Pain in underarms, armpits, and sometimes breasts. Stress?

Posted , 5 users are following.

For the past 8 months, I have had on and off pain in my underarms/armpits. Sometimes it's a sharp pain in one spot. Sometimes it's a dull ache. Sometimes it radiates to my breasts. Sometimes it moves to my upper back.

I've seen my doctor and a breast specialist. I had no swollen lymph nodes or lumps. I've had two ultrasounds that were normal. They cannot find any reason for the pain.

The only thing I can link it to is stress. The onset of the pain seems to correspond with stressful events. But I'm having a hard time believing it's only stress because it can be so painful. 

Anyone have a similar experience? Or a different cause of the pain?

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi- I'm actually having a similar problem right now. It started off as pain in my pec muscle, and I was sent to physical therapy. I did 6 sessions and it didn't help. The pain spread to the side of my breast and my arm pit so I went on to see my dr. Again today. She said she feels some cysts so I have to go in for an ultrasound and X-ray. It doesn't get worse with stress though. Although other parts of my body do so I know stress can definitely be a pain causer. Well I'll keep you posted and hope to hear if you find out anything too.

  • Posted

    Hi i'm having a similar problem, and probably for the same period of time actually. It's only on the one side, sometimes it's like a sharp stabbing type pain sometimes a dull ache. It's usually on the outer side of the breast, towards the armpit, but sometimes underneath too, although even when underneath it's always more towards the armpit. 

    I have seen my GP and she examined me and found no lumps and concluded it was "hormonal".  I went back a second time as i was worried and she asked me to keep a diary, which i did, and it seemed like i had it constantly so i stopped keeping the diary but  then think it must have gone away for a while as i didn't go back to the doctor again. I was quite stressed previoulsy due to another health issue i was worrying about and some other stuff, and since i've had the all clear on that i've felt less worried and stressed so like you i wonder if there was a link with that?

    It's come back again recently though. I am keeping an eye on it to see if it's cyclical but it didn't seem to be before. I am due on at the moment though so maybe it is? It is a little worrying and i'm wondering whether to go back to the doctor.  I dont usually need to take medication for it and i can cope with it, it's just the worry of what it could be, however, from all my googling i cannot see anything to suggest anything untoward. It's rather confusing.

    • Posted

      It's very possible that you have Fibrocystic Disease. Lumpy and painful breasts and armpits are common experiences. Always good to keep it checked for anything unusual to your particular circumstances. Talk to your gynie about it. It may help put your mind at rest. It did mine. Good luck.

  • Posted

    I did the ultrasound and x-ray, no cysts or mass.  But they do see fluid in my lungs.  So waiting for a CT scan now.  Kinda scary.  

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