Breast pain, shoulder pain, neck pain and arm weaknes

Paiiiola

hi, i am 25 and for the past 2 months or so i have been having breast pain in my left breast that comes and goes. But since 2 wks ago ive had a constant pain that wont go away and i have a little lump in the same side. I went to the dr and i was ordered an ultrasound but since its been really busy this month i was given the appt for nov 17. Also today i noticed my left breast feels slightly dense and fuller, specially at the top. Also i cant put alot of strength in my left arm cause it shoots to my breast also i cant seem to bend much because it hurts aswell. Also ive noticed a bluish vein running thru my left breast and my arm collar bone and neck all hurt and feel sore. I am really scared and cant really sleep at night just thinking. Yesterday i had to go to ER because i couldnt stand the pain they did an ultrasound and chest xrays but they sain nothing abnormal was seen. I was told to go to my pcp for further exams. Im just worried because my pcp seems to just brush it off because she says for my age its not normal to have bc and all my appointments are given to me weeks apart. Im just worried something bad is going on and since they are taking their time and not listening and something is wrong and its growing because time is goingg by. Thanks in advance

Meadow

I am sorry you are going through this worry, and I hope you get answers soon. We are taught from a young age to look for changes in our breasts, and sounds like you have changes. I am glad you have appointments coming up to get a professional diagnosis as to what is going on. The wait can be so hard! I am glad your ultrasound showed nothing, and ultrasound is a good diagnostic tool for many breast cancers including the kind I have, inflammatory breast cancer. So thats good! There can be many reasons for the pain you have that is not cancer, If you feel like you need to be seen sooner, I have found that being the squeaky wheel does actually work....call and tell the appointment desk you want to be seen sooner, and just kind of be stubborn! And please remember that worrying won't help one little bit, and try not to mash around on your boob and underarm all the time, you will make it sore for sure doing that so hands off, ok? You will soon have answers and please keep us posted. Sending positive thoughts your way

WinningSoFar

Don't go down the IBC road if you can help it. I've had IBC and the ultrasound showed the thickened skin. If nothing showed up on your ultrasound, that is a good sign. Still, you should continue to have your problems diagnosed, but don't get hung up on IBC.

Sgirl

Hi to both of you.  Paiiiola, your post caught my attention as I have had similar concerns over the past 4 months or so.  I have not had the arm issue; however, in July I noticed a change in my breasts, particularly my left one.  It started out as an itching that would not go away; several days later, it turned into a pretty noticeable burning sensation and warmth and tenderness in both breasts.  I also experienced this burning in my right breast, but not as significantly as in my left one.  It also felt like my left breast got larger or swelled.  It has always been larger than my right one, but seems a little bigger.  I experienced the burning as well as a stinging sensation and occasionally an itching.  Needless to say, I got really scared.  My primary concern is inflammatory breast cancer, because it does not always have standard breast cancer symptoms, such as a lump.  I have been checked by an OBGYN twice, and I've seen two breast surgeons. Both breast surgeons have said they believe that these symptoms are due to fibrocystic changes.  The first breast surgeon would not  run any testing and didn't spend much time with me, but the second one I saw spent 30 or 40 minutes with me because she knew I was very concerned. She also ran an ultrasound.  The ultrasound just showed up solid white; the breast surgeon said that was because I have very dense tissue in both breasts.  She said she did not see anything of concern.  However, I was still  worried because I know that IBC does not show up on regular diagnostic tests.  I asked her if I could get an MRI and she could not get the insurance to pay for one because I did not really have any symptoms she could write up such as a lump, redness, swelling and so on.  The symptoms have not worsened since then, but this has been driving me crazy, so I understand how you feel.  I am even younger than you, but I will say that the breast surgeons I saw have treated patients in their 20s and are not the type to say it can't happen.  I hope your issue is benign and that you can find relief soon.

Meadow,

You mentioned that you have IBC.  How did your symptoms come and what tests did you have run?  I have read that the symptoms can vary a lot in people, but there are signature symptoms that can indicate it.  The breast surgeon I saw said she sees about three cases a year.  I would like to hear your thoughts.  Thank you and I hope you are doing well.

Kicks

Why did you decide you are IBC?

Paiiiola

meadow, thank you so much for your kind words! I am trying so hard to not think about it and not too touch but the pain just wont let me forget about it. I have an appointment for wed in the morning hopefully i can mive forward as in a biopsy or something. If not i was thinking if going to mexico to see if they can help me sooner. I will keep you updated! Thanks again.

Winningsofar and kicks, i had never actually heard of ibc until i went to the ER i heard the dr discussing it with the other doctor saying if ibc was possible, but they didnt mention it in my paperwork. I was just advised to ask my pcp for further testing to see what was going on. Since then i cant stop thinking about it specially because i feel the pain is spreading around and it feels rapidly apparently.

Sgirl, thanks! Andi understand completely what youre going thru, so did you already get diagnosed? I hope you are doing better!

Sgirl

Hi Paiiiola,

So far I have been diagnosed only with fibrocystic breast changes.  Both of the breast surgeons I saw told me that my symptoms matched up to this condition.  Thankfully I have not had any other changes since all of this started.  I wouldn't suggest just using your general physician since you have a problem with your breasts and certainly not the ER.  I would recommend going to an OBGYN and asked to be referred to a breast surgeon.  Once mine saw how concerned I was, he referred me to one.  They deal with breast issues (cancer and benign) all the time, and they are a lot more familiar and knowledgeable about breast problems.  The breast surgeon I went to has an ultrasound machine in her office and can do it right there; you don't have to wait for another appointment.  I have been worrying myself sick about IBC for the past 4 months, but finally I realized that my symptoms were not worsening or changing, which is a good sign.  I will worry constantly if I don't watch myself.  I'm not saying you are worrying too much, I would just try to see a breast surgeon as soon as possible.