Major fatigue for over a year, now lump.

Promisesmommy

I am not the type to freak out. I'm pretty in tune with my body. I have felt like crap for over a year. Very fatigued, mind in a fog, and there are times I just can't even get off the couch. Blood work normal. I am 4'11” normally like 105 lbs. I am now 87 lbs and can't keep weight on. After tracking my eating habits, I'm eating close to 2800 calories a day, healthy foods, and following the carbs, fat, protein and such to make sure I'm getting enough of each. I do get shooting pains from that breast into my arm pit for about 6 months now periodically.

Just a few days ago, I found a lump in my R breast. My breasts aren't huge and I check them regularly. I've had kids so I know what a plugged milk duct feels like, I know the normal tissue feeling like the back of my hand. But this is different. There's no particular shape. It's hard. Doesn't hurt. About the size of a grape I would say. To be sure.. I had my husband feel it, and he said it most definitely does feel hard and not like my normal breast tissue and just doesn't feel normal

I was told to go to a gynocologist by a friend. Is that the right place to go? I don't have a GP, as I just moved to a new area. Any help or advice would be appreciated.

SimoneRC

So sorry to hear your worry. Your gynecologist is a great place to start. Your gynecologist can refer you on after your visit. That is exactly the steps I took when I became symptomatic. Hoping all turns out ok for you. Keep us posted

Moderators

Hi Promises, and welcome to Breastcancer.org,

We're so sorry you're here and worrying. We agree with Simone that you should bring this to your gynecologist who can refer you out if he/she feels it is necessary. Please keep us posted on what you find out! We'll be sending all our best thoughts!

--The Mods

Promisesmommy

Okay perfect. I just didn't want to head to the wrong place only to have to pay a copay to go somewhere different 😂 With my insurance I could technically go straight to an oncology clinic if I wanted, but I just want to do the right steps.

Hopefully it's nothing to worry about, but i have kids so I gotta be proactive about it. If anything it would just be nice to figure out why I'm so fatigued all the time.

Promisesmommy

Okie dokie will do. I have final exams this week so probably won't get into the doctor until then, but I'll definitely keep ya posted on tests if they are done and what comes of it 💓

I've read online that fatigue isn't related- however this forum kind of days different.. so it's definitely good I'm having this checked out.

Though weird enough it did hit me today, and my husband agreed.. my dog has been all weird and licking that area of my breast and armpit for about 6 months now. He gets quite annoying about it.. sniffing.. nudging.. even trying to pull down my shirt 😂 I get quite annoyed at him especially if he does it while company is over, or when I'm sitting on my bed trying to get changed 🤦🤦 So hopefully it means nothing too and he's just weird 😜

Promisesmommy

My dog also alerts to my husband's seizures and his blood sugar being low. So he is naturally sensitive to all that opposed to our other 3 who don't alert.

bella2013

Promises, fatigue is a symptom. The extreme fatigue is what sent me to my gyno and my PCP. My gyno found the lump. The fatigue lifted after lumpectomy. I do have some fatigue now due to the AI

Promisesmommy

Oh wow! What I wouldn't give to get rid of this fatigue and feel like a normal 29 year old again!!! Like I said before, I have very small boobs, so if they need to take the little bit I do have, they can have them, if that's what they need to do! I am in no way attached to these itty bitties 😂 I just want to feel better.

Regardless of all this im overdue for a checkup at the gyno. I think the last time i went I had just had my son.. So about 3 1/2 years ago.

Thank you for your response. I have a friend who is a doctor in germany and she told me that fatigue isn't a symptom, but like you are saying, it seems as though the people diagnosed on this forum seemed to have fatigue for a while before diagnosis.

Promisesmommy

Just to update. Found a gynocologist that takes my insurance and have an appt set for Tues, Dec 18th at 10:30 💓

Mandyhiero

My gynecologist is the first one I saw for my symptoms too, and she actually went ahead and ordered the ultrasound and the breast center ordered my mammogram the and I had it the same day after the ultrasound didn’t show anything. Maybe yours will do the same so you can just get everything out of the way the same day.

