Lymph nodes?

[NYbutterfly]

I have a confession... I have a rebounder because I know it's good for circulation and lymph drainage, but I don't even know what the lymph nodes are or what they do!

Today I noticed that I am very sore under my armpits and sort of on the sides of my breasts. This has happened on and off since going high raw. Could this be a swollen lymph node (its on both sides)? If so, should I be concerned, why does it happen, and what can I do?

Thanks!

[Nurse in the Raw]

Do you have any thyroid issues or have you had an infection lately?

[EZ rider]

Here"s a link to some information about the lymph system:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lymph_system

[NYbutterfly]

No infections and no thyroid issues to my knowledge, which I also know very little about. I'll check out the link... thanks.

[dreamrawalwz]

Lymph nodes are a HUGE part of your immune system. Everything passes through them (even cancer cells, which everyone has, but that doesn't mean they're "active" per say). Tonsils are a part of this system as well. Usually with infections they become swollen and slightly painful to the touch. If they're large and hard, that's a bigger issue that definitely needs to be checked out.

[elfinbaby]

I posted about my lymph nodes awhile back. Mine get swollen right when I get out of a stressful period and begin to relax. Kind of like when people have a stressful time at work, go on vacation and get sick. I don't exhibit any symptoms of illness. Just swollen glands.

I should get a rebounder. That'd be a good idea. I also had swollen glands when doing a week of 2-3 quarts of green smoothies a day. I don't know what that was about. It hurt to swallow and I was tired but nothing else. I consider my lymph issue detox - except if I'm exhibiting other signs of illness.

I'm sure my post is not very helpful. Just wanted to empathize.

April

[aililiu]

hmm.. a few years ago i had a panic attack when i found a solid lump right along my bikini line, like the fold between your body and your leg. i went and had a doctor check it out, and he said it was a swollen lymph node, and that they are like this huge filtration system to keep your body healthy. he said what had probably happened was that i had shaved my bikini line and it could have been a miniscule cut but somehow dirt or bacteria or something got in and so this was my bodys way of protecting me. the lump went away naturally and ive never had that problem again.

that might not have anything to do with your problem, since you dont have a lump or anything ... but i noticed you said you were sore under your arms/side of breasts... do you shave under your arms? could there be a connection :confused: im just speculating.

im thinking about getting a rebounder btw :) do they get boring? are they expensive??

love
aililiu

[NYbutterfly]

Thank you for helping... I do shave under my arms so that could be it. It's just so SORE, as if I was punched or something.

I got my rebounder on amazon.com and I love it. It can get boring but I keep the TV on and it makes time pass. Mine was $80. There are cheaper models but they didn't get good reviews, like they broke after a month or two. I definitely suggest having one!

[rhondacostes@yahoo.com]

what is a rebounder? I'm out of the loop. I have swollen glands as we speak but I'm about 6 months into being raw. I think I am continuing to detox and will continue for a few years. I'm wondering if swollen glands just happen when your detoxing??? I don't think it's anything to panic about and I had Hodkgins disease when I was 20. I know what a hard lump feels like compared to a swollen lymph node.
Keep us posted:o

Where are you in New Hampshire? I live in Vermont!

[NYbutterfly]

A rebounder is a mini excercise trampoline, great for circulation and drainage. I guess swollen lymphs are a part of detox and nothing to worry about.

I live in Hampton, NH on the seacoast. We are going to a family reunion in White River Junction, VT this weekend. I like VT a lot, my aunt has a house there.

[Frecs]

The lymph system is a major detox "organ". It's veins run throughout the body with a 100 or so "nodes" or collection points. The lymph is responsible for removing toxins, dead cells, cancer cells, etc. from the tissues and transport them out of the body. Unlike the blood stream, there is no "pump" (aka heart) in the lymph system. The lymph fluid is moved when we move...when our muscles contract. That is why they say our bodies are made to move -- literally, movement is necessary for health. You should exercise -- move-- as a regular, daily activity.

