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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Huge mass in breast aibu to go to a&e ? **Diagnosis in and treatment underway for the OP** Title edited by MNHQ

721 replies

needabitof · 14/10/2021 06:56

Last week I went to the doctors - my right breast has a big mass in it that has appeared in the previous week.
He checked my liver, lymph nodes, so I know what he's thinking, and referred me to the breast clinic under the 14 day rule. Except it isn't 14 days, it's over three weeks before you can be seen. The gp can do nothing to speed things up apparently.
I thought I need to pay for a private mammogram, it's £400. I'm desperate - imagining the worst constantly.
Managed to get a referral sent by the gp to the private hospital, only to be told they're breast clinic has been cancelled for the next three weeks.
Aibu to go to a&e to get some medical advice or wait? The mass is getting bigger and painful each day.
What would you do? Thanks in advance.

OP posts:
DixonD · 14/10/2021 14:44

@Artdecolover

Private hospitals will only do ROUTINE mammograms Op will not get a private Mammogram as she is symptomatic and wants a diagnostic Mammogram Op...if you feel like you are getting an infection toon phone 111 they night be able to help you access emergency care A&E isn't appropriate
That’s not true. What do you think health insurance is for!?
Zeev · 14/10/2021 14:53

@DontWantTheRivalry

Put the phone down and go to A&E.
This. If it's an abscess you need to be seen now - if it gets bad you could end up in the hospital on IV antibiotics. (BTDT)
Original poster
needabitof · 14/10/2021 15:04

Thanks for all your messages. The gp rang me, said he'd write a letter asking for me to be seen urgently and do a private referral too so I could see whichever came first. I thought he'd done that yesterday but who knows.
I spoke to a friend who works at a surgery and she advised me that the breast clinic is definitely the best place to go, they don't let you leave until they've got to the bottom of the problem, it can be a 3 hour appointment.
Then the lady at the breast care clinic rang me with an appointment for Tuesday and a promise of a cancellation if one comes up. Perhaps it was me crying on the phone to her with shock and frustration that got me that.
I don't think it's a cyst - it's sore at the top of my breast but not hot and not rapidly growing - but it's a big mass that feels bigger than it did last week.
Thanks so much for your concern and support, it's so appreciated.

OP posts:
Immaculatemisconception · 14/10/2021 15:06

Thanks for the update @needabitof. We're all rooting for you, do let us know. Flowers

stuckinaGSCEloop · 14/10/2021 15:11

Been following this and thinking of you. I’m so glad you have an appointment. Thanks for posting and very best of luck

Opal8 · 14/10/2021 15:17

I tried to get a Mammogram appointment through bupa for pain and swelling and nowhere would see me as they only do routine Mammograms...
So @artdecolover is right as far as I know
I imagine it may depend on where you live?

SwordBilledHummingbird · 14/10/2021 15:23

@needabitof

Thanks for all your messages. The gp rang me, said he'd write a letter asking for me to be seen urgently and do a private referral too so I could see whichever came first. I thought he'd done that yesterday but who knows. I spoke to a friend who works at a surgery and she advised me that the breast clinic is definitely the best place to go, they don't let you leave until they've got to the bottom of the problem, it can be a 3 hour appointment. Then the lady at the breast care clinic rang me with an appointment for Tuesday and a promise of a cancellation if one comes up. Perhaps it was me crying on the phone to her with shock and frustration that got me that. I don't think it's a cyst - it's sore at the top of my breast but not hot and not rapidly growing - but it's a big mass that feels bigger than it did last week. Thanks so much for your concern and support, it's so appreciated.
Glad you've got an appointment sorted. I know it's difficult but try not to worry. I recently had the same issue and was panicking because my mum had breast cancer. I'd found a very large mass that seemed to come out of nowhere (imagine two golf balls stuck together), very painful (not hot, just painful) and getting bigger. It turned out to be two conjoined cysts and they aspirated them for me at the breast clinic.
sillysmiles · 14/10/2021 15:32

@needabitof best of luck with your appointment for the breast clinic and hopefully a cancellation becomes available.
While you are thinking the worst there are many other things it could be as well, so try to bear that in mind.

Personally, if the pain increases, I would present at A&E. A&E is also an admission route.

Nootall · 14/10/2021 16:04

It sounds as though it could be a breast abscess. It doesn't sound like cancer. I was told that a large abscess (infection) can be dangerous - you need to get antibiotics as soon as you can.

Reallyimeanreally2022 · 14/10/2021 16:57

Sounds like a fatty deposit to me
I had one. It was (7cm long!)
Had it removed
Absolutely harmless

heldinadream · 14/10/2021 17:05

It's great that you've got an appointment but honey you sound like you're in a lot of pain and prob need antibiotics. I think A&E, I really do. You should not be crying in pain for another five days. Flowers

shivawn · 14/10/2021 17:13

Best of luck OP! Sorry that you're having such a hard time being seen! I had a similar problem at the start of the year and like you I was happy to pay privately to get things checked ASAP....turned out to be nothing but no regrets on spending the money anyway. Surely there's more than one breast clinic the GP have referred you to? Anyway, best of luck on Tuesday.

Tallulahh3 · 14/10/2021 17:44

@needabitof

Thanks for all your messages. The gp rang me, said he'd write a letter asking for me to be seen urgently and do a private referral too so I could see whichever came first. I thought he'd done that yesterday but who knows. I spoke to a friend who works at a surgery and she advised me that the breast clinic is definitely the best place to go, they don't let you leave until they've got to the bottom of the problem, it can be a 3 hour appointment. Then the lady at the breast care clinic rang me with an appointment for Tuesday and a promise of a cancellation if one comes up. Perhaps it was me crying on the phone to her with shock and frustration that got me that. I don't think it's a cyst - it's sore at the top of my breast but not hot and not rapidly growing - but it's a big mass that feels bigger than it did last week. Thanks so much for your concern and support, it's so appreciated.
So pleased you have an appointment set. My lump wasn’t hot and the Drs I saw initially were worried it was something sinister as there was no heat. It was harmless, so there is hope. Fingers firmly crossed for you.
RainbowZebraWarrior · 14/10/2021 18:39

Just to add, my infected cyst wasn't hot either. But was exactly as you describe.

Original poster
needabitof · 14/10/2021 20:28

Just to update you as you've all been so kind, I was lucky enough to get a call back this afternoon and I'm going to a breast clinic at a hospital in another nearby town tomorrow morning.

OP posts:
allthatglimmers · 14/10/2021 20:30

@needabitof

Just to update you as you've all been so kind, I was lucky enough to get a call back this afternoon and I'm going to a breast clinic at a hospital in another nearby town tomorrow morning.
That’s excellent news, really glad to hear that. Hope they get to the bottom of it.
fucketyfuckwit · 14/10/2021 20:41

Yay! Good news.

Good luck OP x

pipiandbelle · 14/10/2021 20:42

Good luck OP. I hope they give you some answers and can help ASAP. Xx

DontWantTheRivalry · 14/10/2021 20:42

Great news - fingers crossed they can sort you out Flowers

ShirleyPhallus · 14/10/2021 20:46

Good news OP, good luck!

BrilloPaddy · 14/10/2021 20:46

Great news, hope it all goes well for you.

Kitkat151 · 14/10/2021 20:47

Hope all goes well for you

Sapphire387 · 14/10/2021 20:48

Good luck for tomorrow Flowers

MyrealnameisBernard · 14/10/2021 20:48

All the best for your appointment tomorrow. Take care

1990b · 14/10/2021 20:48

Just read your posts OP. Very glad to hear that you got an appointment. Sending you positive thoughts.

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