Worried I might have IBC.
I think it was around March 14th, about a week ago, I noticed I had two small lumps on my left breast. I suffer from cystic acne so I thought maybe it was that since I was breaking out. I was breaking out with basic acne bumps on my chest. So I, although hesitantly, ended up applying proactiv refining mask over night on both lumps as i usually do with cystic acne. One lump went away and the other one grew. It swelled and a red, swelling rash covered the entire left side. Eventually it calmed down and is now a bruised looking lump seemingly surrounded by a few other smaller lumps. The skin started to look like it was peeling on the top of the lumps. Also, the skin on the side of the lump looked like what I would describe as black heads but now I know that it's called peau de' orange. It also itches and is extremely painful.
yesterday I went into urgent care and they prescribed me am antibiotic doxycycline to rule out infection. Because I'm 2 months away from having insurance through work, the DR. Suggested that I go into the ER and get an ultra sound in 48hrs if there is no change. They outlined it to see if the red color or inflammation increases. I plan on getting an ultrasound and possibly biopsy even if there is improvement from the antibiotics simply because of my symptoms and that breast cancer runs in my family as well as cancer in general on both sides. I'm 27 and have no kids. The only thing I could think of that could cause infection is that I had my nipples pierced when I was 20 but took them out not long after because they never healed and that maybe there was just an infection lurking this whole time. My lymph nodes in my throat under my jaw are tender.
HISTORY:
I've had some momentary discharge from the nipple about a year ago but it went away so I didn't think anything of it. I've also has a rash on the side but it was on both breasts so I thought it was causede by my bra. That went away. Also, about two years ago I have a painful lump that I had an ultra sound for and a specialist look at it. They didn't find anything and Because of my age they dismissed it as nothing. It was and has always been painful but I just ignored it because the doctors said that is normal of a cyst. The cyst never got bigger. I've also always had pain in the left armpit since finding that "cyst". Cysts of breasts and ovaries also run in my family. The pain comes and goes and then recently stated again a few weeks before this lump appeared. I've also had symptoms of a UTI with no infection detected for about 2 years and when I got a pap done at planned parenthood (also 2 years ago) they found more than average white blood cell count but never referred me any where to figure out why. I'm getting another pap done Wednesday since they refused to do it sooner than 2 years based on the new health care system.
Does anyone have am opinion or thoughts on this? I'm scared and very anxious.
Sorry for any errors, I'm texting all of this on my phone.
Comments
-
Any suggestions on what I should say when going into the ER?
-
Jessi, I just went to the ER last week for breast pain and redness. They would not do any testing whatsoever. They said they don't do breast ultrasounds, mammograms, mri ...nothing. And then they referred me to a breast surgeon and sent me on my way with antibiotics. I mentioned that I just finished a round of antibiotics but they didn't care, they said they treat emergencies and it wasn't an emergency. Made me feel terrible. Unfortunately we cant go to the ER and demand imaging...thats what I was hoping to do but it wont happen unless they are really really concerned that perhaps its an abscess or something and your life is in danger from infection. This is just my experience anyway. -
Jessi, sorry you are hurting. Weekends are slow sometimes, not as many people on the boards to reply. My Cancer is/was lobular. I cannot give advice on IBC. But, what I can tell you, tons of very young women come here, have very similar rashes, pain. It is 99.9% of the time hormonal. Ok, I just made those #s up, but inflammatory bc is not common. Being young & having Breast issues is not unusal, lots of things it could be that are not Cancer.
Also having a blood test with elevated blood count is not a big deal. We all have different counts. My white blood count is always low. I have fretted over this insanely. My oncologists, who is also a hematologist, tells me we do not all fit in the norm range, do not borrow trouble. ....lol.... Impossible when you are in a health crisis to take that advice.
Go to PP. See what they say. Since you are not covered by insurance yet, they would be a great resource.
I agree with the post above, I do not think the ER is the place to go. Let us know & good luck. You are smart to get it checked out, but try to stay calm about it. The saying it's nothing until it's dx is true.
-
Thank you for your encouragement. I went to urgent care and the doctor there said to go to the ER and they would have to treat me if I walked in with an acute issue. She said because my family has history of breast cancer it would be very important. I was planning to go after work and see what they say, although I agree with you both that it might not be the best option.
-
- No one here can fell you what your issues are - we are not medical personnel that is actually seeing you.
There are a multitude of possibilities/probabilities for redness/skin issues with IBC being one of the least likely (though possible). IBC is rare - only between 1% - 5% of all DXd types of BC are IBC. It is aggressive and presents rapidly - not over years. The VAST majority of those who come here having decided they were IBC because of a redness/rash have other issues. (I am IBC and I never had redness/rash.)
You do need to find out what is going on, especially as it sounds like you have other than redness going on. Perhaps for the skin issues an appt with a Dermatologist would be a good idea. There is a HUGE difference in 'inflammation' in the breast area and Inflammatory Breast Cancer.