Nodes are located throughout your body but major areas they are found include the armpits, neck/throat, breast, lower back, behind the knees, in the groin area. If you experience swelling in these areas, your body is dealing with an infection or other type of "detox" (this is why a doctor will typically feel your armpits and neck area during a physical exam). If it only lasts a few days, no need for alarm. If the swelling lasts longer, you should have it looked at. When I was sick with Chronic Fatique/Fibro, my armpits were routinely swollen --felt like I had golf balls under my armpits...plus the nodes in the back of my neck were often swollen. That hasn't been a problem for the past year. :)

Hope that helps.

(Oh, and for the one asking what a rebounder is -- think, mini-trampoline.)

[rhondacostes@yahoo.com]

I've heard so much about those little trampolines! I may just have to get one!
Anything that helps! That's funny you are coming to Vermont this weekend because we are going to Goffstown, New Hampshire for a baseball tournament.
How's the raw food support where you live? There isn't to much in my neck of the woods. People think I'm a bit nutty because of how I eat! I knew I was in trouble when I went to a Health food store in Burlington (which is known for having VERY different people working there) and they had no idea what I was talking about when I told them I was a raw foodist. Are you going to see David Wolfe when he is in Portsmouth in August? He's great. I've seen him a few times. Very inspiring! Good luck with being raw and your nodes!
Rhonda:)

[NYbutterfly]

I'll be out of town for the David Wolfe seminar, unfortunately. Portsmouth is only 10 minutes away, and the health food store there is really great (apparently Alissa has been known to frequent it). There is also a juice bar where the owner is about 85% raw. It is hard to find support ... I am the only person I know who is a raw foodist and most people think that that is just insane... but I was once one of those people, so I understand and do my own thing!

[rhondacostes@yahoo.com]

I can't make it to Davids talk either! Kind of bummed but oh well.
I'll have to keep you in mind next time I am down your way. It would be nice to meet another rawbie! Where is the Juice bar in Portsmouth? I'll try to go when I am there.
It's interesting how far the east coast is behind the west coast. I keep thinking more people are going to get into raw here but it just doesn't seem to be happening. Maybe we are a rare (raw) bunch....
I just know I'm never going back....................I'll happily continue to eat this way forever. I love it! Life is good!:rolleyes:

[spiralgirl]

NYbutterfly,

Okay before I went raw and ate SAD food I had sore lymph nodes all the time under both my arms and also just under my ear on one side. It was on and off during the day and drove me nuts (then again I wasn't helping them by eating all the junk food I was eating).

Since I've been raw, (8 weeks now) they get sore every now and then so it could very well be detox in your case. If you are really worried you could get it checked out too. What week are you on raw? I've heard detox can even happen in week twelve.

[dreamrawalwz]

The lymph system is a major detox "organ". It's veins run throughout the body with a 100 or so "nodes" or collection points. The lymph is responsible for removing toxins, dead cells, cancer cells, etc. from the tissues and transport them out of the body. Unlike the blood stream, there is no "pump" (aka heart) in the lymph system. The lymph fluid is moved when we move...when our muscles contract. That is why they say our bodies are made to move -- literally, movement is necessary for health. You should exercise -- move-- as a regular, daily activity.

Nodes are located throughout your body but major areas they are found include the armpits, neck/throat, breast, lower back, behind the knees, in the groin area. If you experience swelling in these areas, your body is dealing with an infection or other type of "detox" (this is why a doctor will typically feel your armpits and neck area during a physical exam). If it only lasts a few days, no need for alarm. If the swelling lasts longer, you should have it looked at. When I was sick with Chronic Fatique/Fibro, my armpits were routinely swollen --felt like I had golf balls under my armpits...plus the nodes in the back of my neck were often swollen. That hasn't been a problem for the past year. :)

Hope that helps.

(Oh, and for the one asking what a rebounder is -- think, mini-trampoline.)


Frecs - I've had slightly swollen (not hard) lymph nodes under my jaw line towards my neck. They aren't sore unless I start to massage them. I've also had 2 very hard lymph nodes in my groin area. They all changed around the same time. Now that I think about it....about the time my food intolerances began. YEARS ago and they're still the same. I've had blood tests done and everything comes back ok. There has to be a blockage somewhere right? Do you think a rebounder will help at all?