One sided breast pain - very anxious

[Sheliatakeabow]

I could really do with some reassurance.

I’m 37 and for the past couple of week or so I’ve had a sore area deep in one breast. It’s not just surface tenderness it feels like it’s inside the tissue, quite achey/heavy, almost like when I was breastfeeding (but I’m not anymore and haven’t for 6 years!) it feels similar to before I would feed and I’d feel somewhat engorged. But it’s also sore, burning and stinging on & off.

It also feels a bit fuller than the other side by a small margin. The pain sometimes goes into my armpit/arm and feels a bit burning/a bit bruised.
I ran up the stairs earlier and even with a bra on the painful breast really hurt.
To be honest it feels less painful without a bra, although I haven’t worn an underwire for years.

My DS laid his head on my chest yesterday for a cuddle and it ended up where the painful part is and I had to move him.

I do have naturally lumpy breasts anyway, so I’m finding it hard to tell if there’s a definite lump or just normal lumpiness. I’ve also been checking the skin and can’t see anything.

Part of me thinks it could be hormonal as my period is due in about 10–12 days and I’ve often had painful breasts before a period , but it’s usually both of them and a week before.

I have no history of breast cancer or in fact any cancer in my family. So I’m hoping that’s a good thing.

Be gentle please, I’m already spiralling a bit

Could it be cellulitis? I had to go to a +e with mine, and it was so painful.

Get it checked - only way to know. I have had pain in my right breast for years, just hurts sometimes, difficult to describe but it bothers me. Recent mammogram resulted in a recall - was so scared. Long story short, all fine. Consultant dismissed pain as ‘hormones’. Are you old enough for the start of perimenopause?

@Tellmetomorrow57 No I don’t think so, it’s not skin irritation it feels deeper than that, inside the breast tissue.
obviously I’m worried about the big C but I was also wondering about a cyst because of the pain.

@Usernamechanging I’m 37 so not sure if I am too young or not?
I have noticed my periods changing a bit recently.

I used to get what you described, pain in left breast. Mammograms clear. I am pretty sure it was hormonal, also both breasts tender before period sometimes ,but this was one spot on left breast. After menopause I don't have it any more.

Go and get it checked out - you could have an abscess or cyst. From what I've read, breast cancer is not usually painful so it's very likely to be something else. Could just be down to fluctuating hormones. But don't sit and worry, go and see the doctor!

I had/have this - it was linked to my period/hormonal & was like glandular (so would hurt more at certain times of the month). Could that be it?

I saw my GP though & had a mammogram & ultrasound to be checked.

Have you booked a drs appointment? Even if it’s nothing then I would go just for peace of mind.
I had breast pain a little while ago, turned out to be mastitis. My youngest is 15 and I haven’t breast fed for more than 14 years and I had no idea you can get mastitis out of the blue. Get it checked.

Abscess

I had similar pain for 6 months. Seemed to reappear pre menstrual/ovulation. Same with lumpy breast tissue so went to GP last week. They were going to send me to Breast clinic for ultrasound even though breast exam by GP didn’t bring up anything abnormal. In the end they have sent me for a mammogram next week due to the how long I have had the pain on and off. Good luck and I hope all is well x x

Get it checked. There are long waits from referral by Gp to being seen at least 12 weeks in many areas and that nearly cost me my life. My cancer did not show up on a routine mammogram but grew from 2-10cm in 11 weeks. I nearly didnt go. Breast pain with armpit pain needs to be checked as that’s where your lymph nodes are. Better to check than wonder and then regret not going. Early detection saves lives.

I had this (mid 40s) and, having read a BBC News article where the lady's only symptom of breast cancer was pain, I went to the GP who told me everything was fine. It was only ever in the left side but sometimes it was really painful. It persisted and got progressively worse over about 4 years, during which time I was told again twice that it was fine. I eventually got to the point that I wanted to go on HRT so the GP sent me to the breast clinic. I had a mammogram and examination which showed nothing and the consultant said she thought it was hormonal. I was a bit baffled by this as I couldn't understand how it could only be on one side. I started HRT shortly after and it went away almost instantly and I haven't had the pain again since. You are quite young but it's not impossible it could be this - do go and get it checked to rule things out and put your mind at rest.

Definitely get a referral to a specialist to get checked. There are plenty of none scary things it can be though so try not to freak yourself out.

I had something that sounds very similar a couple of years ago and it turned out to be a pulled muscle in the chest wall behind my breast. Basically big boobs + inadequate bra.

The only new thing I’ve started doing is regular swimming. So maybe a change in movements if it is related to chest wall?

I have big boobs as well and definitely don’t wear a good bra.

I’ve had some concerns regarding breast changes (mostly lumps). It’s completely normal to feel anxious due to the big C.
Please see your GP and they will refer you urgently for a review. You will have reassurance very quickly this way.
I waited around a week for a specialist breast review, had an ultrasound the same day and was told for certain it was of no concern.
Try not to worry too much just yet, it could be lots of things (easier said than done I know).

Could be that but like you and @SquigglePigs I've had this, one sided too, and it's a breast support thing. I've had a mammogram that found no issues but got a better bra and the pain stopped. New bra and a check up are the best ways forward.

I have a similar issue. I posted on here a few weeks ago about it, but I'm almost certain there is some kind of lump too.
My GP said my breast tissue was a bit inflamed, and to go back in a couple weeks if it hasn't improved. It hasn't but sometimes I think there's a lump and sometimes I think there isn't.
The burning sensation has increased, and I've been on the contraceptive pill for 5 years so no periods to cause any pain.
I also have huge boobs and in need of a new bra.

But 1000% go and get checked!

I really recommend reading through this publication - Breast Pain booklet - I had a similar thing and was equally anxious. I went to the GP, was referred for a mammogram, and was given the booklet while I waited for my appointment. It turned out to be one of the benign conditions described which was a huge relief.

definitely get it checked, it's probably nothing but definitely see your GP. I had pain like you describe in my right breast for a number of months, went to gp who said to keep an eye on it, then got a lump. it turned out to not be anything but had mammogram and ultrasound to be sure.

Get it checked out. That’s the only way to get an answer.

FWIW I had a mastectomy 18 months ago for cancer. Recently, I’ve had pain in my remaining breast. I had it checked at breast clinic and the nurse specialist explained that the pain usually comes from the chest muscles - behind. In my case it was bra and swimming I think. I was reassured but I also have annual mammograms and a fast pass to clinic for any worries.

hopefully it’s nothing sinister but you must get it checked out if it’s unusual discomfort / feels different.

I’ve had this twice, both due to cysts. The consultant said he sees lots of women with breast pain and it’s rarely cancer. Do get it checked out though to reassure yourself. I was a put on the 2 week wait both times, seen very quickly and everyone in clinic was lovely ❤️

It’s painful to touch. Or if I lean on something for example. It’s not constantly painful but I’m always aware of it if that makes sense.

My left one is lumpy on the side and is painful when im hormonal i just was an ostrich for a decade until i mentioned it on my first mammogram which triggered going for an additional scan

The doctor showed me the scan of both breasts one one just black the one that’s lumpy had a white section he explained it was glandular tissue and was fine

I'm also 37 and been having a pain in my right breast since Wednesday. I think it's from lifting weights in the gym, it doesn't go into my armpit but when I press down on that area (outer part of breast about cm away from nipple) it hurts and when I turn in bed I notice it. Swimming could have made one of your muscles sore, especially if it's something new you didn't do before. I would wait and see how it is after your period. If it's still there then get checked. My period is also due in 10 days so thats what I'm going to do.