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.

Thinking of you today, duckling....and now also hoping you avoid the dreaded thrush! Here's to peace of mind and happier boobs in time for 2012, or near enough xxx

Oeufman, I'm so sorry about your Mum. 19 is horribly young to go through that kind of loss

I found a lump in November...just by chance..i suddenly had a terrible itchy burning in my left one...(already got a fibrodemea) in the right one! i am worried about mammograms..as having this large lump..they are very painful..
Anyway i couldnt wait i was so scared and my doc had to do a refferal letter and i was there in two days ...but it cost me £545..for ultrasound ..only did one breast! then consultation...which he said not cancer...but he would fast forward me with the original lump...to NHS
No can do my doc said ..HE had to reffer me..so i get appointment for three weeks later...then i cannot go cos of flu....now heres the rub...i rang to cancel and asked for another app...they where talking about me having gone private....only i could hear them! and they had all my info wrong...she then tells me i have to be re-reffered and they will ring doc up....to arrange it!
Well i ring docs they have a letter i should one too...but i dont.. the letter saying i have three weeks from cancelling to make another app...or thats it!
Sorry this was a rant and not very helpul...
But to the OP...it does seem that anything painful is usually harmless...
But i do wonder if going private affects your NHS treatment should you need it!
But the peace of mind and so quickly too!

Hello Duckie, thinking & hoping all well >>

bojangles - hope you find a solution very quickly! I didn't go private but it's incredible to think that should make any difference!!

Thanks for good vibes Oeufman and everyone.

So, I am quite sore today. I was at the hospital for hours yesterday and then fell asleep in the chair as soon as I got home.

I had a mammogram (both breasts, thought I would pass out from the pain of the bad boob being squished, luckily they gave me some time out after that before the next tests), ultrasound (bad boob only) and then a biopsy. They immediately felt the (very big) lump but (bloody typically) the burning under-breast pain was having a day off so they didn't get to witness that fun.

It seems it isn't malignant, they don't think it is an infection either. They do think it is hormonal and quite an extreme version of breast lumpiness caused by hormones (and only on one side?!). This is great news, but at the same time I will just have to live with the pain and in the words of the specialist, try to give my body all the support I can. The pain under the breast could be "referred chest wall pain". If the hormonal issue doesn't settle down in, say, 3 months (!!!! not sure how much longer I can exist on pain killlers and no sleep) then they might try hormone therapy, though that can have other side effects.

So, I am very relieved that they don't think it is anything too serious, slightly worried that they may have missed something (but that's just me being in pain) and not entirely sure where to go with it.

On the plus side I am now the village supplier of canesten as I have a surplus.

Thanks for all the support! Hope you have a very good New Year's Eve. Am feeling very very bruised today and ancient today xx

(sorry too many "todays")

Did you have the core biopsy? after mine i was quite tender and bruised for a few days, so take it easy.

I am pleased it is good news :) but sorry that you are going to have on going discomfort. Hopefully it will get sorted eventually.

Phew - so glad that is over for you, a rotten day but I hope you can now sleep and breath a bit easier. I am so relieved that they are confident it is not sinister... They do not say that lightly, Duckie. So enjoy this new years eve, a lovely fresh new year with the ducklings and look after yourself.

My infection is back :0( back phoning the breast nurses Tuesday, though hubby is picking up antibiotics on the way home. Ho hum.... Don't think I will ever have a good relationship with my boobs!

Hi devonshireduckling I've been following your thread from a quiet corner and wishing you all the best however, I'm delurking to ask if you have considered taking Evening Primrose Oil? I suffer from terribly painful and massively swollen breasts due to hormones but a couple of months a go I started taking 3000mg of Evening Primrose Oil a day, the relief is immense! My boobs look tiny now compared to how they were and I have no pain whatsoever, it's been a miracle worker for me. I just wondered if it would be of any help to you now that the consultant has decided your problem is hormonal.

I hope you soon find some relief.

So relieved to hear it went well today.

