Soft tissue masses- what are that???

[kimbo]

I have an appointment in re: to this concern (wed.)
but mean while I have been googling and am some what anxious for what this is:

Sometime around 9-10 months ago I noticed a raised area on my left ankle; kind of wrapping around towards the right of my ankle (painless). I thought maybe water retention, although I have never had the problem of water retention, even in pregnancies years ago.
It has the appearance of a mass, soft tissue. I kept thinking it would go away. It has not.

Yesterday I realized on my right arm on top of my wrist area on the side toward me a raised area of soft tissue lump, like on my ankle. They are both visible to see and feel, and painless.
When I noticed the second one on my wrist, I was sitting in Sunday evening church, it rattled my mind so bad to see a second lump, I Got up. And left church, because I felt rather panicked.

Could this be an auto immune thing?
Has any one else had this occurrence ?
Have any of our nurses here seen this type of soft tissue lumps?

Some what fearful, kimbo

[irish]

I realize that any lump can drive any of us over the edge with worry. However, I think that you should take a deep breath and try to relax until you have seen the doctor.

Many of these lumps can be "fatty" tissue---sorry to say cause that isn't a very sophisticated ailment to have to explain to people. They can stay the same size and they sometimes can get bigger. What the doc decides to do about them is based on the location and the effect, if any, they are having on your body.

We sjoggies have so many ailments that it is really easy to panic when yet another one comes up. Trying to keep our ailments in perspective is hard but it is something we should work on doing as it will make life more enjoyable. It is tough to have to worry all the time about health issues. Good luck and keep us posted. You are right to get this checked out!!!! Irish

[kimbo]

Thank you so much, Irish.
You are always so good at placing a band-aid on my fear.
While I know you have so much you cope with, yourself.

So thankful to are sjoggie nurses!

[shevonne]

I have the same symptoms, one on my left wrist and then my forearm swelled up on my right arm.  My dr thought that the one on my wrist may be a ganglion cyst.  When I showed her the swelling of my right forearm, she had no clue of whats going on.  Right now we are just going to watch it.  The swelling in the forearm has went down a little and so has the wrist but its still there.  The one on the wrist has been there over a month and the arm a couple of weeks now.  Please let me know how it works out for you.

[Bucky]

((Kimbo)) - take a deep breath dear . . . . as you know, worrying won't help anything - and I know it is sooooo hard NOT to worry.  (it's much easier to tell someone not to worry, than actually practice it ourselves . . trust me on this one  )

I've had some strange lumps and swellings through the years - all of a sudden they appear . . . then, at some point, they disappear.

Do you have any arthritis issues? 

I know you're panicking right now - but, I think it's a good thing they aren't painful.

From what my doctor has told me before, it takes soft tissue injuries a long time to heal.  I had one on my lower leg once and he told me it could take up to a year to heal.     Did you injure your ankle at one point?

Take care my friend - keep us updated on what you find out at the doctors office.

Hugs,
Bucky

[season]

I have one on my wrist and it has been there for several months. I was very concerned about it and went to the doctor. He laughed and said it was what the old folks called a Gideon cyst named after the Gideon Bible (not sure about the spelling). He said the older people used to take the Gideon Bible and smack the bump hard to smash it. He said it was actually a gangleon(spelling may be wrong) cyst and they were harmless. He said sometimes they grew and some became irritating and then they were removed.

[kimbo]

Season, I have had the ganglion cysts in my wrist that come and go, also heard of Bible blasting proceeder   they have a tendency to get tender.
What I have is a thickening a little higher up on my wrist, with absolutely no pain.

I have been to my long time family MD. He asked about my salt intake. I confessed I intaked, and also was packin a shaker in my purse. My husband was present, and thought that was fun, since he does not salt ever.

After I told him I was in church looking at my wrist when I noticed the thickened area, he looked at my wrist and then grinned at me and said, what were you doing looking at your wrist during church.  . He looked at my husband (he knows my husband is my preacher) I told him the preacher was being very boring.

Any way; He convinced me it was nothing to worry about. I am watching my salt, as in not salting.
Because I felt it was weird that it was my left ankle and my right wrist, he said rarely do both ankle or wrist appear the same in these situations.

He also said to eat protein or take supplement protein, because it helps push stuff out. (not terms he used.)

He said watch it and let him know if it persists.

He did not believe it was arthritic , because I have no joint pain. He knows I am RA positive, SJS seems to be my autoimmune, not RA.

I feel I am very fortunate to not have joint pain, I think my clebrex that I have taken for years has been my helper.

Thank you all. I no it's silly to take off thinking the worst. And I should have my google privileges taken away from me.

For now we are watching it and consuming a lot less salt.

Hugs, kimbo

[Meld256]

Hi Kimbo,

I'm so glad your family MD calmed your fears.  Sounds as if you have a good rapport with him! 

I understand your mind taking off thinking the worst. We just naturally seem to do that no matter what. I guess, too, with us we just never know if it's something to be concerned about or not.  We all have so many just plain wierd things crop up!

You make me laugh...you salt-packin' Momma. Guess you'll have to tone down the salting. I'm really glad you have no joint pain, because it is the pits. Really good that you feel better about all this.

p.s. I don't think we will need to revoke your googling license.

Now, try to have a good weekend.
Melinda

[really?]

I have heard of htem on the knees, when I used to shoot trap there was a Doctor that shot too,, it was kinda funny he held a informal doctor session on the shooting range,, anyway one of the guys had those ganglion cysts onhis knees and he refered to them as housemaid knees,,

[Bucky]

Kimbo . . . I'm glad the doc thinks it might just be due to your salt intake.  You should have just handed over the salt shaker from your purse right then and there!    

I bet your husband was glad to know you were bored with his sermon!!   

I think in celebration that it wasn't anything you imagined it might be - that you should have a bowl of ice cream or something.     I'm sure you've got some stashed away somewhere there in the house.  LOL

Have a good weekend.

Bucky

[kimbo]

Hey Buckey,

Yes 2 cartons in the garage freezer and 1 in frig freezer. I stocked up because they were on sell. When I walk out of the grocery store with that much ice cream, I just hope people think I am having a party. 

I should have handed him my salt shaker, that would have been funny. 

Love and hugs, kimbo