Scared, found a lump, very red and painful

[madasamarchhare]

Just after any advice anyone can give. Sudden lump/spot appeared on boob on Sunday evening. Became aware of it as it was suddenly painful and lump was apparent and area around it quite red.

Seen doc she has briefly mentioned a possible abscess. Prescribed antibiotics, made appointment for a blood test as am feeling quite spotty at the moment and a follow up appointment. She has mentioned a referral to the breast clinic if it doesn’t clear up.
Taken antibiotics for 3 full days now. Was back at work today, busy job on feet involves lifting. This afternoon it feels redder, more prominent and there’s a bit of a stabbing pain.
I’ve made another appointment to see doc in the morning. Hoping she’ll either refer me urgently or at least change the antibiotics to something stronger.
Does anyone have any experience of this? Does it sound like an abscess? Could I have made it worse being at work busy and lifting? Any ideas what doc will do tom?

It sounds like a breast abscess. I had one on December last year. Don’t want to scare you but I ended up in hospital on very strong IV a antibiotics 2 a day. I was in hospital for a week. This was preferable to surgery to drain it.
Draw a line round the redness and if it gets worse call seek medical attention.
I didn’t get help quick enough which was why I was hospitalized.
Take it easy

Thank you. Antibiotics I’ve been on this week haven’t worked. Been in a and e all afternoon. Now have 2 lots of antibiotics. They think it’s an infected cyst. Feel absolutely terrible tonight though. Been referred to breast clinic just as a follow up next week. I am desperately hoping it starts to clear before then.

Hi OP I've had an infected cyst in my back. They are incredibly painful! Just sending my sympathies. Hopefully the hospital have given you some more suitable antibiotics and it will feel better soon.

Thanks for your replies. A and e gave me 2 different antibiotics yesterday although they made me sick last night. Hoping it was because I hadn’t really eaten all day and not because of the tablets. I’ve taken them today and hoping they stay down. Shit scared about my referral to the breast clinic next week. The breast surgeon did say she just thinks it’s an infected cyst but they always follow up to ensure nothing is missed. Feeling ok in myself today just v aware of that side and obv it’s a tender area. Hoping a couple of days of all these meds and I’ll see a huge improvement.

Just an update and looking for any similar experiences to try and put my mind at rest. A and e have me 2 lots of antibiotics on Friday and was told to also take paracetamol and ibuprofen for 2 days. I’ve taken the paracetamol and ibuprofen for 3 days but won’t take them now and the antibiotics all finish today. The redness has reduced but still very red. The lump is still visible and open and if I do too much it weeps. Does this still sound like an infected cyst that needs a bit more help to clear it up or something more sinister? I will chase the breast clinic today for my referral. Had a swab done last week but doc confirmed that just didn’t show anything. Bloods showed white cells raised (didn’t say by how much) but he said that just confirms infection which we know. He said I must not leave it. That’s got me worried does he say that just because the infection needs treating or he thinks there’s something more going on? I’m very worried, got two teenagers here and a puppy and a husband who works long hours. Any similar experiences?

White cell count being up is a pretty sure sign for an infection. I'd stay off the paracetamol for a couple days. You might find your temperature spikes but unless it's dangerously high or a doctor tells you to, I'd not try to lower it. Fever is sometimes a good thing. Burn the microscopic little fuckers out. Do keep chasing them though, infections aren't a wait and see matter.

That’s what I think, I’ve taken them for 3 days anyway so it’s time to give them a rest. I’ll chase the clinic today.