Pain that persists after termination of pregnancy

Nicole187

hi all, I am new here and also extremely anxious at the moment.

I had gone through an abortion at 5 and a half weeks pregnant around 2 years ago now. At the time I was taking a medication for severe psoriasis which would have caused birth defects had I continued with the pregnancy.

Ever since the abortion I have had severely painful breasts, that no amount of codeine can help with. 2 years I have been living with pain almost every day. The pain gos from burning to tingling to sharp to electric shocks.

I have had ultrasounds and been told there is nothing there, because I am under 30, currently 28 they wont allow for a mammogram as I am young and have dense breasts.

I have never had any issues with painful breasts before the abortion, and now for the past 2 years ever since the abortion there has been pain.

This has effected my study, relationship and mental health to the point of me wanting to commit suicide. I am in desperate need of some guidance or help, I just need to know if anybody else has experienced this before or know of somebody that has? Did it go away after they experienced a full term pregnancy? I have this theory that the development of my breast is immature because of the pregnancy stopping at 5 and a half weeks. Is it even safe for me to get pregnant now to try to lower my breast cancer risk before I turn 30, or could this pain turn into breast cancer once I become pregnant? I'm worried that it will turn into inflammatory breast cancer.

Doctors cannot help me and blame hormones, they said to take b12, evening primrose, vitex. Nothing has helped, not even the strongest codeine tablets.

If anybody has some guidance to help me, I would appreciate it so much.

Moderators

Hi Nicole,

We're so very sorry to hear you're in such pain. Because this pain is causing such desperation, as you mention, we must share that Breastcancer.org and the mods are not in a position to assist those contemplating suicide or self-injury, and we take this very seriously. Please, if you are having thoughts of either, please seek immediate, professional assistance. You may call 911 (or, if not in the United States, the comparable emergency number in your country), visit a hospital emergency room, or call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 800-273-TALK (800-273-8255).

In addition, if your pain is this persistent and your current doctor is not listening, we suggest asking for second (or third) opinions until you find a doctor who listens to you and can help figure out what's going on. You should not be in such pain that your quality of life is minimal. Please, again, keep searching for help until someone listens.

Hopefully others here will chime in soon with some insight. In the meantime, we hope you find answers and get relief soon. Please let us know if there's anything we can help with at all.

--The Mods

ctmbsikia

In my non-professional opinion, I highly doubt that these pains are breast cancer. You don't mention any family history of BC. The sooner you accept that the sooner you can find a rational explanation. Are you still taking the psoriasis medication? Are you taking other prescription meds? Have you checked the list of side effects of them and if there is a possible interactions? Secondly, you could try removing all medication preferably at the beginning of your next cycle for a week or two, and see if that helps at all? If not, I would seek out help for a possible emotional/psychological reaction since you state it started then. At 5.5 weeks I don't think your breasts would have gone through anymore changes then when you have a regular cycle. I also do not believe you are at any higher risk of BC by not having a baby or breast feeding.

These are just my thoughts and again, I have no medical back round what so ever. I am sorry you are going through this. It upsets me when young adults in their 20's are so worried about this disease. I know it can happen, but it is unlikely and I just as a mother, wish you peace. Go have some fun.

gb2115

Hi Nicole, sorry you are in pain. I am not a doctor, just someone who has breast cancer, had a kid full term, and had a miscarriage at 12 weeks, so my breasts have felt all sorts of ways. I don't think it sounds like cancer or something that would turn into cancer. Pain from cancer wouldn't be in both breasts like that, and it wouldn't persist for 2 years without being really obvious. Pregnancy breast soreness is more like that PMS soreness. I think mine went away pretty quickly after my miscarriage. I've never had sharp or burning pain like you have.

If your doctor has ruled out physical problems, think seriously about going to talk with someone. Anxiety can really mess you up physically, more than you might realize.

I hope you feel better soon.