Lump on shin. Freaking out

[Holls 1505]

Hi guys. Ugh I'm a nervous wreck. I noticed back in Jan a lump/bump on my left shin when I was shaving. We tore out our bathroom and I was using my daughter's which is a stand up shower.. I never shave like that lol so idk how long it has actually been there. It is soft.. hasn't changed in size.. it comes out when I flex my calf and turn my foot in.. other than that it's hard to find..you can feel it when in that position easily. My boss was just diagnosed with soft tissue sarcoma.. I haven't thought much of my leg at all, this morning while putting on socks I saw it and freaked. I've had this PTSD if you will about my work. We have had five people get cancer within a 9 year time span and there is usually 11 of us in the office. I actually quit after finding out about my boss but I worked there extremely part time maybe going in once a week. I'm a bookkeeper so I can work remotely. 

I don't know anything about soft tissue sarcomas other than they start as lumps.. usually on the arms or legs. That's enough to send me in an anxious mess. I feel like I have a heavy blanket on me. Everything has stopped. I don't want to do anything but see my PCP. I'll call her in the morning.i guess I need help getting through this worry. My friend has been great and I'm thankful for her. She isn't concerned and I'm trying to remember what she told me lol. 

[bin_tenn 1252]

I see you're having a not so great day as well. Perhaps it's something in the air. Haha. Sorry you're struggling with all of this right now. I know it's difficult, but you know as well as I do that we'll both be fine in the long run.  Wanted to reply and return the love. Haha.

I don't know a whole lot about soft tissue sarcoma either, but I did read up on it a bit several years ago. I have lipomas all over, and for a short while I thought I had soft tissue sarcomas. I imagine this thing would have noticeably increased in size in six months if it were malignant. Anything is possible, but I don't think it's about what's possible; it's more about what's likely. And soft tissue sarcoma I would think is quite unlikely.

Maybe we just need to chill and tell anxiety to shut the hell up.

[armeade25 133]

Hi Holls! Seems like it's been a rough week around here for all of us! I just wanted to send some love and hugs your way as you always do for me! It's my recollection that you have a super great doctor, so I'm sure they'll be able to provide you with an explanation or some reassurance - I'm also sure it's nothing bad! I have bumps all over that shake me to the core so I know the feeling. ❤️

[Holls 1505]

Thanks y'all. Yes my anxiety has been very high since my tooth abscess. I go to therapy Tues and I'm very glad.  I feel a bit overwhelmed. 

My husband looked at my lump and he said it's my muscle and he's stunned I'm worried lol. He said he would tell me if he was worried and he's not so that is comforting...I'm still going to the Dr 😆😁😄😂😅

[bin_tenn 1252]

8 minutes ago, Holls said:

Thanks y'all. Yes my anxiety has been very high since my tooth abscess. I go to therapy Tues and I'm very glad.  I feel a bit overwhelmed. 

My husband looked at my lump and he said it's my muscle and he's stunned I'm worried lol. He said he would tell me if he was worried and he's not so that is comforting...I'm still going to the Dr 😆😁😄😂😅

Haha. Glad you have a therapy appt coming up. I should probably go back myself. 😛

[Mrsrpmddo 222]

I have a lipoma on my shin. Sounds like what you have. It’s been there for years! I also noticed it while shaving. I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about. Just have your doctor look next time you go. I’ll bet it’s the same thing I have❤️

[bin_tenn 1252]

28 minutes ago, Mrsrpmddo said:

I have a lipoma on my shin. Sounds like what you have. It’s been there for years! I also noticed it while shaving. I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about. Just have your doctor look next time you go. I’ll bet it’s the same thing I have❤️

I'd say you're probably correct. I have several lipomas all over the place, including a small one in my right shin. I've known it's there, but I don't pay attention to it. The ones I pay attention to are the large ones in my right arm. Doesn't worry me, think I'm just self conscious about them - although no one ever sees them and says anything.

[Holls 1505]

50 minutes ago, Mrsrpmddo said:

I have a lipoma on my shin. Sounds like what you have. It’s been there for years! I also noticed it while shaving. I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about. Just have your doctor look next time you go. I’ll bet it’s the same thing I have❤️

Thank you. That makes me feel better..! 🥰😘

[Holls 1505]

22 minutes ago, bin_tenn said:

I'd say you're probably correct. I have several lipomas all over the place, including a small one in my right shin. I've known it's there, but I don't pay attention to it. The ones I pay attention to are the large ones in my right arm. Doesn't worry me, think I'm just self conscious about them - although no one ever sees them and says anything.

