Painful lumps

MelissaNJP

Hi there,

I have had very painful breast lumps for well over a year now. I had a hysterectomy when I was 30 due to endometriosis and have been on premarin ever since, I'm now 48. The pain gets so bad that I can't wear a bra most times, and I can't sleep on my stomach. I have been afraid to tell my dr because I know she'll send me for a mammogram, but the pain is too severe to be able to do that. Should I be worried?

Thanks so much,

Melissa

MelissaDallas

But you need a mammogram. You should be worried about not talking to your doctor and going to get a mammogram. We can’t help, other than telling you that you need to do that

AliceBastable

What MelissaDallas said. Many of us have had lumpectomies and have a half boob filled with scar tissue and biopsy clips and we get our mammograms and we do just fine with it. Don't ever let you imagination win out over reality.

MelissaNJP

Hi Alice and Melissa, I realize that there are many people who have had lumpectomies without incident and still go for your mammograms and you do just fine. My problem is that the pain in both breasts is so incredibly severe that I can't even wear a bra, it hurts so much even with just light touch so I know I won't be able to get through the mammogram without screaming in pain and crying buckets of tears! So I'm not letting my imagination win out over reality, this IS my reality! I can't stress enough how extremely painful this really is! So I guess my main question is how do I get through the mammogram without passing out from the pain? I have to be honest here, I really feel like you have both simply responded to the fact that I haven't had a mammogram without really listening to the reasons why which has made me feel like a little child being scolded for not doing something but not being understood or even heard about the very real reasons why. I'm sorry if that sounds harsh, but it's how I felt after reading both of your answers. It's not like I don't know that I have to deal with this, but the fear of how very much it's going to hurt stops me from going through with it. So any suggestions or thoughts about how I deal with this situation would be greatly appreciated! And again, I'm sorry if my words hurt your feelings, that wasnt my intention in any way at all.

Thanks,

Melissa

AliceBastable

Most mammogram centers, at least those attached to hospitals, have seen every kind of breast condition and know how to position people for the least possible discomfort. BTW, I HAVE had pain issues with my breast, enough to where my oncologist sent me for a mammogram and ultrasound earlier this year. Even though it hurt regularly at that time and yes, wearing a bra was problematic, the mammogram was NOT uncomfortable. If you haven't actually gone to at least talk to a major mammography center to discuss your problem, you are still avoiding it based on what you THINK will happen.

MelissaNJP

Hi Alice, I really didn't mean to offend you in any way by what I wrote, I was just trying to explain my situation. Also, as far as the mammogram goes, I'm not scared because of what I think will happen, I've had mammograms before and because my breasts are quite small, the machine squeezes them almost flat, so with the lumps as painful as they are, I know it will be more then I can handle. That's why I was concerned, I'm sorry, I didn't quite give you all the information. I know I have to deal with this, I'm just really scared of the pain it's going to cause an already painful situation, because as I said in my earlier post, even the slightest touch is painful because they're small to begin with so the lumps are very close to the surface.

AliceBastable

I wasn't offended at all. But if your breasts already hurt, you might as well get that mammogram since you'll be in pain either way. Or you could talk to a doctor about an MRI if it's something your insurance would pay for. There's not much breast contact, but I found it excruciating. In spite of that, I did it anyway, and I'd do it again if I absolutely had to.

MinusTwo

Melissa - what about getting your PCP to provide a mild pain med? If you're anticipating pain that severe, it would certainly be justified. Or an anti-anxiety med so your mind doesn't jump there? I have to take a Xanax before I have breast MRI's or PET/CTs.

OH and BTW - I was able to curtail some of the constant pain in my breasts by cutting out all cafeine. I went from drinking coffee most of all day to none, and the difference was amazing.

MelissaNJP

Thanks Alice, I really appreciate all of your advice, and I will ask about the MRI, I live in Canada so all of my medical is free so I'll talk to my dr about it!🙂

MelissaNJP

Thanks for the advice minus 2, I am already on dilaudid due to a bad car accident but it doesn't help the breast pain, but maybe the anti anxiety meds will help. I only drink 1 cup of coffee a day, but I'll try cutting it out completely, at this point I'll try anything to get rid of the pain, I know that kind of contradicts all of my fear throughout this thread, but I'm more afraid of the pain then the actual diagnosis which I know isn't the way it should be, but none of this is the way it should be I guess.

Ladyc2020

pretty sure you can have a diagnostic ultrasound or mri.... please tell your dr ASAP.

Calandagain

I too had breast pain and it was, in fact, Cancer. Please talk to your doctor - including the pain issues. there are options beyond mamogram but if it is the best one, then see what is best advice for the pain. Good luck.