Pain in left breast - when to go to doctor

[panicQ]

I have had pain in my left breast for several weeks now. Some of the time it is a dull ache and sometimes it sends shooting pains down my armpit and left breast.
It is probably perimenopause, though I had a hysterectomy several years ago so I have no way of telling.
I am much more afraid of being examined than worried about a diagnosis. I don't want to go to the doctor and be examined just to be told to come back in a couple of weeks and have to do it all over again.
How long should I monitor it before finding the courage to go to the GP.
Please don't tell me that they have seen it all before - there is a reason for my fear and the fear cripples me.

[3luckystars]

Would it make any difference if it was a male or female examining you? Or if there was a second person present?

[panicQ]

3luckystars. Thank you for posting
The fear is the same whoever is there.

[3luckystars]

Ok. Well maybe you could ask them to give you something to relax beforehand and bring someone in with you to the appointment for support.

[panicQ]

Should I go soon or monitor it for a couple of weeks first?

[Verbena87]

Go soon, and explain your fear in advance so they can support you.

[SilverHairedCat]

Have you ever had a breast exam? Is the fear specific to the examination itself or related trauma? Or even the fear of a diagnosis? All I'm thinking is that an exam may be done in a manner different from your expectations.

You can also set boundaries if your prepared to set out your case up front.

[pickingdaisies]

Go soon. You've had it a while already, and it's worrying you. Let them know how you feel about being examined, take someone with you if you can, or they may provide someone to handhold if they know it's a problem for you.
But also it may be nothing to worry about. My underwired bra's suddenly no longer fitted, it took me a while to realise that was the source of the pain, a trip to bravissimo sorted me out. But please don't wait.

[Whyiseveryonesoangry]

Please, please go to the doctor sooner rather than later. I have just lost a good friend to cancer, she thought the mark on her breast was from a badly fitting bra, made it her mission to encourage everyone to go as soon as they noticed any change in their breasts.
Not saying your pain is anything bad....but please get it checked.
Have you got a good friend who will go with you? Or can you speak to the doctors receptionist to explain your fears and sort a solution? Could you ask for a phone consultation with the doctor first? Or would you feel more comfortable in you own home or a different environment other than a surgery?

[panicQ]

I am not worried about diagnosis. It could be stress or menopause. I have tried changing bras because I thought it was that.
The pain is annoying and making it hard to get to sleep because I can't get comfortable otherwise I wouldn't bother to check it at all.
I have had 1 breast exam before.
The only thing that is bothering me is the thought of going to the doctor. I was really hoping you guys would say monitor it for another week or two or try a different style of bra.

[HereForTheLineEyes]

Go now. I have had my breasts checked twice when I found a lump. The Dr won't bat and eye-lid. They do far more intimate things like smear tests and prostate exams. He or she will probably just ask you to take off your top half and show them where the pain is and then have a little press around with the flat of their hand (at least that's what they did with me). Ask for the next available appointment with a lady Dr if you think it will make you more relaxed.

[SilverHairedCat]

I would go now. You've already monitored it for a few weeks and it's at the level of disturbing your sleep. That's not a minor niggle.

[panicQ]

I doubt there is a lump, just pain.
If I made an appointment with my GP it would be 4 weeks before the appointment and I couldn't cope with the stress of that long a wait. The surgery does have a drop in every morning but then you take pot luck which doctor you get. There is one of the women who I really don't like.
It makes much more sense to wait till next week when kids are no long er on half term etc etc etc Especially as its probably nothing and might have gone away by then anyway.

[Onceuponatime21]

In my experience, (I went to the doctor with breast pain) the doctor examined me, couldn't find anything, and asked me to come back four weeks later, so that she could rule out the pain being something to do with my cycle.

So, if you have had this pain for more than 4 weeks, I would be very clear about that - so that they don't do that to you.

(After 6 weeks I finally got the referral, and then was treated for DCIS. All very manageable because it was all caught early. )

Definitely don't put something off now for the sake of feeling self conscious. You'd really kick yourself further down the path if it does turn out to be something. The chances are it is nothing bad, but better to be safe than sorry.

Good luck !

[panicQ]

onceuponatime I reckon I've had a about 2 weeks so should I wait another 2 weeks so it has already been 4 weeks, then there is no risk of being examined twice.

[LikeIcare]

Not necessarily. Some Doctors are wise to the fact that people will say they have had a problem for longer than they have because they're worried and want a quick onward referral.

[panicQ]

Ironic since I am trying to avoid any examination referral etc.

[panicQ]

Please will someone just tell me its probably hormonal, not to worry and no need to go the the GP

[Pashazade]

No. It might make you feel better but please don't take chances with your health. Get it checked if it is serious then the sooner the better and it can be dealt with. If it's not then so much the better, but please go. It might be difficult but better a bit of feeling uncomfortable than something much more serious.

[Namechangerextraordinare101]

It's likely to be hormonal BUT nobody can tell you that 100% til you get yourself checked out. And you can't do that without being examined.

It depends if you want a definitive answer or not.

[panicQ]

i just want to pain to go away

[ooodile]

I had pain like this for around three months, it woke me up at night, and was gnawing away each day. I'm the world's worst for being an ostrich, so avoided the GP. I told myself it would be peri-meopause and took Evening Primrose Oil capsules and the pain went away. I've since stopped taking them and it's not returned.

However, I know how stupid I was, and should have been checked out.

[panicQ]

Could it be stress?

[madmum5811]

I had bad mastitis with my third baby, when I hit the menopause zone, the boob started to hurt a lot. I had a mammogram, saw a consultant. Had another mammogram. The lady consultant at the hospital advised me to bin my underwired bras. So went to bravissimo bought some non wired bras and one underwired for special occasions. I rarely get the pain now, but occasionally it still hurts.

I had scarring from the mastitis, fibrous tissue I think they call it, so do not panic, but get it sorted.

[chicken75]

Op I know you don't want to but please see the doctor. If the doctor is concerned or has any even slight suspicions you will be referred in two weeks.
I've had problem boobs for about 8 years now. I have recurring periductal ectasia and I do often have pains in the effected side for a while before. I'm an anxious person in general but the ultrasounds, biopsies and mammograms are not too bad.

[PiggeryPorcombe]

I’ve been seen twice at the breast clinic for non-cyclical left-sided pain. They couldn’t tell what was causing the pain but they could tell me it wasn’t cancer. I’ve tried different bras, evening primrose oil, not carrying bags on that side, everything really, but it’s still there at times. This is the leaflet I was given at the clinic - have a look.

But you do need to get it checked out if it continues for longer than one cycle