Micmel

I also had terrible fatigue. It was the first symptom for me. I thought I was just working out too hard. Then the lump appeared. It started the size of a grape and then. Became a solid painful octopus with tentacles that grew almost over night. It's good that you're going now. I wasalready stage four. But the fact that is still small is very good. you did well! I was a chicken! I waited too long. Also, they may say it's a cyst like they did me. Just keep watching it. If it changes at all. Demand attention. Good luck. Hope it's nothing!!!!

Rah2464

Major fatigue that didn't correlate with activity was a first symptom for me as well. It was the fatigue that forced me to go back in to be reimaged after being cleared two months prior on my annual mammogram/ultrasound. Listen to that inner voice and push to get an answer.

Promisesmommy

I promise I will. I'll be honest.. most doctors look at me and think I'm on drugs bc I'm so skinny. They test me for drugs to find out I'm clean.. my last doc even went so far as to say I had an eating disorder, to which I laughed and said I eat everything in sight.. so she referred me to a psychologist and nutritionalist 🤦. I never went. I just logged my food intake from then on, only to figure out I was eating enough to supposed to be putting 2 lb a week on me.. but still a year later.. im 87 lbs.. alot of doctors don't take me seriously and it sucks. I did finally go to an endocrinologist about a year ago who just wanted to do a excisional biopsy on my groin lymph nodes, just to see.. but there was nothing in the findings. He was thinking lymphoma l. So I gave up after that thinking.. well, I guess it's just normal to feel like this and I'm just having psychosomatic symptoms or something 🤷 So I just have been treading on until finding this lump. Even then, I wasn't even going to make an appt, but my husband pushed 🙈

Either way it goes it would be nice to find out why I feel the way I do. I've watch a few videos on how to feel the difference between malignancy and just normal tissue or cysts and it does fit the bill on malignancy.. however I like to think positive thoughts regardless and not worry. So I'm not worrying myself until there's something to worry about, if I even do that..

So what's the best tests? I have very small boobs so i kinda wondered how they would even do a mammogram. They are almost flat.. though the one with the lump is almost a size bigger than the other now. So a AA and an A. I assume they will want to do an ultrasound and if there's any abnormal findings, fine needle aspiration or something?

Megadoo

Good that you have an apt. Definately push for an ultrasound. Hopefully the lump shows on imaging, and if it does push for a biopsy. It will at least be another step forward to figuring out your health issues. Good luck on finals!

Promisesmommy

Megadoo- Will do. Although I'm not the type to push 🤷 So I may have my husband do that. He's good at pushing.

So even if they say it's a fibroadenoma (hope I spelled that right) should I still push for a biopsy? If so, what kind? Fine needle, punch or excisional? Or is that something I don't really get to choose?

Promisesmommy

Oh and thank you for saying good luck on finals!! I can't wait until they are over 😂 tomorrow's the last one and then I'm done until Jan 4th 😏 looking forward to that for sure.

Megadoo

From my experience, my lump showed on the imaging. It appeared benign, but they suggested a biopsy to be sure. The radiologist doing the biopsy said he was fairly certain it was a fibroadenoma but "we always biopsy lumps to be 100% sure". Any "not normal breast tissue" lump should be biopsied, IMO. So yes, ask for biopsy. I had the core needle. They usually choose which to do. If it was fluid filled (cyst) I think they do the fine needle to collect fluid. I "think" core needle is used more for solid masses. Again, going off my experiences.

Studying for finals can really help keeping your mind occupied. Worrying and not knowing is tough, but bury your head in those books, and your apt will be here before you know it

Promisesmommy

Megadoo- Thanks! I'm actually not really a worrier, so I just put the appt in my phone and will get an alert the night before to remind me.. I figure there's no use worrying about something I know nothing about. Just keeping an eye on it, feeling it daily to see if I feel growth or any pain, etc.. but nothing's changed so far. Same size, still no pain. I try just to think logically in the midst of everything and that really helps. Though gut feelings are important to me too, and my husbands gut feelings are normally spot on and he said to get it checked, so I am 💓 I figure I've been through alot on my life- and if I have lived through all of that, I can live through whatever this is too. Feeling better would definitely be a bonus though!

exercise_guru

I think the place to go first is a GP and get a full blood panel. Have them test Thyroid and blood sugar, vitamin D levels, Also have them make sure you do not have anemia or pernicious anemia (different tests). Your OB could order these tests and give you a full physical along with your anual exam. She is the one that ordered my mamogram that found the cancer so I would go to her first and see if you could get some help.

