To be, or not to be conerned

djoycethomas

Hello Ladies,

Over a year ago I actually did a report on IBC for a class I took and created a slide show presentation. Not long after that I had persistant itching in my right breast. It started in my nipple then proceeded to the outside of my breast. I developed a rash and I ended up seeing my primary physician. With IBC fresh in my mind I told her my concern so she prescribed some cream and ordered a mammogram just in case. Mammogram came back clear and my rash cleared up with time. Six month later I developed another rash in the same breast in a different place. Same scenario.....I itched and Itched, rash, applied over the counter hydrocortisone cleared up after time. Now again, two weeks ago I had persistant itching on my left breast this time, starting with terrible itching with my nipple, and so on, now there is a nasty rash that is red/pink discolored, and what I believe to be is the texture of an orange because I have the dimples in it. I already have my annual GYN appt tomorrow so I will definately bring it to her attention and the history for the last year with this. I have pain that is off and on, no real swelling of the breast and no inverted nipple. I have not changed anything as far as detergents, skin products, or anything of that nature and I don't wear perfume. Now considering I am 32yo, an african american female, I'm obviously high risk, I am a smoker (shame on me!) and no family history of breast cancer but my maternal grandmother had cervical cancer at 32yo. I'm just wondering if I'm overreacting because I have educated myself with this type of cancer or if this is just a coincidental case of a typical breast infection. I have read so many different stories of how women have found out that they actually have IBC and not one story or symptom seems to be the same. Any questions or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

shrink

You're not overreacting.  You're being proactive.  Check it out.  Education is part of our arsenal. Denial can kill us.

 I hope it's nothing to worry about.

djoycethomas

Yes, I have checked out that website as well as many others so I have went down the list of symptoms. Mine are the persistant itching, rash, orange texture (that is smoothing out a bit), and pain and warmth off and on. This just scares me because this rash has only been confined to my breasts and no where else on my body. Hopefully my GYN won't blow me off but if so there is a dermatologist in the same building that I will try to make an appt with also. Is there anyone here that has had limited symptoms but still come out with an IBC dx?

shrink

I had swelling, pickishness anarea of thickness and what looked like a bruise.  My skin biopsy was negative. It seems that there are many different presenting symptoms for IBC which makes it confusing and the reason lots of women don't get treated soon enough.  Even their doctors aren't knowledgeable enough to recognize it.  It's good that you're pushing forward.

ibcspouse

IBC is like the flu and any other illness.  The symptoms for the flu is a long list, (fever,bone ache, muscle pain,congestion, stomach problems,ect) when you get the flu, you don't have all the symptoms.  Ibc is like that, the list is all the posible signs, very few people will have all of them at dx. 

Stay on top of everything, the odds are in you favor.

djoycethomas

Okay, so my breast became worse before I saw my gyn last Wed. I was really really red and painful. I actually felt about an inch away from my nipple close to the rash a knot, almost like a duct or vessel was filled with fluid and it hurt really bad! So my gyn looks at it like I had 3 boobs and then I run down the history with her that I have had with this over the past year. I asked her about possible IBC and she did acknowledge that she is familiar but she says it doesn't look like it to her. She says it's an obvious infection (maybe staph) and I am now on antibiotics for 7 days. She also set me up for a mammo on that one breast only next Tues. 

Since I have been on the meds for the last couple of days it does seem to be clearing up. It is still a bit itchy but it doesn't look as bad and the pain has subsided. It is still itchy and red though. If it doesn't clear up by next Wed then she said come back to see her and we will take another approch.

I am assuming this is good news because I think if it was IBC the meds would not be working at all right? Still concerned and would much rather have a skin biopsy or mri than a mammo. I'll try it her way 1st by finishing these meds and going for the mammo but if the rash or redness is still there when all that is said and done then I will fuss till I get a skin biopsy and/or mri. That sounds fair right? Thanks for all your comments and advice in advance  

ibcspouse

Many people with IBC will get a limited response from antibiotics, this has caused some delayed dx.  But I have not heard of if giving a substanial result.  You are doing every thing right, and are fortunate to have knowlegde of the possiblities going into this.  I hope it is a nasty infection, and the antibiotics takes care of it.  Good Luck.

djoycethomas

Hello all again,

well let me ask this question. where my rash is, it appears to be getting better right....well now it seems to be spreading clockwise now. The original site was 8-10 o'clock position but now that seems to be smoothing out and now the 10-2 o'clock position is red and itchy and is starting to look like how the original site started out. So I'm wondering if the meds is just bringing all the infection out and then it will be better or if it is actually getting worse. I am working all day today so of course I'm keeping my eye on it. Now the new area is red, very itchy, burning sensation, and beginning to look like and orange like the orginal site did.

djoycethomas

**Update**

I had my mammo and everything appears to be fine per the nurse that took the pics. I'm guess if it was something serious I would of heard something right away.

I finished by antibiotics as well and my breast is now smoother where it started but now my entire breast from left across the top to the right now looks like a nasty sunburn or bruise, and feels like plastic. It's been somewhat flaky and still itchy. It's not really red anymore. So I'm thinking my next coarse of action is to make an appt with the dermatologist. I think If it was something internal the antibiotics would of cleared it up completly right? I think I should still ask for a skin biopsy because my breast looks terrible! Ta-ta for now.

djoycethomas

****UPDATE****

My gyn has now given me a rx for Nystatin that I have began last night. I am experiencing burning and more itching now. The appearance has not really changed at all, just the feeling. Now in the process of finding a dermatologist that will see me before Christmas.  

mrs_X_Sunneedazee

If your rash is moving, maybe that is a good sign that it isn't ibc.  My redish purple area started at small, and gradually the skin got thicker, and the discolored area got bigger while by breast got firmer and heavier. 

I hope your new meds get rid of the rash, and you can forget about your worries of IBC!  _Please keep us posted!

djoycethomas

Mrs_X_Sunneedazee,

Thanks for you comment I appreciate it. I guess I should say my rash did not move it actually got bigger. It was only in one spot and then it got bigger and now covers my breast from the inside close to the middle of my chest across the top to the outside. The itching is getting more persistant now and I've been using the cream since 12/01. I was waking up all through the night itching last night and I thought it was suppose to be getting better or at least looking better. It has actually gotten really close to my armpit. YUCK! Keep ya updated. Thanks

rosied51

well I am concerned as not only does the breast burn but now it is burning elsewheres like on the inside of my arm same side as breast affected. I also have a gallbladder scar that is right under my breast and that too now burns. I am also dealing with pain that goes from my clavical and up into my neck/throat. My primary is now convinced it is IBC I am scheduled to see another Dr this coming week for bisopy she was hoping it was just clogged milk ducts. She put me on darvocet for pain. She said she would be scared too if it were her . Am I thinking that this might have gone outside the breast? I deeply appreciate your answers.