Sharp pain

lkat

Hi ladies,

I am looking to get some second opinions on a pain I have had on the outer edge of my left breast. I will try to make this as concise as possible so that you all don't fall asleep reading.

June/July 2016 - started getting a sharp, stabbing pain in left breast near armpit. Pain was not always there and would come and go. Was not terribly painful, but I felt it on and off during the day and it was (is) annoying
Sept 2016 - Went to my dr. who performed a breast exam and found nothing alarming. He sent me off for an ultrasound to ease my mind.
Also in Sept 2016 I became pregnant. Shortly after this the pain completely, 100% disappeared for a year.
Dec 2016 - Finally had my ultrasound which came back clear. At this point the pain had been gone for so long that I couldn't even remember exactly where it was or what it felt like.
May 2017 - Gave birth to my daughter, trouble breastfeeding so started pumping ( which I still do 11 months later)
Oct 2017 - One day out of the blue the pain came back. Exactly like before, the same place. Went straight to my doctor who did an exam (didn't feel anything) and ordered an ultrasound to ease my mind (again)
Dec 2017 - Had ultrasound which was clear.

But the pain is still there. Both times the pain has come on in 2016 and 2017 I realized that I had been drinking wayy more coffee than normal in the month or so prior, and if I cut it out it helps a lot, about 50% pain reduction, but its still there. My doctor thinks that it is either hormonal, or that I have irritated the spot by pressing/squeezing on it while I pump, which I need to do to get all the milk out. I have also had several clogged ducts in that breast, right where the pain is. But the pain is not related that.

Of course I immediately think BC which is stressful. I should add I'm 29 with no history of cancer.

Does anyone have any ideas? Does this sound like BC? or something else? I know that BC can sometimes start with pain, but not always.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story,

Lindsey

Sjacobs146

I'm sorry that your concerns brought you here. If you've had two clear ultrasounds and breast exams by a doctor, I would try to stop worrying about it. Cancer doesn't get better if you cut out coffee or if you get pregnant. At your age with getting pregnant, being pregnant, breast feeding, etc. there are a lot of things going on with your breasts due to hormones. If nothing shows on the ultrasound, there's nothing for a doctor to look at or biopsy. Mammograms don't work well on young women because of the density of your breasts.

I would try not to worry. You're very lucky that your doc agrees to do two ultrasounds, a lot of doctors wouldn't do that. Sounds like your doc is very supportive. I hope the pain you're feeling goes away or you find something that helps it

lkat

Thanks for your reply. Normally I would be reassured but I see some stories where women had physical exams, mammos etc and tumor was still very difficult to find. I have big boobs so a tumor would not necessarily be felt in a physical. That breast is also slightly larger and shaped differently then the right which doesn't help with anxiety.

I guess the part that worries me is why always this breast in this exact spot? Surely something bad must be happening there. It is way, way different then the type of pain I used to get before periods, while pregnant, etc.