Also for keeping weight on can you have nuts? They are the healthiest food but really high in calorie density and very good for you. flax seed is also anticancer and very healthy. I can't lose weight to save my life taking the 1-3 Tbsp of ground flax seed recommended. I don't gain weight but I don't lose. Dried Fruit is another food that is very good for high calorie per density but very good for you. Prunes are outstanding for the bones. There are some really good foods you could eat or put in a smoothie that have helped me with Chemo fatigue. All the green leafies. I am not kidding they make a tremendous difference. Arugula and beets are the rock starts in that area but spinach and kale are also very very good. The other thing to try is some Broccoli sprouts. They are very anti cancer, easy to grow, packed with nutrition. I have noticed a boost in both my well being, energy and quality of life.

The third thing you might want to consider is just your gut biome because for awhile I had a terrible problem with fatigue. I was sure that I had Candida overgrowth but eating oatmeal, leafy greens, high quality grains and a lot of vegetables made a big difference. I really noticed the effects after eating this way around 6 weeks and even more so around 12 weeks. There are very good cookbooks with quality recipes: "Forks over knives is good as is "well your world" on youtube" My son who has a lot of concentration problems and fatigue started eating these high quality foods with lots of greens and I have noticed a huge boost from that.

I don't think meat is the problem in your case but if you continue to feel like crap consider giving up dairy for a month or so. Many Many people find it really contributes to their health problems so its worth researching. You could also have another food sensitivity in addition to the dairy for me it was soy. Once I eliminated those two foods ( and added the leafy greens) I felt like a whole new person. You would notice whether this would be of benefit if you try it for 4 weeks: if the scans turn up empty consider an elimination diet like Whole 30

Promisesmommy

Exercise:

I actually eat ALOT of what you mentioned! I eat lots daily, leafy greens, dried fruits, including figs, prunes, and dates. I take a daily refrigerated probiotic and I take CBD. I do however use diary in my coffee every morning and have been craving the hell out of it everyday.... Which is so odd for me. I hate milk....normally.. 😂 But recently with this constant nausea, it's the only thing that takes it away during the day. Nightime- thank you cannabis.. nausea is gone. I just don't like to feel high so I won't take my edible during the day. Although I have done the gluten and dairy free diets before because of my hashimotos which showed no overall benefit really. Though ide be willing to do it again if everything does come back normal.

As for blood tests.. I have hashimotos. My last tests- everything was normal.. my TSH was a 2. I put myself into remission with cannabis that I take nightly ( a protocol one of my old doctors figured out.. epigeneticists are awesome!) So I mean, I've done all that and nothing is aloof anyways on that front.

Thank you for all your suggestions though. I'm going to read and write down the things I don't eat or just haven't ate recently and maybe add them back into my diet.

Promisesmommy

I I really kind of touched on the surface when it came to symptoms, I have daily nausea, headaches that will last days, legs itching to the point that I make them bleed, dizziness. However, like I said, all blood tests came back normal. Thyroid, normal, iron levels, normal. they even went so far as to test me for other autoimmune disorders however I have not tested positive for any one of them except Hashimoto's, and that was almost four years agowith the hashimotos diagnosis.

KBeee

You do have a lot of symptoms, but make sure when you see your Gyn, the breast lump is the focus. Once you get that figured out, then focus on the others. They may or may not be related, but first figure out what the breast lump is. You'll need a diagnostic mammogram and an ultrasound. Any doc can order that. When I first found my lump, my doc was on vacation, so I made an appointment with an NP. She felt the lump and called to get me in for a diagnostic mammo and ultrasound the next day. In the meantime, keep a log of your other symptoms, what you're eating, etc, so once you get the lump figured out, you can try and then address those. Also keep a log of any and all questions you have. I am sure it is very frustrating. An internal medicine doc would be a good one to work on the other symptoms, but first deal with the breast lump because the stress of that is likely aggravating the other symptoms. If you don't want to wait until the 18th, then make a GP appointment sooner, which will help you get things like mammo in before the holidays (or maybe you are more patient than me....once I find a lump, I want answers yesterday!!!!)

