Anyone else suffer with breast cysts?

[MidnightEagle]

I had an appointment at the breast clinic this week after finding a lump in my left breast. 2 days before the appt I found another one underneath the original. The clinic confirmed they were breast cysts and found some in both breasts. I asked the radiologist what do I do if I find more. She said if they feel like the other lumps if is reasonable to monitor them over a six week period to check for fluctuations in size as normally cysts shrink and swell. The original one I found is getting smaller but today I found another one above the original. Does anyone else suffer with these and have any tips for monitoring? They seem to be popping up fast. I have only noticed them over the last 6 weeks. I feel like I need to be checking everyday at the minute!

@TheDefiant. 100mls!!!!! that's enormous!!!

That's exactly what happened to me! They found an even bigger one in my other breast that I couldn't feel. The doctor could feel it when she did the physical exam at the very start. She did say it was 'deep' though. I can kind of feel it now but it's much less well defined that the one I found. Good to know I might get the hang of this! Thank you.

I’m riddled with these cysts. Mine started in my early 20s, which is young. The staff know me when I go back into the breast clinic to have yet another needle aspiration as I’m there regularly! They said that there are actually hundreds of cysts in my breast tissue, visible on ultrasound.
It’s difficult because it makes it harder for me to check for other changes in my breasts. I’ve always got new lumps coming up, and I can’t really be at the breast clinic every couple of weeks.
They’ve been brilliant at the clinic, though. I now have regular mammograms and I feel like they’ve cared for me very well over the years.

@Hohofortherobbers that's not even my biggest! Once I had 240mils. 😱 that was the big as a golf ball cyst.

The 100mils time was 3 cysts in a row the surgeon popped a needle into the first and then moved through all 3 draining them as she went. The third cyst was nippy. I watched it on the ultrasound.

I warned her (the surgeon) that she'd need big syringes and was right. They used 50 mil syringes and had to use 3. 😆

I'm convinced that's why my mammograms hurt so much.

The most recent time when they drained first then did the mammogram was pain free.

OP I'm too young for mammograms too but get them regularly as part of the referral process for the breast cysts.

I've had cysts drained so many times. The male surgeon was the worst. I don't know why or how but afterwards both breasts were one giant bruise. When the women do it all I have is a teeny, tiny, pinprick bruise where the needle goes in.

Sometimes the ultrasound specialist drains them, sometimes a surgeon comes and does it.

@Bohomovies snap!

If I went every time I felt a lump I'd be there every month.

It does mean you have to be so careful about other symptoms.

I too have 100s of cysts seen on ultrasound and mammogram.

I tend to go once a year when I have a biggie and get it drained.

For some reason even though both breasts have loads of cysts it's only ever my right breast that is painful.

Yes that's my concern, that i am going to miss something serious amidst my zillions of cysts. I haven't been offered regular mammogram or ultrasounds.

@MidnightEagle can you ask for either/both?

Do you have any family history of breast cancer or other symptoms?

breastcancernow.org/about-breast-cancer/breast-lumps-and-benign-not-cancer-breast-conditions/breast-cysts/

It's standard practice at the breast clinic I go to (in Scotland) to get ultrasound/mammogram.

I'd either ask to have them or consider going private (saving up/credit card if need be).

If no family history or other symptoms I'd try not to worry - but that's easier said than done I realise.

No family history. I am in Scotland too (Tayside). It doesn't seem to be an option to get extra checks on the NHS here so I think I'll look at private options. Thank you.