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Original poster

breast lump and pain. Terrified!!!

129 replies

user1490395938 · 01/02/2018 16:23

Hello
Just after a kind word and reassurance basically please. Been feeling dreadful with this horrible cold/flu type thing that's been going around and not feeling like my usual self at all. Apart from that I've noticed I've been feeling tired and drained of energy for a long time but never really thought much of it.
Anyway, yesterday morning I noticed a painful swelling in my left armpit area but lower down towards breast area. Agony to lift arm high and if I press on it it really hurts and is tender. Also noticed a lump under right breast which is also painful. Given that I feel very fluey i thought maybe the lymph glands were something to do with it.
Went to gp and she's examined me and referred me to breast clinic. I said should be I worried because in actual fact I'm petrified (I am 36 with young DC) and she said no please don't worry.
I've also been suffering with an achy upper back and occasional pain down left arm and numbness in shoulder and hand on left side too for about 8 weeks but now worrying incase it's related and I've missed something!!!!
I'm quite large breasted (sorry for detail)
Just don't know what to think and am anxious to get appointment asap for clinic. Am just terrified to be honest

OP posts:
scotchpie · 05/02/2018 23:00

Is there a receptionist Immortal? If yes then ring and explain that u need an urgent appointment and how you have tried for a week now.

Don't take no for an answer and good luck x

User5trillion · 05/02/2018 23:21

I would suggest ringing or go to the reception and speak to someone. Painful, soft/fluid-y is good according to the dr this morning. Good luck

Note3 · 06/02/2018 07:27

Immortality - a hard non rounded lump with no pain is something that does indicate a need for medical assessment. It doesn't necessarily mean the worst but it means more boxes are ticked on the warning list.

If I were you I'd keep ringing the surgery til you get through then explain you have a lump and need an urgent appointment. If they decline to help say you will then seek an out of hours appointment and will have to inform them it was unavoidable as your surgery wouldn't help. I'd say this in an apologetic voice but to make my point

PhyllisWig · 06/02/2018 12:31

Appointment through for next Thursday.

Immortality please do call again and chase.

User5trillion · 06/02/2018 13:02

I have my appointment at the hospital on Friday. I am surprised how quickly its all happening, they rang me with my appointment.

MsHarry · 06/02/2018 14:54

Immortality My fibroadenoma was painless, occasional tenderness before a period but I'd say painless and firm. Fibroadenomas are solid benign lumps so can't be drained like cysts and need biopsy but an ultrasound can diagnose them with a biopsy to confirm.

MsHarry · 06/02/2018 14:57

I didn't even tell my DH about mine until I'd seen the consultant and knew pretty much is was ok. I just couldn't. I could just about carry on if nobody knew. He was very upset that I didn't but the sympathy would have tipped me over the edge and he would have had the worry too. I know that's not fair but it's all I could cope with at the time.

CatherineCawood · 06/02/2018 15:01

I rang the gp yesterday to check that the referral had been made on Monday morning given the gp couldn't make it as my appt was on a saturday. It has been made was told to sit tight and wait for a phone call.

Immortal you need an appt I would go to the surgery if possible and speak to reception. Surely not everyone can make their appts online? What about those with no internet access.

PhyllisWig · 07/02/2018 12:50

I'm wobbling a bit today - have been ok but now am really catastrophising. I do suffer from health anxiety and have read a few stories on line of people being told by gps that it's probably nothing then it being something.

Even the pain isn't reassuring me as it's been really sore so I've decided this is linked to a badly fitting bra and the actual lump is painless.

Bad day

MsHarry · 07/02/2018 15:34

Hang in there Phylis you have done the right thing, you can't do any more.Have you tried a meditation app? I use Headspace, it's free and is quite calming whenever you need it. Perhaps give yourself a little project over the next week like sorting some cupboards or something to occupy your free/thinking time.

MsHarry · 07/02/2018 15:35

Manic cleaning and sorting is my go to otherwise I tell myself all sorts.

User5trillion · 07/02/2018 15:42

I have thrown myself into work and point blank refuse to entertain the idea it is anything but a cyst. Still niggling away at the back of my mind. I had awful dreams last night. I also ate a whole pack of biscuits, drowning out negative thoughts with biscuits.