Thanks binn, you always help me. Mine is pretty small too and I have to really twist and turn the right way to find it. Idk if that's good or bad lol 😅 I'll call my Dr tomorrow and get in Bec I don't want to worry about this for days. 

[bin_tenn 1252]

7 minutes ago, Holls said:

Thanks binn, you always help me. Mine is pretty small too and I have to really twist and turn the right way to find it. Idk if that's good or bad lol 😅 I'll call my Dr tomorrow and get in Bec I don't want to worry about this for days. 

Always glad to help! If I didn't have my dream job, I'd probably pursue a career in medicine or mental health. Haha. Fascinating stuff! Do what you need to! I'm sure you'll be fine.

[lofwyr 215]

I also have a lipoma on my left shin. They are a super common place for them. I expect it might have to do with past trauma since we hit them all the time. Just a guess though.

[Holls 1505]

Just now, lofwyr said:

I also have a lipoma on my left shin. They are a super common place for them. I expect it might have to do with past trauma since we hit them all the time. Just a guess though.

Thanks for the reply!!! It really helps to know I'm not alone..! 🥰

[bin_tenn 1252]

1 hour ago, lofwyr said:

I also have a lipoma on my left shin. They are a super common place for them. I expect it might have to do with past trauma since we hit them all the time. Just a guess though.

I've read that trauma is a suspected cause of developing a lipoma, so I wouldn't be surprised! Unfortunately, there is very little actually known about them. I seem to have what they call Familial Multiple Lipomatosis, where you're genetically predisposed to developing several lipomas. I have seven in my right arm, two in my abdomen, three in my back, one in my right shin, one in my left arm, and two in my right thigh. These are just the ones I know about. LoL! My mom has one or two, that she knows of, and my brother discovered his first one a year or two ago.

If you have one, it may be possible that you have more than one. However, they grow so slowly, if at all (some do, some don't), that you'll likely not notice them for a really long time unless you really go digging. I find tiny little lipoma like lumps under my skin all the time when scratching or rubbing areas for various reasons. Smaller than a pea, usually, but they are there.

I showed the ones in my right arm (visible to the naked eye) to my doc about four years ago, and he asked if it's "growing, hurting or causing pain." I said no, and he never mentioned them again.

I really wish more was known about them. I'd love to get rid of mine permanently, at least the visible ones, for cosmetic reasons. However, they often grow back, thus you need to have the same one removed many times.

[Bobnnat 496]

Holls, about a year ago I noticed a fairly sizeable bump on my upper arm. My doctor was unavailable so I went to his after hours doctor. Of course by then I had researched the hell out of sarcoma. She doubted it, but drew a circle around it and told me to see if it grows, stays the same or gets smaller. Only if it grew did she feel I should see my GP. I noticed it shrank and eventually went away.

The point is that her concern was solely on whether it grew. Many months for you and it hasn’t so you’re in the clear. Lipomas are incredibly common, and sarcoma are incredibly rare.  Also, as you know what one person happens to have has no bearing on the rarity of the condition.

You’re fine ❤️

[Holls 1505]

45 minutes ago, Bobnnat said:

Holls, about a year ago I noticed a fairly sizeable bump on my upper arm. My doctor was unavailable so I went to his after hours doctor. Of course by then I had researched the hell out of sarcoma. She doubted it, but drew a circle around it and told me to see if it grows, stays the same or gets smaller. Only if it grew did she feel I should see my GP. I noticed it shrank and eventually went away.

The point is that her concern was solely on whether it grew. Many months for you and it hasn’t so you’re in the clear. Lipomas are incredibly common, and sarcoma are incredibly rare.  Also, as you know what one person happens to have has no bearing on the rarity of the condition.

You’re fine ❤️

Thank you Bob! I always love your posts. Yes that is how I rationalized this thing yesterday.. it hasn't grown, it's soft, its not painful but mainly it hasn't grown lol. I have an appointment tomorrow with my sweet PCP and I'm ready to put this behind me. I appreciate your post so much it really really helped. 🥰😘

[Bella P 75]

It may be a shin splint. When you hit your shin sometimes you get a bump there that eventually turns into a bruise, I'm not sure why, but it happens. You may have hit your shin and not realized it. 

