Sharp pain in breast

[Mvshrln]

Feeling a bit glum (and health anxiety etc). For the past couple of months I've had an occasional stabbing pain in one breast although it's been more frequent recently. It generally appears when I lift my arm to reach for something, but doesn't happen each time. I've checked both breasts and can't feel any lumps but I keep checking this particular breast over and over which obviously isn't helpful as now it feels a bit sore too.

Last Dec I had lump in that breast which disappeared by the time I attended the breast clinic. They still did a physical exam and and ultrasound which showed healthy breast tissue. Due to a bout of severe health anxiety a few months ago, I attended a private breast clinic where they performed a physical exam and then an ultrasound, which again showed nothing but "healthy breast tissue" along with "normal lumpy breasts". I've since had another physical exam as part of a health check and again, nothing of concern.

I have booked (another) private breast scan this weekend, but I'm feeling anxious and glum about it all. I'm not pregnant, not breast feeding and the occasional twinge occurs on and off throughout the month so doesn't really seem related to my period/cycle. I'm under 30 so get offered ultrasounds instead of mammograms.

Has anyone had similar twinges? Why are boobs such a nightmare.

Hi op. You sound very anxious regarding breast pain. I was diagnosed in May with grade 3 breast cancer that was totally painless. When i was waiting for a diagnosis the doctors, consultants etc told me they are always more worried about painless lumps as they tend to be the cancerous ones. Also regarding lumps, mine was VERY obvious, you could easily feel it through my t-shirt. Digging around will make you sore and you will feel normal lumps. When i was having breast exams i was touched very gently as its a much more accurate way to diagnose. Youve had 3 breast exams in the last year- thats an awful lot and if something was up they would have found it by now, esp if you had an ultrasound as they are way more accurate than mammograms.
I think they way to go now is maybe to ask your gp about some CBT for your health anxiety? Its clearly very stressfull for you and got to a point where its disrupting your quality of life.
Hope you find the help you need, good luck.

I've recently had stabbing pains on one side and went to the doctor. Dr had a feel around and diagnosed a pulled muscle in the chest wall. I was surprised as didn't remember doing anything that would pull a muscle and it would come on without much movement at all - things as simple as turning in bed or even just moving slightly at my work desk. I was terrified as hadn't felt pain like it before. It went on for quite a few weeks but eventually cleared up.

I was told the same as PP about painless lumps and abnormalities being more of a concern than pain. Hopefully you get a positive outcome but thought I'd share my experience to hopefully give you some comfort it could be nothing.

Hi all,

thank you so much for your comments. I had the ultrasound yesterday instead of this weekend. They checked both breasts which again showed nothing but "healthy breast tissue"/a mix of fat and glands. And of course, the pain has stopped.

@Redannie118 thank you for your reply, and I am sorry to hear about your diagnosis of breast cancer. I hope your treatment journey is going well. You are absolutely right about CBT and I am infact seeing a counsellor for this, in fact I am due to see them tonight so I will have to face up to my issues on this topic and see if I can retrain my thinking pattern.

Thanks all.