Possible IBC. Extremely scared.

kayva

Hello!

My name is Kayla... I am writting this because I possibly have IBC. 

Over the last couple days my left breast has been hurting so bad. The pain goes through my whole breast and into my armpit and under arm. My left arm has became numb and tingly all the way to my fingers as well. I do have a rash on my left breast. My breast also is somewhat swollen. My nipple is also sensitive. I do not notice the orange peel skin or any nipple discharge. 

After these symptoms have started I called my OBGYN office. They got me in right away. I saw a Nurse Practioner. She did a breast exam and felt no lumps. I told her about IBC and she has never heard of it but believed me. She scheduled me an ultrasound for tomorrow morning just to check things out. (I understand this cancer can be missed on an ultrasound but she would like to do it anyway) I cannot have a mammogram because I am only 20 years old and they said my breast tissue isnt dense enough or too dense. I cant remember which one. 

Anyway, after that I went to my family medicine doctor to see what he thought. He first though it was shingles (due to the numbness and tingling in my left arm) but he says he rash does NOT look like shingles. He gave me an anti viral medication and said to try it for a couple days and if I got worse or no improvement come back and he will try an antibiotic. He mentioned it could be bacterial such as cellulitis, or mastisis. I also mentioned IBC to him and he didnt know what it was either and just kept telling me over and over again cancer is slowly progressive and these pain symptoms wouldnt just pop up. I just brushed it off. 

If my ultrasound tomorrow shows NOTHING tomorrow... My OB will send me to a breast surgeon where I hope I get a breast biopsy. I hope the breast surgeon knows of IBC and how serious it is and will biopsy me for it.

Some details: I am 20 years old. I do have a 4 month old baby in which I did breastfeed for the first two months. Breast cancer does run in my family.

I guess what I am trying to get at is... Did anyone have these symptoms? Does it sound like IBC? I know you guys arent doctors but I am seeing medical proffesionals and mostly wanting your opinion and support. 

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x90/Cheeseisforballs/IMG_43072.jpg

This is my rash. Look like IBC? 

Sorry for any typos I am tired. 

Hollie1csr

Hi there ((HUG))   You do have some similiarities to my syptoms before I was diagnosed with IBC in Dec of 2010.  I had extreme pain in my left breast.  What started out as feeling like a small lump was like a little sack of potatos in my breast within about 2 weeks.  It grows very fast, but I was stage 4 when they started treatment.  The problem with IBC, is that many doctors diagnose a "breast infection" without doing the biopsy.  I know of a girl who was only 18 and doctor wanted to give her antibiotics.  The mother, who was a nurse, insisted on the biopsy.  The doctor was mad, but did it anyway and she had IBC.  It saved her life, and she is doing great still 30 years later.  If you do have IBC, the treatment isn't fun, but worth it.  I was diagnosed one day, and had my port put in the next and went from the hospital to my first chemo.  I had 5 months of chemo every week.  My sister in law went with me, and we would play cards and laugh and try to be upbeat on the days I was well enough (which was most of the time).  I then had a dbl mascectomy, and 35 radiation treatments (those were a cakewalk for me).  It has been almost a year now, and I am still cancer free.  My cancer was positive for estrogen as the cause, so I am on Arimidex which stops all estrogen production....crappy side effects, but no estrogen to feed the cancer.  Most cancers you are on this for 3-5 years, but with IBC, I'm told I'll be on it for life.  It is not the breast cancer one would wish to have, as you've probably read online, but they have come so far, and prognosis is good for a long life.  keep the faith girl, we're out here praying for you.  Please keep us informed so that we know how you are doing, and can be here to support you if you need it!   Attitude is 9/10 of the cure, never forget that!

Hollie jefferies

kayva

Update:



Well I had an ultrasound it came out clear... I still wasn't convinced. I then lost complete feeling in my left arm so I went to the ER. They didnt think it was IBC. They didnt do any bloodwork, imaging etc. they said I had shingles and sent me off. Well after that my rash started to go away... Now I barely have any rash just some dry skin that both my breasts have. But I do have pain in my underarm, slightly in my breast and above the collar bone. I saw a surgeon and he said well there is no swelling, rash or anything. He couldn't biospy anything! Well last night I had horrible chest pain and I went to the ER. They did blood work, I had a chest x ray and CT of the chest. Everything clear. They were thinking possible Lymphoma. They said to finish all antibiotics and watch it and if things don't get better in a month go see someone again.



So here I am. I still have pain in my armpit, somewhat in my breast and collar bone. My left arm is tingly still... My lymph nodes in my neck are swollen as well.



I have no more rash, no swelling, no orange skin nothing.



Do you guys think I should still keep pushing or do you think it's not IBC?