What do I do now?

buttermehappy

I have been back and forth to my GP several times over the last month with various symptoms. I was having serious breast pain in my left breast that spread to my armpit and my collarbone. I also had enlarged lymph nodes in my neck and left side of my collar bone and armpit. He sent me for a bilateral mammogram and was given an US of a part of my left breast because they thought I was too young to undergo a mammogram.

I went back to my GP because the pain was still persistent and my left breast started to shrink and some other visible changes. It’s extremely noticeable. He sent me for a second ultrasound of my entire axillary area and to a different place for an ultrasound of my neck.

After the axillary ultrasound the radiologist came in and told me, “Your lymph nodes are enlarged and the one in your armpit is thicker than I’d like it to be.” I think he said it was supposed to be 3mm and it’s 4mm. Either way, he said, “Lymph nodes can swell for various reasons and it could be an infection of some sort. It could also be cancer but I can’t tell you that.” He told me to come back for another US in 6 months. My lymph nodes have been enlarged for two months and I haven’t been sick. Plus, they are only on the left side where I’m having pain. Due to the pandemic I am having to go to these appointments alone and I am so nervous and flustered I don’t always think to ask certain things and haven’t been doing a good job at advocating for myself. When I got into the car and told my husband he was surprised the radiologist told me anything at all, much less causally dropped the C word.

Two days later I had my neck ultrasound. The tech was very thorough and asked a lot of questions. He kept going and asking the doctor if the images were good enough and would come back and take more. He made me feel better since he was actually looking. They told me my doctor would call with the results. My GP’s nurse called shortly after and said, “Your breast US looks normal and you should follow up with them for another US In 6 months. Your neck ultrasound had a few nodules but nothing the GP is too worried about.” I said, “Okay, what do I do about the pain and enlarged nodes?” She said she would ask and call me back. I felt like it would have went a little better had I talked to the GP himself so he could explain more since the nurse couldn’t. She called back and said they are sending me a referral for an orthopedic to rule out joint pain.

I haven’t had any blood work taken. I am feeling worse and worse each day. Today, my lymph nodes on the left side of my neck and collarbone and swollen and I’m still having pain and persistent itching . This isn’t just going to go away or it would have by now. Obviously, you guys can’t diagnose me and I’m definitely not asking for that. I’m just at a loss for what to do. Do I seek a second opinion? Do I ask for a blood test? Idk. I don’t want to seem like a crazy lady who is a hypochondriac or something or be an obnoxious pest. But I have this awful gut feeling that it’s something more and my body is definitely changing. I know my body. I just want to know what it is so I can fix it because it’s affecting my quality of life. They are starting to make me feel like it’s all in my head. Thanks for listening.

MountainMia

Are you in the US? I don't know anything about this, but if you don't feel like you're getting good information, it's always reasonable to go for a second opinion. I am sorry you're having this and hope you can get some resolution soon.

Ingerp

I don't know why my brain went to mastitis. Breast cancer doesn't usually hurt, and it seems like you're going through rapid changes--also not typical of BC. There *are* many reasons your lymph nodes could be swollen, and I find it a little odd your GP isn't pursuing this to diagnosis/treatment. I doubt an orthopedist is the answer. How well do you know/like your GP? Can you push for more answers? I've never sought a second opinion but it might be warranted in this case.

Beesie

First, I would suggest that you get a copy of all your ultrasound reports, both for your breast and your neck. You need to know exactly what has been said by the Radiologist and you have a right to those reports.

Second, I agree about a second opinion. GPs know a bit about everything but they are not the experts. With the enlarged axillary lymph node and the nodules in your neck, there is obviously something going on and I would be uncomfortable with it being dismissed so quickly by the GP. Hopefully this isn't anything serious, but it does warrant further investigation. I agree with Ingerp that this doesn't sound as though this is breast cancer - it would be a most unusual presentation - but you may have an infection or an autoimmune condition, or something like that.

How old are you? Normally mammograms aren't done as a first screening on young women because they tend to have dense breast tissue, and mammograms don't 'see' much through dense tissue. However if after an ultrasound there is a concern or something that should be checked out further, usually a mammogram will done. So I'm surprised it wasn't offered.

Another option is an MRI, although those aren't easily approved if you have to go through insurance. So you would need the Radiologist or your doctor to pitch it for you.

Let us know what the reports say and what you decide to do.

Mandyhiero

I was actually a medical assistant for an orthopedic surgeon and some of what you’re experiencing could be coming from the shoulder, but it doesn’t explain the enlarged lymph nodes. I would go and be seen for that too, but I would probably get a second opinion first. If they’re going to refer you to an orthopedic doctor then I don’t think it would be unreasonable to ask to be referred to a breast doctor. There are certain breast cancers that don’t show on mammogram and ultrasound.