severe breast pain in left breast

aljlbl

I am thinking I may be worrying about nothing here but I have been having pain in my left breast for about 2 weeks now for the last 4 day's it has been extremely severe.  I have very tender spots under my arm on that side too.  I called the doctor on Friday and I see her on Thursday but I am wondering if I should call again on Monday and tell them I really feel I need a mammogram done.  I am considered high risk as my mother has had breast cancer three times.  So I don;t know if I am just worried about nothing or if I could have something going on.  I haven't ever had a problem like this before.  I am 35 years old, and had a hysterectomy about 7 years ago.  Just hoping someone could help me with this, I am just scared of what it could be and don't really want to talk to my mother about it till I know something as she worries about me getting breast cancer all the time.  Thanks for  your help

Thanks

Angie

bee5467

aljlbl --

Can your doctor Monday and explain your situation more.  And don't ever let that "I must be worrying about nothing" idea keep you from getting timely and responsive care.  If you do have something going on, the sooner it's identified, the better everything will work out.

Hugs to you Angie 

sherryw

Angie,

I definitely get it checked out, however most Breast Cancer is not painful..  Most of us did not have any pain.  But, there are some that have, but as a general rule there is no pain.  If you are having pain under your arm it could be that your body is trying to fight something off and your lymph nodes are working.  So try not to get to worried but definitely get it checked out and don't let the doctors blow you off.  If you have not had a mammogram yet, then you should have a baseline mammogram since your mother has had breast cancer.  My doctor told me that my daughter should get her first mammogram 10 years before the age I was diagnosed.  So since I was diagnosed at 40 my daughter should have her first mammo at 30.  I hope all this helps.  Try not to worry if you don't have to.  I know it is hard but Thursday will be here before you know it.

Hang in there

Sherry

 

LouiseIndigo

Angie I don't wish to alarm you (as our individual situations can be so hugely varying) but I had severe pain in my affected breast before diagnosis. Because i had this pain i thought i actually thought i had a breast abscess when i went to see my doctor. I have since met quite a few women who had varying degrees of pain before diagnosis. As far as i can recollect mine was as a result of the cancer affecting nerve endings. If i were in your situation i would try to push your appointment forward. You may well be perfectly fine and this may simply be a scare but you do need to know.

Thinking of you

 Louise

aljlbl

I wanted to let you all know that I am seeing the doctor tomorrow, then after that I have to get a mamogram scheduled.  I don't know if anything is going on or not but the pain is unbearable as it seems to be getting worse.  I will let you all know something when I find something out.  Thanks for your help with this. 

Thanks for the support

Angie

bee5467

We'll be with you Angie.  You go girl! 

aljlbl

I wanted to let you know I saw the doctor today and I have to schedule the mammogram.  She did say my gland at the top of the breast is very swollen don't know what that means  I just wish I knew something as I am still very miserable.  I just wanted to update you all Thanks for everything  I will let you know more later

Anonymous

Angie...I know that after getting so wrapped up in the confusion of getting answers and then having such pain as well, it's hard to kick back and realize that the chances are high for this to be a completely manageable, benign condition. So, although you're doing the absolutely right thing by pursuing a diagnosis, try as much as possible to avoid the panic mode. It won't help anything, of course, and it may be unwarranted after all. I certainly hope that it is!

~Marin

TBird1964

Hello

 I recently had severe localized breast pain as well. Severe enough that I was taking 2400 to3000 mb of ibuprofen a day. The good news is that my mammo and ultrasound came back normal. My surgeon told me that sometimes women to have asymmetrial breast pain. My lasted probably three more weeks after starting the iburprofen. It gradually eased off until I was no longer in pain. But definitely get checked out. Don't dismiss your concerns and always take care of yourself.

Teresa

bisous3

Angie one positive thing I wanted to throw out there is by having a hysterectomy you reduced your risk of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer by 50%. Thats something to keep in mind! Best of luck, please keep us posted.

aljlbl

I am going for my mammogram on monday, hopefully it comes back normal  It is still very swollen and sore  Vicodin doesn't even help the pain.  Is there any thing I should iknow about the mammogram as I have never had  one before.  Thanks for the support you guys have given me.

leaf

I would definitely get some topical anesthetic, considering the pain you are having now.  Maybe the only kind you will be able to find is something like benzocaine (or other '-caines') used for teething babies. (Make sure it doesn't have any heavy metals in it - it shouldn't if it is for babies.)  It may be messy. Wipe it off before you get into the mammography room. 

