Continuing discharge and pain after microductectomy

ecampbell64

I had microductectomy on my left breast on April 17, 2018 with the diagnosis intraductal papilloma. Pathology came back clear. My symptoms were spontaneous bloody discharge and pain which began mid-March of same year. Mammogram and ultrasound prior to surgery showed nothing of concern. The surgeon (not a breast specialist) did not feel an MRI was necessary so that wasn't done. Discharge was never cultured. No needle biopsy pre-surgery. Don't have family history of breast cancer. I had no children so never breast fed. I have not had a period in 4-5 years. Limited caffeine use. I have large natural breasts - 36DDDD bra. I have been diagnosed with fibrocystic breasts, but it has never caused more than slight occasional pain due to hormones during my late 20s. Never had an abnormal mammo.

I recovered quickly from the surgery and had no symptoms and felt fine until about mid-May. In mid-May the discharge came back. It continues to be spontaneous, is slightly less than pre-surgery, and yellow instead of bloody. (I think the discharge was also changing from bloody to yellow in the days right before surgery.) A very supportive sports bra worn 24/7 seems to reduce discharge which was also true before surgery. Supportive sports bras worn 24/7 also helped with pain pre- and post- surgery but not now. The pain returned around June 1. It takes a strict regimen of naproxen and acetaminophen to control pain to a dull ache.

Follow up visit to surgeon on June 5, and he felt this would resolve on its own. If it didn't I should come back in 3 weeks and he would relieve fluid build up with hollow needle. He didn't feel it was called for yet because the breast was not distended with fluid. It still is not distended as far as I can tell, but the pain is increasing.

My gut says no more with this surgeon. He is very cavalier about my concerns and is not a breast specialist. I have an appointment with a breast specialist but it isn't until August 2. That's a long time to wait - especially with pain. It would be great to have feedback from others who have had ductectomies. Should I wait for the breast specialist if I can manage the pain? Go to Phoenix (2.5 hours away) where I would have a larger pool of breast specialists and could probably see someone sooner? With a clear pathology report, I don't feel as much urgency as I did about the first surgery. I am also blessed to have good health insurance and a very supportive husband. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide!

88tina88

I don't like him either. People sometimes underestimate how painful breasts can be! Can you get on the cancellation list for the breast specialist? or maybe you've gotten another appointment by now? I feel for you- that is a long time to be in pain.

ecampbell64

Thanks 88tina88. They put me on a list, but I never got called. I did not have a lot of hope on the list as others needing to see this doctor probably have life-threatening diagnoses. My appointment is now a week away - yippee. I am managing the pain with a boat-load of naproxin and acetaminophen. The majority of the time I can control it with OTC meds and I have not reached for anything stronger. However, the pain is always there - either in the background or zinging me. It's a drag - getting a bit tired of putting panty liners in my bras too! : ( Thanks again for your supportive response.

RainyAZ

ecampbell46 - sorry to hear about what you are going through. I hope your appointment went well on the 2nd. I suspect you are in my neck of the woods- southern AZ. I am seeing a breast specialist at the U of A breast clinic that I really like if you need any recommendations. Best of luck!!!

Psychfan

I would say with what I read that any sugery on the breast including biopsy may have breasts be like with tenderness for a year or more since are breasts are already so sensitive so cutting into them or putting a needle can make them even more with tenderness . I always thought they were pretty sensitive but after having a core needle biopsy almost 2 weeks ago I'm still cringing when i'm trying to find a spot to lay down which I hope settles down because I want to sleep on my stomach again. How did your apt on the 2nd go ?

ecampbell64

Thank you all for your support! I really liked Dr. Whitacre and his entire team - yes, he is in Tucson. He looked at my ultrasound, ran another one in his office, and wants me to have an MRI. I will need to go to the Phoenix area as he prefers those MRI imaging folks especially for issues that might be harder to see. I am happy to go this route as I feel I went with the flow the first time around and got poor results.

I would be less concerned about the pain if it began only after the surgery. However, this pain is just the same as it was prior to the surgery. One thing the doctor said that I don't agree with is that the pain and the discharge are not related. If they came at the same time, how are they not related? I think he said this because breast pain is hard to "treat." I have to believe that getting to the source of the discharge will eventually take care of the pain.