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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:
MegBusset · 29/10/2018 20:47

Hi PanicQ. I had a hospital appointment today after a referral for breast pain and lumpiness. I was pretty anxious before, but it was fine.

I was able to take someone with me if I wanted.

I was asked if I was OK with just the doctor in the room or wanted a nurse in there too.

The doctor performed an examination and there was no further need for testing in my case. If necessary I would have had an ultrasound and/or mammogram.

Original poster
panicQ · 30/10/2018 13:36

I know I really need to think about something else but I have a couple of questions.
I was physically shaking before, during and after the breast exam on Friday. If I need a Mammogram, which I am trying to convince myself I won't, will they be able to do it if I am shaking - legs included. If I need to be still what will they do?
Also, I have CBT tomorrow morning. They only have male therapists locally so we have been talking about other issues as I wasn't sure I could talk to a man about the nakedness issues. I clearly need to try somehow as I need strategies both to get through the next two weeks and to get through the appointment. Any ideas on how to start the conversation or to say words that I find hard to say?
I am sure you are all fed up with me by now but any replies will help me more than you can realise.

OP posts:
myrtleWilson · 30/10/2018 14:49

Hi
I've not posted on the thread before but I hope you can find a way to get through the mammogram.

Re the therapist - would it work if you asked him to turn around so he wasn't facing you when you speak? Or could you email him a synopsis of the issues you're dealing with so you don't have to start the conversation (and you can still ask him to turn around if it makes you more comfortable)?

pickingdaisies · 30/10/2018 14:53

Could you write things down on a set of cards, the sort people use as prompts for speeches or for revision. Or just divide up a sheet of A4 and use that. You can read off them, or hand them over one by one.

Original poster
panicQ · 31/10/2018 10:48

Therapist is going to help me through the issues but says nothing will reduce the anxiety over the next two weeks. I really thought he was going to suggest something that might help. I had built my hopes up. Pain a lot worse again today too.

OP posts:
pickingdaisies · 31/10/2018 11:12

Right. A bit of self help then. Distract yourself. Do things that you can get lost in even for a little while. Hobbies, art, sudoku, sewing, knitting, plan a redesign of the kitchen/garden, you get the idea. Clear out the spare room, anything.

PiggeryPorcombe · 31/10/2018 11:44

Would your gp prescribe propranolol as a short term measure to help with anxiety? It’s amazing stuff. Sorts out the racing heart/panicky feeling and enables you to think more rationally. In my experience anyway. My gp prescribed it for me while I was in the two-week wait for the clinic appt. Made a huge difference. I had 10mg tablets and could take up to three a day if I needed them, so only a low dose but it made a world of difference.

pickingdaisies · 31/10/2018 12:06

There you go, OP, get yourself an emergency appointment.
Don't really understand why your therapist would give you such a negative message in the first place. If he meant, you've still got to put up with the 2 week wait, then he was just stating the blindingly obvious so not very empathetic. Hopefully he'll be a bit more clued up with your longer term issues.

Original poster
panicQ · 31/10/2018 16:26

The therapist did suggest asking the dr for something but then I wouldn’t be able to drive. Also it takes weeks to get an appointment.
I have tried distractions but either I just can’t get my brain to think of anything else or my hands are too shaky to do what I want to do!!
I feel so pathetic and such a waste of space. I was supposed to be having lunch with a friend today but I cancelled it.

OP posts:
PiggeryPorcombe · 31/10/2018 16:34

Why would you not be able to drive? Propranolol are betablockers, not tranquillisers. Could you ask to speak to your gp on the phone? My gp would prescribe over the phone for this kind of thing.

You are absolutely not pathetic at all. Many women would be feeling the same as you with just the appointment coming up, let alone with the added anxiety of issues surrounding the examination Flowers

Original poster
panicQ · 31/10/2018 16:54

He was thinking of diazepam.
My surgery is useless if you want to be seen fast for something that is a pre existing condition. I did have an amazing GP there. We had an arrangement that if I needed to see her quickly I would write her a note and she would get me an appointment. Unfortunately she moved to Australia a year ago!

