Bumpy mass and breast pain (in one side only)?

[vipersnest1]

I've been experiencing breast / chest wall (I couldn't pinpoint which) pain and tenderness for about a month and put it down to a sore rib initially (I have fibromyalgia and do get a sore - different and lower - rib at times).
It was persistent so I made a GP appointment and saw one today. I pointed out the tender area and she seemed to be able to home on it right away.
Before I went, I could never really work out where the pain was coming from, but since having a feel after I got home, it's a hard bumpy mass in my upper breast rather than a single lump.
I've been referred to the breast clinic for a non-urgent symptomatic breast.
Does anyone have experience and / or a handhold?
I'm worried. I've never had problems with my breasts before (not even especially tender when pregnant), and am in my late fifties so it's the last thing I expected to happen.
(For clarity, I do have another thread running, but this was from when I was first concerned and couldn't feel anything specific myself.)
Any experience or advice would be welcome, as it seems I'm not on the 2WW pathway, but would like to know what's going on ASAP.

Thanks, @grass321. The whole thing is taking on a surreal feeling now.

Ok, so this morning I found a definite lump - only small (feels like the shape of a cooked rice grain, but about two cm long). Incidentally not in the place where I feel the pain most.
Do I update my doctor?

I got referred for exactly the same thing under the 2 week urgent referral . This was during the covid lockdown too .

At the appointment I seen the specialist who said he could feel something but wasn’t sure what it was and put me down for an urgent scan that day . I had to wait in the waiting room on my own . Which was horrendous . I had 2 scans . Thankfully came back all clear and it was just fatty tissue after having my DS . fibroglandular tissue. I think it was called . He advised me to take some evening primrose oil .

I know how worried you must be and I hope you get your appointment soon . Please don’t think all of these cases have the worst outcome . It’s so hard though . Sending lots of love x

It's evening and I'm struggling again. (Much better in the day when I can keep myself occupied - I've tidied my back garden, cut the grass and edged it over the last two days (an epic task for me as I have fibromyalgia).
But now, the panic is setting again. I still don't know whether I should contact my doctor again now that I've found the small lump?

Contact your doctor again

At your age with a definite lump you need to be seen urgently.

From what you've posted you are on the non-urgent pathway- maybe that's why they havent got in touch yet.

But on the 2ww pathway they will see you within the 2 weeks.

I think definitely get in touch with your GP. They could change the referral. Better that than risk being continually bumped down the appointment list.

Thanks, @MMorales, you've pretty much voiced how I'm feeling. (Incidentally, urgent or not, having read the guidelines about this, which are quite old now, everyone should be seen within the two week limit and have results within four weeks.)
It's hellish waiting and worrying.
I'm continually questioning myself - have I imagined the lump, if the pain hasn't twinged for a while is it all in my head (no and no - and the other bumpy mass is about 3cm across, yes, I keep double-checking) and then I have the extra weight of presenting my bright and cheery face to the world at work, whilst being worried sick. (I've mentioned here and there to students that teachers are the best actors in the world because whatever is happening for them, they still have to present the same 'front' so to speak.)
I will send an e-request tomorrow morning and see what happens - hopefully something, as for once in a blue moon (there have been other rare occasions), my GP surgery have done their part ASAP.
Sorry to ramble on!

So, I saw the same GP who doesn't think there's anything there. (It was only after I got home that I realised that I could feel it with my arm fully raised, which the GP didn't do.) She's said she only referred me for breast pain, and not the lumpiness that she went to and asked me if it was there that I felt pain in the initial consultation, so I'm completely confused now. It hurt like hell after she examined me today (and she did a good job of finding the most painful area) and my boob was red for about an hour after. I've also had a burning sensation all day, which I haven't had before.
She also mentioned that the clinic is running six weeks behind for my kind of appointment.
Bearing all of that in mind, I've found a local private hospital which offers a one-stop clinic (so everything is done in one day if needed - mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy). I'm going to call them tomorrow and find out how much it costs. I'm lucky in that I do have a bit of rainy day money, not that I should have to spend it on this, but if it's not a ridiculous price, I'm going to book an appointment.
I can't wait six weeks for an answer. I'm even dreaming about it now.

My GP said the same! She couldn't find it and then I was stressed out and couldn't find it either, and it was really awkward because I was standing there waving one boob about and going "it's here! I'm sure it's here! It was here this morning!" She only referred me because of family history but said she couldn't find a lump, and I spent the next 14 days wondering if there was a lump or if I'd imagined it.

The consultant found the lump in seconds. The little map he did with the x-marks-the-spot showed a larger lumpy bit and then two tiny lumps which I hadn't even noticed myself.

It turned out to be nothing serious and I hope it turns out the same for you. I was dreaming about it as well, it takes over.

It's so frustrating to see your update.

You shouldn't have to pay for the appointment.

But if you can afford it, then book the appointment. Hopefully its nothing, but better to get checked out.

