Possible inflammatory breast cancer - clinic app not for over two weeks

[Rockschooldropout]

I posted on Monday about this in another section but now I’m really stressing .
I went to the gp on Monday as my left breast swelled up almost overnight and became very tender to the touch , especially around the nipple area . The areola looks bigger and a little red . She said she thought she could feel a lump in the areola too and immediately referred me to the breast clinic. I called today but with my hospital the clinic don’t deal with appointments and you have to ring a central booking line .
The booking line gave me an appointment which isn’t until 23rd July . I asked about cancellations and they said they don’t have a cancel list as they are just the booking line
Rang clinic again who said nothing they can do as they don’t deal with that side of things .
I went back to my gp today to ask if maybe anti biotics in the meantime would help and she said it was unlikely as she believes I have inflammatory Breast cancer - I’m now beside myself with worry as I believe it’s very aggressive and can spread quickly .. and I don’t know what to do .
I could go private but so can’t afford the biopsy which she said I’ll likely need .
it will be 16 days from referal by the time I’m seen and I’m worried it’s too long 😩

If you have a capio hospital near you they seen referrals within a week.
You could see a breast specialist who I suspect would advise on what he thinks, then go back to have treatment under NHS.
May get you the initial consultation quicker.

I’ve just looked and there doesn’t seem to be anything closer than London

My friend was in treatment within the week of attending the breast clinic, 2 weeks seems so long in your situation but they won't hang about afterwards

The first symptom was pain in one breast that didn't appear to be related to my period, then a strange red blemish appeared. I didn't have any swelling and neither me or two GPs could feel any lumps - but when I got to the clinic the nurse found two lumps within seconds, and the sonographer found two more. Had the biopsy there and then and thankfully all benign.

It sounds a long time yes but then it must have felt like a whirlwind for her afterwards with how quickly she was treated

Ahh that’s interesting - I don’t have any redness I can see .. I think it’s the breast oedema and the skin pitting that is a red flag for me . I’m glad yours was not IBC x

Just to say I also had the orange peel skin and a flattened nipple that went away once the infection went.
Keep us updated. Wishing you all the best 💐

Did your breast swell up ?
I’ll start the antibiotics tomorrow and hope for the best

Yes - we named it the mega boob!! Massive, red, hard, pitted, sore boob
I hope the antibiotics sort it all out for you 💕

@Wren77 it sounds horrific ! 🙈

My gp has tried to expedite the appointment but she said she’s been told that is the earliest they can offer .. I called my local spire hospital as the same consultant works out of there too but they can’t offer anything before 2nd August .. I don’t feel very confident t at all as I’ve got rib pain on that side now too but I’m hoping it’s just coincidence

So worrying 😔 Any improvement with the antibiotics?

Nothing as yet 😔 still very sore and swollen and I can feel the lump very easily.. it’s quite hard - I feel like it’s a given I’ll get the diagnosis I don’t want to hear

Oh I'm so sorry you're going through this. Have you some support/ someone taking care of you?

@Wren77 DH is being very good .. keeps reassuring me , I’ve got a teen DD of 14 who I’m trying to put on a brave face for but I suspect she knows somethings wrong . My DS has his birthday in a week and I’ve just hit to keep smiling .
I finally confided in my adult DD today who is her her thirties and lives four hours away .. she’s being very supportive but I just feel alone and literally scared of my own body at the moment , it’s not helping that now I can’t stop staring at my boob

As I understand it, it’s highly unlikely that inflammatory breast cancer would flare up overnight as you describe.

I had breast cancer in 2016, a small but aggressive type of tumour. I was diagnosed and treated with mastectomy within a month and have been well since.

I hope that eases your mind.

I'm so sorry you are feeling so worried. The waiting is the hardest bit (have previously had suspicious skin removed). Is there anything you can distract yourself with? Some kind of job you have to really focus on? Sending positivity ✨️

Thank you - it hasn’t literally been overnight as I noticed a lump. Couple of weeks ago .. it was the soreness and swollen breast that seemed to be overnight .
Im glad to hear you are still well , that’s great news x

I got my breast appt today it's 8 th August so about three weeks. No news on gynie on just yet. I thought that was quick. Not 14 days obvs but very quick.

Yes I’m self employed and we are really busy plus DS birthday is coming up . I was at work today and every time I brushed the front of my boob it was so painful .. I wish I could forget about it

For context. My left boob is so swollen I can’t even get my bra on

I'm sorry, that is incredibly hard to distract yourself from. I hope it didn't come accross as insensitive.

I'm an experienced GP and there's no way you could tell apart IBC from mastitis/other inflammatory conditions that can occur in breast tissue, without imaging/biopsy.
Having said that the wait is excruciating and private hospitals get cancellations, so ring each one and ask go on cancellation list.

Also you won't see an effect on the breast before 48hrs of oral antibiotics.

Thank you that reassures me a bit more .
Unfortunately my hospital don’t offer a cancellation list . I’ve called the booking line as the clinic don’t deal with appointments and they’ve told me there is no cancellation list and I’ve got the first available appointment. I called the nearest private hospital today and the earliest they can do is 2 nd August . As I’m 12 days away from my appointment I’m anxious about going private now as I don’t want to delay being refered back to the nhs for treatment