[Holls 1505]

5 minutes ago, Bella P said:

It may be a shin splint. When you hit your shin sometimes you get a bump there that eventually turns into a bruise, I'm not sure why, but it happens. You may have hit your shin and not realized it. 

That's funny you say that, I was thinking that awhile ago...I have a lot of dents in that leg on my shin and none on the other so I must take a lot of damage on that leg. I'll be glad when this worry is put to rest. Thank you for posting. It helps so much. 🥰😘

[clearhead 129]

Hi Holls,

I’m sorry that you are going through this, but you said it yourself. It hasn’t changed in size. No change in size, no malignancy. I have several of these myself. Have had them for years.

[MARC 429]

I have had Lipomas in the past and had 2 large ones removed from my right thigh area by a general surgeon many years ago. They grew and became painful and that is why they were removed. I have also had them on my shin. The surgeon told me they are pretty common and are typically harmless.I hope you feel better soon. 

[bin_tenn 1252]

31 minutes ago, MARC said:

I have had Lipomas in the past and had 2 large ones removed from my right thigh area by a general surgeon many years ago. They grew and became painful and that is why they were removed. I have also had them on my shin. The surgeon told me they are pretty common and are typically harmless.I hope you feel better soon. 

Have you had any issues with recurrence? Curious because some people apparently have lipomas removed, only for them to return some time later.

[MARC 429]

Hi bin. I have had no issues of them coming back, thank goodness!!! 

[bin_tenn 1252]

36 minutes ago, MARC said:

Hi bin. I have had no issues of them coming back, thank goodness!!! 

Good stuff! I've never had one of my removed. Don't think I ever will unless they become way too large and cause issues. If I do, I hope mine also don't come back. Haha.

[Holls 1505]

Ok, update. Went to my Dr she said it's either a cyst or lipoma. Either way she's not worried and before I even mentioned soft tissue sarcoma , she said and it's not sarcoma like I know your mind is telling you 😆lol. She so gets me..we also talked about anxiety meds Bec I'm tired. I'm tired of the set backs. She prescribed me a benzo free anxiety medication low low dose. I'm going to probably make another thread to see if anyone is familiar with what she gave me. I'm relieved to maybe get some help. I tried but I can't do this on my own. And as much as I love my therapist the talk therapy doesn't go far with me. 

Thanks everyone for helping me get through this fear. 

[bin_tenn 1252]

33 minutes ago, Holls said:

Ok, update. Went to my Dr she said it's either a cyst or lipoma. Either way she's not worried and before I even mentioned soft tissue sarcoma , she said and it's not sarcoma like I know your mind is telling you 😆lol. She so gets me..we also talked about anxiety meds Bec I'm tired. I'm tired of the set backs. She prescribed me a benzo free anxiety medication low low dose. I'm going to probably make another thread to see if anyone is familiar with what she gave me. I'm relieved to maybe get some help. I tried but I can't do this on my own. And as much as I love my therapist the talk therapy doesn't go far with me. 

Thanks everyone for helping me get through this fear. 

Great for you, Holls! Sounds like your doc knows you well. Haha. I'm curious to know what med she gave you, so I'll check out your new post when you get around to it. Woo hoo.

[armeade25 133]

34 minutes ago, Holls said:

Ok, update. Went to my Dr she said it's either a cyst or lipoma. Either way she's not worried and before I even mentioned soft tissue sarcoma , she said and it's not sarcoma like I know your mind is telling you 😆lol. She so gets me..we also talked about anxiety meds Bec I'm tired. I'm tired of the set backs. She prescribed me a benzo free anxiety medication low low dose. I'm going to probably make another thread to see if anyone is familiar with what she gave me. I'm relieved to maybe get some help. I tried but I can't do this on my own. And as much as I love my therapist the talk therapy doesn't go far with me. 

 Thanks everyone for helping me get through this fear. 

LOVE that your doctor is so supportive. That's amazing. Also curious what she prescribed you so I'll keep my eyes open for that post. I'm on Elavil right now - I don't think it does much for my anxiety but it definitely helps me sleep! The talk therapy holds me accountable but doesn't always help me in the moment so I understand!