OP posts:
pickingdaisies · 31/10/2018 17:22

Call and ask for a telephone appointment with the GP, your therapist is not a pain expert and shouldn't be guessing what the doctor can prescribe. Tell the doctor you need stronger pain relief but need to drive. I'm so sorry this is so hard for you, but you are NOT pathetic, you are dealing with your situation as best you can, and we are here to help you along. You can do this.

PiggeryPorcombe · 31/10/2018 17:24

It has to be worth a phone call to try.

Original poster
panicQ · 31/10/2018 23:10

I will see how I feel in the morning. Would need to be feeling brave!

OP posts:
PiggeryPorcombe · 02/11/2018 08:39

How are you today op?

Original poster
panicQ · 02/11/2018 09:24

Bit sore and miserable!
Thank you for asking. DH really anxious about results (unlike me) and I am not finding it easy to deal with his stress too. DS has SEN and I had a v v difficult meeting at his school yesterday.
I’m back in the hug of my duvet now.

OP posts:
DrudgeJedd · 02/11/2018 09:40

Just to answer one of your questions about having a mammo panicQ I had a lump removed recently & just before surgery I had a wire inserted into the site to guide the surgeon. This was done by putting my breast into the mammogram machine while I was sitting in a wheelchair. Uncomfortable but not painful, so you can ask to have the mammo done while you sit down if you think this will be better for you.
Good luck, you're doing the right thing & you're especially brave to do it even though it scares you so much

Original poster
panicQ · 02/11/2018 09:48

Thank drudgejedd. I guess if I’m shaking too much for them to get a picture sitting down might make me still enough!
Still banking on them not doing one though!

OP posts:
DrudgeJedd · 02/11/2018 09:55

Well my routine mammogram has possibility saved my life (it definitely caught my cancer while it was still at the curable stage) so I only have good things to say about themWink
The people doing them are professionals and will definitely have seen & comforted other women are very distressed by the procedure. If you let them know how you feel they will be gentle with you. Take care x

HauntedForestier · 02/11/2018 09:59

Big hug panic. Unmumsnetty, I know but you need it.

I've had to go for a breast check too, had a three week wait and nearly went mad. I had a mammogram and was nervous but they are lovely and I coped. I found when I was there and dealing with the situation I was fine.

I got the all clear and the surgeon said the vast majority of people are not found to have something amiss. I do suffer with anxiety and found the whole period really stressful. I'll be thinking of you. X

HauntedForestier · 02/11/2018 10:02

One thing I would suggest is exercise. When you exercise your brain thinks that the 'fight or flight' moment has happened and so you destress for a while.

Original poster
panicQ · 02/11/2018 10:57

Thanks. I have been avoiding exercise because of pain but it sounds like it might be worth the pay off.

OP posts:
HauntedForestier · 02/11/2018 11:15

I only thought if that after I posted panic. Perhaps a gentle walk or a swim.

I had inappropriate things happen to me as a child. As standard the consultant has a nurse with them when examining. The doctor was so lovely and professional and put me at ease. Flowers

Seaweed42 · 02/11/2018 11:41

You can sit down at the mammogram machine. Think about it this way. I If you have the mammogram you might avoid a lot more other examinations in the future. The mammogram is the best way for them to see into the breast.
Just because you are are shaking and crying, that doesn't mean you aren't able to walk. Just because you don't feel like doing something, doesn't mean you aren't physically capable of doing it.
DOING something always helps anxiety rather than taking to the bed or sofa. Clean out some cupboards. Tidy the hotpress. Buy a 1000 piece jigsaw and start it straightaway. A jigsaw is like therapy it really is because it engages your mind with something else.
Once you re-engage back into the present/the world around you, a different part of your brain engages and the anxiety is not as intense.

Original poster
panicQ · 02/11/2018 13:42

I’ve been making Christmas decorations

OP posts: