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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to be scared to go to GP appointment with breast pain

27 replies

Rain1975 · 05/09/2018 12:30

I am so anxious about this appointment today.

For the last 3-4 months my breasts have both felt really tender like early pregnancy and I get the occasional stabbing pain. One breast feels bruised down one side. There is no way I am pregnant and im 43. I’ve been taking the pill back to back to keep Endo at bay for the last seven years and before that was either pregnant of doing three rounds of IVF.

I stopped taking the pill about six weeks ago and have just finished my first natural period but this has made no difference.

There are no lumps or bumps I can feel and I’m trying to stay away from Dr Google. A friend of the same age but totally different medical history has just had surgery for cancer and I’m just scared.

I will be sensible and go to the appointment today just don’t know what to expect.

OP posts:

Aeroflotgirl · 05/09/2018 12:32

Go asap, it might not be anything, then again it could. I went to the doctor with breast pain, and she referred me to the breast clinic for assessment, it was fine, nothing. Please go to your GP and don't get fobbed off.

Westwing1 · 05/09/2018 12:35

Hi Rain, I experienced stabbing pain and bruised feeling in one breast a few months ago (I was 50), thought this is it breast cancer. Was screened (mammogram) and all ok. I was told cancer as a general rule does not show itself through pain. Don't panic, well done booking in to see GP. May very well all relate to coming off the pill. Good luck.

Gincision · 05/09/2018 12:37

I'm a breast surgeon.

It's very very likely to be nothing serious. Especially given it's affecting both breasts and there are no lumps or other changes. You're doing the right thing to get checked though and your GP may refer you to the breast clinic or keep an eye on things depending on their assessment.

Google 'breast cancer care breast pain' which will take to straight to information in a leaflet we give out to ladies with breast pain who come to my clinic for some advice on how to manage your symptoms. You're right otherwise to try and stay away from Google though!

wineymummy · 05/09/2018 12:38

Similar story here, severe stabbing pain which used to shoot down my arm. I was in my twenties so referred for ultrasound instead of mammogram - and absolutely nothing wrong. Once I knew it was nothing, pain seemed to go - I think the worry was making it worse. Good luck at your appointment but try not to over worry at this stage.

LtJudyHopps · 05/09/2018 12:41

The GP will have a check and either reassure you or refer you to the breast clinic. Please don’t worry, I had an examination recently and it was fine and I came away feeling so much better

As mentioned pain doesn’t usually mean cancer, but it’s so easy for our minds to jump there!

AmeliaFolch · 05/09/2018 12:59

Hi Rain. I hope everything goes well for you. I’m 45 and have had similar pain for a few months now. The GP I saw says it’s hormonal changes to do with the perimenopause. Definitely go to the appointment. It’s always better to know what you’re dealing with rather than worrying about what might/might not be.

Burke1585 · 05/09/2018 14:18

Hi Rain, I had very similar to this last year. I had a really bad burning sensation in one breast with a stabbing pain also. I was referred for a mammogram and all came back clear, tg!! I definitely had it for about 6 months before mammogram and for a while after as well, still get it on the odd occasion. I'm 41. Try not to worry, as most breast pain is unlikely to be anything serious...

Onedayy · 05/09/2018 14:22

I had breast pain for a couple of months and eventually thought I can’t ignore this and went to the dr who examined me and was not concerned. Amazingly it seemed to go away straight after. Either that or I just didn’t notice it.

Go anyway for peace of mind.

Whatsthispain · 05/09/2018 14:23

I'm going too in a few hours. Stressing cos it's a male gp which is ridiculous. I can't feel any lumps but underneath hurts and I can't wear a bra. I can't tell if it's my ribs or my boob. Chest xray clear. Let me know how you get on.

jinnyatfinmory · 05/09/2018 14:29

You’re absolutely right to get checked OP, but statistically it’s highly unlikely to be anything nasty. Especially pain (I was told by my dr that breast cancer tends to be pain free) and especially as it’s on both sides at the same time. It’s most likely to be some joyous hormonal thing! Lots of luck with the appointment 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

Original poster

Rain1975 · 05/09/2018 14:40

Thanks all for the reassurance and experiences have been sat clock watching all day. Just off to fetch kids from school and deliver to my neighbour so I can concentrate.

