Mastitis post menopause?

[poppym12]

Does this happen? I have a sore and tender breast which looks a bit swollen. A red patch has appeared on the underside during the day. No discernible lumps, I'm up to date with mammograms (I'm 53) and my last period was over 2 years ago.

I'm going away on Sunday so no chance of seeing a doctor before I go.

I think you need to see someone. Get an out of hours appointment?

I think you need to be prepared to delay your departure.

If it's mastitis you will need it looking at and antibiotics.

If it's anything more serious, you will need more tests.

Tomorrow you need to try to access a walk-in centre, and perhaps call 111 to arrange that.

There are also out of hours drs provided by most practices, so have you called yours even though they are closed?

I'm not at home at the moment so not near to my GP. I'm staying elsewhere temporarily for work and haven't registered with a local GP.

I've always had trouble with this breast. I had a fibroadenoma removed some years ago so there's a dimple there anyway. Now I've driven myself crazy googling and poking and prodding.

There are telephone appointments available via the out of hours service in the nearest city.

Depending where you are @poppym12, you may be able to get a same day appt with a private GP. Certainly in places like London that's usually possible (many of the larger private hospitals offer this or private walk-in centres.)

It may be nothing, but you do need to find out what's going on.

I've tried everywhere. No appointments today at all. I'm waiting for a call back from a clinic in London. I'm in the SW.

I'm booked into a private one stop breast clinic a week on Monday. This is the earliest I could be seen in the surrounding area.

That's good news that you have found somewhere. Hope it goes well.
If the pain gets worse and it is an infection, can you access a dr on holiday? Is it the UK or overseas?

It's overseas (Canaries) and I will see a doctor there if the redness spreads or the pain becomes worse. I really don't feel much like going now but if I have to wait a week I may as well wait somewhere warm and sunny. I've been looking forward to a week on my own so much.

Do you think a week will make much difference jinglehellsbells? I really appreciate you replying to me.

Sorry, JinglingHellsBells

I doubt a week will make a huge difference, but it's good you are going to have it looked at. In the NHS you'd been seen within 2 weeks but that would be 2 weeks from seeing or talking to your GP.

I'm a little surprised there is no earlier appt available in London, as some private clinics and hospitals do offer an 'almost walk in' for what you need. But if you are away from Monday you won't have much chance to call anyone else before then, unless you delayed your flight etc.

I didn't get a call back from either of the 3 London clinics I contacted. Nor did 111 ring me back. I'm going to a hospital in Bristol.

I'm imagining the worst and I don't know how the next week or so will pan out. I keep thinking it looks worse or that the red patch looks ridged. I'm driving myself mad.

Hi,
Hope your appointment went well (or will go well if already ocurred).
I am not medical and can't give a medical view, and havn't read all of the posts so far, and in no way wish to be unnecessarily alarmist ... etc.
However, I know someone possibly in a similar situation - ie older age, post menopause (ish) and possible symptoms of mastitis and possible lump found by Dr, also in the SW region.
Based on a quick interent search just now - I will be looking into 'IBC' further (Inflammatory Breast Cancer) and taking things further ... I think its most likely an infection, still need to take these things seriously though.
Wishing you well.

ps I meant to say 'with some urgency' as well
best wishes.

@poppym12 Just wondering how you are? Hope all is ok.

Thank you for your messages. I have had to postpone my appointment by a week to isolate after returning to the UK (until I get my PCR results back).

Fortunately the symptoms lessened over the week. The redness faded, it looked bruised for a couple of days, and the pain diminished. I still intend to get it checked out as ibc was/is my fear too.

I really appreciate you checking in JinglingHellsBells.

Thanks for coming back @poppym12. let us know how you get on but only if you want to. Good luck with the PCR too!

Thank you JinglingHellsBells, I'll update when I've seen the consultant.

My PCR was negative but I've been contacted this morning by test and trace to say I have been a close contact of a positive case so I presume someone coming back on the flight tested positive. I've filled in all of the forms and I don't have to isolate but I do need to have another PCR test. I feel it a bit of a waste of NHS resources as I did a 'paid for' test but it doesn't seem to count so I'm booked in for lunchtime.

I had my appointment yesterday afternoon. The consultant was very brusque and sent me for a mammogram followed by an ultrasound (which was exceptionally painful as she was pressing so hard). Nothing serious was found, just some cysts. I asked questions about what could have caused the problem in the first place to be told 'no idea'.

Thank you for your support JinglingHellsBells.

I'm pleased you have had a good outcome but sorry they didnt give you much info or seem very 'patient friendly'

If you aren't happy, you can always book another appt with another dr for their opinion.

Cysts are usually driven by estrogen either your own or HRT .
Have they asked you to go back at all or have the cysts monitored? (They don't need to be, but just asking.)

No, no follow up was mentioned. I was just told to make another appointment if I had concerns in the future. Tbh, the two times I've previously had breast issues investigated (and a resulting surgical procedure) carried out by the NHS seemed much better.

@poppym12

No, no follow up was mentioned. I was just told to make another appointment if I had concerns in the future. Tbh, the two times I've previously had breast issues investigated (and a resulting surgical procedure) carried out by the NHS seemed much better.

Disappointing. I guess it all depends on the dr you see on the day and without knowing them or getting a recommendation, it's always a bit hit and miss, but nevertheless disappointing when you pay a lot.