Handhold and advice please

[tryingnottopanicrightnow]

My left breast has been giving me some weird, sharp, burning pains for a few days. Sometimes extremely painful, feeling like I've burned with something hot, other times fine. There's an area where, if pressed, it's a bit tender. No obvious lumps, or so I thought, but when I lie down, there's a hard lump, which feels like its small but long, near my nipple, in the painful area.

We live abroad. I have insurance, but no idea how to access medical services. I think I'd just have to choose somewhere, go, pay and claim back. To make things more complicated, we are leaving this country in a couple of weeks, having a holiday in the UK, and moving to a new country, for which we will need a different health plan.

Of course, I need to get it checked. But it's so complicated, I just feel overwhelmed. Could do with someone to chat to. DH out and various children here, I'm avoiding them as I'm on the brink of tears.

[Ruru8thestars]

Sorry I have no advice but do get it checked - at least you will know what you’re dealing with. Hugs

[tryingnottopanicrightnow]

Thank you

[tryingnottopanicrightnow]

I've just been reading up on Nexplanon - it says to see doctor immediately if you have the implant and breast lumps. This can wait until Monday though, right? Also with the Nexplanon, I've had practically no periods for the last 4 years since being on it, but I've got one now, and had for over 2 weeks. Related perhaps?

[Ruru8thestars]

Monday should be fine. Just get through the weekend and get in there ASAP in the morning :)

[tryingnottopanicrightnow]

Thank you. I've still not figured out how to do that, but hopefully a colleague can point me in the right direction

[palahvah]

Can you go onto the expat message boards here (or are there any local ones where you are) and ask if anyone can advise on seeking medical treatment in the company you're in? Are you staying with fam/friends in the UK? - constructively you could also find out details of their GP and get an appointment when you're here/find your nearest urgent care place as their visitor.

[tryingnottopanicrightnow]

I'm in quite an obscure location, but I think colleagues will be able to help. I've no idea if the NHS will take me as a patient now (been out of the country for a year), and I think I don't really want to wait that lok, at least initially.
Thank you for your suggestions.

[Peridot1]

Sounds worrying and complicated!

You definitely need to see a doctor. And you need to tell your DH.

Have you not needed to see a doctor at all where you are?

I’ve been an expat so understand a bit how the system can work in various places.

I think if I were you I would just start by seeing a doctor on Monday. Then figure out a plan if you need to.

Does your health insurance cover you for treatment in UK?

It’s had to advise without knowing where you are and where you are going really.

But to give you an indication of timescales etc here in UK - I was diagnosed with breast cancer after a routine mammogram. I was called back and had another mammogram, a breast ultrasound and a biopsy within two weeks of the original mammogram. Then I saw a surgeon and was booked in for surgery two weeks later. Mine was called Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS) which basically means it hadn’t spread so I just had the tumour removed. I ended up having a second surgery a few weeks later as they hadn’t gotten all of the margins. I then had three weeks of radiotherapy.

It was all very straightforward.

We do have private health insurance but I didn’t use it as the NHS care was really good and the day not difference would have been that my surgery would have been in a local private hospital rather than the NHS. Everything else would have been at the NHS hospital.

That gives you an idea of the timescale IF (and it is a big IF) there is something going on for you. There are many reasons we can have breast pain so try not to worry until you know more.

How long have you been out of th uk?

[Peridot1]

Oh and mine was three years ago and I have just had a third annual mammogram which was clear.

[tryingnottopanicrightnow]

Thank you so much, that's very helpful.

No, not needed anything medical when here. Local services not at all respected. Current plan is to try a couple of doctors tomorrow to see what I need to do.

[Peridot1]

That’s a good start.

We used to live in Vietnam where local services were not great but there was a clinic that expats used and we would be referred on to Singapore if necessary. So I understand what it’s like. It’s an added stress for sure.

[tryingnottopanicrightnow]

I managed to get a doctor appointment today. She found 2 lumps. Said it could be hormonal, could be cystic, or could be more sinister. Booked in for ultrasound tomorrow.

[Ruru8thestars]

Fingers crossed for you!

[tryingnottopanicrightnow]

Thank you

[ffs74]

@tryingnottopanicrightnow need a friend? I do! I have a hospital appointment tomorrow to have a painful boob with lumps checked out
I'm currently trying and failing to sleep!

[tryingnottopanicrightnow]

Ah, I hope you got to sleep, but if not, I'm here! (time zones). Where are you at with yours?

[ffs74]

I did get some sleep thankfully!
I have had pain in one breast and could feel it wasn't quite 'right' My gp agreed and so I've been referred to the breast care clinic at my local hospital.
My appointment is in a few hours, I'm frightened!
Is yours today? Hope you managed to sleep too

[Borntobeamum]

Good luck ladies. I was diagnosed with a different cancer In February and quite honestly, knowing it was cancer felt like a huge relief as then it was all taken out of my hands and a plan was out in place.
I appreciate moving country etc is throwing a spanner into the works, but you must take care of this as soon as you possibly can.
Love to you both x x x

[ffs74]

I'm ok! So relieved, it's apparently menopausal lumps & pain and possibly made worse because I have quite a physical job. It's been a long morning of scans and being prodded but all done now.
@tryingnottopanicrightnow keep us updated, I hope it's good news for you too 🤞

[ffs74]

@Borntobeamum I hope your treatment is going well?

[Borntobeamum]

ffs That's great news.
I'm doing well thanks. In remission but 5 years of surveillance to contend with x x

[tryingnottopanicrightnow]

I don't really know what to think. One lump (the one the doctor found) she said is clearly a cyst. She was very non-committal about the other, painful one. It is growing into a milk duct, which is dilated. I tried to press her to tell me what she thinks it is, she just looked away and said she's going to get a second opinion from another radiographer and to wait to speak to the doctor, who apparently works part time and mostly nights. She said results will be back tomorrow but wasn't able to tell me how I get them.
I've got to go to work in a minute and I feel sick and tearful.

[Borntobeamum]

trying I understand how you feel. It's absolutely crap. But you'll know soon. I'm sending positive wishes to you x x

[tryingnottopanicrightnow]

Thanks. It's nearly bedtime and I figured out how to get results, so can call tomorrow and arrange a time to see a doctor. Unfortunately the doctor I saw yesterday isn't in until Saturday so it'll be another random one, but one way or another I'll get the results.

[ffs74]

@tryingnottopanicrightnow I hope you managed to get some rest and that it's good news today for you 🍀