Left breast pain

[nottonightjoesphine]

I recently asked a question to a poster on MN about left breast pain and felt reassured by her response. She advised me to chase up a referral from my doctor and that's what I've done. I now have an appt at the be way clinic in 2 weeks time. (For some reason my doc waited almost a month to send the referral letter???)
Anyway I wanted to ask if anyone on here has ever experienced left breast pain and what was the reason for it? It ranges from stabbing pains to a constant dull ache. I also have a specific 'sore spot' near my armpit. I can't feel any obvious lumps although the more I feel the more I think I can....ifyswim. I genuinely can't tell the difference between my lumpy breast tissue and an actual lump. Either way the pain is there constantly now and it's so worrying:(

Any ideas? I'm trying to tell myself that pain alone isn't a symptom of cancer but I made the mistake of reading some forums where lots of women insist that it was their first symptom of cancer.

[CQ]

I get intermittent breast pain, and had a referral in Dec to a breast specialist. It was just inflamed, tender tissue, hormonal reasons. Clear biopsy & mammogram. He recommended high dose GLA supplements such as Starflower Oil for a short time. It went away completely.

In fact it has flared up again just this week so I'm back on the Starflower oil today.

Pointless me saying don't worry, because I know you'll be going through the whole Doomsday scenario in your head, but really, statistically, they see far more benign cases than worrisome ones.

2 weeks will soon be gone.

[nottonightjoesphine]

Thanks CQ. I hadn't thought of inflamed tissue, do you mean as in an infection? I know I need to be calm, will try my best but isn't it crazy how being a parent makes you so anxious for your health? I never worried before I had my child....!

[CQ]

No, not an infection, just an extreme form of breast tenderness, like you might get before a period, but more localised and intense. Same hormonal reasons though. Gets so bad at times I can't even bear to wear a seatbelt.

Try and plan yourself lots of distractions for the next couple of weeks.

[nottonightjoesphine]

Yeah that localised intensity is what I have and what makes so worrying to me - that it's in a specific spot. Anyway, thanks - will try to keep myself busy

[GoogleIsBad]

Do you have a mirena coil in at all? I had the exact pain you mention, had a referral to the breast clinic, examinations, mammogram, everything all fine. Couldn't find a cause but pain was so bad I would dread removing my bra, the water from the shower was agony too.

Had my coil removed and the pain completely disappeared practically overnight.

[CQ]

Interesting - I have a mirena

[GoogleIsBad]

Obviously no one medical will confirm it's related but it seems far too much of a coincidence. (Plus a quick google shows lots of similar stories)

[yourlittlesecret]

I had this. Pain in left armpit and left breast. Sometimes my whole arm hurt.
I blamed wired bras and replaced them. No better.
It was a long time before I went to GP as it wasn't there all the time. He referred me to the breast clinic 2WW. I saw a consultant who arranged mammograms and ultrasound. Then saw Dr again. It was an inflammation of the chest wall, phew. Nothing to do with coil or hormones.
The whole process took 7 hours but was much better than 4 separate appointments.

[nottonightjoesphine]

Yes I have a mirena! To be honest though, I started with mild breast pain in both breasts just before the mirena was inserted 2 years ago, so it's been really hard to track whether or not the pain was cyclical. What I can say for certain though, is that the pain has got worse and worse and the weird 'sore spot' has only just developed in recent months.

[easylife73]

I have a lot of pain in my right breast, with a localised sore spot as you describe. I've had it checked by various doctors including a referral to the breast clinic and sonogram. Everything was clear, but I still worry every time it flares up. And it can be really bad, to the point where I'm walking around trying to "protect" my boob without anyone noticing! I first went the doctor about it when my youngest DS was 2, and he's 11.5 now...I tell myself that if it was "something serious" I'd know by now, and I can't keep going to the doctors over and over again! I was told it was the chest wall as well, and don't have a coil. It's started up a little in my left breast as well now, although not as bad. Never heard of starflower oil though, so off to google.....

Try not to worry...there are many, many women suffering from breast pain with no identifiable reason, the breast clinic even has a leaflet about it!

[nottonightjoesphine]

I definitely think the link with mirena is interesting.

[CQ]

Yes, OP, I would def mention it when you see the specialist.

I told my specialist that I had one, just as part of the background health chat, but he made no comment nor even raised an eyebrow about it.

[GoogleIsBad]

Yeah it's worth a mention anyway.

Since I've had it removed my breast pain has completely gone but my endometriosis symptoms are worse, so just trying to decide which are the lesser of the 2 evils!

[nottonightjoesphine]

I just hope it's nothing sinister so then I can decide if it's the mirena for sure. I'd have it whipped out in that case as this is just so uncomfortable, right now for example I'm sitting here in front of the telly and the 'stabbing' is excruciating :/

[Theonlyoneiknow]

Hi OP,

I have had ongoing left breast pain for 18 months now (have a recent thread called four breast clinic referrals in fourteen months). Initially it seemed to come and go and sometimes would need ibuprofen. In that time I have been referred to the breast clinic four times. I have had an ultrasound each time and two mammograms in 8 months. I am 42.