You shouldn't use any antiperspirants or deodarants or powders before the Xray because they can cause artifacts that can look like calcium deposits.

You first get into absolutely lovely hospital gowns.  (They let you wear the garments on your lower body. )   You usually sit in a room with other women dressed the same way, looking nervously at each other.  Sometimes a nice comraderie develops.

They have you stand in a certain position, support your arms against grips on the machine.  The techinian puts your breast onto a plate, tells you not to move, steps away to take the picture.  You are normally not compressed for more than 10-30 seconds.

I heard there was one study where the patients were allowed to control the amount of compression they had during mammograms.  (The flatter your breast, the better the picture.)  The patients selected a pressure that was not significantly different than what the technician would have chosen.

The technician is not allowed to give you any results - preliminary or otherwise.

aljlbl

Thanks for the information I will go and try to find some of the medication that you said I am very scared of this I still haven't told my mother about this  How long does it usually take for the results to come in  I am still having the severe pains and my breast still feels swollen, I am having the diagnostic mammogram on Monday is it any different then the regular screening ( I haven't had either one) 

leaf

The digital and regular mammo proceedures aren't different.  The digital machine will probably be newer because it is a newer technology. 

One brand  (in the US) of baby teething medication  (over-the-counter) is 'Orajel' or, better yet, the generic. (See what they have in the 'teething baby' section. Its probably benzocaine.)  Benzocaine, or any of the -caines itself shouldn't cause any problems with clouding  the Xrays. Make sure whatever you use does not contain with talc (magnesium), calcium, aluminum, or iron. These metals probably are not put into baby teething medication.

It may be messy (bring wipes or towels) and your bra will get medication on it. Wipe it all off before you have your mammogram. Its easier if you wear a 2 piece outfit (like pants or skirt with top.  They let you wear your skirt or pants while getting the mammogram.)

  And let the technician know you have breast pain.  If they have any sense, they will treat you as gently as possible.

They can use mammograms to help diagnose BENIGN breast diseases, as well as breast cancer.

If this was a routine,normal mammogram, it might take a month or so to get your results.  The technician will not be able to give you your results.  At my place, only the clinician (the doctor that ordered the mammogram) could give you your results.  I'm high risk, so often I can get a verbal from the radiologist (him/herself) or (radiologist via the technician) if everything looks OK.  So if you're lucky, you may get a reading on the spot, but sometimes you will have to wait and get the information from your clinician.  It may depend on the radiologist's workload that day.

Waiting is awful!  Hang in there!

Anonymous

Any place I've ever had mammos has said "be sure not to use any deodorants, powders or lotions the day of your  mammogram". The new facility I go to actually has baby wipes in the dressing rooms so you can wipe all that stuff off before your mammo, just in case you forgot and applied it at home. (apparently any of that stuff can look like calcifications in the mammo).  So I don't think I would take a chance and use anything topical, maybe try taking some extra strength tylenol an hour before  to ease the pain. Praying you get good results soon.

anne

aljlbl

I have discovered a new problem now and don't know if it is related or not but on my left breast in the same are the doctor said the gland was swollen I now have a rash(red spot)  just thought I would see if anyone else has heard of this

Thanks

leaf

Acetaminophen/ibuprofen didn't reduce discomfort significantly in this study.

lidocaine gel is a prescription item.  Benzocaine (or other -caine) gel - used for teething - is probably the closest you can come that is over-the-counter.

Everyone is different, and has a different experience.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18647845

We can't diagnose you.  If you are concerned about a very unusual breast cancer, called inflammatory breast cancer (IBC), IBC normally does NOT show up in a mammogram-its a clinical diagnosis - needs a skin (punch) biopsy, not a regular (needle biopsy of inner breast tissue).  (IBC is a cancer of the lymph ducts in the skin.) Rash may be infection, anxiety, unknown cause.

Tell your clinician about the rash.  If (s)he is suspicious of IBC, then it usually does not show up in mammos, or regular needle biopsies.  IBC is Uncommon (~<5% of breast cancers.) Normally needs a breast surgeon to diagnose, and can be difficult to diagnose.

aljlbl

I had my mammogram today it definetly hurt in my left breast during it  Unfortunalty I don't know anything the technician said she couldn't tell me anything hopefully hear something from them in a few days. Thanks for all your help  You have been great

bee5467

alj--

I'll keep you in my prayers.

