Got a question? Lymph Nodes?
 

Lymph nodes.... Does anyone have problmes with lymph nodes swelling? My armpit ones are really inflamed and hurt alot... I have been also having a lot of swelling anybody with TOS have this problem?


Please let me know! :o

I don't have problems with them as far as my TOS is concerned, but do have some in my neck that stay swollen all the time and they've been that way since I was in the second grade (and it's been a LONG time since I've seen the second grade....:D ). But, I would definitely suggest getting them checked out by your doctor. Are you sure it's lymph nodes though? My DIL had really painful knots in her armpit and it was blocked sweat glands- one had gotten infected and she had to have surgery to get it removed. But either way, better to get it checked.

I know mine will swell and get puffy in my armpits if I do a lot of static arm holding positions {like reading a book:( } .

there is lymphatic drainage massage techniques
I use that when mine bother me.

http://deeptissue.com/articles/lymphatic_article.html
http://deeptissue.com/articles/lymph_technieque.html

oh and some video links - i didn't sort thru them just found the list-
http://video.google.com/videosearch?...NAGE+TECHNIQUE

Thank you JO55! This was really helpful links!

Wonder if lymph node swelling at the arm pit correlates with compression at the axilla? Maybe try some exercises to open up that pec minor area?

I always have lymph swelling at the neck, less on the right since surgery, but the left is always backed up since that is where everything drains into the Greater lymph something (Duct?) and the compression on that side reminds me of a basement sorely in need of a sump pump! :eek:

Lymph massage, done correctly, helps to a degree. I'm sure you'll be shocked to hear when I asked Drs about this and whether I should be concerned they pooh-poohed the idea that lymph fluid build-up could be a concern unless you had had a mastectomy. :rolleyes: But I spoke to a OT who works with breast cancer patients who have lymphadema and she said absolutely to keep the lymph moving and NOT let it just build up and sit. She was quite concerned and informative. And yet the Dr's get SO upset if you mention the PT, OT or ANYONE told you ANYTHING that has proved helpful - makes me want to SCREAM!

When I get trigger point shots though, the left side swells like a golf ball and stays like that for weeks before the fluid is finally re-absorbed - that FINALLY got one Dr's attention that things aren't really flowing like they should. Not that he did anything helpful, he just refused to give me any more trigger point injections. Siggghhhhhh...

beth

I used to get milk duct swelling (when i was still nursing) near the armpit- same basic feeling as lymph swelling. it always made my TOS symptoms feel worse.

post op i have had swelling all over the left side, my PT has suggested some lymphatic drainage moves to help me get the area moving. The swelling is a big problem because it restricts the movement of the area i am trying to heal.

little biology/anatomy lesson here. The lymph nodes work in correlation with the nerves and blood vessels. If there is any slowing of either of these mechanisms, you can get swelling. One cannot work without the other. lymph nodes help bring fluids out of the tissue into the blood stream for the body to get rid of. when there's a slowdown the "fluid" backs up into the tissue and can sometimes leak out of the tissue. We see this in the legs more than the arms but it's not unheard of. ESPECIALLY if there's been trauma or sx to the axilla (armpit) or breast area.
Hope this clarifies things.
Also, if this is something that developed overnight or is increasing in size, I would call your doc immediately to rule out infection or other health problems.