IBC and reconstructed breast??

Notfinished_yet

Well, I have been reading everyone's post. So much good info. But you know you are getting a little concerned when you set up your own account to ask questions. . I had double mastectomy Feb 2017 - DCIS. Not invasive. So that was all good. Finished reconstruction in September 2017. Loving how the clothes fit. Still... all good. First weekend in March I worked with my husband building a deck. Did lots of shoveling. It was great to be outside and I felt really good.

On that Monday night I started feeling REALLY bad. Thought it was just over doing the yard work. Right breast was really hurting. Tuesday I had swelling, heat and redness on the RB. No fever. Fast forward to today. Swelling, heat and redness has continued. At times intense itching. Not all the time but sometimes will last for a few hours and keep me awake at night. I have seen my plastic surgeon, regular surgeon and reg. doctor. All of them say that there is no way this is an infection. I'm too far post surgery. BUT none of them know what it is. However they are going to treat it like an infection and if I respond then it must be an infection. My CBC came back normal. I have now been on antibiotics for 9 days, plus a shot of antibiotics, and they are now doing another 10 days of 2 antibiotics.

I also so my oncologist on Monday. At that time I had been on the antibiotics for 5 days. She did not think is was ibc. But didn't think it was infection either.

I didn't have lymph nodes removed.

So 4 doctors. None of them know why my right breast is swollen and red. It so far has not responded to antibiotics. CBC normal. Of course I google my symptoms and IBC shows up. Geez. That sent me for a loop.

My question is can you get IBC after mastectomy? - by the way I did nipple sparing.

Does it present differently in breast that have been reconstructed?

Any other thoughts on what this could be?

KBeee

You can get IBC after a mastectomy, though the chance of recurrence diminishes after mastectomy. It should present the same regardless of reconstruction. When you see MO, ask for a punch biopsy. That will tell whether is it IBC, infection, or just an irritation type dermatitis (which would also not respond to antibiotics...and would itch). If infection, biopsy would tell the organism and allow antibiotics to be tailored to it.

Irritation is the most common cause, but you need to know for sure, so do get it biopsied if it has not improved. Also note, that if it DOES improve at all, it is not IBC, because that will not improve at all over time without cancer treatment.

Let us know how your appointment goes. Sorry you have this worrisome rash.

Collybluebell

Hi,

I have had almost exact issues with my implants but many years after reconstruction. Please let me know what your tests showed as I am just about to start mine? I had it only in one breast - two courses of antibiotics cleared it but it has now started in my left breast and I'm asking for another antibiotic tomorrow.

Help.......?