New to Forum - Looking for advice during lockdown

RoxReeves

Hi Everyone,

Really pleased to have found a forum to share my concerns with especially during lockdown. I am the only female in my household (Mom to 3 boys and my hubby) so no advice their either.
Firstly let me describe myself and my situation a bit. I am 31 years old, had a subtotal hysterectomy at 26 and both ovaries removed at 27 due to a very aggressive case of endometriosis that was causing me to have laparoscopy done every 2 months to remove cysts from my ovaries. I am on HRT for the last year). I am also a type 1 diabetic for the last 19 years but it is well controlled and has always been my new normal (I don't believe that has anything to do with the symptoms I am experiencing but I mention it anyway!) I am otherwise healthy and not overweight.

For the last 9 weeks I have had swelling in my right clavicle/sternoclavicular joint. I have been photographing it for the last 4 weeks just to keep track of size and location etc.

I have seen my doctor in the small town where I currently reside with no luck at an answer. I was also referred to an orthopedic surgeon who said there was no cause found for the swelling and pain I am experiencing.

To date, I have had 2 sets of x-ray's and blood tests done. On my last blood test (done on the 1st June 2020) showed no sign of infection and no abnormality with my thyroid. The x-rays show no bone issues.

I have a cousin (my mom's sister's daughter) who had breast cancer and a double mastectomy when she was my age, my father was just diagnosed with prostate cancer that has spread to his abdomen. My mother passed away 4 years ago but no cancer that we were aware of)

Currently symptoms I am experiencing include:

- Swollen right clavicle/Sternoclavicular joint for 9 weeks

- Pain that radiates into the neck (feels like glands along the right side of my neck) and under my right arm into my breast.

- Sporadic stabbing/burning pain that just suddenly comes and go's in my right breast. At times the burning pain is quite significant.

- At times, my right breast becomes extremely sensitive and itchy and I have noticed a clear discharge (Only right breast) but it also comes and go's.

I also at times get a sensation similar to when breastfeeding of when your milk comes (it almost feels like the breast is getting fuller and harder)

- I have no redness on the breast but my right areola on the outer line feels raised/swollen and full of very fine lumps that are raised, whereas the left breast is flat and smooth.

Because of my diabetes and the current lock down situation in South Africa I am recommended to remain in lockdown. Our hospitals are also currently overflowing with patients and majority of them have notices of no space available hence me not venturing out to get second opinion.

I understand no one here can give a diagnosis but was wondering if anyone else had experienced similar symptoms. I am not normally one to worry and at first just thought this may be a delayed reaction to my HRT (normally takes 3 months for the meds to increase your estrogen levels according to my doc). Is this something I should be concerned about?

Thank you so much for taking the time to read through this.

Be blessed xx

Salamandra

I'm not a doctor so please don't take this for more than it's worth.

That does not sound to me like descriptions I've read of breast cancer, but it does sound like something to be concerned about.

If the orthopedist was a dead end, can your primary care doctor suggest another line of specialty to follow up? Some that come to mind to me are gynecologist, dermatologist, internist, but I don't know. Do you have access to telemedicine? It could be a good way to start to at least figure out how urgent follow up diagnostics are or what kind of specialist(s) to try to pursue.

Like, in your shoes, I wouldn't assume this was a dire condition, but I also wouldn't assume it can wait until lockdown is over, if that makes sense.

Good luck!!

Sunshine99

RoxReeves, I'm sorry you're having these worries. I think it's a good thing that you've been taking pictures to monitor the area with the swelling. Both times for me, my PCP sent me for an ultrasound. Do you have that option - even with the lockdowns?

Again, I'm sorry you're going through this and I sincerely hope you get some answers.

AliceBastable

If the issue is glandular, perhaps a consult with an endocrinologist would be helpful.

RoxReeves

Thank you so much for all your input. I will continue to monitor it but unfortunately further testing or doctors is out of the question at this point. Our hospitals are so overwhelmed and we are all being advised not to visit hospitals unless it is life threatening. My physician has asked me to email her photos but does not recommend that I see her due to my diabetes and this being a risk factor if I was to contract coronavirus. I will let you know if I hear anything but for now I will just leave it be.

Stay safe xx