How to approach and what doctor

LisaRhodes

Hi everyone

 I am a bit nervous here, especially after reading everything I have.

 About 2 days ago, maybe 3, I had an uncomfortable feeling in my right breast, with it not fitting quite right as far as my bra goes.

Saturday evening I noticed a bit of discomfort in the nipple area, really just outside of it, in the areola.

I was lazy Sunday, and didn't even shower. But today, I realized I still had the discomfort so I went to look in the mirror. Just outside of my nipple, around the areola, a raised oddly shaped area of pink. My areolas are actually a light tan, so it kind of stood out.  When I touched the area, I can feel something there. I cannot tell quite what it is, but it is thick. It is also warm to the touch. I think noticed when my skin reacted to my cold hands, the area does actually have an orange peel appearance. But when my skin is warm, my nipple looks different than the other, almost flattened. But it still reacts, but looks different even then.

 So, I called my PC. She couldn't see me until Thursday, at the earliest. I told them I really wasn't comfortable with that, and then explained what I was experiencing, and how I really didn't feel it was any sort of infection, as I have taken my temp and it is completely normal, and I haven't breast fed in 13 years.

They were going to talk to the nurse and get back to me, and of course haven't.

Here is my question though. If they don't get back to me, is it okay to call my Breast Care Center? Honestly, I feel really dumb that I don't know how this works. I do call for my mammo's, but can I call for this?

I am just now 40, but I have had issues with my breasts since I was 28. My doctor is always convinced something is wrong. Last October I did have a needle asp on my other breast, that was thankfully clear. This was found on a routine mammo.

So, can I call the Breast Care Center myself? If so, what should I say? I think what scares me is the lack of education doctors seem to have. I don't want to wait. I don't think I should. How would you approach it? I am not shy, I don't have an issue when approaching things, I just don't know what to say. Should I ask to speak to the nurse? She was awesome when I called her last fall, when they called me about my mammo, I really didn't expect it, and didn't ask much. So, I did end up calling the nurse the next day with a list of things, and she was wonderful and patient.

What would you do if you were in my shoes with the symptoms I listed?

Thanks for you help everyone!

rosied51

I would call the center and  find out if you can be seen without a prior approval  from your regular Dr and explain everything that is going on with your breast and tell them your concerns about IBC.Best of luck.

k-ann

You should call the Breast Center. My symptoms were more severe than yours, but IBC needs a quick response. I called the Breast Center instead of my reg PC just to see what they thought of my symptoms, I had never heard of IBC. They told me to come in the next day. That day I went from exam to mammo (showed nothing) to an ultrasound guided biopsy. Two days later I got the results: IBC. The clinic thought it was either an infection or IBC and they understand the urgency of a diagnosis. Good luck to you and I hope all goes well.