Good luck @whatsthispain will compare notes later x

OP posts:

MrsMozart · 05/09/2018 14:40

Hope you're okay OP, and others in the same boat.

I read the thread as I get a mix of pains but only in left boob. Started a few months ago. I've put it down to stress.

heartsease68 · 05/09/2018 14:43

I went with these symptoms and it was nothing, OP. Feeling scared is understandable but actually, pain is very common and often linked to hormonal changes. One nurse said it is actually not a symptom that would worry them compared to other symptoms. So do get it checked but don't worry.x

CandidaAlbicans · 05/09/2018 14:49

Echoing what PPs have said, I went to my GP with breast pain both sides and she couldn't find anything wrong. She also said that cancer wouldn't be both sides and wouldn't be painful (at early stage I'm assuming). The pain eventually went on its own so I'm assuming it was just hormones doing their thing. Since then I've had a mammogram (the usual age related MOT) which was clear.
A friend of mine gets cysts in her breast which cause tenderness but are otherwise harmless.

Prometheus · 05/09/2018 14:51

I had the same (age 37) with stabbing pain in one breast. Was sent for an ultrasound and told it’s really common and nothing wrong. I just have to learn to live with the pain.

WildFlower2018 · 05/09/2018 15:10

I've been and had mine checked 3 times over the last 10 years. Even with a male doctor it was ok, he asked a female nurse just to step in the room to chaperone (which I didn't ask for but I was happy with).

Always turned out to be nothing and it does come back occasionally. I think it's when I lie on my boobs at night (I sleep on my side) or to do with underwires in bras!

I hope everything goes ok and it's good news!

Original poster

Rain1975 · 05/09/2018 17:06

Hi thanks for all the support.

Back now from the GP he patiently listened to me for ages (there were tears at one point) and told me from what I have said it’s not very likely to be anything to worry about but is seeing me next week for a proper breast exam with a nurse as anything breast related should be taken seriously.

Feel much better for going thank you

OP posts:

Whatsthispain · 05/09/2018 17:08

Good news op!

I was examined by my male gp there and then and all was fine. Relieved!

Westwing1 · 05/09/2018 17:13

That's great Rain and Whatsthispain, weird how hormones can cause pain. I had never heard of breast pain until I got it and was told totally common esp perimenopause, menopause.

Original poster

Rain1975 · 05/09/2018 17:18

Ah @whatsthispain that’s great. I’ve seen this GP before for gynea issues and he always asks for a nurse and a larger room for examinations so wasnt expecting anything today. Did you get any explanation as to what could be causing your pain?

OP posts:

PattiStanger · 05/09/2018 17:48

On the day that Rachael Bland has died from breast cancer anyone listening to her podcast will know that breast cancer not starting with pain isn't always the case.

You've done the right thing to get check, hope it doesn't turn out to be anything serious.

Whatsthispain · 05/09/2018 18:26

Maybe psychosomatic! I'm very stressed. He said as it doesn't hurt or whatever when I breathe in then it isn't muscular. He said that when you do have a lump they are very obvious. I don't know if this is true. I can't tell if mine is my ribs or in the boob, hence the chest x-ray.

Wolfiefan · 05/09/2018 18:29

I had terrible breast pain. Bloody awful. It was hormonal. But it's best to get it checked out. Hope the appointment comes through soon.

dracolovesharry · 05/09/2018 18:34

I've had pain like you describe. Not cancer - apparently hormonal and me peri menopausal.
We are about the same age.

KittyKat885 · 15/09/2018 21:40

I have a similar feeling in my left breast. Pain that radiates from my breast into my armpit.
Varies from dull ache, stabbing pain. Some days it's totally painless. No obvious lumps
(Been examined by 3 separate doctors)
I've had this for just over a month.
Breast clinic appointment next Wednesday. I'm really scared

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