have a good day.
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
Family Physician-GP
Hello,
Thank you for choosing DoctorSpring.
The first set of symptoms you experienced - fever, aches, chills, pain and pressure in my sinuses, bad congestion, and a bad cough is most likely due to a flu (viral infection) as your Doctor suspected. Prolonged fatigue - for few days to weeks is common after a viral infection. No specific treatment is required in this case.
Regarding your pain under the arm - Yes lymph node is a strong possibility. But in most cases of lymph node enlargement in axilla you should be able to feel a rounded (0.5 to 1cm in diameter size of grape) lymph node by palpating deep in the axilla. Please see for yourself and let me know. If there is indeed a lymph node then there is no need to worry. A new onset lymph node is most likely infective in origin and will resolve soon. You have already taken an antibiotic so no specific therapy is needed. In case if you are not able to feel the swelling please let me know.
You can take an OTC pain medication like Ibuprofen to ease the pain. If the swelling and/or pain in the axilla persists for more than 7-10 you should consider visiting a Doctor. Do a breast self examination and make sure that there are no swelling in the breast.
I will keep this consult open so that you can get back to me anytime.
HOpe this helps
Feel free to ask followups
Thank you