To be worried about my boob?

[catgirl1976]

This may sound really odd but my left breast feels funny

It feels a bit swollen and, not exactly sore, but a bit uncomfortable.

My cousin died of breast cancer last year and a bit of me is niggly worried. I've had a good feel around and can't find anything lumpy but it feels wrong somehow and I am not 100% sure how to properly check my breasts (about to google it)

I feel a bit silly about it but it just doesnt feel right. AIBU to be a bit worried. Is it too silly a thing to see a GP about? I have doctors appointment this afternoon but that's about something else and I know they hate you mentioning more than 1 issue

I suppose I'm looking for some re-assurance really

[Loislane78]

Stupid question maybe but did you BF your DS? I heard you can continue lactating for ages afterwards so might be some weird blocked duct or something. I'm no Dr, just thought I'd throw that out there!

V best of luck too you :)

[Loislane78]

*to

[catgirl1976]

Thank you all

I did breast feed DS so it could well be that, plus he really favoured the boob that's affected and really ended up only feeding from that one and the mik dried up in the other

I do have private health care through work but the GP said I wouldn't get seen any quicker that way at this stage. Having it is a real reassurance for if there is anything to worry about though.

So good to hear lots of positive stories. You are all the loveliest, kindest vipers :)

Going to distract myself with Game of Thrones and a glass of wine. x

[cozietoesie]

Try to go bra-less for a few days. That should help.

[catgirl1976]

I think I might have a bottle

If I go bra-less they will be down by my knees after breast feeding but I will give it a go :)

[Bingdweller]

I work for a private hospital group. For symptomatic breast lumps, we have a policy of seeing all patients within the week (we have clinics on Tues/Thurs). It may well be worth phoning your local BMI/Spire/Nuffield or any other independant private hospital to see if they have an appointment tomorrow - we always fit in urgent breast referrals.

You will still need your GP referral for the appointment privately (this is a condition of your medical insurance policy) but since there is an NHS referral already completed, it's usually just a case of your GP arranging for the same referral to be printed off and collected by you to take to your appointment.

You could be saving yourself a week of worry - PM me if further details needed. X

[Twogoodreasons]

I've had a couple of lumps checked out and both have been fine. My DM had precancerous cells removed about 10 years ago, so I am quite vigilant. Both have been fine and I do recall being told that pain is a good sign.

[catgirl1976]

Bingdweller that's really helpful. There is a Spire hospital down the road. I will ring them tomorrow and ring my insurers and see if they would cover me. Thank you. Really appreciate it.

Twogood thank you so much for sharing that, so glad you were ok. The pain thing is reassuring as so far its only people who haven't had lumps (like DM) telling me that and it's nice to hear that's what the HCPs say too

[Bingdweller]

catgirl - no probs. if they have the same setup as us, you will be seen and examined by the breast specialist then sent for a breast ultrasound (possibly mammography, but unlikely given your age) during the appointment. The specialist may attempt an FNA (drawing fluid from the thickened area for examination under a microscope).

This should all happen at the 1st appointment with the ultrasound results given to you on the same day.

You can normally expect to pay an excess of around £100 for using your medical insurance - keep them informed of everything at every stage and obtain authorisation prior to the appointment. Best of luck. X

[rabbitonthemoon]

OP it is a very scary thing so huge soothing hug to you. I had a fibroadenoma (benign cysty thing) years ago that had somehow got quite large and I hadn't noticed until one day I was lying on the bed and noticed a bulge I will never forget how worried I was. I got seen very quickly and was also told that pain is a good sign (mine didn't hurt so that wasn't a lot of comfort but it did move around and they said that was good). Anyway biopsy showed all was good but due to its size I had it removed. Two if my friends have has breast feeding duct lumps. I am sure it will be a post breast feeding thing and wish you all the best.

