Omg worried ibc

Austinjewlz2

i was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013 and did breast sparing radiation treatments for 21 days. 2 months ago i concluded my 5 year round of Tamoxifen.

Yesterday a rash came up on my right rib cage and breast (the one that had been irradiated). We had just stayed in a hotel and i assumed bed bugs- the area on my ribs looks bed buggy. The breast looks like bed bug bites too but the skin got angry inside the radiation zone- last night it was pretty inflamed. I started treating with antifungal, antihistimines, and by morning it looked a lot better. But now, this evening it is red and irritated again- maybe because it is hot and humid and my bra wasnt clean... These are my assumptions:

1. If it started on my rib cage, does that point to something else more likely, like yeast? Or bed bugs?

2. My bra had been hanging there amd could have been dirty. Yuk, i know..

3. If it subsided overnight and came back with heat, would that also be indicative of something else?

4. Lastly, i was cutting the grass at the end of last week for a short bit unprotected from the sun (again, dumb...i know...) could that have just made me more susceptible to radiation recall

5. Also, since things are never uncomplicated in my life, i am on day 6 of keto diet- so keto rash is also a possibility- maybe in combo with something else...

6. It is all on one side except for one "bite" on other side on the ribcage.

7. I also have a latex sensitivity and have been braless for awhile... until this weekend

8. I also get shingles, which is what i thought it was to begin with except it is more diffuse than how it normally presents. My husband put me under a magnifying glass just jow and he said there are pustules- i don't know whether or not that is defining of anything.

Ibc is supposed to be so rare. I am trying to be level headed but in reality i am totally wigged out. Will call doc in an for appt. Either way just wanted your thoughts.

Austinjewlz

LoriCA

Sounds like some kind of skin reaction, whether from bed bugs, an allergic reaction, heat rash (aka prickly rash), sweat rash, or something else. Definitely does not sound like IBC symptoms, especially since IBC would not typically initially present with a rash-like appearance on the rib cage, unless it had spread there from one that started on the breast, also that you have what appears to be a bite on the opposite side that is also located on your rib cage. IBC can spread very fast, but it wouldn't typically be on the torso right from the start. It also wouldn't typically fade overnight and get worse in the heat.

Just noticed you also mentioned that you get shingles and that does sound like a possibility given the location and description you've provided. IBC wouldn't typically have pustules.

It's a good idea to see your doctor to get it checked out, but I wouldn't start with your oncologist. You probably need to rule out shingles first because the pustules make that a strong possibility. If not shingles, a dermatologist should be able to help identify what is causing the reaction.

Austinjewlz2

i am in the same line of thinking. I actually ran to my local doc yesterday when it first showed up because i do get shingles- have had it 4 or 5 times. Other than the diffuse pattern being unusal, it seemed the same in every other way. So, i did get on valtrex immediately. (They werent sure it was shingles but akso couodnt id it otherwise) But I'm still just not sure so i am going to call my gyn and get in asap.

Thanks for responding. Talking about it helps so much