Fibrocystic breast pain or something else

megcor

I'm 42 and had a total hysterectomy 14 years ago and have been on HRT pills since, I have a history of fibrocystic breast. In the past month I started having breast pain on the left side it started out in the mornings only and I thought it was because I slept primarily on that side then I started having allergy issues which turned into bronchitis then it snowballed into coughing and pleurisy now I don't know if its due to all the excessive coughing from bronchitis that's caused my breast pain to get worse but my breast pain and heaviness is almost unbearable also over the years my left breast has at times enlarged and decreased in size right now its larger. I have a mammogram scheduled 5 days from now and I have had regular mammograms (my last one 1 1/2 years ago) I'm just extremely nervous. I have always had as my mom would say notty boobs so I'm hoping its just fibrocystic issues.

Moderators

We are wishing you the very best with your scheduled mammogram. Let us know what the doctor says in any case! 

HomeMom

I would ask for a diagnostic mammogram. What does your gyno say? I've had fibroid cystic breasts since my late thirties and felt that heaviness but not just on one side. 

alicki

Hello,

If you can, ask for MRI too and ultrasound. Not sure how it works in the US but if you can get all three sets of imaging, always good.

OR the 3d mammogram which is supposed to be better than 2d.

I has ongoing pain, really bad for 5 weeks in July 2013. I had no idea I have FCB until I had a breast reduction. I was screaming with pain. Breast enlarged, went red. Non specific inflammation with lymphoctes infiltrate, T cells. 

Breathe and remember that severe pain is usually B9. Usually, not always. It could just be the cysts flaring up and becoming bigger. But I'm no expert. The only expert advice I will give you, is 'don't give up until you're happy with the answer you've been given!!!

Good luck

Alicki

MelissaDallas

Alicki, I think I'd let my doctor decide if I needed further testing after the mammogram. Everybody doesn't need to have an MRI, and they pretty much automatically do an ultrasound if there are any unclear findings on the mammogram. There could turn out to be a clear reason for what is going on Meg.

megcor

Thanks for all the info. I am a serious hypochondriac and that doesn't help matters. 

MelissaDallas

Also, you don't have to ask for a diagnostic mammogram. If there are unclear findings they'll automatically do that too. Hang in there. Hopefully it is just fibrocystic stuff, as you said. HRT definitely increases hormonal fibrocystic breast pain.

Kicks

Alicki - When did you become an "expert"  '(!The only expert advise  I will give you - - -) on anything dealing with BC ?

 

Blessings2011

Hi, megcor - so sorry you are going through this trying time.

I had fibrocystic breasts my whole life, and boy, did they hurt! They were like big bags of rocks. Ironically, they were not related to my breast cancer diagnosis in any way.

Let me just assure you that between now and your mammogram that is scheduled for a few days from now, nothing is going to change. Keep in mind that the majority of breast issues are benign - NOT cancer. 

If for any reason, you need further testing after your mammogram, you will get through that too, one day at a time.

It sounds like lots of things have just piled up on you recently, and we all know how easy it is to get carried away, especially when you're not feeling well.

Take a deeeeeep breath, and find something else good and distracting to focus on. 

Remember that you are in good hands, and have that mammo in a few days. There is a saying here that I love: "Don't go there til you get there."  In other words, don't spend all your time worrying about something that may not happen.

Please come back and tell us how you are doing.

alicki

blessings,

Nothing to do with Breast health, but I LOVE your cat picture! Too cool

alicki