Appt with general surgeon in 2 days, questions

katiejohnson123

Hi, I am 37 years old and 3 months ago my symptoms started suddenly with a shooting pain in my right breast which at first was intermittent but then became constant and breast became more sore, tender, as well as the shooting pain.  Also under that arm and then by the time I went to the doctor, the left breast was hurting as well.

Went to my PCC who didn't even manually examine me.  She sent me to an OBYN because my insurance won't pay for a mammogram until I'm 40.  OBGYN did manual exam which hurt like hell (and my breasts aren't usually sensitive at all).  He found a small mass in my right breast.  Scheduled a mammogram.  Said "most likely fibrocystic. Nothing to worry about."

The next week had a mammogram and an ultrasound.  The ultrasound hurt like hell, worse than the mammogram.  I was sent home to await a call with results, which I got the next day.

OBGYN calls and tells me the radiologist thinks I have mastitis and wants me to be on antibiotics for a week and then in 2 weeks have another ultrasound.

First of all, I haven't had a baby in 10 years so mastitis is very unlikely.  Secondly, I had not had a fever and I had a completely normal CBC with normal white count.  No visible breast skin changes, just the pain.

I finish the antibiotics and still no change in my symptoms.  So I wasn't comfortable waiting another week for an ultrasound.  I contacted the OBGYN clinic and told them I want a biopsy.  So they scheduled me an appointment with a general surgeon.  That appointment is in two days.

I have no idea what to expect at this visit.  This isn't even someone who specializes in breasts.  In fact, it is the same doctor who took my gallbladder out 10 years ago.  He does that kind of thing.  Is this really the best person to biopsy my breast?  What should I expect at this visit?  Is this going to be a waste of my time where all he does is ask me questions and then schedule me to come back another time to have the procedure done?  The copays are killing my bank account.

I have done my own internet reading and thought my symptoms most closely fit with Inflammatory Breast Cancer.  However, not an exact fit because I didn't have any visible skin changes plus there was a mass felt.  So I still have no idea.  Nobody has mentioned fibroids so I guess they don't think it could be that.  My lymph nodes under both arms are also tender. 

Moderators

Hi Katie,

We're sorry you're experiencing this scare. We're sure others will be by shortly to share their experience and help you feel better at ease.

In the meantime, try and take a deep breath and have faith in your doctors. Perhaps you can ask for a referral to a breast specialist, who you can talk to about your symptoms and perhaps get a biopsy then?

We hope this helps! Please let us know how things go!

--The Mods