I hope you get a full nights sleep tonight

Dear timeforaction, I hope you don't mind me asking how oldish you are (apologies if that offends)? Just I am 38 and have a very similar thing to Duckie, though mine has being going on for 3 years now - doctors told me they think it's a residual infection from breast feeding but I can never really get rid of it. The initial infection also corresponds to when I had the mirena coil fitted and I wonder now if this infection could be linked to the hormones in the coil?
Apologies for the hijack Duckie.
Oeuf

Oeufman I don't mind you asking at all. I'm 47 now but I have had problems for years, I've had mammograms, ultrasound and biopsies As I have got older and approaching menopause my breasts seem to be suffering the brunt. I thought I had nothing to lose by trying the Evening Primrose Oil and boy am I glad I did. The difference in size alone is amazing and it's wonderful to be pain free. The best thing is being able to hug my DD without almost crying!

Wow Time that sounds great. I will go buy some today. I cannot bear the kids to rest or push against my rather generous bosoms - they have gone up at least a cup size with each of my 4 pregnancies, and cause nought but grief!
Thanks

You are welcome. I hope it helps you

sorry, I have spent ages sleeping on and off, just catching up with thread. I hope everyone had a very lovely New Year's Eve.
Oeufman, so very sorry to hear about the re-bothering breast. I used to get on so well with mine (grrr). I am really beginning to think that the infection/hormone link must exist (eg why on earth did my breast improve so much with two rounds of ABs?). I was diagnosed relatively recently with PCOS and I wonder if it can't all be connected.
TimeForSomeAction, Oeufman - the breast clinic also suggested evening primrose oil to me at the end of my appointment. Apparently it doesn't work for everyone (but it's worth having a go for a few months to see if I'm one of them) so I will see what happens. Just checking the sheet the clinic gave me, the amount of active ingredient (GLA) in the daily dose of evening primrose oil should be between 240-360mg. It says "remember it will take a minimum of two months to see any appreciable improvement" and it may actually take between 4-6 months for it to have an effect. We got some evening primrose oil on the way back from the clinic so I'll see what happens now.
Now off to pay some attention to DCs as DH is looking slightly frazzled

Think we should all rush out and buy shares in evening primrose oil :) I got some today, glad to have some idea of how long it will take to have some effect, thanks for that info Duckie.
I hope you are feeling more comfortable today - I was surprised they mammogrammed you. The hospital I go to are very reluctant to X-ray when my boobs are in pain, and they always stick to just the ultrasound. I do know re biopsy they do try and avoid as they know I have huge issues having supported mum through many years of BC when I was young.... My lovely GP is a star at pulling me down from the ceiling as I get these lumps. If the primrose oil did improve this situation it would make a huge difference to my life!
Anyhow more antibiotics... Amoxycillin and Flucloxycillin..... Feeling a bit better already as got there early.... Even better doctor did not charge me for prescription (live in Ireland and usually ?60 to see doc plus full cost of drugs) as we got chatting about BC and family history (I used to be a research scientist who shared a piece of fancy equipment with the oncologists).
Onwards and upwards dear ladies - we will not let these wayward boobs get us down :)

exactly Oeufman: my boob is like a rebellious teen (and I still have that to look forward to with my DCs ...).
Glad to hear you have a sympathetic GP. I seem to see someone different every visit!
My boobs have been flashed at half of the county at this point. My breast was very unimpressed with being mammogrammed (still in pain from that, it's upset all of my neck, back and breast area, that and the biopsy) perhaps they chose to do it because of the lump in my armpit and the egg size lump in breast? There was a classic moment of comedy where they were saying to me "I know it hurts, but relax your shoulders and arms as it will hurt less".
I had the mammogram first and then the ultrasound etc. I wonder if Eire and UK protocols are similar? They were very good though and gave me a few minutes of "just in case" counselling before the mammogram.
I just checked my Boots one-a-day evening primrose oil and I'd have to take 3 of these a day, at least, to get near the amount of active ingredient GLA on the handout. The consultant was very clear on the high dose of active ingredient necessary, though he said that we can cut the dose down once (if!!) we have positive effects. He also said that it's fine to just order in bulk online, no need to go for fancy brands.
Annoyingly, years ago I took evening primrose to help with PMS and I stopped as part of our family economy drive (drat!). Hopefully I can find a doctor who insists I buy lots of lovely perfume and body lotion too ...
I hope it works as I have one boob obviously three times the size of the other one (and the pain is sending me slightly mad of course). I can't close any jackets or coats.
On the handout it also recommends cutting down on fat, caffeine etc. The consultant also recommended that I wear a sports bra in bed: ouch.
Fingerscrossed we get great results from the evening primrose oil!

