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Hello everyone. I have had a lump on my shoulder blade for quite a while now. Recently (past 2 months or so) it has become quite painful. Well when I went to the doctor this morning they told me it was a lipoma which is harmless but should not be painful. The nurse did not test it at all, she just looked at it and diagnosed it as a lipoma which maybe is what they do, but I'm just wondering if anyone else has had a diagnosis of this without any tests being run? It seemed as if she did not believe I was actually in pain, and kept saying it will go away and to take some asprin (which I do and it does not work.) Thanks so much for your help everyone!
Can't help you w/how they diagnose a lipoma. My husband had one years ago, removed under a local anesthetic. His was on his back where his belt hit it. Maybe try another doctor? How about a dermatologist?
My husband just had three lipomas removed, and this is exactly how the doc diagnosed his, too. Usually, they don't cause a problem. If it's close to a nerve or a bone, or perhaps in an area that gets pressed a lot, this is what causes the pain. They are harmless, but his were painful as well. They were in his lower back, and when he drove, they were pressing against the seat, causing internal bruising. He went to a cosmetic surgeon, and they were removed in an outpatient surgery center. After they were removed, they were sent to a lab to make sure they were what he thought they were. They were. No more pain, happy ending for all! Hope this helps!
If its causing pain it should be removed, if it is a lipoma it isn't going to go away as you were told.
The only way to know for sure if the mass is a lipoma is to get a biopsy. I typically send patients for a FNA or fine needle aspirate to confirm that it is a lipoma before sending the patient to a plastic surgeon for removal.
Thanks so much you guys. I am definatly going to go to a different doctor, not because I dont believe its a lipoma, but because I would like to have it tested to consider removing it. Thanks!
I have one now, had an xray,. had my pcp and now and ortho look at it. the ortho is sending me for an mri to make sure that is what it is.. but believes from the appearance and feel of it it is a benign limpoma. it is hurting me too (just above bend on inside of elbow) and i am being told if it doesnt grow (it is as big around as a silver dollar) or doesnt hurt me (that is why i went to begin with) then it doesnt have to come out. we will see...
Lipoma ...Go to primary care. $125 , refer to specialist $500. Refer to MRI $1500. Three separate visits with all the costs invoved. i.e. gas, parking, time off work, etc. Conclusion: No removal necessary. Patient still has lump. Could have just cut it out for less cost than all the run around. This is one of the problems with health care and it will get far worse under "Obamacare" I'm looking for a Doctor in Mexico that will remove mine, in one simple visit!
Lipomas have a characteristic firm, rubbery feel. If you pinch the lump between your thumb and first finger, you can move it around easily. If you slide your finger toward the edge of the lump, it will tend to slip off the lump. They are usually painless, but if they are in locations where they are subject to pressure from clothing or activities, they can be uncomfortable. They are almost always benign, and it is not always necessary to remove them. They can get larger, and of course that means a bigger incision to remove it.
As frustr8d said, the most sensible route is to have it removed and send to the pathologist. S/he can then tell you definitely what it is. The only reason I can see for any pre-op testing would be if the surgeon has significant doubt that it is a lipoma, or if it involves the joint, to plan the removal, as in Gully7's case. Gully's doc would not want to start the procedure in the office and find out it has roots deep on the joint. I once had a tiny nodule on my left ring finger. If it had been anywhere except right under my wedding band, I would not have done anything, but the ring bothered it. I had it removed by a plastic surgeon, it turned out to be something totally benign but uncommon, and it did involve a joint. Took him a while to dig it out
Blondie, if yours is not large, local anesthetic & removal in the office should be fine.
The nurse has probably seen a gazillion of these.
If it's in a spot that gets pressure, it can cause discomfort.....get it removed! It's a quick and easy procedure....perhaps a stitch or two....local anesthetic....
i may have one the doc said.
its right below my nasal septum, well a little on the right side
movable, a little painful
needs to be removed or the tablets doctor prescribed will do?
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