Noticable swelling in upper right breast (1 yr+)

lanakey

Hello out there!

I am hoping to find recommendations for my particular situation. About 2 years ago I noticed my right breast looked different, upon examination I noticed bulging or swelling in the upper portion of my breast. I am 46 and I have silicone gel breast implants (since 2007) and wrote it off as my implant shifting around (silly, it couldn't be that high) or changes due to age etc. Basically, I've managed to ignore it until 3 weeks ago.

I had just showered and glanced in the mirror I saw my right nipple was significantly lower than my left nipple (I'm very OCD about symmetry, lol) I began to closely examine my breast and determined the swelling or inflammation was "pushing" my nipple down and to the right. I began reflecting back and recall feeling self conscious over the summer as my breast looked so different and it was noticeable in my bathing suits. I recall several times where pain in the area gave me an instant fear of heart attack but put my mind at ease after thinking, "oh its right side, not left, WHEW" I'm fine". I realize I favor the area subconsciously, scratching, holding etc.

Alarmed at my "realizations" and freaked out by my lopsided nipples, I call the surgeon who did my implants and they tell me to go to the ER since I have pain in my chest, ugh! Reluctantly I go to a local ER and tell them what's going on, they rush me back as though I'm having a heart attack even though I'm telling them it's my BREAST! I have an EKG, chest Xray and blood work. A young doctor comes in and examines my breast, she leaves and returns with another doctor who also examines my breast. She notes that my right breast is heavier than the left and inflamed, she believes its red (I didn't notice redness). I sit up and close my robe and the doctor tells me to go to the ER at MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER. I'm terrified by this point and leave to go home with horrible fear and anxiety. I get online and begin googling my symptoms and further terrify myself into a total frenzy for 3 days. I thought why go to an ER at a cancer hospital when I haven't been diagnosed? Why would a doctor even suggest that? In complete panic I finally break down and go to the ER at MD ANDERSON where they look at me dismayed that I am there with no diagnosis! I'm told to go to my OBGYN for an exam, she finds no lumps but also sees the very obvious inflammation, she orders a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound. I go to the imaging center and the results are negative for any areas of suspicion. I ask the radiologist "why am I having this inflammation, cant you see it"? She replies "yes, its very obvious but we only screen for breast cancer and I don't see anything remarkable in the tests" she recommends follow up with my GP or plastic surgeon and maybe a CT scan. Frustrated at it all I make a decision to drop it, I am now probably 4k in debt as I have no insurance. This morning I was lightly scratching my right upper breast and felt pain that got my attention, feels like a tender lymph node but what do I know?

Does anyone out there have suggestions? I am starting to feel the anxiety again, I need answers. Why is this area so inflamed? My breast looks and feels so different.

Kassy54

this sounds terrifying! I hope you have gotten good news since this post. Best wishes for you