Almost 40 - breast pain on right breast - peri?

[ConfusedFox]

Hi all,

Has anyone experienced breast pain (on only one breast) as a peri symptom? I've had it for 2 weeks, currently on day 14 of cycle. Like stabbing pains behind nipple but feels tender too and oh the pain if my boob gets jabbed. A bit like when you start breast feeding? I can't feel any lumps or see any differences. I will do an econsult to hopefully see the doctor as I am obviously worried but a friend said she gets breast pain each cycle but only for a day or two?

Thank you

That's shocking. Make sure in two weeks time, and certainly if it's not gone completely, that you get that referral.

That's really interesting. I've had it on and off for the best part of a year so I'm assuming I'd know by now if it was anything sinister.

I'm also on 100mcg oestrogen which is probably the cause.
But if anything changes I'll refer myself.

(You can self refer in my area to the hospital breast clinic)

@TheFormidableMrsC I absolutely will, thank you.

@evilharpy How was your appointment? I've got myself very worried.

Another who had breast cancer where one of first signs was pain and no lump, its lobular breast cancer which forms a lump at the end. There were also skin changes most noticeable if lifted arm up. Then suddenly one day a 5cm lump appeared, hard and walnut like in texture.

Its probably fine but its untrue pain means not cancer. Mine was also pain in/around the right rib. Skin changes were like dimpling and the tiniest specs could be felt in breast about 1mm. I was reassured by no family history and no lump which I think is NHS criteria for referral. Lobular is also missed on 50% of mammos and ultrasounds and generally found at stage 3. Its unlikely but can happen.

This is a good guide, many GPs will not be aware, I was dismissed by first GP.

https://lobularbreastcancer.org.uk/signs-and-symptoms/

The GP said that as the antibiotics didn't help, she thinks it's best to refer me to the breast clinic. She examined me again and could feel "thickening" behind my nipple but given the amount of pain I'm in, and no skin changes etc, she still thinks it's more likely to be an infected cyst/abcess. She said it could be anything from 2-6 weeks from when they triage me, and gave me a heads up that it's "not the nicest experience", a bit of a conveyor belt system. Looking at the local mums FB page, it seems the wait is likely to be at least 6 weeks and I doubt I'll be considered urgent because of the pain. So I decided to go via Bupa (which I have through work) and have an appointment on the 27th. I'll report back.

The GP said if I did go through Bupa to let her know what the process was like and what they did etc so she could feed back to other people and help them decide whether to go down that path. She has been really lovely and very supportive.

Thank you @evilharpy for the update. I am pleased you are referred. Please let me know how the bupa referral goes. Hope all will be well.

How are you doing OP? I just found your thread while searching because I have intermittent breast pain in one breast. I am 48 and have been on oestrogel for a year and I have a mirena coil so don't have periods. This makes it more tricky to work out if the pain is related to my cycle.

I went to see the GP who prescribed me anti inflammatories and said it's unlikely to be cancer as I have no other breast issues.
I felt reassured for about a day but feel worried again now 😕

Ask for a referral. Mirena is a breast cancer risk I've since discovered after having it myself. That is not to say it means you'll get it, however, there is a risk. I'd be insisting on the breast clinic. Remember that most issues are absolutely nothing but I'm living proof that not ignoring pain means my cancer was caught early.

TheFormidableMrsC thank you for your advice.
I think perhaps I should go back to the GP, and also try to see a woman this time. The GP I saw was OK, but the more I read the more it seems that you are right and pain shouldn't just be dismissed.
He prescribed very strong anti inflammatories which I've not actually taken yet as the pain isn't really bad. I didn't go to the GP to get the pain treated, just to get it checked out as it's not normal for me and therefore worrying.

Those of you with Bupa - you can self-refer with breast symptoms. You might need a lump to get in to breastclinic though - I always have one though - v v cyst filled.

Absolutely shocked that some of you are waiting or being fobbed off from checks. I have a mammogram every year because of the cysts.

But just wanted to say that I have had breathtaking breast pain and it wasn't anything bad. Just peri I guess.

But do all get checked out - but it can be nothing.

I had this for years - mainly when I was lying down, interestingly. I have no idea of the reason, because it just wasn't significant enough to be A Thing. I would notice it, then forget about it. You don't need to be dramatic about it, just get on with your life. So what if it's "peri"? It doesn't matter.

Don't be dramatic about it? Are you joking? It's pain, a symptom, a new thing that should be investigated. Perhaps read some of the stories on this thread including mine. Your advice is dreadful.

@Goodmangrief the pain has subsided a fair bit (no shooting pains behind nipple anymore) but still feels tender if I knock it and I feel very 'aware' of my boob if that makes sense. I've been taking evening promise oil so I have no idea if it's that or it would have subsided a bit anyway. I think I will still ask to be referred as pain is very unusual for me and given what other posters have said, should be investigated.

I'm glad you're feeling a bit better OP, and that you also have plans for follow up.
My other breast is a bit sore today, but only when I touch it, but that is making me think perhaps it might be hormonal after all. I'm going to try making a note each day of any pain and go from there.

@evilharpy how was your BUPA appointment? I hope all well.

Hi @ConfusedFox sorry I forgot to come back and update. I had my appointment plus mammogram and ultrasound. They couldn't find any cause for the pain and consultant (sympathetically) said it was likely hormonal and very common at my age (mid 40s). They did however find several lumps that they wanted to have a look at even though they appeared "very likely benign". So I had more mammograms, a couple of fine needle aspirations and one core biopsy and a repeat ultrasound and FNA a week later to find one lump that showed up on the mammo but they couldn't locate it on the first ultrasound. Still waiting on labs from the last one but the rest were all benign.

The weird, excruciating pain that was the actual reason for the appointment disappeared as quickly as it came on, having stuck around for about 5 weeks. No sign of it coming back yet but it hasn't been long so we'll see.

I haven't heard anything back from the NHS yet - must give them a call to tell them to remove me from the list - but a lady who was at the Bupa clinic at the same time as me said she was red flagged by the GP and the breast service (same trust as me) told her it would likely be about 12 weeks.

How are you doing - hope the pain has subsided? It's funny your situation really does sound incredibly similar to mine so I hope it's also nothing sinister.

Hi OP just thought I'd say that this thread inspired me to sort out my check up and am waiting for a triage call from the local breast service. Hope all OK with you.

@evilharpy Thank you for taking the time to come back and update and I'm so pleased you were taken care of thoroughly and that lumps are benign. Also glad your pain has stopped! Mine has stopped too weirdly-after 3 weeks of severe pain. I started taking evening primrose oil but no idea it if would have lessened anyway.
I am now unsure whether to go back and ask the GP to refer me as he said to only refer if still in pain. After the posters on this thread who said their pain was cancer despite no obvious lumps, I feel I should be checked, but don't want to waste anyone's time...

Personally I'd get it checked anyway.

Which is better, Estradot or Evorel?

Thanks for this thread - I’ve just been referred to the breast clinic (private via bupa) due to horrific pain on one side - both of my breasts feel swollen but the right is so painful it’s radiating down my arm. I just had a hernia surgery that hadn’t gone well so was back in the main surgical ward making sure it wasn’t blood clots from surgery and they think it’s hormonal but keen for me to get it checked out. It’s really helpful to hear others experiences and what happens at the clinics.

That's good @abdnhiker How long have you had the pain for?

Eight days now, although it increased for the first six days and now may be levelling off - or I’m managing it better with ultra supportive bras.