Am I Seeing the Right Specialist for My Condition?
I am currently managing high blood pressure with Labetalol and taking Sertraline to address my OCD and anxiety issues. Additionally, I am breastfeeding and have never smoked or used illicit substances, with alcohol consumption limited to rare occasions. In late April, while massaging my arm, I discovered a small lump beneath the skin on the upper part of my arm close to my shoulder. Although the lump is not hard, it is somewhat firm and becomes painful when pressure is applied. I decided to wait and see if the lump would disappear on its own. It did reduce in size—about half of its original size—but unfortunately, it hasn’t completely resolved. I suspect it might be connected to the muscle, though I can’t say for certain. The bump is not visible; it can only be detected through touch. Recently, I've also started experiencing pain in my shoulder joint. This brings me to my concern: I scheduled an appointment with an orthopedist because I believe my issue hinges on my arm, shoulder, or muscles. However, my mother has raised doubts about whether an orthopedist is the correct choice for my situation. Can anyone provide clarity on this? I will also share a picture of the area where the lump is located to assist in understanding my issue better.
Answers (1)
6/23/2025, 4:31:00 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to seek clarity about your condition and whether you're seeing the right specialist. Given your symptoms, an appointment with an orthopedist is a reasonable choice since they focus on issues related to bones, muscles, and joints, which seems relevant to the lump and recent shoulder pain you're experiencing.
Explanation:
You mentioned a firm lump in your arm that has changed in size, as well as shoulder pain. While the initial assessment by an orthopedist can help determine if there's a musculoskeletal issue, such as a cyst, a muscle strain, or another condition, it's also important to be aware that other specialists, like a primary care doctor or a rheumatologist, might be helpful if conditions like inflammation or underlying systemic issues are involved.
Next Steps:
-
Attend Your Orthopedic Appointment: Bring up the lump, its changes, and the shoulder pain. The orthopedist will assess these issues and may perform imaging or physical evaluations to understand better what’s going on.
-
Monitor Symptoms: Keep track of any changes in the lump (e.g., size, pain level) and your shoulder pain. Note any new symptoms that may arise.
-
Follow-Up Plan: Depending on the orthopedist's findings, be prepared for a discussion about potential next steps. This could include imaging tests (like an ultrasound or MRI), physical therapy, or referrals to other specialists if necessary.
-
Seek Immediate Care if Needed: If you experience increased pain, swelling, or any new symptoms like fever or redness, consider seeking care earlier, as this could indicate an infection or other issues requiring prompt attention.
Take comfort in knowing that you are on the right track by seeking help, and be open to the possibility of further evaluation based on what the orthopedist recommends.
Related Questions
Persistent Lower Back Pain Following Bertolotti's Resection Surgery
I’m a 35-year-old woman who received a diagnosis of Bertolotti's syndrome type 1B last November. In January of this year, I chose to undergo a minimally invasive resection surgery performed by a neurosurgeon renowned for his expertise in adult spinal deformities. Despite the surgery, I continue to experience discomfort in my lower back months later. My neurosurgeon initially assured me that I would return to my normal state within two weeks post-surgery, but that hasn’t been the case. The sensations I have are quite unusual; I often feel an itchy, crawling sensation that extends from my mid-back down to the top of my buttocks. Since March, I have been attending physical therapy sessions twice a week to address this discomfort. A follow-up MRI was carried out, and both my neurosurgeon and a physiatrist reviewed the results, indicating that everything appears to be normal. I possess the MRI details and will share them for reference. It’s important to note that I had three prior disc herniations, which have not shown to impact my condition. Here is a summary of the MRI findings: FINDINGS: - The vertebral bodies maintain their height and alignment. - There are minimal degenerative changes noted at the L5-S1 endplate. - Multilevel disc desiccation is present while maintaining disc height; a very small endplate Schmorl's node may be found at the inferior aspect of L5. - The conus is normal and unremarkable. - No suspicious collections of epidural fluid are observed. - The report indicates status post partial resection of the transverse processes at L5 and sacral ala at S1 on both sides. Edema is noted beneath the posterior elements at L5 and S1, affecting the posterior lumbar muscles and interspinous space, and these changes are bilateral. Additionally, there is a symmetric linear T2 hyperintensity at the subcutaneous soft tissues of the lumbar area near L5, which appears new compared to my last MRI from October 27, 2024, likely indicating postoperative changes. In the axial images through the disc spaces: - At T12-L1, L1-L2, and L2-L3, no significant disc herniation, spinal canal stenosis, or foraminal narrowing is observable. - At L3-L4, a disc bulge with a central disc protrusion is