I am concerned and have some questions.

amandabrown30

Yesterday I noticed my breast was sore out of the blue. I felt a sort of lump under my nipple. Kind of whats you feel when you have a under the skin pimple. It hurt but it wasnt big and you could not tell anything was different by looking. By this morning it was triple the size and very red in the area. I also noticed my nipple is inverted on that breast although I am not sure if it was before I never paid attention. My other nipple is not. I does itch. I am just wondering if I am being crazy or if I could have IBC. I have googled as much as I can and this keeps popping up. I have not breastfed a child ever. I do have three children but the youngest is 7 and I am 30 years old if this helps. Please let me know what you think.

mommichelle

I am not really sure, but it is always best to check with your doctor.  There is a very good chance it is nothing, but in the event it would be something, you want to know that you ot it checked out ASAP and didn't wait.  I am sure other IBC people may come along with more insight.

Hugs,

Michelle

amandabrown30

Thanks for your response Michelle. I am hoping its just me looking more into things than I need to be. I am taking my round of antiobiotics and if it does not help I am going  back to find out what it is.

chester2010

I hope you will get a referral to a Breast Cancer specialist.  It is definitely not normal to have an inverted nipple.  Also any redness and swelling are cause for concern.  Please pursue this and don't let the Dr.s dismiss your worries.

Laura_Jean

Go to see a breast specialist as soon as possible. IBC does present very quickly and as I am sure you have seen from your research, your symptoms do appear suspicious. If it turns out NOT to be IBC, which we all hope, you will not be sorry that you had it checked out. But if it does turn out to be IBC, you want to be diagnosed so that you can get into treatment quickly. Insist that they do a skin biopsy and if they seem ignorant about IBC symptoms then find another doctor who knows about IBC. 

Ideally they should do a skin (punch) biospy on several sites on the breast as well as an MRI. My IBC was not visible on a mammogram or a sonogram, but showed up on the MRI. Also, I had skin punch biopsies in two areas of the breast, one biopsy came back negative and the other positive. 

As chester2010 said, don't let the doctor dismiss your worries. 

Best to you and please let us know how your appointment turns out.

Laura Jean 

amandabrown30

Today I had a cbc done and the cbc was all great but the ESR was really high. THis worries me more and I am going to the doctor tomorrow.

Claudia413

Amanda,

I agree with everything Laura Jean said. I'm a 4-yr survivor of IBC and I am a volunteer with the Inflammatory Breast Cancer Foundation (www.eraseibc.com). You can print out a brochure or other info to take to your doctor to help him/her get acquainted with the signs and symptoms of IBC. You have several of the symptoms. I only had one, but I finally got a proper diagnosis after I had my biopsies (needle, punch and skin) done. I never breast fed either of my kids, and I was 65 years old when I got diagnosed. IBC is an equal opportunity cancer...black/white, young/old, men/women...no one is exempt. Good luck and keep in touch here.

 

amandabrown30

Well ladies I saw a Dr today who sent me to the hospital to have an ultrasound. A black mass was picked up but they cannot tell what it is. The radiologist came in and looked as well and could not give me a difinitive answer but looked very concerned. I have an appointment with a surgeon Monday afternoon for a biopsy. Then we go from there. My crp and esr levels are really high. I hate not knowing what it is after all of these tests.

mrsnjband

Glad to hear they are doing a biopsy.  The waiting is the hardest part. Hang in there. NJ 

Laura_Jean

Glad that you are getting the biopsy and hoping for good results.

Laura Jean 

chester2010

Glad to hear that the Drs. are listening to you and you're getting tested. I'm praying it is nothing. The waiting and worrying are the worst parts.  Treat yourself  to fun stuff this weekend and keep in touch.  Best wishes

amandabrown30

Well I saw the surgeon today and he scheduled a biopsy. He seems to think it could not possibly be inflammatory breast cancer. I am not sure why he is so sure since he does not have a clue what it is but I have to biopsy tomorrow and I am just ready to know!

amandabrown30

Well isnt this great. The radiologist said he doesnt feel comfortable doing a biopsy because the mass is not well defined and he doesnt want to stick a needle just anywhere so they want to watch it for 3 weeks. 3 weeks is wayyyy too long. I think I have waited long enough.

Laura_Jean

They can do a skin punch biopsy of the areas that are red and inflamed. That would not involve a needle. And since they can see the areas that are red they would have a guide where to take the skin from.

I agree, three weeks is too long to wait. Ask them about skin biospy and if they don;t already know (and sounds like they may not), bring them some information on IBC symptoms.

 For a lot more information on IBC, go to www.ibcsupport.org 

Laura Jean 

Faith316

If the surgeon won't do a punch biopsy, go to a dermatologist.  They can also do punch biopsies.

Claudia413

Just remember that you might have to show the surgeon where he should do the biopsy or biopsies. I wish you luck. Three weeks is way too long to have to wait. 

amandabrown30

I wanted to give you guys an update. The lump went down in my breast but is still there just very much smaller. The doctor blew me off. He decided he didnt need to see me for four weeks. I think he thinks I am crazy. The radiologist accused me of having trauma to my boob. The issue I have now is that the other one is starting to hurt and there is a slight bump. I dont know what is going on. All I can think is that it is hormonal.