Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Breast lump and pain - anxiety running high!

23 replies

Chocoholic26 · 09/08/2017 10:02

Hi there

So 4 weeks ago I had a bit of discomfort in my right breast. It was what prompted me to check them. I had a good feel about and found a small lump. Went straight to the GP and she said it was probably a cyst. She said my breasts felt quite lumpy in general and was probably nothing to worry about and to see her again in 3 weeks. (Stopped breast feeding 5months ago) I then developed more pain in my breast and in particular my armpit area. This sent my mind racing and pretty much expecting the worst case scenario. I couldn't wait the three weeks so went back after 10 days. Different doctor and he felt my armpit and said he couldn't feel anything but would refer me to the breast clinic for a routine appointment because of my age and no breast cancer family history. I'm 29 and feel really disappointed that my symptoms don't come in to consideration. Anyway I received my appointment the other day and it isn't until 12th September. I instantly started panicking again thinking this would be too late if something sinister is found so I phoned the clinic direct and the lady was so lovely and changed my appointment to next week, Tuesday 15th August. Can't believe how easy it was to change. Feel better that I'm going to be seen sooner but just needed some reassurance I guess. I've still got the underarm pain that feels like a pulled muscle but has been there for a month so I guess it can't be that. I've also got a really sore neck that I'm seeing a rmt for and he says it could possibly be linked so I'm hoping it is just nerve pain. Arghhh if I didn't suffer from anxiety now I think I now do! Xx

OP posts:
Blossom4538 · 09/08/2017 20:27

I recently had this and the waiting is so stressful. You are doing the right thing having it checked out.

I have a large lump/ridge and underarm pain etc. It turned out to be nothing serious, just glandular tissue which I'm stuck with!

Feel for you as it's very stressful. Glad u got appointment moved as that's just so long to worry about it. Good sign that it wasn't an urgent referral though.

Hope all is okay next week.

notquitegrownup2 · 09/08/2017 20:35

I also ended up seeing my GP in a panic and being referred to the breast clinic with discomfort in one breast and some underarm pain - and it was 4 months after finishing breast feeding! My doctor was initially reassuring and said that breast cancer is rarely painful at all in the very early stages - if it were, more people would detect it without the need for mammograms etc. All was clear for me - hoping that the same is true for you.

Original poster
Chocoholic26 · 10/08/2017 00:32

Thanks you so much for your replies ladies. I'm so glad all was okay for you both and you've definitely given me some reassurance for my appointment next week xx

OP posts:
hannah1992 · 10/08/2017 14:37

The pain could actually be a pulled muscle even for a few months. Don't forget you have a baby so day to day you are lifting etc and a pulled muscle especially in a shoulder or arm has no time to heal properly when you're constantly using it. Also when you anxious your constantly tense which slows healing too

Original poster
Chocoholic26 · 10/08/2017 16:33

Thanks hannah1992 that's quite reassuring. Roll on Tuesday, this waiting is really making me worry. Xx

OP posts:
SussexMist · 10/08/2017 16:49

I get lots of breast cysts, some hurt some dont. There is general thinking that mist BC lumps do not cause pain. 90% of lumos are benign. All the best

hannah1992 · 14/08/2017 13:00

How did your appointment go?

NG05 · 14/08/2017 13:43

I know exactly how you're feeling. I'm 32 and found a lump last week. I had experienced a bit of an ache initially which prompted me to do a check where I found a largish oval lump in my lower breast which does seem to move. This all coincided with my period so after googling and finding that it could be related to that I waited a couple of days before going to the doctors.

The doctor could only confirm that there was a lump but did try to assure me I was at low risk. I was put on the two week wait for an appointment at the breast clinic.. Luckily I received a call the following day.

My appointment is Wednesday and even though it hasn't been long to wait it's been awful. I can't stop thinking about the worst case scenario..despite telling myself there are people in more difficult positions and to pull myself together! All I've done is read threads like these for the past few days with the hope that it gives me some sort of comfort that people have been through the same and it's turned out to be nothing.

Good on you with getting your appointment moved forward.. You'll be in my thoughts tomorrow, wishing you all the best!

Original poster
Chocoholic26 · 14/08/2017 21:39

Thanks ladies, appointment is tomorrow at 9.45am. I've never been more worried about anything in my life. This really does put everything in perspective. If anything, I feel like I've become a better person in the last month. I know that sounds crazy but I feel moaning about silly little things doesn't even matter anymore. I've had more pain the last day or so and it just feels so unlike any kind of cyclical pain I've ever had in the past which is really making me worry and it is just in one breast. I know I'm not going to get any sleep tonight. Sussex, it's good to know how common cysts are. NG, so glad you got an appointment quickly. I'm in Scotland and routine appointments are 6 week waits so I'm few pretty lucky I managed to change it to tomorrow. Will be thinking about you on Wed, the waiting really isn't nice at all xxx

OP posts:
DubiousCredentials · 14/08/2017 23:06

Flowers Once you walk in to the clinic you'll be much calmer. The night before is the worst bit.

