Hi there, feeling so sorry for myself. Just after a bit of support.
Visited out of hours Dr on Sunday evening with sore breast which started on the Sunday morning. I was pretty certain it would be mastitis - had it twice in the last couple of years, despite not having breastfed for 10 years. This time the Dr appeared to be a bit more concerned - whole breast involved rather than just a wedge, flattened nipple. I was referred to the breast clinic - 2 week wait as on the 2 previous incidences. Both came back clear. Problem is this time we are in France for the Easter hols so I wouldn't be able to be scanned within the 2 weeks.
I have antibiotics (fluclox 500mg) but it's having minimal effect so far - feel so weak and sore. Can't even imagine going to France right now.
Does anyone have any positive stories about really awful non lactational mastitis that cleared up and wasn't cancer? I'm so so scared and poorly and worried about not getting a scan within the 2 weeks (would an extra week make all that much difference?) it's just that we had to cancel this trip in July last year which was so disappointing - kids would be very sad if I didn't come.
Thanks for reading all of this!!
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General health
Mastitis verses inflammatory breast cancer
Wren77 · 19/03/2024 09:35
LadyDancealot · 19/03/2024 13:51
Me. Two consultants were sure it was IBC and even the medic doing the biopsy seemed to think so, too. It came back as an infection (granulomotous mastitis). A ton of antibiotics cleared it, but it took several sorts; the first course didn’t touch the sides. It was exhausting - before diagnosis I was having to have naps in the afternoon, couldn’t socialise etc. I very much hope you have the same outcome - a horrible time - wishing you well.
LadyDancealot · 20/03/2024 03:54
I can’t remember which ones finally worked - I didn’t take painkillers but coincidentally I was on holiday in Greece when it really flared up - very red at the top of my breast and almost looked like it was going to blister. I don’t think I had a temperature either, which is surprising. As a PP has said, you may get your scan before France and a week’s unlikely to make a huge difference, but I can imagine even the thought of going away is exhausting- I hardly did anything in Greece as I was too under the weather (to put it mildly). Sorry to drip feed but it’s coming back to me - my scan showed a mass, which was ‘concerning’; it wasn’t until the biopsy came back from the lab that I was given all clear.
Unwitting · 20/03/2024 15:36
Oh you poor thing - are you in for 5 days then? Hope the antibiotics knock the infection on the head quickly & you manage to get your holiday.
MassiveOvaryaction · 20/03/2024 15:58
Oh bless you. Hope they shift it quickly and you're better in time for your holiday
Wren77 · 20/03/2024 13:33
Just a quick update - have been admitted to hospital for IV antibiotics - they think cellulitis and mastitis xx
LadyDancealot · 20/03/2024 18:20
Any improvement? I had slight softening on the first set of a/bs which reassured consultant as IBC wouldn’t respond at all to a/bs, obviously. Thinking of you and keep us updated. X
Wren77 · 20/03/2024 13:33
Just a quick update - have been admitted to hospital for IV antibiotics - they think cellulitis and mastitis xx
Wren77 · 20/03/2024 18:40
Not yet - in fact the redness is continuing to track beyond the line drawn by the Dr 🫣 Just now been hooked up to antibiotics so fingers crossed something happens.
The worry, like you say, are the implications of it doesn't respond 😬
LadyDancealot · 20/03/2024 18:20
Any improvement? I had slight softening on the first set of a/bs which reassured consultant as IBC wouldn’t respond at all to a/bs, obviously. Thinking of you and keep us updated. X
Wren77 · 20/03/2024 13:33
Just a quick update - have been admitted to hospital for IV antibiotics - they think cellulitis and mastitis xx
TurquoiseJasper · 26/03/2024 00:52
Hello, I've just seen this now I hope you're doing okay. This happened to me 7 or 8 years ago, at the age of 52. I was convinced as was my GP that it was inflammatory breast cancer. I ended up being referred to the breast clinic at a major hospital, and after scans etc it was deemed to be a very deep abscess under my nipple.
I ended up by having a procedure called a Hadfiields procedure, where they removed all the milk ducts underneath one nipple. I had problems healing with it unfortunately, and had to have two further surgeries on it.
I hope your infection cleared up and you're feeling better!
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