Scared to death

laurenchadbrennan

Scared to death

laurenchadbrennan

Hi. I am just wondering if anyone has experienced the same symptoms as I have right now and been diagnosed with IBC. I have had a rash like place on my right breast for months. I'm not even sure how long. It doesn't itch, it doesn't hurt, and it hasn't changed. That is why I wasn't worried about it enough to get it checked out. Its pink and a little raised. It has bumps that vary in size and is kind of like a figure 8 shape. Theres no ooze from the bumps. I actually have had 2 different Dr.'s look at it this week. They both think it's a skin issue. I was given a steriod ointment to apply for a week and if it doesn't go away I have to return. The problem now is that my breast is sort of achy. It's not tender to the touch, just aches some. And I also have felt a pain go to my armpit. Now, none of these pains have hurt really bad, just enough to notice them there. I hadn't noticed any pain or anything until I became extremely worried about it being IBC. I have no other symptom of IBC, as in swollen breast, red, heat, none of that. Just the rash thing and the aches. I have only used to ointment for one day and a half. Could the steroid cream be making it ache? I will admit I think I may have used to much of it yesterday.

 My regular ob/gyn looked at it Tuesday and then went over IBC with me in her office and said she had never seen it before but wanted to be more informed on it to help me. She pulled up a picture and read the symptoms on some medical website and said she really didn't think that's what I have, but I need to come back if it doesn't go away. I am terrified that here is something terribly wrong. I have a 14 month old and can't imagine being sick with this at 23. Any help or advice would be great! Thank you all so much for having a place like this to bring people together.

lexislove

Oh my. You are so young. I was not diagnosed with IBC, but Some ladies will come along to help adress your fears ect. I was diagnosed at 30 with a 23 month old. I KNOW this fear you are experiencing.

I just wanted to give you a (((((((hug)))))).

idaho

The only way to know for sure is to get a skin punch biopsy test.  If your doc can't do it find one that can.  I wouldn't hesitate- chances are it is not cancer but wouldn't you feel better KNOWING that?  Hopefully the cream will work and that will be that- but if not- get tested.   Peace and health to you.    Tami

Caseysmom

laurenchadbrennan:

I do not want this to scare you, however since IBC is such a rare type of bc not everyone has the same symptoms and a lot of doctors have never heard of IBC.  In my case I had none of the symptoms that are listed mine looked like dermatitis I had no itching or anything no swollen lymph nodes. I had my symptoms for about 2 months I was sent to have a mammogram done and that came back negative. Please note that IBC will not show up on a mammogram. Another test that may help is a PET Scan however if the mass is not at least 1cm it will not show up either.  The only way to get a correct dx of IBC is to have a biopsy done and to make sure that they get part of the skin that has raised bumps.   The sooner you can get IBC ruled out or confirmed the sooner you can start treatment.   Again I hope I did not scare you with this.

Keeping my fingers cross that the medication works and that you do not have IBC.  Please keep us posted.

Lots of big hugs

Laura 

cwrightrn

I agree with Laura...unfortunately IBC does not show up on mammogram although I did have a mammogram and ultrasound of the breast when I had symptoms. They were able to mark spots of concern and then biopsy.  Maybe they will send you for one of these tests just to put your mind at ease.  Believe me, I know the fear and dread...hang in there and advocate for your rights!

laurenchadbrennan

Hey ladies. Thanks fo your comments. I have been using the cream for a week now and the rash seems to be gone. When I take a shower its red again but then disappears. Did any of you have anything like that? I am still terrified, so I have an appointment with a Breast Care Specialist tomorrow morning. I'm so afraid they are going to look at me like I'm crazy b/c there's really not much to show him. I have some days where I'm like, Ok Lauren, get it together it's fine. And then I have others where I'm freaking out again thinking the worst. My husband is about to kill me I think

 So, any of the ladies that had a "rash" and used a cream for it, did it go away or get any better or what? I do wonder now if it's a skin issue and if my soap or something is irritating it. I also have noticed pain in my other breast like I've had in the right one. Any thoughts????

tiba

hey Lauren...i know exactly what your going through. Im 23 and i was diagnosed with IBC about a year ago. My son was 7 months old at the time. i had rash like symptoms and i was feeling no pain but eventually my breast grew larger and it became more and more painful. i took antibiotics twice and it got a little better but then would go right back to how it was. I think you should do the skin punch biopsy.. if you have any questions please dont hesitate to ask. GOOD LUCK and i hope its nothing but a rash.

Anonymous

Lauren, I agree with tiba.  I would ask for a skin punch biopsy. Your concern over IBC is affecting your quality of life, and you need to find out. 

Bette 

laurenchadbrennan

Well, I went to a breast specialist Thursday and he told me he had seen IBC several times and that's not what I have. He said it's dermatitis. He also said that he would do the punch biopsy if it's still there in 3 weeks. He said it over and over that it's not cancer. I guess I'll just have to see what happens. I don't know what to do really.

sandy2009

Hi Everyone..

I am experiencing a red, rashy breast also.  It started under my left (reconstructed breast) and spread throughout the entire one left breast.  It's all red and itchy.   This started on a Wednesday and I saw 2 dr.s on Friday (my breast dr. and a Dermatologist).

I am on 40mg of Prednisone, and Bactrim (I'm on this because of an infection after my ovaries were removed July 7th!).   I'm hoping this all goes away.  

The dermatologist believes it is Contact Dermatitus (I had initially put Cortaid on when it started, so it could be an allergy), I was also massaging the new breast with Palmer's cocoa butter, both contain Propryl Glycone(?).   Maybe my poor breast got too much of something and reacted(?)  

It's very scary, if it doesn't pass soon, I plan to have a punch biopsy.  I'll wait and see what happens too.    It's one thing after another, I don't even complain anymore.

Sandy

Faith316

It could be contact dermatitis.  True.  But, it also could be something more.  Ease your mind and get the biopsy sooner rather than later.  I, too, had a rash that nobody really thought was IBC.  My surgeon didn't, my medical oncologist didn't and my radiation oncologist didn't.  They all said that since I didn't have all the symptoms and it wasn't presenting like a textbook case that they didn't think it was IBC.  Guess what??  It was.  I had the punch biopsy and also an excisional biopsy at the same time to get some deeper breast tissue and both came back postive for IBC.  Moral of the story --- doctors can be wrong.  It is your life.  Trust your gut.  If you think it might be more than just a rash, get a biopsy.  If it turns out to not be IBC, wonderful.  If it turns that it is IBC, it is better to know quickly so you can get treatment started against this aggressive cancer. 

Good luck.  

sandy2009

Faith

The dermatologist was going to do a punch biopsy but I've had 2 weeks of antiobiotics in me, so the results may not be accurate.   I will be seeing my gyn. for followup on my ovary incision today, I'll see what she thinks.  Thanks, it's all scary and frustrating. This is my reconstructed breast, could IBC occur in this one?  

I know Dr.s can be wrong, and if worse if they don't know what it is.  It's hard enough having it reconstructed, let alone all red and itchy.    I was given a topical ointment-Topicort (not a cream) to apply twice/daily along with Prednisone, it's not spreading, but not better and it's a week now.  I agree, peace of mind and be your own advocate - I'll get a biopsy if this stays like this.

Sandy