Swollen right breast, normal Mamo.. still concerned

Michi

hi all,

This site has been very helpful and I’m very much appreciative for all the info. Two months back I noticed my right breast became slightly swollen (no redness, nipple issues ect) I was out of the country and my regular routine and thought it was from all the extra food and wine! Fast forward and it’s still the same, slightly, but noticeably larger. I’ve been feeling pain on and off in both ribs and breast. Also have a boil that’s healing on the affected breast. Always had lovely skin so that’s no shock to me😩. My doctor can’t feel anything and brushed me off, went back after 6 weeks with no change and insisted on further testing. She sent me to a breast clinic and they didn’t a diagnostic mamo. I’m 34 so this was my first, everything came back clear, no areas of concern and she said the sizing looked perfectly normal, implants fine and she wasnt able to tell by looking at it that one was larger. I have grade 3 dense breast, whatever that means, basically they are fairly dense She would not approve an ultrasound because she said the mamo was clear, after reading this forum I’ve seen so many mammograms that missed cancer..The swollen breast and intermittent pain is my only symptom but I’m wondering if I should try and force an ultrasound or MRI because it just doesn’t seem normal one breast with swelling for no reason. Any feedback would be much appreciated. This anxiety is making me nuts.

pomita

Michi - I have somewhat similar symptoms as yours. Right breast pain and swelling from 2 months, a rash about a month back which cleared but left scars. Mammo and US were normal but said asymmetric dense tissue. The doctor has suggested possible hormonal issues and prescribed Danazol; I just did a test to find out whether I actually have hormone imbalance (haven't got the report yet). But from the last 2 weeks, the pain and swelling is much worse, extending to the right armpit, and there's some skin roughness; I'm scared of possible IBC.I'll probably go for another opinion if the hormone imbalance gets ruled out.

If your swelling stays the same and there are no other symptoms, I don't think you need to worry; but if there's any further change, maybe you should get an US just to be sure.

Michi

Hi Pomita-

Glad to hear I’m not the only one. I’ve wondered if it was something hormonal since I’ve had some other weird hormonal issues (skin, migraines ect) let me know how the test comes back. I may ask my OB to test mine as well. I’m going to a specialist Monday since my tissue is so dense, just for one more opinion and to see if they think the US is appropriate. I’ve also had intermittent shoulder, rib andunderarm pain, but it’s been kinda on and off with both sides. Getting older is so much fun 😩🙄

pomita

Sorry for the delayed reply, I didn't get any update for your post (I seem to get updates only for my own thread). Good to know you're getting an MRI.. let us know how it goes. As you said, I guess I'll have to eventually push for one as well, if there's no improvement or diagnosis otherwise.

pomita

Michi - how did it go with the MRI? When is the report expected?

Michi

Thanks for checking on me,I got them back today and the radiologist saw an area of enhancement, albeit small, in my right breast (the one that’s a bit swollen) I don’t have the report in hand just yet but the nurse said even though it looks benign and MRIs are overly sensitive, it’s better that we do biopsy. I scheduled one for April 9th. Naturally, I’m very nervous but i’ve gotta live my life and chill out with my anxiety level. I guess ultimately a biopsy is the only way to know for sure. Any update from your doctors?

pomita

I know you must be very anxious about the biopsy. But please try not to worry too much.. I've also heard that MRI's often give 'false positives'. I hope and believe that you will ultimately get a benign result.

I showed another doctor today (in fact two) and will update about it in detail in my thread later. Mostly comments similar to the previous doctors, and no MRI prescription.