What Causes Movable Enlarged Lymph Node In Underarm?

Posted on Sun, 7 Dec 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 7 Dec 2014 Answered on

Fri, 26 Dec 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I am glad you asked. I was awoken this morning at 5 a.m. by pain. Until now I have only had my left side affected by the enlarged lymph node tenderness and swelling, however this a.m. I noticed it has moved to my right underarm area. This is the first time in four months through all of this that I have had any symptoms anywhere other than left underarm, collar bone and neck. Now I am kinda depressed. I am going to see my general physician tomorrow if I can. The med center referred me on to a rheumatologist, but I am going to see one that is in a nearby state that helped my wife tremendously years ago with rheumatoid arthritis. She has been in remission and pain free for 20 years now. The problem is I cant get in until XXXXXXX 12. I wanted to ask you if you have ever heard of sarcoidosis or think this could be my problem. My sister in law has a friend with it and sent me some info on it. I had never heard of it, but it sounds like what I have. Should I mention it to my doctor? Thanks.

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (43 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Tapering Doses of steroid and other medicines.

Detailed Answer:
Hi once again.
I will be happy to assist you again.

Read the present query. Yes, I can understand the distress of finding a pain in the right underarm waking you up at 5:00 am.

It is better to see your General Physician, it will help to find the exact cause of pain, whether lymph node or something else like a boil or so. This is just possible.

Since your reports as discussed last time :: ( Biopsy showed no Lymphoma or Cancer; CT scan, PET scan and bone marrow biopsy were all benign.)
The biopsy should have definitely shown the sarcoidosis if it was there as the whole lymph nodes were removed for biopsy. Sarcoidosis is very difficult to be missed on biopsy because of it classical histopathology. Yet to make sure You can ask for second opinion on the slides of previous biopsy ( if such facility is available in your area / country).

You can certainly discuss about the treatment I had underlines in last answer.
For your reference please ::
-Deflazacort- a newer steroid with minimum side effects. This is the strong anti-inflammatory as well as potent anti-allergic and works well in benign follicular hyperplasia ( it is up to your Doctor's view). This can be given over 3 weeks in tapering dosage and supplementary Calcium with Vitamin D is better taken with it.
All these medicines will help you for the under-shoulder blade problem.

And other treatment as discussed .. I hope your Physician would be happy to assist you more.

Certainly a second opinion of a Rheumatologist would help, although it is 12 XXXXXXX ... Till then take the medicines as advised.

Please feel free to ask for more if you need to.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (37 hours later)

Hello! I went to my family doctor today and showed him the new swelling on my right side. I asked him about putting me on one of the drugs you mentioned...deflazacort. He had not heard of it and got out his ipad and could not find it listed anywhere among prescription drugs. He went ahead and put me on dexamethason 4mg. I got immediate relief from the discomfort of the tender lymph nodes as well as the pain associated with my surgery to remove lymph nodes under left arm. I only go a one week prescription as he didnt want to jeopardize any treatments my upcoming visit to a rheumatologist on XXXXXXX 12. He seemed puzzled that he could not find a listing for deflazacort anywhere. Your thoughts?

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (38 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You got the right medicine, please continue....

Detailed Answer:
Hello.

Thanks for your feedback and thanks to your Doctor who started you on Dexamethazone 4 mg. Both the medicines will have similar actions as they are the same family of medicine.
He is so right in giving you for 1 week for the reason He mentions. The dosage can be continued after one week if needed. Short course of 1 week have no side effects.

The reason for Deflazacort not listed on His i pad among prescription drug as it may not be available in some countries including yours; well does not matter as you got the best alternative with the same mode of action and effects. And the best part you are getting the results.

Wishing you all the best for complete recovery

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju