To be freaking out!!

[tequilasunset]

I've just been to see the nurse practitioner about a persistent ache in my right upper arm, between my elbow and shoulder. She noticed that the skin on my breast bone was red and warm and examined my breast.

She then went to get a doctor who examined me and said he felt some swelling in my breast and would put through an urgent referral to the breast clinic for a mammogram.

Has anyone else had a similar experience??

I'm really scared now. I was expecting the nurse practitioner to tell me to take some ibuprofen and do some stretches or something!!

Wow. Totally not what you were expecting!!! Clearly very concerning, but also how fortunate you saw the nurse and she's on the ball. It may well be nothing at all - nurses and GPs aren't experts in breast examinations, so you are rightfully referred. I had a mammogram a while after giving birth - I expected my GP to examine me but he didn't even look, just referred straight on. It was nothing at all but it was right that the experts checked.
Do you have an appointment yet? Do you have someone to come and hold your hand?

If it helps, all breast abnormality referrals are classed as urgent, they come under the two week cancer referral protocol. That doesn't mean something is wrong, but that it's a priority to double check, just in case the worst happens.

I hope all is ok, and you get some better news soon.

Thank you both for your replies. It's reassuring to hear that all referrals are classed as urgent!

Glad everything was OK with you Oobis
I haven't got my appointment date yet - do you know if it will be sent through through the post or if they will call me?

I haven't actually told anyone and think I would rather wait before I do. No point worrying people unnecessarily.

I'm a very intermittent Mumsnet user, but I shall watch out to see how you get on and wish you all the best. I understand why you wouldn't worry people unnecessarily, but equally, if you need some reassurance, don't face it alone. At the moment, you have no information and cannot change anything by worrying so do try to keep it out of your head until you go. All the best xx

Most referrals to the breast clinic aren’t cancer. Something like 9/10 have a benign diagnosis? Stay off Google and don’t overthink. There are many reasons for pain and swelling in any part of the body, breasts included.

Don’t Google anything. Honestly. Don’t.

There’s probably a thread in Women’s Health about waiting for breast clinic referral appointments.

If it's warm it could be an infection. I think they're referring you to be on the safe side. I think Bombadier is right.

If you live anywhere near me ( NW England ) and are waiting for what might be a call from the hospital , DO answer the phone if you get a Caller Unknown call.
Good luck, hope it's nothing.

Referrals (now all on e-Referrals) can only be Routine, Urgent or Two Week Wait (2WW). The last one is named because it's "beyond urgent" but they don't want to panic the patient. Routine is for stuff that can wait for quite some time. Don't be freaked out by the usage of Urgent, it just means they want to see you on a non-routine basis.

Thank you all for your kind words.

I've had a call from the hospital, they are requesting that I go to a specialist clinic in a hospital an hour and a half away from my local hospital that also has a breast clinic, so I'm freaking out even more now.

My appointment is on Monday...I'm really scared!

Being seen on Monday is brilliant! That’s quick, lucky and will give you less time to worry. I went through similar in February and was referred within the same two week scheme, but at the very end of it so waiting time was as lot longer. Cried in the waiting room, shat bricks for the full 2 weeks, mental breakdown with worry, the lot.

On the day, I had a registrar feel my boobs, saying it felt like nothing, then a mammogram and ultrasound, where I insisted the very young looking registrar was far too young. He assured me (repeatedly and very kindly and patiently) of how experienced he was and how there was NOTHING wrong. Nothing. I asked him the same questions again and again, and got unwavering “yes” or”no” answers, no room whatsoever for misinterpretation. I was fine! Despite locum GP feeling a lump. Love that locum (now)for being thorough and love both registrars I saw. Bloody love the NHS! They know their shit, they are brilliant, thorough and understand the fear that grips you (for me, augmented by the fact that my mom now has secondary BC I her bones after 23 years of no cancer after a mastectomy in the early 90s)

Monday is soon. This is good! And you’re lucky to be seen early in the 2week window of the referral programme. Be kind to yourself, spoil yourself, do something you enjoy, drink tonnes of wine if you want to. Let Monday come and let them do their thing. You will be fine - and I will keep my fingers so very crossed for you. I know how scary this feels. Fear will not change the referral or the appointment time rolling around, so fuck fear. Look after yourself and do NOT Google! Dr Google is NOT your friend and will only feed your fear because you will find things that support your fear and you will minimise the findings that do not. Human nature, so please don’t. xxx

The request to attend another specialist unit is probably so that they do not breach the 2 week window. Do not worry about that!

Oh, OP! I understand the stress.

Don't panic about the specialist unit. They will have found you the first available appointment within reasonable travelling distance. As PP have said, everyone presenting with inflammation/lumps in their breasts will be seen within two weeks wherever possible.

I too know the fear. I too strongly recommend you do not consult Dr Google. Try to fill the time - Monday will soon be here. Hope to read a positive update then!!

Hos Arne you coping, @tequilasunset?

Arhggg, auto correct fail. Meant to say: How are you coping, @tequilasu set?

If it helps my nan (at 67) had a similar situation and it turned out to be nothing. They ended up taking a biopsy but it was a very small 'mass' that they just left alone as it was causing no harm.

I had a referral for similar and it was just allergies and a misshaped rib (congenital), it's a standard to refer within a fortnight and they search for the first available appointment, I know people who have been sent to Birmingham 50 mins away despite our fully equipped hospital because they weren't as booked up.

Wishing you all the very best, OP. Keep calm. I bet it will turn out to be something silly and will be a good story to chuckle at over tea.

Thank you all for your kind words.

I'm trying to keep my mind off it - no point worrying until I know there's something to worry about!

My lovely DP is taking me away tonight for the weekend to stop me over thinking things.

I didn't want to tell him but he could see something was worrying me. So pleased I did as now I have some rl support.

I'll keep you all posted when I've been to the clinic on Monday xx

Well done, OP. Enjoy your weekend and let us know how you get on

Hoping you got on all right today.

How did it go op?

Thinking of you op

Thinking of you

Hi O

How did you get on today? Xx

Hope it went ok OP and how lovely of your DP to whisk you away.