Breast thickening and referral whilst BF-Someone please talk me down from the ceiling!

[MrsCrumbtious]

Have any of you been referred to the breast clinic whilst breastfeeding?
I went to the GP this week as one of my boobs has what feels like extra breast tissue on my left side which does go down after I feed baby but doesn’t disappear completely. She said she couldn’t find any lumps and there were no worrying signs however she said she could feel it was fuller and wanted to refer me to the breast clinic as apparently it’s difficult to spot anything definitive when you’re feeding (understandable). I’m petrified and keep looking at my gorgeous babies and thinking the worst. Most stories online about breast tissue thickening are a bad sign 😢😢😢😢

Waiting is the hard bit. I think breast feeding can cause all sorts of benign issues that usually resolve themselves.

Almost exactly the same thing happened to me… it was even on the left side! It turned out to be nothing, just extra breast tissue. They scanned it at the one stop breast clinic. I had to wait slightly more than the two weeks due to covid. I was also breastfeeding. Try not to worry, I know that’s easier said than done. You’re doing the right thing getting it checked out x

Basically if you go to a GP with any kind of breast issue they will refer you. Breast feeding does make assesing what is normal a lot more tricky. It makes sense , a mammogram or other screening will provide reassurance in the vast majority of cases. I have been several times and always got the all clear. Your GP is doing her job properly thats all rather than fobbing you off saying oh is just down to breastfeeding ( which it probably is)

Yes this happened to me - I was besides myself with worry and thought the worst. Fortunately at the breast clinic they said the thickening was a result of a bout of mastitis I had had a month or so previously. They also said breastfeeding and pregnancy does cause changes to the breast tissue but to always get checked out. Please keep us updated, but keeping fingers crossed you'll be ok

Same thing happened to me! Big patch of thickened tissues on left outer quadrant of breast. I was given an ultrasound as was still breastfeeding at the time and turned out to be nothing. I was so anxious but it’s fine now, has reduced massively despite now breastfeeding my second son! Good luck ❤️

Thank you for your lovely messages, it’s really helped calm me down will let you know how I get on Thursday. Hopefully it’s just down to my DS being a gannet and enjoying his milk so much!

I was referred to the breast clinic as my right breast suddenly seemed much fuller, swollen on one side and it felt like there was a thickened area underneath the breast. It wasn’t a lump as such, but definitely a thickening.

I wasn’t breast feeding but my GP did ask this, as well as asking if I was pregnant. She said that all breast changes have to be investigated and that breast feeding / pregnancy can cause all sorts of anomalies, hence why she asked.

My GP was pretty confident it was nothing to worry about but said that it has to be checked out as all breast changes are.

I was so, so scared. I was convinced I had cancer and couldn’t stop thinking about my children and how I would tell them. Every worst possible scenario was going through my head.

My appointment at the breast clinic was about a week later and everything was absolutely fine. I was examined and had an ultrasound and nothing suspicious was seen or suspected.

I was so relieved!

My breast shape slowly returned to normal over the next 1-2 weeks.

Easier said than done, but please don’t worry and keep reminding yourself that most breast changes tend to be completely benign and of no concern.

Back from the clinic, everything was normal just extra breastfeeding tissue on my left side, so so relieved! Thank you all for taking time to reply 💗

@MrsCrumbtious amazing news! So happy for you ❤️