PhyllisWig · 07/02/2018 18:41

I am run off my feet at work so during the day I am ok. It's the quiet times.

Very tearful all day today though and struggling quite a bit to work at full pace. I haven't told my mum who I'd normally confide in as she's recovering from cancer related surgery herself (skin cancer in her case) and although she's fine and drs confident it's gone, she doesn't need the worry.

CatherineCawood · 08/02/2018 21:39

Was told to wait for a phone call but got a letter instead. I just found it whilst clearing up in the hall, guess it arrived yesterday. My appt is on Saturday at 9.45am. They sent a note saying that no imaging would be done at my appt and that due to a national shortage of radiographers (I didn't know that) any imaging would be done at another appt in the future. Annoying as I thought it was a one stop shop and anything that needed doing would be done on the day. So now I'm thinking two things:

  1. That was v quick, exactly 1 week from GP appt, do they think I need to be seen ultra quick?
  2. Maybe they gave me a Sat appt with no imaging as they think I won't need any which would be good news!

Ridiculous, I expect I was next on the list and was given the next appt. I didn't know they did Sat hosp appts though.

Clinic is directly opposite parkrun, if parkrun starts on time at 9am and I run it in my usual 34 mins then I have time to get my barcode scanned and leg it back across the park and across the road to my appt for 9.45am/ Will have to be sweaty at examination though....

Phyllis how are you today?

User5trillion · 08/02/2018 21:54

CATHERINE - I got my appt 5 days after seeing the dr, I was very impressed with the speed of it. My appt is tomorrow afternoon, frankly I cant wait to get it over with. Its quite sore so I am hopeful its just a cyst. Good luck with your appointment sat.

PhyllisWig · 08/02/2018 22:09

A bit better thanks.

Pleased you got your appointment through so quickly. I would bet my bottom dollar that's just the next appointment Smile.

User I know what you mean about sore. Mine hurts!

PhyllisWig · 08/02/2018 22:10

Oh and good luck - look forward to a positive update.

Magicme1 · 08/02/2018 22:32

Catherine don't worry that you have a weekend apt, when the breast clinic here is particularly busy they still have to get everyone in within the two week mark, so in order to do so they put on extra clinics at the weekends to get the lists down and get everyone seen quick as possible .
Good luck to everyone waiting for tests and results, it's awful but keep reminding yourself it nearly always turns out to be nothing to worry about

CatherineCawood · 09/02/2018 10:57

Thanks all. user good luck this pm. Report back when you can. Thinking of you x

MsHarry · 09/02/2018 15:09

Annoying though that you'll have to go back for imaging. Remember ladies, the gold standard is imaging and biopsy. It doesn't matter what they THINK, they don't KNOW without evidence. Get proper peace of mind.

User5trillion · 09/02/2018 16:20

So I am back and almost too embarrassed to admit this.... thankfully after a mammogram and an ultra sound, they have decided I just have lumpy breasts Blush

So I need to check my breasts regularly so I know what normal feels like. I feel a total fraud and waster of nhs services.

I hope everyone else on here has a good outcome.

PhyllisWig · 09/02/2018 16:27

FAB. GO lumpy dude!

MsHarry · 09/02/2018 16:59

Oh that's brill user you have totally not wasted anybody's time. So happy for you. Hang in there everyone else.

Original poster
user1490395938 · 10/02/2018 07:58

Hello all,
Firstly huge apologies for not getting back to this thread. MsHarry, for your information my uncle passed away a couple of days ago rather unexpectedly at the age of 54 so forgive me for not being active on here!!!

OP posts:
Original poster
user1490395938 · 10/02/2018 08:07

Massive massive apologies to MsHarry
I feel so stupid now. When you said "User...wasting time.." I thought you were referring to me as I'm also User but then really read it and I realised to my huge embarrassment that you were not referring to me!!! I am so very sorry. Haven't had a lot of sleep and head is all over the place sorry!!!!!!! Feel awful now for getting wrong end of stick especially as everyone has been so kind

OP posts: