In a mess- worried.

NyGirl30

I have been having health issues for a year now. I've got a very high, fluctuating WBC, huge Lymph nodes, I could go on. My lab work has just been a mess. After some lung problems, biopsies, a PET scan last May, I decided to change practices because I wasn't getting anywhere- no diagnosis.

My PET scan was a little eery, nothing too alarming. Mild uptake in bone marrow, which I understand is fairly common? And a non- reactive lesion in my breast.

I switched practices, requested a mammo because I have bad, bad pain under my armpit and horrible discoloration of my breast. New Dr had it done right away, followed by US. They found a mass, I had it biopsied, it's a Fibroadenoma (yay!). The surgeon I saw put me on an antibiotic for the discoloration and swelling before the biopsy. I'm done with the antibiotics, and have a follow up appointment with him on Monday.

Anyway, the discoloration has been there for a while. I thought nothing of it and just thought that's just me. I'm also very uneven, asymmetrical- so I thought nothing of the size.

I have noticed pitting on my breast. Though faint, it's there. I have very swollen, "normal appearing" lymph nodes according to the Ultrasound.

So, I have to show this surgeon the pitting on my breast. My skin isn't rough, it's just very itchy on and off, and has almost a bruised look to it.

I wish I could post a pic here...or can I ?

Are there any other explanations for pitting on the breast skin? It sure doesn't look as severe as the photos on Dr. Google...but, there's holes.

Thanks

Sherlocked

Don't post pics, really there is no answer anyone could determine at all from them (even a specialist couldn't) and you may wish you hadn't done it later.

The bad news is that I had IBC and my breast really didn't start looking truly bad until the chemo was already destroying the tumor - by then I'd started to get some discoloration around the nipple.  I had a very light pink rash, swelling, and some minor peau d'orange. 

This absolutely does NOT mean you have this fairly rare disease, and I know you can't help looking for diagnostic clues.  My best advice is, if your current treatment is not helping you, get to an IBC specialist right away.  There aren't many in the country, but they're very used to people who are frustrated by inconclusive diagnoses.  They'll be able to tell you.  No one here can - we read many frightened stories and some sound like they must be IBC for sure but turn out not to be.  The symptoms are just identical to other benign illnesses.

The other good news is that, worst-case scenario, it's not the death sentence you will read about on the internet anymore.  I know many women more than 5 yrs out from diagnosis, and I also know a stage IV IBCer who is 28 yrs out now.  But lives are saved because they treat us differently so although hopefully none of this applies to you, if it is IBC, you must see someone who knows what they're doing with it.

NyGirl30

So, I've been to the Oncologist and had a ton of blood drawn, still waiting on results- I see him soon. I don't know what he is testing for, but it's done. The labs he ran in the office of course, came back with a very high WBC...no surprise.

So I finished my antibiotics. I still have discoloration and what looks like bruising and capillaries under the skin, very tiny veiny patches...the pin holes are more visible, especially when manipulating the breast, because I have some extra skin and stretch marks- love being a woman- not....

I went to the surgical oncology guy yesterday because he told me to return earlier if the discoloration didn't go away. So I did. He treated me SO poorly, I cried like an idiot and could barely speak to tell him anything, let alone my concerns. He is the biggest asshole I have EVER dealt with, and the entire experience was humiliating.

Because these holes can only be seen in certain lighting, I'm afraid to even bring them up. I am contemplating just waiting and seeing if the breast swells more to fill in the loose skin? I'm truly horrified and embarrassed after dealing with this guy.

I have pain directly under the breast, along a rib. Another Dr the day before, after an Urgent Care visit put me on Keflex. It's is my 2nd round of antibiotics. The Surgeon told me that's not his drug of choice. Ok....then what is? Why did the surgeon put me on an antibiotic in the first place and tell me to be vigilant and follow up with him if it doesn't go away, only for me to return and be humiliated?! I'm a wreck. I don't do well going to Dr's in the first place, and this guy didn't help. Everyone says to find a Dr I can talk to, etc. I feel like i am running out of time here. I have hardly left my house for a while now because I can't keep my eyes open. My body hurts like I've been run over y a truck, and ya know, money is tight and even $15 co pays are really adding up. I think my husband thinks I'm nuts, or is losing his patience-

My labs keep coming back screwy so I'm sent all over the place. I have something that I can say "Hey, this may be the problem" and I'm getting nowhere. My GP tells me that I had an eery PET scan and BW and to follow up. I do it, and I'm sent home sobbing like a child and humiliated.

I'm seriously running out of steam here. My last effort was to call a "Patient Navigator" at a breast center. I left a message. It was about as garbled as this post, I'm sure. If there's someone who had slight pitting on their breast, that I could send an email to-( I feel like I need justification for my concerns, isn't that pathetic?) I would appreciate it. Otherwise, I haven't the courage to go in to a Dr and say " here, if you pull the skin this way, tight, there's big holes on my boob- and the discoloration is obvious- and the size difference.

I seriously have no idea what to do.

bluepearl

NyGirl30: That is truly a horrible way to be treated. You need someone to put their arms around you and take care of you and ANY concerns your are having. I am sorry you are not getting this. In Vancouver they have a Rapid Access Breast Cancer Clinic and a nurse navigator that is an angel. making sure that women are cared for and get their proper treatments and consultations; after my surgery, they didn't even want me to see a cancer accredited internist in my small city and wanted me to see an actual medical oncologist and were not afraid to say so either. Maybe you should go to emergency with a nervous breakdown like I did one time. I got seen....and heard.....and my issues were addressed.

Donna2012

Dr. C is now with Thomas Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia.

http://www.newswise.com/articles/massimo-cristofanilli-m-d-appointed-director-of-the-jefferson-breast-care-center

Elsie0203

Hi NYGirl

Your symptoms seem eeriy like mine.  Did you get your results?