I'm betting it's a cyst and they'll advise evening primrose oil for the ongoing breast pain.

Let us know how it goes Flowers

Original poster
Chocoholic26 · 14/08/2017 23:20

Thanks Dubious....off to research evening primrose oil now 😂 Xx

OP posts:
GardenGeek · 14/08/2017 23:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

NG05 · 15/08/2017 06:35

All the best for this morning, sure it will turn out to be nothing. Are you taking someone with you?

Wow a six week wait is awful.. it's will have been a week between my GP and hospital appointments and that has been long enough to drive myself into a quivering anxious mess!

Since yesterday Ive developed a pain in my armpit that is adding to my worry. I don't think I can feel a lump but it feels tender to touch. Reading back on your initial post you had the same, do you still have this? I was hoping it was in my head and would have been gone when I woke up this morning.. but no!

hannah1992 · 15/08/2017 12:28

How did things go today x

Original poster
Chocoholic26 · 15/08/2017 13:33

Ladies, so I'm ok. Thank goodness and what an absolute relief. I was seen quickly by the doctor and she said although she could feel the lump she felt it was just lumpy glandular tissue. She sent me to have an ultrasound anyway. It was a tiny waiting room with about 9 women all in for the same thing. One lady was so funny and chatty and made us all feel at ease knowing we were all going through the same thing. It was a two hour wait for the ultrasound so that was quite nerve wracking but the sonographer said that it was nothing to worry about and that the lump didn't even show up, he said it was just lumpy tissue. He checked under my armpit and surrounding tissue where I've had pain and said there was nothing there. He said it is probably muscular due to my sore neck...so of course this is my next worry! The pain in my breast is still there but feel a lot happier that it is nothing sinister. He also said that pain usually means something other than cancer. I have read that this isn't always the case but it's reassuring to hear a professional say that to you. Thanks you all so much for your messages and I hope NG you get the same good news tomorrow, it sounds as if we are pretty similar cases so I have my fingers crossed for you. Let us know how you get on xx

OP posts:
DubiousCredentials · 15/08/2017 13:41

Flowers great news! What a relief for you. I would recommend taking high strength evening promise oil or star flower oil if the breast pain continues. It takes a month or so to take effect but has made a huge difference to my non-cyclical breast pain.

NG05 · 15/08/2017 13:55

What amazing news.. I bet you feel like a weight has been lifted and all the worry will be a distant memory!!

I'm literally counting down the hours, still feel sick with worry but it's really comforting to hear these stories when you're going through the same thing so thank you for sharing.

Original poster
Chocoholic26 · 15/08/2017 14:04

It really does NG. The wait is so horrible, I can empathise with you. Try and keep busy with things today. I had a hectic day yesterday and it definitely helped xx

OP posts:
hannah1992 · 15/08/2017 14:33

Ahh really glad for you ❤️.

In regard to the muscle. I have muscle problems with my right shoulder. When it goes it often hurt down my arm round my armpit round my neck and sometimes across the collarbone and round my chest (which can feel like breast pain) if you go on YouTube and search for shoulder injury yoga there's somebody really good stretching exercises that eases it a lot. I find it really works if you do a few throughout the day takes all the tension away. Also be careful of sudden movements (hard with a lo I know) but if you're picking little one up try to do it in slow movements rather than just scooping up. Also hold lo on the opposite side to injured muscle so you're not overworking it.

hannah1992 · 15/08/2017 14:34

Also just to add to that now your anxiety has gone down over the lump you kind find that the tension in your muscle subsides too as you can now relax. Very common to get right tense muscles when anxious

Original poster
Chocoholic26 · 15/08/2017 16:27

Thanks Hannah, I'll have a wee look for some exercises ☺️ Xx

OP posts:
NG05 · 16/08/2017 18:19

Examination and ultrasound found that it was just normal muscle pain and a small cyst. The nurse explained that the slimmer you are, the more likely you are to feel lumps and two breasts never feel the same which will provide some peace of mind in the future.

I've never felt so relieved, burst into tears of relief when the doctor confirmed it.

Thinking of everyone in similar situations and those less fortunate.

Original poster
Chocoholic26 · 16/08/2017 20:36

NG I am so pleased for you. What a relief. I hope you're having a relaxing worry free evening. It really does put everything into perspective doesn't it ☺️ xx

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread