Doctors not taking me seriously

hapandpam

Hi! I am new here. I am 64. A year ago my regular mammogram revealed some suspicious areas on my left breast. A sonogram revealed cysts, and I went in 6 months later for a followup. That mammogram and sonogram showed no change. Periodically my left breast has felt heavy, although there is no visible change in size. It also sometimes feels warm inside but not to the touch. I thought these symptoms were probably because of the cysts until I Googled my symptoms and found IBC. Today I went for another 6 month followup. I told the technician about my symptoms and she recorded them. We started with a regular mammogram, then a 3D on my left breast, then a 3D on my right breast, and finally a sonogram on both breasts. The result was cysts in both breasts and a recheck in a year. I then went to my gyn (NP) for my yearly physical. I discussed my tests and symptoms, and asked for a referral to a specialist. She said she felt that the symptoms were from the cyst, but would talk with my regular NP about a referral. I am scared to death. My breast does not always feel heavy or warm but I am still concerned. The NP did not seem to really know much about IBC and although I don't have any of the visual symptoms I still can't shake the dreaded feeling. Any advice/thoughts would be welcome.

Veeder14

What about seeing a breast specialist or at least the gyn physician not just the nurse practitioner. You could get copies of your mammorgram and sonograms to take with you to any new specialists.

LoriCA

Hi hapandpam, please don't let Google scare you to death! A search on those symptoms always brings up IBC, but IBC symptoms don't typically come and go. The symptoms of IBC usually get steadily and drastically worse over days, sometimes even hours (in my case). Heaviness and warmth that comes and goes, and not having any other visual symptoms, does not sound like IBC to me. I don't know much about cysts but I it sounds like all of your scans/tests are showing the same thing, so I would trust your doctors and just keep an eye on things.

Sara536

When you feel that your doctor is not taking you seriously, get a second opinion. Even if they think you are just a hypochondriac, they should be able to explain why you should not be worried.

Jujube43

Perhaps you should post your concerns in the "Not diagnosed but Worried" forum. This forum is for those who have already been diagnosed with IBC.

IBC does not come and go. It gets worse within days or hours not weeks or months.

hapandpam

Thank you all for the responses and suggestions. I am going to insist on seeing a specialist that can explain why I am having these symptoms and be sure he/she gets copies of all my reports. I don't want to worry my family so it is great to have someone to share this with.