(getting quite a long list since first visiting here ;-) 

aljlbl

I got the result of the mammogram from Monday they found something can't tell what it is I am going back tomorrow for another mamogram with different views and ultrasound.  I am really scared now.  Sorry to ramble on.  I just had to talk to someone and you guys have been great.  Thanks for all your help

Thanks

leaf

I know this is awful to go through.  I have a friend who has had at least 10 call-backs, and has never had a breast biopsy (and is just fine).   Sometimes its something as calcifications that are on the edge of a breast, so they're not quite sure if they're in the skin or underlying tissue, or if the breast doesn't lie quite right, or something is blurry.

Its natural to be scared.  Feel whatever you are feeling.  Hang in there. 

aljlbl

I went for my 2nd mamogram and ultrasound today THe ultrasound didn't show anything but the mammogram showed some areas of concern, both mammograms showed the same thing but since the ultrasound didn't show anything they want to wait 6 months and do another mamogram again.  Is this normal or not.  Sorry I am still very concerned and just wondering if this is normal practice or if I should ask for another opinion.

kikiann

Are you going to a breast center?  Also, do they know your mom's history.  I'd get another opinion, especially if you're still in pain...maybe an MRI?  A friend of mine had an infection in one of her ducts - very painful - she couldn't touch it and it was hard and hot to the touch.  After a mamogram showed nothing, the doctor put her on antibiotics (sorry, don't know how he came to that conclusion), however, meds didn't work.  He finally had to go in and clean out the infected area.  She's doing great.  Something is obviously not right.  Ask a lot of question and don't worry if you're being a little pushy -- it's your health!  Good luck and take care.

Mouser

Hi aljib --

If they want you to wait 6 months and have another mamogram, they don't think it's cancer ... but even assuming they're right (and the odds are good that they are right, so you can relax a bit on that score), that leaves you with pain of unexplained origin. You really need to find out what is causing your symptoms -- infection is one candidate; who knows what else might be going on? Don't give up before you have a cause and a treatment. Mammograms are good at finding calcifications indicative of cancer; but they're not so good at other problems. Maybe you can have a long discussion with your PCP -- if it's not cancer, what else could it be? -- Please don't feel you're making a fuss - pain is a symptom, and it needs to be explained! Lots of things besides bc are bad for your health!

bee5467

kiki -- If her doc will fight for her, I think an MRI is highly in order.  Good suggestion. 

aljlbl

Thanks for your help I am going to call the doctor on monday and talk to her.  I can't keep going like this can't sleep at night due to pain and having a lot of problems doing my job too.  I have to find out what is causing this.  

barbe1958

My cancer wasn't picked up on my mammogram, just the ultrasound.

Beachwalker

Angie, 

I hope that you get second and third opinions and the MRI -- just in case it is Inflammatory Breast Cancer.  It's a very scary thing to suggest; hopefully it is not, but if it is, the sooner you get it treated, the better.  Most IBC is not diagnosed until one is stage 3 or 4.  However, common sense says that there must be a stage 1 and 2 ... one doesn't immediately jump to 3 or 4.  When I was diagnosed with Stage 3B- IBC, my skin did not have the classic orange peel look.  Just a small red rash, and stabbing pain, and swelling.  Even my female gynecologist blew it.  She told me that my breast was a different consistency but since she didn't feel any lump, I could wait until my next mammogram.  I waited a month, got a better doctor, and was diagnosed with IBC very quickly.  My new doctor and clinic looked at my "normal" mammogram done by my prior hospital 10 months earlier, and they can see an "area of organization".  Perhaps if my IBC had been caught then, I wouldn't have been stage 3.  It is very important to listen to your inner voice and not be afraid to keep demanding answers.  

aljlbl

I am going to call the doctor tomoorow I talked to my mother today and she is very concerned that it is definetly someting.  I wonder if my doctor will listen to me who did you see when the gyno didn't help, thanks for your help.  I'll let you know when I learn something.

Beachwalker

It was a primary care doctor with one of the better more well-known hospitals.  I don't know if you've ever been told that you have dense breasts?  Mammograms often miss cancer in dense breasts . . . MRIs should catch it.  I've sent you a private message, too.

TeriJean

    I had severe pain in my left breast. Turned out it was cancerous in the milk duct. I would call your Doctor and tell her/him what is going on so they can start setting up the tests. I had a needle biopsy, MRI and a wire mammogram. I decided to have a double masectomy as I have a lot of cancer in my family. I also had ovarian cancer 26 years ago. I had been cleared until this happend last fall. I am in the process of reconstruction.

Hope all goes well for you.

Teri Tegt