strange right breast, very worried and waiting for doctor appointment

[devonshireduckling]

Have namechanged as RL friends will only panic if they see this. For the last 12 months I've had palpitations at night, very low immunity etc but put it down to stress as looking after DCs and caring for terminally ill relative. It is probably unrelated but for the last 2 weeks my right breast has been incredibly sore, getting worse and worse and really a burning pain, it feels a bit lumpy, it doesn't respond to ibuprofen, can't get comfy to sleep. I am definitely not pregnant and period made no difference to this pain. Havent been to the doctors for me, for more than a year, so I have managed to get an appointment for tomorrow. DH is away for work so I am stuck here worrying and thinking the worst, he is too worried to talk about it on the phone. Also feel foolish going in to doctors with a shopping list of decrepitude. So anyone around to hold my hand and tell me some non-awful options before I go to see GP? DCs are in bed so now I am just fretting.

Have you got any other symptoms? Temperature or similar?

I am not really sure, I've been feeling a bit feverish but I think it's the lack of sleep - haven't been able to lie down comfortably because of it which has made sleep difficult.

About three weeks ago I did have quite a bad bout of fluey cold ...

OK, went to see GP today. She was lovely, but can't rule anything out yet. First of all she's putting me on antibiotics to see if that does anything, other options are shingles. If it's neither of those then we look at breast clinics. And if it doesn't respond to antibiotics by Friday then I have to go back in ... Really wish that DH would talk with me about all this.

Is it possible it's mastitis? I have no idea if you can get it if you're not BFing but it's the first thing that occured to me when reading your OP, which is why I asked about the temp. It does make you feel fluey as well. Just a thought.

Hopefully someone who speaks more sense will be along shortly :)

Just to reassure you-cancerous lumps are raraley painful. It does sound like a blocked duct or mastitus,I wonder if you have bf and if so when ? It could be a cyst. I would push for an ultrasound if there is no improvement,then they can see what is going on.

um...RARELY.

Thanks Jareth: I stopped breast feeding years ago, bizarrely never had mastitis then! I did have fluey cold a couple of weeks ago before this started up, so I am wondering if that cold was in fact this. I've just taken the first dose of antibiotics and am really hoping it settles down soon. The doctor could feel a definite (painless) lump in my breast and one of my lymph nodes is up in my armpit (and the misbehaving breast is much bigger now than the other one!). The painful swelling is in the lower section of my breast.
If the antibiotics don't do anything I have to go see her again on Friday ... HellyMelly - I'll definitely push for an ultrasound. I'm taking the fact that I feel generally tired and rough to be a good sign and am hoping the antibiotics will knock this on the head!!

Fingers crossed that it's just an infection and that the ABs start to work. If it is that then you should start to notice a difference fairly quickly. Very good that you can see your GP again so soon - please do update and let us know how you're getting on x

(btw - I've had scares 3 times now. Have been ultrasounded and prodded, core biopsies, the works - every time it was nothing - please try not to worry, it's very unlikely that it's anything like that)

Thanks Jareth, that means a lot: my DH lost his DM to bc years ago, and his ban on talking about this problem is making it feel more worrying for me. My GP told me she thought this was "fascinating" and then said "oh, sorry, I know this isn't very pleasant for you"

I am now willing the ABs to kick in ...

My first thought was mastitis, and you don't have to be BFing to get it! That said, your GP is being very sensible and very pro-active - there are very very very rare breast diseases that can cause mastitis-like symptoms, and the right thing to do if ABs don't work is get them checked out asap. So she's clearly following protocol.

The odds are hugely in favour of mastitis though - and also hope for your sake that its not shingles across your boob, because ouch! I had it on my face last year, and that was bad enough keep an eye out for any rash, because antivirals work if taken early enough.

Also keep your eye on skin changes, and tell the GP about any on Friday.

Hope you're a lot more comfortable by tomorrow evening, and a lot less worried too - horrid to be anxious with your dh away and dc to look after.

See. There's that person who talks more sense than me

Thanks Elibean (and Jareth, you talk more sense than you realise!) DCs have been good today - apart from their ability to accidentally clash with the boob
The fact that the pain is radiating across to my back made the GP think of shingles I think.
No sign of pain diminishing as yet (in spite of a paracetamol and ibuprofen cocktail), just had the second dose of ABs. I've managed to find a comfortable angle to sit/lie at and am online shopping and mning.

Codeine = v good with this sort of pain. Pharmacist should be able to hook you up

I shall track down my chemist tomorrow ... damn my conscientious disposing of old medicines (just emptied the cabinets looking for paracetamol and codeine).

Hmm, it's been 24 hours and the ABs haven't made any difference ... I suspect another visit to the GP tomorrow.

Dm had mastitis after more than 30 years since she last bf. She got all the checks done, but it really was just mastitis.

Thanks DeWe, am currently wishing I had had mastitis while breastfeeding the DCs as that would give me a reference point!

Sorry its no better, OP. Yes, best get back to doc tomorrow - peace of mind necessary here!

Also, if she sees any signs of shingles, she can start you on antivirals.

Don't suppose trapped nerve might be a possibility? Any redness?

No redness or rash at all - which is going against it being shingles.
I really need some peace of mind. DCs are keeping my mind off it, though I had a bit of a cry in the shower this morning.

I had a cyst in a milk duct last year,my breast was very painful,if dd bumped it accidentally it was sickening. Anyway I paid to have a private ultrasound to speed it up as the wait was too worrying, the cyst was easy to see and resolved by itself without any treatment.Consultant was lovely and it wasn't all that expensive.

I had mastitis 3 years after breastfeeding. Symtoms simular to yours, I remember struggling to lift my arm because it was so sore and my glands under my armpit was raised. No redness or rash, just the most peculiar sensation, like cramp in my breast. I was so scared. Eventually, after 3 rounds of strong antibiotics, it went away. What I am trying to say is it took a while for it to improve so dont be despondent that you haven't noticed a difference straight away.

Thanks hellymelly and Mumoftwokids, the GP had made me think that there would be an immediate improvement if it was mastitis - yy very sickening if a DC bumps me! Sunday I had a burning sensation but now it just really hurts.

Hellymelly, sorry if this is a silly question but how do I book a private ultrasound?

Well my GP had referred me to the nearest breast clinic to see a consultant.I called and asked if he saw patients privately,(would imagine most do) and then made an appointment to see him at the private hospital he works from.He would have happily then sent me back into the NHS if I had needed any futher treatment (I don't have a private health care plan). So if you call your GP and aske her to whom she would refer you, then you can call said doc and book an appointment.I was seen in under a week,rather than waiting two-three weeks.I think it was about £150 ish,but that might vary depending on your area.I would do it if you have the money,as you will get seen so much faster and you will know what is going on.Worrying is so horrible. Hope you are better soon.

Thanks hellymelly I don't have private healthcare either. I can't really afford it but I would find a way to have a scan if the waiting time is several weeks! My birthday next week is going to be a strange affair as it is, the worry would really get to me.