What do your boobs feel like? Really?

[grumpypants]

Have to head off to Sports Day now, but GP referring me to clinic/consultant for breast pain and lump (query?). But, I don't really know what's normal. I stood in the kitchen the other day, with a friend, a we couldn't really tell what we would be looking for iyswim! Mine feel like lumpy porridge with the odd uncooked grain, and several pea size hard lumps after my armpit. All confused by being v skinny with hardly any boobs, so feeling my ribs too. So, in a public spirited sort of way, could you tell me what ytours are like? Thanks - will compare notes later

I was quite surprised by the way my consultant examined my breasts the first time I saw him - it was very light kind of patting as purplepeony says- not the way I'd been prodding (fearfully in case i did find anything !! - I didn't feel a lump but mammogram discovered something suspicious so i had ultrasound and biopsy which revealed bc - this was a year ago and I've had surgery and radiotherapy and am on tamoxifen - so through the other side and onwards and upwards !) (I say this not to alarm,but to reassure,i hope)

MAS- hope you fully recoer.

I have had mine patted once by a female GP and she kind of patted and rolled her palms very gently. She told me that if you press too hard you feel every duct etc etc- and bones etc underneath.

Quite big of nork, no lumps - smooth. Used to get lumps as a teenager. Very painful and unbearable to touch before period - when I also go up a cup size (does that happen to anyone else? I am a freak).

I tend to get swollen glands in my armpits from time to time, particularly after a cold or virus, and they are painful.

It is also good to check in the shower with your arm raised and a bit of shower gel on your hand with hand flat.

Hope it goes well, good luck. Seems like what is normal is very wide ranging.

Before DS: lumpy most of the time, worse before periods. But never really bad. Small as well - could feel my ribs easily. The main thing was that the lumps were mostly symmetrical.

After DS: for a long while they felt very rubbery (BFing) but when I stopped they went back to being lumpy. THey are lumpy most of the time but I was having some nipple pain, particularly in the L one so went to the GP - she said that as I had only recently stopped bfing, the tissues were still "active", hence the pain and the increased lumpiness (still symmetrical).

I discovered for myself though that a particular bra always made it worse - seemed to squash my boob flat more, despite being a bigger size - so I think a lot of the pain was from being squashed.

HTH.

thanks purplepeony - am doing just fine...patting and rolling palms describes it very well

MAS Thank goodness you had the mammogram. Really wishing you well. thumbwitch and box - the bf thing is interesting, but I stopped just under a year ago, agree 'normal' seems anything but!

thank you grumpy - me too !

Mine feel very much like rice pudding in a balloon. There are lumpy bits sometimes, am still BF, but can normally smoooth them out, and TBH they're pretty uncomfortable.

Do the lumps hurt? And can you push them in? If they hurt it may be blocked pores, my sister gets these and they eventually become spot like and ooze. Sometimes doc gives her antibiotics.have you ever BF,someone was telling me the other day that they still got swollen bits and leaky nipples. Her youngest is 7, so she's not fed him for about 6 years I guess.

like a bag of porridge.

Hi Grumpypants! just wanted to post (as we seem to have similar symptoms) and say that I had my appointment today and after a mammogram, ultrasound and an examination by a doctor, I was told that my lump is just an axillary node - nothing to worry about and quite normal. I hope that things turn out as well for you.

phew - that's great news !

Thank you Busy. I am so pleased for you - hope you are reassured. Still waiting for the appointment; tried to ring today but they were training. Am v paranoid, painful armpit, keep getting dh to feel my armpit and RH boob. (Least sexy thing I could ask...)

Hmm... you've made me realise that I should have quizzed the doctor more about the tenderness in my armpit. I think I was so relieved that things looked/felt normal that I forgot to ask! Am kicking myself now. Maybe I'll ask my GP. I hope you can get your appointment sorted out soon - shouldn't you be seen within two weeks of referral? I totally understand your paranoia too, it really starts to prey on your mind. Glad to read that dh is doing his duty though!

Busylee - the axillary node is surely in your arm pit ?

Just came thro today - going on Monday. Now panicking about work as already had day off booked next week. Am going to write down every question - busy maybe ring and ask your GP to call you following the consultation as the hospital will have written to yhem?

Yes MAS the node is in my armpit but the doctor didn't really explain why I could feel it as a lump and why it's tender. Will call my GP though. I'm glad your appointment came through grumpypants. It's a very good idea to write down questions - my mind went blank. I too found it awkward with getting time off as I teach in a school and cover has to be arranged etc. Your health and peace of mind is more important than any job though, so don't let it add to your stress!

Ah, yes,best to ask - it's difficult to remember that at the time though- and agree - tyour health is the most important thing.

Will let you all know how it goes - getting terrified nervous. Thanks for staying in touch. Have got notebook out...

will be thinking of you on monday

grumpy - good luck today - let us know how it goes x

Just read through the thread and wanted to say good luck, hope everything goes well.

I work in a breast clinic and was quite surprised the first time I felt a lump in a patient's breast, it felt very different to how I expected it to feel.
I can vouch for the fact that you need to know whats 'normal' for you. Breasts are all very different, but a bag of rice pudding or porridge is a very good general description!

Hello (thanks Bytheway - that's interesting). Well, thank goodness, all is normal. Had examination, mammogram and ultrasound. Apparently, fatty tissue mixed with normal tissue can be lumpy, and there's more on one side than the other. Might explain my feeling something a bit different. (Apologies to amyone medical for my cr*p explanation!) Saw the mammogram etc instantly, feel so relieved, managed to ask about a bit I worried about, very relieved. Thank you so much to everyone - I did picture a row of mumsnetters in the empty seats next to me in the clinic!

excellent news grumpypants - hooray

grumpypants - what wonderful news! Was thinking about you today and hoping that all was well.

i have doctors tomorrow at 8.50. I know i will just be sent to the breast clinic as the original lups are still there dont know about the other havnt wanted to feel . I dont know why im worrying so much tonight. I keep going around sighing and didnt want to go to the gym or anything feeling a bit sorry for myself tbh.. sorry