present, resulting in slight indentation on the thecal sac, but without significant canal stenosis. - At L3-L4, a concentric bulge accompanied by an annular fissure is noted, along with very mild indentations on the thecal sac, but again, no major stenosis or narrowing is seen. - Mild facet arthropathy can be observed. - At L5-S1, there is a broad-based disc protrusion that leans slightly to the left, with no signs of serious canal stenosis or foraminal narrowing. No signs of abnormal widening are observed at the sacroiliac joints, which otherwise appear normal. IMPRESSION: - There is notably a partial resection of the L5 transverse process and S1 sacral ala on both sides, with related changes post-surgery. Mild edema and inflammation are fairly symmetric around the surgical area. - Mild degenerative disc disease and facet arthropathy are identified in the lumbar region, with no evidence of serious stenosis. I am seeking insights regarding the mild edema and inflammation. Specifically, I would like to determine whether these symptoms are muscle-related, subcutaneous tissue-related, or both. Any expert suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated!
Urgent Appointment Rescheduled: Seeking Insights on Rash
I've made some edits to include crucial details. While I understand that Reddit isn’t a substitute for medical advice, I wanted to share my current situation. I sought help at urgent care and have scheduled a visit with my primary care physician (PCP) for a possible referral to a rheumatologist. However, my PCP isn't available until August, leaving me anxious and in anticipation. The urgent care doctor prescribed Triamcinolone but it hasn’t alleviated the itching. I’m hoping to connect with others who have had similar experiences prior to being diagnosed with conditions like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or lymphoma. I’ve been told by medical staff that my symptoms could potentially indicate one of these conditions, but they recommended starting with a rheumatologist to assess the skin issues first. About me: I’m 27 years old, 5'3", weigh 144lbs, and I’m female. I currently take no medications but have been a daily smoker for approximately 12 years. Approximately two months ago, I noticed a severely itchy rash exclusively on the back of my neck, which occasionally burns. I haven’t changed any soaps, creams, or laundry detergents, and none of the over-the-counter remedies seem to provide any relief. My skin history is relatively clear aside from a few instances of polymorphic light eruption (PMLE) that emerged over the last few years. To complicate matters, I’ve experienced swollen lymph nodes on both sides and at the back of my neck and behind my ears. I've had hard, swollen lymph nodes intermittently, with the first one identified around five years ago. The swelling of the neck lymph nodes began after the rash appeared. The rash is not only extremely itchy, but it also radiates warmth and has caused open sores that won’t heal. Interestingly, the skin over the lymph nodes themselves seems irritated, even where there is no visible rash. Before diving headlong into Google’s troubling rabbit hole of medical conditions, I reached out to Reddit for guidance. Additionally, a couple of months prior to the neck rash, I started seeing some circular, mostly itchy patches on my legs and abdomen, with one on my foot. These patches have not healed, and although they sometimes itch, they are less noticeable compared to the neck rash. They do seem to be aggravated by heat or water, especially during showering. I’ve counted several spots on my legs, three on my stomach, and another on my foot, as well as a suspicious lump located on the inner side of my shin, which feels like a swollen lymph node. This lump is about 1cm in diameter and the surrounding skin is slightly pink while the lump itself is deeper within. I recently underwent a complete blood count (CBC) test, and the results were marked "abnormal". My metabolic panel and D-dimer from the same date also indicated abnormalities. Currently, I have a visibly swollen lymph node on my neck as well. Over the last couple of years, I've been contending with swollen lymph nodes, persistent fatigue, and other unsettling symptoms, alongside a significant weight loss of about 100 pounds without any effort. Regarding my tonsils, they appear uneven and alter their appearance. My appetite is practically nonexistent; when hunger strikes, it lasts only briefly, limiting me to one meal a day if I’m fortunate to eat. Even light physical activity leaves me feeling utterly drained, starkly contrasted with the fatigue associated with a long day’s work. This is an all-consuming weariness that lingers long after rest, making simple tasks monumental challenges. Additionally, I have experienced recurring polymorphic light eruption symptoms every summer for the past few years, limited to my arms. I’ve ruled out HIV and Lyme disease, my ANA levels are normal, and other tests have yielded non-conclusive results. Years back, I had mononucleosis, showing extremely elevated Epstein-Barr Virus metrics, as per the medical records I managed to obtain. With swollen lymph nodes readily visible in a photograph accompanying my neck rash, I ask for guidance on which specific tests I should pursue moving forward: should I request a biopsy of a lymph node, the rash, or proceed directly to emergency care, or tough it out until my PCP is available in August?