@MagicTape, I'm sorry you had to go through it too, but it pleased that you got a good result in the end.
@MMorales, I'm absolutely going to pursue it if I can afford it - not that I should have to do that, as you've said.
I can't carry on like this. Going to work and trying to present a 'normal face' feels almost beyond me now, but I will do it, and luckily I do have some time to call the number and ask tomorrow, so I will.
I really don't get why one breast is more lumpy and painful than the other. If if was hormonal changes, surely they would both be the same? I'm going to go to bed now as I can't deal with thinking about this any more for now.
Thank you both for your replies.

It's quite possible for one to be fine and the other to be lumpy and painful because apparently breasts are total bastards (I believe this is the medical term, I may have misheard it).

Hmm, yes, I believe they can be! I'm just so flummoxed at the fact that one can hurt so much and the other one be fine - if it's hormonal changes, not that I should be getting those now, but surely that would affect both? That's the thing that's totally thrown me.

I don't know about you but when I had hormonal changes in puberty one of my boobs grew at an alarmingly greater rate than the other and they both hurt, but at different times. I'm guessing menopause is going to be more of the delightful same, as it's the same issues over hormone imbalance (so not the identical same, but similar). I'm already getting the flipping spots.

Hi there. You're describing something I get - and having had several mammograms over the years, I apparently just have one lumpy bumpy breast with dense tissue (feels totally different to the other one). Hormones can make it ache, sometimes really badly.

The first time I went for tests (privately..due to panic) 14 years ago, the consultant said it's very rare to get pain with breast cancer. I still get the pain on and off, only ever in that one lumpy breast. There's breast cancer in my family too. I'm early 50s, hoping the menopause sorts it out! I was recommended to wear a soft comfy properly fitted bra and to take a high dose of evening primrose oil. And to use painkillers if needed.

Wishing you the best of luck, try not to worry, although having been there I know it's easier said than done. X

It was only after I got home that I realised that I could feel it with my arm fully raised, which the GP didn't do.

I was referred by my GP to the breast clinic for a lump that I could feel between the top of my breast and my armpit. Like you, I could feel it with my arm raised. The consultant at the breast clinic examined me and said straight away that it was just a tendon, she put my hand on it so that I could feel it 'disappearing'/going down as she moved my arm down.
It's so difficult not to worry, I was beside myself with worry at the time - and it was just a tendon!
I really hope things go well for you, and it turns out (as is likely!) to be nothing serious.

I did the one stop shop privately. It was brilliant. Met consultant, went for mammogram, back to the consultant for the results and out within the hour. Took away all the stress of waiting for results.

I have private healthcare but I don't think it was that expensive.

Does they say why? I'm prone to breastlumps and have given up on bras

They couldn't fit me in tomorrow so I'm going next Wednesday afternoon. It could end up being a very expensive day if I have the full works...

@MagicTape, it was sore when I 'started to develop', but never since! (And like you, I felt like an idiot which wasn't helped by the GP's terse persona.)
@Trampoline, sports style bra is more comfortable. 👍🏻
@LaffTaff, the bump runs across, IYSWIM.
@grass321, if I have the whole works, it will come to somewhere around £1500. I hope I don't need all of mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy, but asked so I know what it could be. (The biopsy alone is around £800, due to the test itself and then the analysis after.)
Does anyone know why she felt my liver too both times?

Crikey, think mine was about £500 but I only had the mammogram in terms of tests. Fingers crossed you get off lightly on that front.

Might be worth a call tomorrow just in case they'd had a cancellation (private patients seem to cancel fairly regularly, I guess because it's less of a wait if you reschedule).

@grass321, good idea, but it might not be as simple as that, although I could ask in the morning if there is cover available and then ring them if there is.

Hi Op
i had this earlier this year. I was referred on the 2ww. Turns out It was cysts, I’d only felt one, which felt very hard, but I had multiple cysts!
I had the biggest ones drained (which wasn’t anywhere near as painful as it sounds)
if you have been referred on a non urgent pathway, it doesn’t sound like the GP is mega concerned, but it’s great that you are being checked out ❤️

Ps I just read your update, I only had pain on one side (radiated into my armpit too) but had cysts on both sides! I could feel them once the consultant pointed them out!
I had a mammogram, followed by an ultrasound and draining. Didn’t need a biopsy as apparently it was obvious it was a cyst. They drained sooo much fluid off the biggest one.

I hope you find this reassuring, I was very stressed, but everyone was lovely at the clinic

Thank you, @WorriedMillie. Interestingly, I've had pain in my armpit at times, but the actual side of my breast is mildly painful all of the time (and feels more bulky). I have found one bumpy area in the other side, but I can't even begin to think about that.

Honestly, I know it’s really hard, but please try to keep an open mind.
My consultant said that the vast majority of presenting lumps are non malignant (most are cysts)
Despite my anxiety, I was so pleased I got checked out in a timely manner ❤️ I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you 🌼