MY symptoms and concerns while I wait

JesusLVS

I'm in my late 20s. Maybe 2 months ago my left breast was sore, kinda felt like it does when engorged and need to feed baby, but it doesn't look swollen. Then I was having let down feeling, no discharge. I haven't nursed in over a year. I waited to see if it went away after my period or if maybe I was pregnant. Nope. Persisted so I went to my gp because I also swore I started feeling a lump near my nipple. Gp ordered ultrasound. She told me it was going to be a 10 day wait for my insurance to approve it, the office called the very next day, not even 24 hours later with an appt for the following day! I credited this to good office staff but now my worrisome thinking is making me think dr pushed it faster because maybe she was concerned? So I went for ultrasound. The tech found a "normal benign cyst, fluid filled" and fibroadenoma. Then she went to the side of my nipple closest to my armpit, she said it was weird and dark and definitely inflamed. She said my milk duct system was being affected. This whole time I'm watching the screen, I didn't see tumors. Then she went to my armpit. She asked if I've been sick lately. NOPE. She measured a lymph node and said it was enlarged. I had no idea. She said she's only seen that kind of darkness in the ultrasound one other time but never followed up with the radiologist to ask what it ended up being. So now I wait. Hopefully this week. Now I'm going thru everything in my head. I have rheumatoid arthritis. Back in September I started having what I thought was another case of inflammation around my lungs. Put it off as possible pulled muscle. Went to rheumatologist in December, he couldn't hear pleurisy so he ordered a chest xray, but he said he was assuming it was just some inflammation in the joints that connect to my ribs and breast bone. I never went and got it done but the feeling is still there, only with deep breaths or when I lift my arms or roll side to side while sleeping. I'm not noticing any changes in breast skin, ultrasound tech said it just felt a little warm. I guess I'm just wondering if anyone else had these symptoms? I'm not going to say I'm scared or worried, I know Gods plans are much better than mine and He knows what He's doing. IF it is something, I will blessed to be able to pray for all you warriors and survivors.

bevin

I don't have any experience with this , but wanted to stop in and say I hope that you'll be fine. others with similar issues will pop I  soon. Good luck and keep us posted.

Koo

I also don't have experience with this, but, likewise, hope others will be better able to assist. Please keep us updated.

kcat2013

I can speak to the rheumatoid side of things. I've had the chest/rib pain/pain with deep breaths and it was caused by inflammation between the ribs. For me a round of steroids really helped but I still do have times where that area flares back up and hurts again. I'm sorry you're in the stressful waiting period for results.

Kendra

DSW1976

Wouldn't RA cause lymph nodes to swell?  I thought it was an auto immune disease.  Shame on the tech for doing that to you.  I wish you all the luck. 

kcat2013

Good thought, DSW. My RA flares have caused lymph node swelling before, I didn't think of that.

Kendra

JesusLVS

thank you for your reply. I've had the inflammation around my lungs before but it went away quickly. My RA is really really manageable, it was worse as a young child but I haven't been on meds for it since 13years old. So I just kind of have a hard time believing it's that. Maybe it is though and all will be good with some steroids:)

JesusLVS

I'm still waiting for radiologist report. I don't feel well today. Maybe it's all in my head. I have been exhausted lately and also my chest just really aches. When I do my hair, when I lift my arms...anyone else have these symptoms??

JesusLVS

hi ladies- very long story short, my ultrasound was abnormal. I am getting a diagnostic mammo and MRI on Monday. Can you tell me about your experiences with those? Is it standard protocol to have both of those ordered?

crmnsuga1973

hi,

I found a palpable lump and showed my doctor, got immediate referral for 3d mammo and u/s. Seems standard practice here in my neck of the woods. 2d and 3d screening are done at the same time, so if you've had a mammo before it will be the same. Because my lump didnt show n either I was sent to MRI.

MRI was a little uncomfortable. You lay face own, drop your breasts in these little areas here they clamp them in place. No more pressure than a mammo. There is a bar, if you will, that you lay on that separates your breast, not comfy for breathing, but bearable. Arms overhead and a squeeze ball to stop at any time. It took 30 to 45 minutes. I'm claustrophobic and managed to fall sleep during mine. Dress lightly, it gets warm.

Hope that helps.

CAMommy

I had a breast MRI about 18 months ago. It's pretty easy. Hurts on the breast bone but otherwise not bad. I had a reaction to the contrast dye, but I have reactions to everything. Good luck

JesusLVS

I sooooo appreciate your responses!!!

JesusLVS

one more question: if by some crazy chance I have a tumor in my chest wall that was originated there but infiltrating my breast, would it be seen on either the diagnostic mammo or breast MRI?

I've had what I thought was pulled muscle pain in my chest since September...I don't think that's normal. It's a tired feeling in the center of my chest a few inches above breast bone. The ultrasound report said what was found could be some kind of phlegblah blah(I think it was a fancy word for inflammation or mastitis) or infiltrating tumor. Soooo...that's why I ask.

JesusLVS

I picked up the ultrasound full report and films. It says there is hypoechoic heterogeneous tissue. So now of course I'm googling like crazy. Posterior acoustic attenuation noted. Ah all these big words