Promisesmommy

Kbee-

Agreed I honestly planned on only mentioning the lump as that's really the cause of concern. The other stuff I've been living with for a while. The lump is new. Thank you for the advice!

Promisesmommy

For some reason I missed the last part about having to wait over the holidays 🤔🤔🤔 I feel like ide rather know after so it doesn't spoil the holidays. I could keep my chin up regardless, but my husband isn't the type to be able to hide his feelings very well, and i couldn't exactly keep results from him. So I'll wait if they don't have me do testing immediately.. however if they don't immediately, it is what it is 🤷 😜

Promisesmommy

Saw the gyno. He did a normal pelvic exam and touched both my breast for maybe 3 seconds each and was like ok, let's see you in 6 months... I blurted out- you know I wouldn't have came here today if it wasn't for my husband pushing me to come here. He says it does not feel normal. I was irritated.. he barely touched my breasts over my shirt... However to my surprise, he turns around and says.. your husband suggested you come! Can you show me where he felt it? So I showed him and he says, " it feels like normal tissue to me.. but it makes a big impact on me when someone who obviously touches your breasts often notice a difference" (I'm sitting there in my head going.... Yeah.. me.. but alright, I guess my husband noticing is a bigger deal?!?! Wtf?!) "So I'm sending you for an ultrasound. My last 2 patients that had husbands that swore it felt different actually had breast cancer when I didn't feel anything. So I'm going to trust your husband on this."

First of all.. why not trust the patient? Why does my husband's word veto mine? I mean I'm happy that I got an ultrasound.. but I'm so frustrated that he feels that my husband's voice is bigger than mine- as if he knows my body better than myself...?! What is that shit? Sorry.

Anyways, I have a ultrasound tomorrow at 10am. I will let y'all know what they say.

SimoneRC

So sorry the doctor marginalized you, BUT you are getting that ultrasound tomorrow and that is great! Good luck

Lexica

Wow, that is beyond frustrating. I'm sorry you're going through this, and I hope your US comes back clear. Either way, try and find another gyno. I see that you've had insurance troubles, but having someone you trust is worth it. I found that being young and a woman seems to count against you double when you're seeking care for these type of symptoms. Even with my diagnosis, I still feel like I am being brushed off by some providers. Good luck!

Peregrinelady

Male chauvinism at its best.

Promisesmommy

Simone- it's alright just pissed me off a tad 🤷🙈 But yes I'm happy I'm getting an ultrasound and been thinking good thoughts that it's benign. So hopefully it's nothing to worry about.

Lexica- wow I can't believe even after diagnosis they brush you off.. that's some crap 🙄 I get that it's uncommon for young persons to have breast cancer, but I feel like it's much more common than the numbers show. Maybe I'm wrong.. but I mean I have like 4 people on my friends list, one that just died recently fighting breast cancer for a few years.. stage IV. All of them are young.. under 30. I know yet said because of my age he's not sending me for a mammogram also. He said if I was over 35 he would send me for a mammogram instead. But it sounds like a ultrasound is better regardless. So I'll take it.

Peregrinelady- uh yeah I couldn't agree more. Last time I'll go to him. I'll be damned too while he's doing my pelvic exam, and he says "Your how old again?" And I said 29. And he says "Hm. Ok." Finished the swabs and then felt up my breasts for like 6 seconds total. I was sitting there going.. are you saying that thinking about how nothing's going on in my boobs or does it look different down there. Didn't really know what to think of that.. then he takes my husband's word. 🤦 Just absolutely ridiculous.

Promisesmommy

I was running a small fever too 99.1 and BP was 90/50. I saw that in the notes. My normal temp is 97.1.

NotBrokenJustBent

Reminds me of a male GYN I went to many years ago but only once. He told me to do kagel exercises to enhance my lover's pleasure. I was like HUH?