Not diagnosed but worried

Kn23

I woke up last Friday with a swollen, very sore right breast. I also have some swelling under my arm. I saw my family doc who suggested mastitis and put me on antibiotics and told me to come back today if i didn't see any improvement. I am 42 with three kids (19, 10, 7), so obviously am not breastfeeding right now :-). I had mastitis when I nursed each of them and on Friday this felt like mastitis. I have taken the antibiotics for three days and haven't noticed improvement so I went back. My doc examined me and said he didn't feel any lumps and that "the more pain, the less likelihood of cancer" but is going to have his staff arrange for a mammogram and ultrasound to be sure. After reading about mastitis and IBC on the Internet today ( I know, bad idea!) I'm wondering what my next steps should be and how quickly I need to push to find out what's going on? I don't have a rash, just pain, a feeling of fullness or heaviness, itching and swollen lymph nodes in my armpit. I'm now second guessing myself and wondering whether I'm just making a big deal out of nothing. Perhaps the poking and prodding has just made me swell up? I'm a bit of a mess today worrying about this.

Sorry for the long post...

Claudia413

Not to scare you, but you have at least 3 symptoms of IBC (I only had one). I would suggest you see an IBC specialist, someone who is used to seeing cases of IBC, in order to get a proper diagnosis. There are IBC specific clinics in Houston, Philadelphia, Boston and in several other cities. There are also many doctors who ARE familiar with IBC. You can get more info on IBC at www.eraseIBC.com or www.ibcnetwork.org. "When in doubt, rule it out", meaning IBC is highly aggressive and should be ruled out first.

I pray you don't have IBC, but urge you to "rule it out" immediately.

Kn23

Thanks Bon and Claudia for your responses. It's nice to know i'm not alone in this.



I have an US and mammogram scheduled for tomorrow morning. Originally they were going to make me wait a couple of weeks but I pushed to get it ASAP, although I recognize that both the US and mammo may not show anything and I will need a biopsy to rule it out or confirm IBC. I have had some pinky brown (bloody?) discharge from my nipple today. It makes me wonder whether i'm dealing with IBC or something else, but regardless there is something abnormal going on and I need to find out what it is as soon as possible, if for no other reason than to tame the anxiety. I'm finding it very difficult to think about anything else right now! I have my son's 10th b-day party to plan for this weekend so at least thAt gives me something positive to focus on :-)



I'm in Canada so navigating the system here can be a little slower than in the US (at least if you have HI) but while my doctor doesn't want to talk about cancer yet he's responsive, arranging for quick diagnostic testing and so far is taking me seriously which is important. I believe we have some oncologists here in Edmonton familiar with IBC. If anyone knows of one specifically, please let me know. Thanks!!!

VanessaC

I hope everything goes well and I'm sure it will. Best of luck:)

Claudia413

Be sure to give us an update when you get results.

By the way, my grandparents were married in Edmonton before they moved to Miami, FL around 1913 or 1914. I'd love to see that whole area one day.