Swollen Glands

[famoussenior]

I had AVR on March 1, 2012. About two days after surgery, I started to develop lumps under my right/left armpits. I dismissed them as just an aberation of surgery but discussed it with my cardiologist and surgeon once I was released from the hospital. My cardiologist and surgeon seemed bewildered about possible causes of the swollen glands and was placed on a prescription of doxycycline which is supposed to clear up bacterial infections. As of today, I still have pain, swelling and sensitivity under my armpits. I have scheduled an appointment with my PCP in hopes he can pinpoint a solution to my problem. Has anyone encountered similar symptoms post-surgery?

 

[Fundy]

Are they muscle knots, if they are and not too troublesome; pressure on the knot for up to 30 seconds and try to lengthen the muscle with arm movement. You may need to do this several times.

a professional massage therapist would be better.

 

[famoussenior]

I'm ready to try anything. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[famoussenior]

Fundy: I think you were right. I've been doing some stretching exercises daily and it has helped relieve the "knots" under my arms. I still experience some discomfort radiating from the right center of my chest to my right arm pit. I assume it takes awhile for that to go away given the incision and separation of the sternum. Thanks for the advice.

 

[sarahsunshine]

I would advise to get agood massage therapist (I've had several lowsy ones). A good massage can help relieve knots AND swollen glands by stimulation the lymphatic system. Moving around more and doing exercise also stimulated the lymphatic system, as well as a little pressure and "jiggling" in the right spot. Keep working at it. Most insurance covers massage, particularly if a prescription is wwritten from your GP. And most GPs will simply write one if you say "can I get a doctor's not for massage because I'm stressed and holding the tension in my shoulders". You actually have ag ood excuse "I just went through heart surgery which rearranges all my bones and muscles and tehy are having trouble getting back to normal". Lots of hospitals have a masseuse (masseur?) come around in the hospital immediately after surgery so it shouldn't be a problem. I highly recommend it.

 

[Bina]

I've heard of members developing muscle lumps in the chest area, but not in the armpit area. You are wise to massage gently (without
pulling on the incision) and do the stretching daily.
Sometimes a warm damp cloth application will help loosen the offending muscle. If in doubt call your doc.

 

[Fundy]

I developed several knots in both armpits after five weeks when for some reason intense chest and back pain gradually set in. About 3 days later I realized a lot of shoulder and arm pain that also happened came from knots in the armpits. It took me several hours to get all but one worked out. They usually come back again several times.

I wouldn't be surprised if the chest pain you mentioned is also due to a knot. However if you can't find one nearby, I think the chances are high its a knot in a neck muscle (trigger point) that refers the pain elsewhere. With me several knots happen occasionally which cause shoulder pain. Sometimes simple turns of the head in certain directions will cause presure on the knot, triggering the pain elsewhere.

The most frequent spots I find knots in neck are the muscles that go below bone, such as collar bone. Usually I can find a muscle by touch just above collar bone, then raise chin upward(exposing more of the muscle) while feeling along the muscle. Basically from shoulder to shoulder I develop knots below collarbone that will refer pain elsewhere, either into shoulders or chest usually.

There are also trigger point injections, that you can get for the knot. I've never had them but have heard of a few fibromyalgia patients getting them regularly. But a really good massage therapist can help a lot, one that's not very skilled will help not at all, or even leave you feeling worse.
This book:
http://www.amazon.com/Trigger-Point-Therapy-Workbook-Self-Treatment/dp/1572243759
is highly recommended by almost anyone recommending self-massage books. I bought one myself 6 months ago, but still haven't read it.