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Original poster

Pain in left breast - when to go to doctor

162 replies

panicQ · 23/10/2018 18:17

I have had pain in my left breast for several weeks now. Some of the time it is a dull ache and sometimes it sends shooting pains down my armpit and left breast.
It is probably perimenopause, though I had a hysterectomy several years ago so I have no way of telling.
I am much more afraid of being examined than worried about a diagnosis. I don't want to go to the doctor and be examined just to be told to come back in a couple of weeks and have to do it all over again.
How long should I monitor it before finding the courage to go to the GP.
Please don't tell me that they have seen it all before - there is a reason for my fear and the fear cripples me.

OP posts:
chicken75 · 26/10/2018 11:30

Welldone Panic! I really think you have done the right thing. I had my first mammogram recently and it wasn't too bad. It might be a good idea to go and see the GP about your anxiety. I gave suffered with it before and really feel for you Flowers

Original poster
panicQ · 26/10/2018 12:25

Those of you who have had mammograms - do they give you a gown? Do you take clothes off right next to the machine or do you have to walk half naked across a room?

OP posts:
Seaweed42 · 26/10/2018 12:41

Well done! Re Mammogram it depends. There will be just you and the nurse/radiographer in the room. In the multi assessment clinics you get a gown beforehand, otherwise if it's a small room/booth you might undress in the room right beside the machine. You won't be walking half naked across a room as you can drape your top over you if you wish right up until you are standing beside the machine.
The nurse helps to position you on the machine. They take 4 photos, 2 each side. First your breast is positioned horizontally with your breast on a shelf, then the top plate rests on top. Then the machine can tilt so they can get a sideways shot in the same way. Then repeat other side.
Each photo takes a couple of seconds. The nurse walks back to the photo machine to check the whole breast is in the picture.
I usually take a couple of painkillers half an hour before, as it's a bit uncomfortable and I found it no problem then. A bit like someone standing on your toe a smidge too long.
As I was anxious last time I said to the nurse I'm going to tell you about my holiday last year to keep me distracted. So I rabbited on at top speed about that, describing the place, where we went to eat, what we ate etc and it was over very quickly.

Seaweed42 · 26/10/2018 12:42

Forgot to say, you can stand up beside the machine. Or if you prefer there is usually a bar stool type chair that you can sit beside the machine.

chicken75 · 26/10/2018 14:38

At my local breast clinic they get you to take bra off in the waiting room (behind screens!) So you just have a top on. Then you remove that at the machine.
I had loads done at once as I had a huge lump under my nipple (abscess). For me though it was ok, I have huge boobs though which I think makes it less sore.

WhatsGoingOnEh · 26/10/2018 14:46

OP, I really feel for you with your anxiety. I'm like this with the dentist. Absolute panic.

Could you see a counsellor about your anxiety? My brother is dating an amazing woman who's a psychotherapist and she does a technique called EMDR which can cure anxiety over specific things like this really quickly, apparently.

I'm glad your friend examined you and I'm really glad you've been referred. You're being really brave!

dahliaaa · 26/10/2018 15:27

OP I’ve had quite a few mammograms. At the centre I go to you go into a private changing room and take off all upper clothes and then put on a gown.

Then when you are in the actual room with just the radiographer you take off the gown.

I would describe it as a bit uncomfortable rather than painful and I have always found everyone to be respectful. They do need to position your body slightly though to get the clearest images so it’s good that they have marked your anxiety on your referral just to give a heads up.

Original poster
panicQ · 27/10/2018 11:03

I have had max dose of brufen and paracetamol an hour and a half ago and the pain is still bad. Any suggestions?

OP posts:
flapjackfairy · 27/10/2018 11:07

As far as the mammogram goes I dreaded my first but honestly they completely put you at ease and it was nothing ! I wouldn't be bothered at all about having another one

Flossie44 · 27/10/2018 12:30

Would a wheat bag or hot water bottle ease some pain for you? So sorry it’s still bad :(

Original poster
panicQ · 27/10/2018 13:48

It feels a bit like when I was breastfeeding and over due a feed.

OP posts:
lljkk · 27/10/2018 14:14

If you have back problems, I suggest stand as tall as you can when being positioned at the plates, so that you aren't half slouching for a long spell for the images, the slouching can aggravate back pain.

Do you want to talk about why you're so afraid of examination?

Original poster
panicQ · 27/10/2018 17:04

I am terrified of being seen with no clothes on and being touched

OP posts:
fantasmasgoria1 · 27/10/2018 17:07

I get awful pain in my breasts. I had a mammogram a few years ago which was clear. A few months ago the pain got really bad again so saw the gp who examined me. He said it's mastalgia which is just general pain. It still worries me though.

lljkk · 27/10/2018 18:59

What bad thing(s) will happen if you're seen naked or someone touches you?

Original poster
panicQ · 28/10/2018 13:44

bad things have happened in the past!! I will try talk to my cbt therapist about it at the end of the week.
It’s going to be a long 2 weeks of pain and crippling anxiety!

OP posts:
Original poster
panicQ · 28/10/2018 16:51

If you get a gown can you just open one side at a time or do you have to take it off?

OP posts:
Original poster
panicQ · 29/10/2018 10:15

Is there anything else I can do for the pain?

OP posts:
3luckystars · 29/10/2018 10:19

Do you think you could get an emergency appointment with a counseller? Are you seeing someone?

Original poster
panicQ · 29/10/2018 10:45

I had a cbt appointment for Friday which I have managed to bring forward to Wednesday.
Thank you for replying

OP posts:
Original poster
panicQ · 29/10/2018 16:16

I have an appointment for 13th November. It just mentions the consultants name so maybe there will be no mammogram.
I know that is only 2 weeks which is pretty quick but it is 2 weeks of pain and anxiety.
I know I am sounding like a broken record, sorry. Just feeling a bit lonely and scared.

OP posts:
ragged · 29/10/2018 16:27

I imagine if you can be honest with them about your history (details not required, just, "Being touched & being seen naked is hard for me b/c I was a victim of bad things in the past") there is 99% chance they will try their hardest to do things in the easiest way for you. There are ways you can take control of how this happens, is what I'm trying to say. There's no shame in still being traumatised.

Fair chance your painful bit will be gone by 13 November, btw. Mine went away that quickly.

Original poster
panicQ · 29/10/2018 17:43

Also, do they examine you first and then decide whether to do any tests or do they test first?

OP posts:
ragged · 29/10/2018 20:10

Physical exam, inconclusive mammo, inconclusive ultrasound+biopsy was order for me, iirc.

PiggeryPorcombe · 29/10/2018 20:32

Mine have been physical exam, ultrasound, mammogram (if over 40) then debrief. Without exception all the staff have been utterly lovely so I imagine they’d be very willing to help you with your anxiety. Also you could maybe call the clinic and ask to be informed of any cancellations so you could be seen sooner.