PS oeufman, the consultant mentioned that I should get hold of ibuleve gel or similar anti-inflammatory gel, to apply straight to the breast. That can be very effective apparently (I am still awake so I am going to try that now ...).

Pampered boobies. Hope you are feeling better today. I have started my primrose oil routine today (capsules are rather big) may ask the hubs to rub in the gel .
Spent the day in ikea, lugging and trying to find aisle x location y - shattered!
My usual GP is a total dote, she is so good at calming me down - but afterwards when I have yet again got the all clear on the latest lump - we do have a snigger at the raving loone I become! Normally I am quite sane!
Ladies, hopefully this thread will be a great support with these wayward bosoms - and perhaps we can compare notes on the evening primrose oil in a few months?
Many thanks for sharing all that info Duckie

Good idea. Hope Ikea wasn't too brutal Oeufman: I'm supposed to be buying a sofa there ...
TimeForSomeAction if you're still around, do you remember how long it took for you to feel some relief from the evening primrose oil? It would be very interesting to see what signs I can expect (if it is going to work for me).

Hi Ladies I was just wondering how you are getting on with the EPO and if you had begun to notice any difference?

I bought my latest batch from Amazon, 1000mg just the same as Holland and Barrett only quite a lot cheaper only I don't think they are the same standard as I am feeling a little discomfort and my breasts have definitely 're-inflated'. I think I shall stick to Holland and Barrett from now on.

Hi ladies. Hope all is well....

Well, I had my mammogram on Monday, and thanks to a phonecall from one of the lovely breast nurses I am relieved to say all is well. I am going back up next Monday to meet with Docs to discuss my bosoms and the recurrent infections, though the nurse feels it may be just one of those things I am prone to.

Am on my epo - kinda hard on the stomach (not helped I suspect by the fact I never eat in the morning - too busy feeding everyone else). As yet no real difference - though I have changed to non-wired bras on the advice of my GP and I feel this may be helping... I just wish someone would design a good pretty sports bra for the very ample bosomed lady! (think G cup )

Duckie, hope the infection is gone now, and thanks Time for all your lovely advice xx

Hi i am back again! after going private with the lump i found in November i still haven't been seen by the NHS i did have an apointment for middle of December but i had to cancel because of a virus. the hospital were not very helpful in finding me a new date so i had to go back to the docs...
I have now found another lump in the same one...would the aspiration i had a (jiggly one) have burst it?
I have decided i wont let them stick me in the mammogram machine OR give a core biopsy...an ultra scan yes...then i am going to ask to have a body scan...or partial one anyway..surely they can tell by doing this...i have decided if i did have a cancer that i would have 'treatment' of sorts...but not be opened up!
I go on the 6th February and will come back here after..i'm not as nervous this time ..i feel a little in control. you young ladies who do have cancer must, i know do everything within your power to be here for your children..

Can anyone tell me please, if i refuse mammogram and core biopsy next week at my appointment...will they allow me to go into a scanning machine,to get a result?
Or will i just be sent home with a flea in my ear!

Hi Bo,

So sorry to hear this is ongoing for you. I don't know much re NHS as I have not lived in UK for many years. My experience from many years ago, always suggested if they are worried you will be seen very quickly.

I do know the mammogram gives info an ultrasound cannot (and vice versa), it is not as simple as going into a scanner and getting the answer unfortunately.... A mammogram is uncomfortable for a short period of time, it is a very useful tool for diagnosis..... Do not even think about a biopsy etc, one thing at a time and the vast majority of people do not have a biopsy.

I hope all works out okay, oeufman x

Hi Oeufman and many thanks for your reply...since i had the aspiration back in November, i have experienced much pain and swelling..that was not there before...so i will refrain from having a mammogram. the last one with having a large fribrodenea (sp) was sooo painful... but today i bought some M&S vest bra tops that go over your head ..to support your chest through the night. So far it feels so much better! i hope this will help other posters with breastproblems/pain...mastitis...
I will come back here after my appointment on Monday...