-
I did go to the ER. They did a bedside ultrasound and said it was most likely an infection, mastisis to be specific. They did give me a referral to a non profit DR to follow up with while I wait a couple months to become insured. I have to follow up in two days. Also, I have an appointment with PP for a general exam. I feel a little less anxious, although I'll keep close watch. I hope that's all it is. I have no idea how I could have an infection though since I don't have children or breastfeed. All of this has given me a new perspective on breast Cancer.. just the worry alone!
All of you beautiful survivors are in my thoughts and prayers.
-
Jessi, glad you are feeling more confident, you can get an infection in your breasts, from a cut or nick somewhere else on your body....
Take Care...
-
I'm halfway through a 10 day perscription with an antibiotic. My pain level has decreased significantly as well as swelling and the redness. However, the skin where it is red is still thick, itchy, and peeling. For those with IBC what experience have you had with your symptoms responding to antibiotics? I heard that it sometimes can respond to them which would make it more difficult to diagnose.
-
The top picture is today, the bottom was match 22nd. The blue was skin ink to watch the redness. Has IBC ever responded to antibiotics. There is a slight change and the pain has decreased, yet I'm worried it's not going away fast enough
-
I am currently going through the same thing with redness on my breast. I dont have any discharge though. It could be paget's disease if there is peeling and discharge? My doctor thought I had an infection and gave me antibiotics... the redness went away for about a week and now it's back again. From what I read, it sounds like with IBC the redness can come and go as well.
Categories
- All Categories
- 679 Advocacy and Fund-Raising
- 289 Advocacy
- 68 I've Donated to Breastcancer.org in honor of....
- Test
- 322 Walks, Runs and Fundraising Events for Breastcancer.org
- 5.6K Community Connections
- 282 Middle Age 40-60(ish) Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 53 Australians and New Zealanders Affected by Breast Cancer
- 208 Black Women or Men With Breast Cancer
- 684 Canadians Affected by Breast Cancer
- 1.5K Caring for Someone with Breast cancer
- 455 Caring for Someone with Stage IV or Mets
- 260 High Risk of Recurrence or Second Breast Cancer
- 22 International, Non-English Speakers With Breast Cancer
- 16 Latinas/Hispanics With Breast Cancer
- 189 LGBTQA+ With Breast Cancer
- 152 May Their Memory Live On
- 85 Member Matchup & Virtual Support Meetups
- 375 Members by Location
- 291 Older Than 60 Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 177 Singles With Breast Cancer
- 869 Young With Breast Cancer
- 50.4K Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis
- 204 Breast Cancer with Another Diagnosis or Comorbidity
- 4K DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)
- 79 DCIS plus HER2-positive Microinvasion
- 529 Genetic Testing
- 2.2K HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer
- 1.5K IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer)
- 3.4K IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)
- 1.5K ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma)
- 999 Just Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastasis
- 652 LCIS (Lobular Carcinoma In Situ)
- 193 Less Common Types of Breast Cancer
- 252 Male Breast Cancer
- 86 Mixed Type Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned
- 189 Palliative Therapy/Hospice Care
- 488 Second or Third Breast Cancer
- 1.2K Stage I Breast Cancer
- 313 Stage II Breast Cancer
- 3.8K Stage III Breast Cancer
- 2.5K Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- 13.1K Day-to-Day Matters
- 132 All things COVID-19 or coronavirus
- 87 BCO Free-Cycle: Give or Trade Items Related to Breast Cancer
- 5.9K Clinical Trials, Research News, Podcasts, and Study Results
- 86 Coping with Holidays, Special Days and Anniversaries
- 828 Employment, Insurance, and Other Financial Issues
- 101 Family and Family Planning Matters
- Family Issues for Those Who Have Breast Cancer
- 26 Furry friends
- 1.8K Humor and Games
- 1.6K Mental Health: Because Cancer Doesn't Just Affect Your Breasts
- 706 Recipe Swap for Healthy Living
- 704 Recommend Your Resources
- 171 Sex & Relationship Matters
- 9 The Political Corner
- 874 Working on Your Fitness
- 4.5K Moving On & Finding Inspiration After Breast Cancer
- 394 Bonded by Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Life After Breast Cancer
- 806 Prayers and Spiritual Support
- 285 Who or What Inspires You?
- 28.7K Not Diagnosed But Concerned
- 1K Benign Breast Conditions
- 2.3K High Risk for Breast Cancer
- 18K Not Diagnosed But Worried
- 7.4K Waiting for Test Results
- 603 Site News and Announcements
- 560 Comments, Suggestions, Feature Requests
- 39 Mod Announcements, Breastcancer.org News, Blog Entries, Podcasts
- 4 Survey, Interview and Participant Requests: Need your Help!
- 61.9K Tests, Treatments & Side Effects
- 586 Alternative Medicine
- 255 Bone Health and Bone Loss
- 11.4K Breast Reconstruction
- 7.9K Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 2.7K Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment
- 775 Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results
- 7.8K Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 50 Immunotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 7.4K Just Diagnosed
- 1.4K Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy
- 5.2K Lymphedema
- 3.6K Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment
- 591 Pain
- 3.9K Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 8.4K Surgery - Before, During, and After
- 109 Welcome to Breastcancer.org
- 98 Acknowledging and honoring our Community
- 11 Info & Resources for New Patients & Members From the Team