IBC questions

Tundra

Hello there, amazing women,

 I joined this board a couple of weeks ago and have posted in the  "Not Diagnosed" section a bit -- so helpful.

I'm only now starting to realize the possible IBC connection so I've been reading the threads in this section and am now wondering about others' experiences.

Short synopsis: I've had a stable fibroadenoma (right breast) since my mid-20s, I'm now in my mid-30s. I was never pushed to do anything about it, even though it is quite large ("golfball size"). 2 months ago I started getting redness, and soreness and swellingin that breast.

After some run-around from one doctor I finally got taken seriously (e.g. nooo it's not from breastfeeding, because I've never had children ;-)) and I was bumped up the chain to a breast oncology doctor. I was put on antibiotics Keflex (for 2 1/2 weeks) and then on IV antibiotics this past week.  In the meantime I had a mammogram, ultrasound, and eventuallly a core biopsy. Redness went down a little at some point, but the biospy made things red and sore again.

Getting my biopsy results tomorrow.

 Anyway, not asking for a diagnosis, I just want to get some more info about IBC, given the stories on here of too-slow treatment, trouble with diagnosis, etc.

Just had a couple of questions for you gals, if you have the time:

- has anyone hear ever had IBC develop after having had a stable fibroadenoma?

- will a core biopsy generally give clear results for IBC? e.g. is a yes/no scenario, do they have to have specifically tested for IBC?

- should I be pushing the doctors to act even faster? I know this is relative, I guess, and the doctors have been amazing. I feel like I've been bumped up pretty quickly in terms of appointments, etc. but I just know that the IBC timeline is basically "ASAP", so I wondered if I should dial-up my self-advocacy another notch.

Much thanks in advance for any insight about this stuff. Just trying to figure out the right questions to ask the Drs.