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Lipoma on lower left back

Posted , 7 users are following.

Guest
Guest

I found a lump on my lower left back about 4\" up from my hip last Monday. By Tuesday it, or certainly the area around it, had vastly grown in size (from spine right round my side - about 8 or 9 inches); giving a deep grumbling kind of pain and a very queezy sickly feeling. It was as if the thing had bubbled-up in a matter of hours; freaked me out totally.

By Wed i could stand it no more and had to see somebody, so i went to the outpatients at the local hospital. I was told it looked like a LIPOMA ( a new term to me) but that was about all the info i got.

I'm still waiting to see a doctor (not my Dr, that would be a miracle) but just any available doctor at the local clinic; first appointment not till end of this week; 11 days after it was discovered. God knows when i'll get a scan or a date to have it removed.

This lump has now shrunk back down and seems to have solidified into a mass about the same size as your average new bar of bath soap. I'm feeing queezy still, have that grumbling pain in my back and now also around my hip and kidney.

I've read that these LIPOMAS are often linked to Insulin / Diabetes, but this info as is most on this topic if vague.

Does anybody know what causes these; are they dangerous; can they lead to other things; and why is so little info given out on these when first identified. Personally i found it rather worrying, especially with a strong history of cancer in the family.

I believe these LIPOMAS are normally non-cancerous, but something that can appear grow and solidify in such a short space of time ant bee a good thing.

What does the surgery involve; any ideas?

JP

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • gail
    gail

    Posted

    hi jp

    firstly let me say if it is indeed a lipoma(and defo sounds like) they are normally harmless, unsighlty yes but pose no problem unless pressing on nerves etc i have suffered with these for many years and about 15 yrs ago had several taken out of my back , but the surgeon did say after that they,ll prob grow back(they have done) and removing them makes no difference so ive not really bothered to get them checked out since i have a huge one around my knee , on my wrist, ankle and the ones that have grown back in my lower back, i know they can be alarming to find i was so scared first time, but some people are more prone than others no idea why the grow?? but of course its always best to get them checked out. if your that anxious ask your surgery for an emergency appointment and explain why they should always have slots available. hope this eases your worries a little . gail

  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    Thanks Gail,

    Mine isn't unsightly as such, as its very deep almost under the muscle tissue; only really being noticeable when it was very much swollen. I think its rooted (if thats the right term) on or near my kidney, as it's grumbling away quite the thing at the moment and it's making me feel rather sickly.

    I think its ridiculous that when a person presents with a lump the size of a grapefruit (now solidified to more like a bar of soap size) with obvious swollen tissue etc (especially one thats appeared from nowhere) that they are just sent away to see their doctor without so much as a scan, x-ray, prescription or at least an appointment within 24-48hrs.

    Sure this will probably be a simple lipoma (nothing too bad) but at this point they do not know that. With a history of cancer in the family you'd think they'd at least want to check things out. But no - if i didn't make the appointment myself i'd just have gone home with no action being taken.

    When i do see a doctor i wont be leaving without an appointment to have this scanned, inspected and removed. In fact if i feel any worse (feeling very sickly) i might have to bring the appointment forward.

    I hope all the others with this / similar symptoms have better luck than i did with the NHS. The caring profession - I think not.

    Rant over - lol.

    JP

  • MindyinPA
    MindyinPA

    Posted

    I am sorry about your experience gail. It must be very upsetting but thank God you know enough to be your own advocate. Can you imagine people who are not as savy. I discovered my lipoma this past Saturday and told my PCP on Monday. He immediately xrayed my hip and back and scheduled an appointment with the general surgeon. He did tell me it is a Lipoma but wants to have an expert evaluate it since I do have many other medical conditions.

    I hope things turned out ok for you....

  • jensheets
    jensheets Guest

    Posted

    I'm going thru this exact same thing right now. I feel so out of the loop with my own health. Can you please keep me updated on yours.

    I was just told to see a spine and kidney specialist

  • shirley_49678
    shirley_49678 Guest

    Posted

    I have several Lipomas in lower back and thoracic area/ went to a Neuro Surheon to get a definitive test and removal - was told MRI unable to see in obese people - did feel them - they are inverted not outward - was told needed to get shots for them - I know others who have had them removed but theirs were outward; I thought since deep nerve pressure could be causing pain and this Dr implied I needed to go to general surgeon; very perplexed and in serious pain
    • deborah92374
      deborah92374 shirley_49678

      Posted

      They are called deep-seated lipomas.  I had five  removed by an orthopedic surgeon but typically a general surgeon would do these.  One of mine was pressing on sciatic nerve and making walking difficult. Once removed I could walk without pain. Unless all of the lipoma is removed, it will regrow. You can watch videos of lipoma removal to help you understand. Google lipoma removal pictures.
  • deborah92374
    deborah92374 Guest

    Posted

    I have had at least 9 lipomas and what you described does not sound like a lipoma formation. I would get second opinion-especially if there is a history of cancer in your family.  My lipomas felt like a rubber marble size, then rubber golf ball, then rubber lemon. (They gradually got bigger over time. ) They move around when you push on them. 
    • warnie_7
      warnie_7 deborah92374

      Posted

      hello i have read your post and have suffered with lipomas for years. i have found that taking a tumeric suplement daily has stopped me having any pain from them and they are shrinking.also have no new lipomas growing. hope this helps.
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