[renaldo]

I wouldn't bother with the private hospital -IMO the NHS Breast clinics are excellent

[HoneyStepMummy]

I have found the following helpful for fibrocystic (lumps) breasts and blocked nipple duct (despite never having BF'd )

• anti imflamatory ie ibuprofen for pain and infection
  
• hot shower, same as above
  
• cutting down on coffee, taking vitamin E to thin blood thus less cysts
  

When I have breast pain I wear a front closing, cheap cotton sports bra. Underwired bras are one of the reasons people get cysts. Maybe trying some of these will decrease your discomfort?

I'm so sorry you are scared and having to deal with this. I was really worried when I first started having lumps and pains too. I'm glad you are getting great advice here and it looks like you'll get to see a doctor sooner rather than later.

I really think you are going to be OK- but sending hugs over to you anyhow!!

[invicta]

The NHS provide excellent service for breast lumps. In my area, anyone with a lump gets referred, whether its cancerous or not. Virtual hug from down south.

[catgirl1976]

This is all really helping, especially the hugs :)

Bing it's also really, really reassuring to get an idea of what to expect from the appointment. The 'unknown' is terrifying

I do wear underwired bras and drink far too much caffine so maybe it is just a cyst from that and breast feeding.

[flaminhoopsaloolah]

I was in the Drs two weeks ago for the exact same reason....

She told me the VAST majority of changes in breast tissue are not sinister. She's just monitoring me for now.

It's bloody scary though. Big hugs

[catgirl1976]

Thanks flamin x

Good to hear it sounds like you are doing ok.

[flaminhoopsaloolah]

And she wasn't just fobbing me off - JSYK - she really does listen (she's just referred one of the DC for suspected dyspraxia based almost solely on my observations over the past year or so)

I'll be keeping everything crossed for you and hope you get your all clear sooner rather that later so you can breathe again.

[Freddiemisagreatshag]

Oh flip. I hope it all goes ok. Did you sleep at all?

[catgirl1976]

Oddly I slept pretty well

I feel more positive today and have done what Bing suggested and now have an appointment for Thursday afternoon

I'm still scared but it's less of a blind panic so thank you all

I will keep you posted and hopefully have some good news after Thursday (although I may post on here asking for someone to hold my hand tell me nice things about kittens a fair few times before then) x

[evansthebread]

I've had fibrocystic breasts since early teens. You get to know the usual suspects and the way they feel. Frightening when it first happens - I was terrified (and the way I was treated when I had one of the lumps aspirated when I was 21 does not make me eager to go back to see my GP about a new one I'm a little suss about).

I'm glad you have an appointment. If they have any doubts at all, they will send you on. Please don't miss this appointment. I read somewhere that 9 out of 10 lumps are harmless, but they need to be absolutely sure for your sake.

Just for info, there is one very aggressive type of breast cancer that starts as a sore, itchy patch so ALL abnormalities need to be checked QUICKLY. There are a few images on Google that show sores (the ones I saw were advanced), but also one of a very red, sore-looking breast. I cannot for the life of me remember the name of it to narrow the search down, sorry.

[redwellybluewelly]

About 18months ago I noticed a discolouration on my breast, I was feeding DD at the time and I felt there was a firmness there as well. I went to the GP and was given an urgent appointment within a week to our cancer clinic.

Terrified as my DF died in his early forties. Doctor took one look and said I needed an op, booked me in for a weeks time and so from seeing the GP to surgery was two weeks.

I couldn't feed from that breast for 24 hours post op but went on to feed for another year. The scarring is now almost gone and the tissue removed was found to be non cancerous.

Good luck and massive hand holding, without a doubt I'm glad it was dealt with swiftly.

[kellank]

I do not want to worry catgirl as it could be something less sinister.

However anyone who thinks that if it's breast cancer you wouldn't be sore is incorrect.

I had a sore breast for a few months. Went to GP a couple of times who said it was probably hormones etc, turned out it was breast cancer. There are different types of BC, ductal, lobular, inflammatory and they dont always present the same.