Sudden breast tenderness - very worried!

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Just wondering if anyone here has experienced these kind of symptoms before and if so what the cause was? I have noticed some breast pain over the past week or so but haven't thought much of it - it felt like cyclical breast pain and I was due my period. Today however, this pain felt much worse and I realised that it's actually just one localised area, about 2 inches wide on one breast. Feels very tender to the touch and over the course of today a pink patch has developed over the skin in this area. It feels and looks similar to mastitis - which I had a couple of times when I was breastfeeding but my youngest is 6 now, so breastfeeding is not the cause!

I didn't think breast pain was indicative of anything serious usually, but a quick Google has got me terrified about inflammatory breast cancer. It's terrible timing to suddenly have these symptoms because it's Easter hols now and we fly off on holiday the day after tomorrow! I've booked a video call with a private GP tomorrow to see if they have any advice. In the meantime I'm feeling quite sick with worry. Am hoping it's just an infection - but would seem odd to get mastitis when not breastfeeding? Has anyone had this?

Any thoughts appreciated while I nervously wait for the morning and am able to speak to a doctor. Why do these things always happen at really awkward times when you can't easily get it seen to?!

I have had cysts which were similar - came on quickly, painful, large lump. Gp referred to the breast clinic on 2 week wait, scanned and drained. Good luck.

Been referred to breast clinic on 2ww due to localised pain (although skin looked normal). Can’t remember what she called it - a nodule maybe. She said they’re not usually that worried about pain unless there is a lump. Definitely get it checked but try not to worry.

@lacksomjam thanks for your reply at this late hour! I hope it's something not too sinister like that. I should have said actually, I can't feel any lumps. Glad yours was resolved. I just wish it wasn't the weekend and a day before we board a flight! Thank you. 🙏

@user4578 I shall try not to worry, thanks so much. I do feel a bit unwell as well so perhaps this indicates an infection, which would be annoying but better than Google's worst diagnosis.

Badly fitting bra maybe?

@Calliopespa hmm, I prob am due a bra fitting but it's in the upper part of the boob which doesn't have any bra actually pressing on it, so seems unlikely. But I had wondered that too, thanks for the reply.

I think generally breasts can be odd hormonal things. Any chance you are in peri?

You could try a comfortable bra and ibuprofen.

@Calliopespa there is a good chance! I'm 43. Had hormones tested recently and they were normal but lovely GP said the hormonal weirdness (insomnia, thrush, other joys) I have are textbook so I'm going on HRT soon. This boob thing is new and sudden though, hence the little panic attack!

@Melroses Deffo doing both, thank you. I read that injury to boob can cause mastitis - which this is similar to - and this is a long shot but my 9 year old did accidentally head-but me in the boob this week when he launched himself at me for a hug, so maybe that's done something?! As an aside, I get sick of the accidental injuries inflicted by my rambunctious DC! 😅

OP, I spent my early ‘40s freaking out about the same thing. It was peri! Try not to worry.

Also 43 and had this a few times.

Once it was an abscess - you can get non lactating mastitis.

Another time was mastitis (it was years since i had bf)

I also got non cyclical pain.

I was put on a high dose of evening primrose oil and all OK at the mo.

. Do you have a breast clinic to get checked out?

Oh I've been getting thrush too, didn't know that was hormone related

Try to enjoy your holiday and get this checked out when you return. Easier said than done I know. 💐

@AelitaQueenofMars oh thanks, that gives me hope!! I always leap to the worst case scenario. Sorry to hear you've had it to, it's extremely painful. Am currently in a v late night hot bath to try and soothe it. 😐

@Silsatrip thanks so much, really appreciate your thoughts on this. Am sure as you say there are many things it could be. It's getting rapidly worse so think I may need to get hold of some antibiotics if this hasn't improved by the morning. Boo. 😒 Clinic might have to wait until after hols, so annoying.

@Silsatrip oh yes! Thrush can be triggered by ph changes in the foof area, caused by hormonal changes. You may notice it happening just pre period, that's what I've been getting. One of the many joys of peri!

@JustASongAtTwilight thank you. 😘 I have two v excited DC right now so I really hope this doesn't spoil things.

This does sound like the start of a breast abscess. I have had them in the past and I’m currently suffering with one that I can not get rid of, not breast fed for over 20 years so it definitely happens

@Time4changeagain I'm so sorry to hear that. Are your symptoms similar? Tender, redness on skin etc?

Yes, I’ve had the breast clinic appointment & mine is in the milk duct right behind my nipple. The redness is spreading now to the skin surrounding and the pain getting worse. I can feel a lump though

@Time4changeagain sounds horrible - and similar! - really hope you feel better soon. X

Thank you. I hope you feel better soon too. If yours gets any worse before your doctors appointment I’d go to A&E for antibiotics. Have a lovely holiday x

@Time4changeagain thank you. I called 111 this morning and they've booked me an out of hours GP appointment for this afternoon. 🤞🏻

Making sure you are getting enough iodine in your diet is supposed to help with breast conditions.

You can get it from white fish (esp haddock) and seaweed (kelp is available here). You can add dried seaweed flakes to stocks, like Japanese people do, for 'umami'.