Procardia & IBC

rosied51

I was just put on this and while reading about it it mentions about it is related with calcium blockers can anyone explain. The DR put on this so hopefully the channels will open more, puzzled, not gonna do anything for pain.There is still no diagnosis of IBC.,

Anonymous

This is a drug used to treat angina (a heart condition).  Not sure what is has to do with breast cancer.

TenderIsOurMight

Procardia (Nifedipine like drug) elicits smooth muscle relaxation. It is often used as an aid in treatment of hypertension. Calcium is important in regulation of various muscle functions, and smooth muscle is found in blood vessel wall too. 

Best to ask your MD about its use in your specific circumstances. Only thought I can make is if he is using Procardia to try to lesson blood congestion in your breast, hoping protein fluids might better drain through the lymphatics, including the skin. Maybe this is new, I don't know.

I took Procardia in pregnancy for contractions (calcium and uterine muscle relaxation interaction). I do remember it dropped my blood pressure the first time in particular, so please be mindful, perhaps drink some extra fluid and have a spouse or friend with you. I ended up with a pretty bad headache. But then it got better.

Good luck,

Tender 

rosied51

well I am thinking that is her idea as they are also trying to find out why the nipple turns white.

Anonymous

I'm thinking maybe a second opinion is in order?  Couldn't hurt.

rosied51

This Dr is at the Breast wellness clinic, I really am running out of options

Anonymous

Can't they just do a simple punch biopsy if they suspect IBC?  They must not think it is IBC?

rosied51

I forgot to mention that she said this may be the very early stage, could that be true and that is why only certain things are popping up but yet tests come back normal, I am so confused.

Anonymous

I don't know but I've never heard of giving someone something like procardia even so.  My doctor gave me a week of antibiotics to see if it was mastitis.   But he sure didn't waste alot of time when that didn't help.

Anonymous

Is the nipple flattened or inverted?  besides turning white?   Any dimpling of the skin anywhere on the breast?  Any kind of a rash on the skin of the breast?

rosied51

I think she gave me the procardia for the nipple issue hoping that the blood flow would increase or open more so that they do not turn white I am so upset at everything but how many Dr's can one person go to?

Anonymous

I'd go until I found one that I felt gave me a reasonable answer.  How many have you been to so far?

rosied51

On the outside of the breast  there is a area that dimples, looks sucked in, also the breast is red not beet red like they are looking for also on the bottom there is a area that looks squared off at the bottom when I place my hands on my hips.The breast turns red/purplish with white folicle spots.

rosied51

2 plus my primary but the ones who I thought were breasts specialist weren't found out after

Anonymous

So, does she think there is some kind of blood clot then?  Wouldn't that show on ultrasound?  This just doesn't sound right to me.  How many doctors have you been to so far?

Anonymous

I would find a breast specialist and when you call for an appointment, ask if they have experience with Inflammatory bc.  Ask how many cases of IBC they have treated in the last year or two.

Anonymous

Are you anywhere near any of the major teaching hospitals?  We have one here that is doing alot of research with bc vaccines and other treatment areas.  Any close to sloan kettering or dana farber?

rosied51

When I went to one appt the other day I didn't even see the DR I saw her PA and she couldn't of been more than early 20's and she informed me she has seen alot of IBC cases and I didn't have it. I was so upset that I didn't even get to see the Dr, she asked if I wanted to see this other Dr said Thanks but  no Thanks, he turned out to be a gasternolist / surgeon no comapssion .

Anonymous

Good grief.  Are you in a major city?   You should be able to find a breast specialist.  Call your gynecologist and ask for a referral to a breast surgeon or breast specialist.  If you aren't in a major city, you may have to do a bit of driving to find a truly qualified specialist. 

rosied51

Syracuse NY and supposedly the Dr I saw at the wellness clinic is suppose to be highly knowledgaeble.

Anonymous

I think I would call the numbers for this lady and ask for a doctor's name if she doesn't see patients.

Judith Hurley

Clinical Interests

As a breast oncologist, Dr.  Hurley specializes in locally advanced breast cancer, breast cancer in HIV infected women and breast cancer in pregnant women. Her clinical interests also include neoadjuvant therapy of breast cancer and genetics of underserved breast cancer patients.

Research Interests

Dr. Hurley is a clinical researcher and her research interests include locally advanced breast cancer, neoadjuvant therapy, inflammatory breast cancer, pain control in minority patients, breast cancer in HIV infected women and the genetics of Bahamian women with breast cancer.

Anonymous

Well, that was ugly.  Sorry about all the html formating codes but that's the way it copied.

Anonymous

what about this place?

Breast Care Center

90 Presidential Plz Ste 5
Syracuse, NY 13202
Phone: (315) 464-8224

rosied51

That is where I went yesterday,and she is the Dr that gave me the procardia for the nipple.

Anonymous

Well, that sucks.  When do you go back to see her?  Surely she scheduled a followup.  Why can't she just do a skin punch biopsy? 

rosied51

I was just reading about the article from florida nad that IBC does not show up on these tests only thru biospy my question I guess is this how early could IBC show up, very very early, I am afraid as I am almost 100% positive it is and it has gone to other issues.

Anonymous

Well, if its IBC, it will grow worse rapidly.  Its a very fast and agressive disease. 

Anonymous

There has to be another breast specialist in Syracuse you could go to.  I live in podunk Arkansas and there are quite a few here.  And I sure wouldn't settle for anything less that seeing the doctor.

rosied51

March, I asked about a biospy and explained exactly where all this pain is from my armpit to my breast to my neck/chinline, tonite my breast is all wrinkled on the top as if I had dried glue on it and the breast itself burnssssssssssssssssssss.My primary is convinced it is IBC and she did a needle aspiration right at the dimpled spot but it came back normal fluid.

Anonymous

I think you should find another doctor.  Try a gynecologist if you can't find another breast specialist.  Be sure to take photos of what your breast looks like now so you can monitor the progress of new symptons.    I know that sounds kinky but it helped me to see if my breast symptoms were the same, better, or worse than the day or two before. 

Edited to add:  I think March is just too far out for a follow up. 

rosied51

Yeah that is what someone else advised me to do so that is what I will do , my husband will think I'm whacked but that is the only way I can keep track and i can print them at home.