Post-Operative Dietary Guidelines After Dieulafoy Lesion Repair
A 60-year-old female, measuring 5'3" and weighing 165 pounds, has a history of chronic anemia and hypothyroidism, alongside a recently identified Dieulafoy lesion. She does not consume drugs or alcohol, and is currently on iron supplements and levoxyl. Recently, I spent over a week in the hospital searching for the source of gastrointestinal bleeding and significant anemia, only to discover a Dieulafoy lesion in my duodenum. While epinephrine was injected and a clip was applied to manage it, I lack detailed information since I did not have a conversation with the gastroenterologist who treated my case. I was discharged about a week ago. Unfortunately, the doctor who admitted me couldn't provide much insight into the specifics of my lesion or what I should anticipate moving forward. The only dietary advice offered was to stick to soft foods for approximately a week and to steer clear of tomatoes. I’m scheduled to see a GI specialist in a week, but I feel anxious about eating. I fear that reintroducing food could jeopardize the surgical repair and lead to experiencing similar discomfort as before. Could anyone share more comprehensive guidance on safe food options at this stage? After being restricted to nothing by mouth for days and then only on a liquid diet, I’m yearning for something more substantial than soup! Additionally, does anyone know if a follow-up enteroscopy is routinely performed to check if the clip is securing properly, or is the assumption made that scarring is progressing as needed? My hemoglobin levels are still low, but I'm hesitant to take my iron supplements out of concern that it might obscure any potential signs of bleeding.
Initial Degenerative Alterations at C6-7
A 35-year-old woman has been experiencing silent migraines alongside heart palpitations, for which she is prescribed Bisoprolol at a dosage of 5 mg. She does not smoke or drink alcohol. After reviewing my MRI findings, I noticed a note about "early degenerative change at C6-7," which my doctor never brought up during our discussions. For years, I have been dealing with dizziness that has significantly affected my daily life, yet medical professionals continue to state that nothing abnormal appears on my scans. Could this finding be associated with my dizziness? What implications does it carry? Is there a reason for me to be worried?
Elevated MCV Without Anemia: Potential Causes?
I am a 35-year-old woman who does not use any medications, drugs, or supplements, and I have never smoked or consumed alcohol. In my recent lab tests, my MCV level was recorded at 92.5, which is still considered normal. However, it marked an increase from 90.5 two weeks prior and 89.9 a month earlier. Historically, when my health was better, my MCV remained around 88. My B12 levels fall within the normal bracket (275 - 460), and I also have normal folate at 7.6 and hemoglobin. Interestingly, after trying B12 supplementation, my MCV rose to 92.5 again. While my MCH levels are healthy, my MCHC is slightly lower than ideal at 30.5. Additionally, both my thyroid function and other related health indicators are normal. Yet, I've noted that my heart rate and blood pressure readings are higher than usual, coming in at 120/87. I've been dealing with nerve pain, cramping sensations in my extremities, and experiencing dizziness and weakness, particularly around my menstrual cycle—though my iron levels are adequate. What could these findings suggest?