Petrified of IBC

abbi

Hello, I'm really hoping to hear some reassuring thoughts.

I'm a 22 year old girl with no family history of breast cancer but really bad anxiety, it seems like there's always something wrong. Recently it's been concerns about my breasts.

Roughly 2 weeks ago I started having some pain, on both sides but more prominent on the left, in my middle/upper back, shoulder, side and arm. I noticed it was also radiating into my breast, which alarmed me. Upon examining my breasts, they feel generally the same; lumpy, although the left breasts feels slightly different. Slightly bigger/fuller/heavier? I've had a lot of symptoms that come up as possible fibrocystic breast changes.

But, as it's easy to do, I fell down the rabbit hole of Dr. Google, and IBC came up. One of the big things was the “orange peel skin" which I notice I have; although as far back as I can think I've always had large pores (or hair follicles?) all over my breasts.

What's been giving me panic is that I've noticed some of the pores/follicles are red. No itchiness, my breast skin is still smooth. It's something I really only noticed. The skin looks maybe sort of mottled? But a lot of other parts of my skin does that too. I have large breasts (32 DDD) and I'm very pale so there's a lot of area to panic over. There's also a small white spot on my right breast.

I don't know; it could be from heat, poor fitting bras (that I should wash more), going braless, skin irritation in general?? The pain and weirdness I was feeling has pretty much gone away, although it's still there a tad. They aren't any warmer than they've ever been, my nipples look completely normal, there's no actual dimples (indents) anywhere in my breasts, and even though I've felt like the left one may be fuller, they look exactly the same. No noticeable swelling or anything. It's only up close in certain kinds of lighting I notice the issue. Sometimes it looks more noticeable on left breast, but for the most part looks the same on both sides.

I do have an apt with my doctor for a couple weeks from now, and I talked to a nurse from her office a couple days ago, and she said large visible pores and one breast feeling bigger/heavier than the other is very normal, and she also told me to stay off google. Which is very difficult when you're confused and overwhelmed.

My dad just lost his mother (my grandma) rather unexpectedly and my grandfather has already been passed for some time now. I'm all he has left and I am so terrified of the thought of him losing me.

Sorry for the rambling

djmammo

abbi

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2852616/

Moderators

abbi,

We're so sorry you're here and worrying, and we hope you find comfort and relief here. Djmammo's link will surely be helpful.

IBC in itself is a rare diagnosis, and at your age, it would be highly highly unlikely that this is anything to worry about. However, we always recommend to take any changes in your breasts to your doctor and get a professional opinion about what's going on.

We hope you find answers soon and please keep us posted.

--The Mods

abbi

Thank you so much for your sweet and calming words, they gave me some relief for sure. I was worried no one would respond! I have an appointment scheduled with my doctor in a couple weeks.

GiddyupGirl

Sweetie try not to worry too much - mid back pain and shoulder pain are often part and parcel of being large breasted. Look at how you are sitting and your position on your devices. Also try not to poke at your breasts too much that alone will make them grumpy. It is rare to have IBC especially at your age, keep in mind it could be a lot of things that aren't so scary. Try to get on the cancellation list for your doctor not a medical emergency but for your own piece of mind. I am sorry for the loss of your grandparents that is hard. I am sure your dad will have you around for a long time. I am a mom and I figure right now you could use a hug so I am sending you on, a really big one.

abbi

Thank you so much, for the hug and reassurance. I’ve been so out of sorts I’ve had trouble sleeping and eating, and I feel like I’m almost convincing myself I feel worse than I am. Your reply helps put my mind a bit at ease.