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What Causes Throbbing Pain Spot And Tenderness Under Left Arm?
Question: I have a throbbing pain spot under my left arm and close to my left breast with tenderness generally around that area. At times the area gets hot as well. I have had these symptoms for a couple of years. My doctor tells me to ignore it. It concerns me and I'd like to get to the bottom of it. Any ideas as to what could be going on.
Regards Maree
Regards Maree
Brief Answer:
Inflammation of the fat
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query and history.
Noted the history of throbbing pain spot under the left arm and close to left breast with tenderness around that area - at times the area gets hot too - now for couple of years - Doctor feels nothing to worry about - investigations understood - X-ray, Exercise EKG, mammogram and USG, Mother's Breast Cancer - NHRT and others...
I think we can consider the possibility of Fat necrosis / Idiopathic inflammation of the fat in this area as one of the most probable cause considering all the facts you have mentioned above.
I would request you to discuss this with you Surgeon/Doctor treating you, to examine in this angle and if they accept, treatment can be tried so that your life becomes comfortable.
Please give me some more information if you can:
-Please tell me exactly which area is affected?
-Is the skin or the tissues under the skin have different feeling, may be granular or so?
-Is there any swelling when you get the pain or feel the raised temperature.
-Please provide any information related to the present problem or even though you feel it is not or remotely related to your present problem.
I hope this answer helps you to get a proper diagnosis, and get a proper further treatment. Please feel free to ask for more or if you need further clarifications or if you feel there is a gap of communication.
Inflammation of the fat
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query and history.
Noted the history of throbbing pain spot under the left arm and close to left breast with tenderness around that area - at times the area gets hot too - now for couple of years - Doctor feels nothing to worry about - investigations understood - X-ray, Exercise EKG, mammogram and USG, Mother's Breast Cancer - NHRT and others...
I think we can consider the possibility of Fat necrosis / Idiopathic inflammation of the fat in this area as one of the most probable cause considering all the facts you have mentioned above.
I would request you to discuss this with you Surgeon/Doctor treating you, to examine in this angle and if they accept, treatment can be tried so that your life becomes comfortable.
Please give me some more information if you can:
-Please tell me exactly which area is affected?
-Is the skin or the tissues under the skin have different feeling, may be granular or so?
-Is there any swelling when you get the pain or feel the raised temperature.
-Please provide any information related to the present problem or even though you feel it is not or remotely related to your present problem.
I hope this answer helps you to get a proper diagnosis, and get a proper further treatment. Please feel free to ask for more or if you need further clarifications or if you feel there is a gap of communication.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
Thank you for your response Dr Chandrakant. I am confused as to why there is a throbbing sensation adjacent to the left breast, and at times can feel like it is throbbing into the left breast. There is an undescribable discomfort generally just to the side of the left breast but when I press into the area there is nothing that feels abnormal in texture . There is a tenderness when I press in to the ribs in the general area in and around the armpit. The heating of the area has only occurred in the last few days and is intermittent.
I do have a fibromyalgia diagnosis, which I have had for many years, that has me suffering with muscle/tendon tightness and discomfort (particularly around neck & shoulders) but this pain is different. It is a throbbing and uncomfortable sensation.
Other symptoms that I am suffering from at present, but don't appear to be related, are loss of hair, overheating at night while sleeping particularly when I sleep on my side, headaches over top of the eyes (brought on by overheating), tight jaw, dry mouth, and minor chronic reflux, fatigue, tiredness.
Can this have anything to do with the lymphatic system? It feels like some sort of blockage. I can't feel any lumps and there is no change to skin appearance.
I do have a fibromyalgia diagnosis, which I have had for many years, that has me suffering with muscle/tendon tightness and discomfort (particularly around neck & shoulders) but this pain is different. It is a throbbing and uncomfortable sensation.
Other symptoms that I am suffering from at present, but don't appear to be related, are loss of hair, overheating at night while sleeping particularly when I sleep on my side, headaches over top of the eyes (brought on by overheating), tight jaw, dry mouth, and minor chronic reflux, fatigue, tiredness.
Can this have anything to do with the lymphatic system? It feels like some sort of blockage. I can't feel any lumps and there is no change to skin appearance.
Brief Answer:
as explained.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your elucidate feedback.
This probably is not related to the lymphatic system, the nodes would have been palpable by this time and the skin gets typical texture.
Most of your symptoms are attributable to fibromyalgia syndrome, the stress and anxiety in an indirect or direct way.
The pain in the left side of the breast may be related to the same fibromylgia since there is tenderness over the ribs, this is akin to costochondritis. A very good X-ray of the ribs at the point of tenderness with a marker may find the cause in the ribs, wherein there is periosteal reaction and response.
Oral Steroids in tapering dosages and anti-anxiety measure works the best.; (if you are not diabetic).Considering your age, you should also take therapeutic dosages of Vitamin A and D and followed by antioxidants with Lycopene, this helps a lot.
as explained.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your elucidate feedback.
This probably is not related to the lymphatic system, the nodes would have been palpable by this time and the skin gets typical texture.
Most of your symptoms are attributable to fibromyalgia syndrome, the stress and anxiety in an indirect or direct way.
The pain in the left side of the breast may be related to the same fibromylgia since there is tenderness over the ribs, this is akin to costochondritis. A very good X-ray of the ribs at the point of tenderness with a marker may find the cause in the ribs, wherein there is periosteal reaction and response.
Oral Steroids in tapering dosages and anti-anxiety measure works the best.; (if you are not diabetic).Considering your age, you should also take therapeutic dosages of Vitamin A and D and followed by antioxidants with Lycopene, this helps a lot.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
I have had fibromyalgia for many years, and this has not been a typical symptom of the disorder for me, which is why I am concerned. I get that the tenderness I have could be attributable to the FM but the throbbing is worrying me.
You refer to costochondritis. Is it possible for these symptoms to be present because of a tumour? I would like to ask my doctor for a MRI to rule out any possible tumour or blockage. Would this be a reasonable and justifiable thing to do?
You refer to costochondritis. Is it possible for these symptoms to be present because of a tumour? I would like to ask my doctor for a MRI to rule out any possible tumour or blockage. Would this be a reasonable and justifiable thing to do?
Brief Answer:
Yes, MRI with a marker put on the painful area
Detailed Answer:
I do agree with you fully.
But the area under consideration is a bit different when it responds to any disease process.
Throbbing without any obvious swelling and redness indicates internal close-cavity inflammation.
I said ''akin'' to CC costochondritis just to have an example.
I liked the idea to get the MRI done.
But there should be a marker put on the area of pain and throbbing so that the Radiologist can really try hard to find the positive findings.
Please go ahead, I shall be happy to know the reports.
Yes, MRI with a marker put on the painful area
Detailed Answer:
I do agree with you fully.
But the area under consideration is a bit different when it responds to any disease process.
Throbbing without any obvious swelling and redness indicates internal close-cavity inflammation.
I said ''akin'' to CC costochondritis just to have an example.
I liked the idea to get the MRI done.
But there should be a marker put on the area of pain and throbbing so that the Radiologist can really try hard to find the positive findings.
Please go ahead, I shall be happy to know the reports.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
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