I can understand your worry. They send me off with evening primrose oil but it doesn't really help. I do think mine is partly anxiety related as after I have seen the specialist it does die down but then flare up again.

I was told by the radiologist that the tissue in the breasts is really sensitive and easily affected by stress.

The consultant has agreed to see me for a yearly clinical exam which reassures me. I also had a swollen lymph node aspirated and it was fine.

Am sure everything is fine. Non cyclical breast pain is really common and aside from evening primrose oil there doesnt seem to be much you can do for it.

Hope you get your appt through soon, waiting is the worst part x

[nottonightjoesphine]

Thanks only. I had wondered if mine was anxiety related but when I feel very real stabbing pains across my breast at even the most relaxed and happiest of moments, I just know it isn't. I'm sorry you've had such a bad time with the pain, all those trips to the clinic must have been terrifying. I admit I am finding it hard to stop thinking about it.

[Theonlyoneiknow]

I know when the pain is there it is all I can think about.

Is there a chance it could be muscular?

14 minths ago when I first went the GP suggested an osteopath might be able to help. She said my posture was terrible from carrying DC on my hip and the pain went away for a while but came back again. It has been doing that for months and months but the gap between it being painful and not is lessening :-(

When is your appt?

[nottonightjoesphine]

9th may. It's ended up being 6 weeks for a referral:/

[ItsSoooFluffy]

I've had left breast pain too now for about a year, have been to the drs with it a few times now as well. I've been examined by the drs so no lumps and have been advised to try oil of evening primrose oil and if that doesn't seem to help then I will be referred to the breast clinic. They aren't overly concerned as I am young and nothing to suggest anything bad but I can't help but be worried about it and the fact I suffer from extreme anxiety doesn't help me.

[Theonlyoneiknow]

Anxiety definitely makes,my pain worse, vicious circle!

Not long now till your appt OP x

[dawnm35]

Hello everyone,

I am new to this website and desperately would like to talk to other women who suffer from breast pain, and painful nipples, I wont go into it all now, just in case no-one replies. I can sympathise with you all, you are no alone.

hope to hear from you soon.

dawnm35

[Le1890]

Hope you are ok. I am going through this at the moment and have been to the gp this morning. She did an exam and said she thinks it's fibrocystic changes but will refer me for an ultrasound to be sure. I have been told I have fibrocystic breasts and the left has always bothered me more. The left was the one that filled with milk more and would spray everywhere. It's always been the slightly bigger one and the one that give me trouble. I just hope it's all ok this time.

[Nikitasol]

I've had pain in my left breast for a few months and went into panic mode about it, but saw this when looking online which has calmed me down a bit. Thought it might be of use: www.nhs.uk/Conditions/breastpaincyclical/Pages/Introduction.aspx

[dawnm35]

hi ya,

im so pleased to hear from you, sorry that you are both in pain too, isn't it horrible, I am 50 years old, and have never known anyone with breast pain like I have it.

a little about me, I started my periods at 11 years old, at 16 years old, on my way to work, every step walked, as my breasts bounced, I was in agony. saw a consultant, said it was gland problem, I couldn't wear a proper bra, I made up a version of my own, embarrassed if anyone saw me. my left breast is always painful and the nipple, but my right breast and nipple is extremely painful. I had my last period 4 years ago, and still im in pain, I didn't have any children, couldn't lift them, or carry them, or cuddle them, and I would have been in agony. i have been in agony for the past 5 days, been taking co-codamol soluble tablets, that has helped a little, if you go to the doctors they can give you a stronger dose and im using oilatum shower gel, to wash my nipples, as its so painful to wash them. always pat dry your nipples, i find a towel too heavy, so i use a face cloth to dry myself on, i change it morning and night, more washing but its worth it. what medicines do you take that you can buy at the chemist or anything to wash with, or cream to put on.

its been lovely talking to you, i hope to hear from you again soon.

[pookamoo]

DawnM35 you may want to start a thread of your own to get advice specific to you.

Hope the OP is ok.



Hi OP, (this was addressed to nottonightjosephine but as I have typed it all out I may as well post it!)


I have read your posts, but not the whole of the thread, so someone may also have said similar to me.

I have had left side breast pain since February. My doctor sent me to the local breast clinic to get it checked, and they carried out an ultrasound. There were no lumps or bumps, but a bit of "flatness" which may have been caused by 2 pregnancies / breastfeeding 2 DC.

The ultrasound found some small cysts, which apparently fill and deflate with fluid as time goes by. i.e. they go up and down in size. You can't "feel" mine from outside, if you see what I mean, but they do cause me discomfort.

Definitely see your GP and explain you are worried. They will be able to carry out an exam for you. You can ask to see a female GP if you prefer.

The breast clinic suggested Evening Primrose which may help you if it is suitable for you to take.