Breast changes, unhappy with result

MrsB1977

hi all, new here so not sure how active this board is. I will post a bit about what’s going on and try to make it readable.

I have beast implants as had very small boobs after the kids. They are under muscle so can still feel actual breast at the front.

Well, 2 weeks ago I noticed a firmer area just on the top half of my right nipple, my nipple is less reactive and it’s flatter than the left but it always has been, it’s more noticeable now. My right is bigger, so much so that when I bend over it’s very obvious as it hangs more, my nipple points down when I’m stood up. If I go bra less it’s very obvious that my nipples aren’t near level but I don’t expect them to be perfect but again, I don’t recall them ever being this different. The firmness I feel does feel like breast tissue but it’s hard and lumpy, a bit like after you’ve had a baby and they get engorged it’s painful to touch and feels much warmer than the left boob. There is no redness. It isn’t just one area, it feels like all my ducts are hard, I don’t have much breast tissue so can pretty much hold it all in my hand. My right arm and shoulder blade also ache, like a dull but constant ache, getting nearly daily headaches and I’m so tired!!

I’ve had a mammogram and ultrasound and they are clear. I have a larger lymph node in right armpit but when checked they said it was normal.
I’m still not happy, I don’t feel like it should be left like that..with just “it’s fine”. I want an answer to what it could, preferably harmless of course but an answer either way..hormonal or worse, whatever because it’s definitely not normal for me. I’m still panicked but somewhat reassured that both those tests are clear.

Can anyone relate, offer advice, any experiences?

Thank you xx

MinusTwo

Mrs B - if you'll go to My Profile and fill in your diagnosis & treatment to date, it will help us give better answers. So - how long ago was your surgery? I'm assuming you haven't been diagnosed with breast cancer? If that's the case you likely haven't had radiation, but it could still be scar tissue accumulation.

How old are you? Have you been having mammograms all along? Do they have prior tests to compare? Was this latest test a diagnostic mammo? If your scans are clear and you've never been diagnosed but are still worried, I'd go see my OB/Gyn. They see & manipulate breasts all day long. You can ask for a diagnostic test. There may not be an answer other than slight inflammation.

Or it could be Lymphadema. Link below that will give you more information about that.

https://www.stepup-speakout.org/

MrsB1977

hi, thank you for responding. I will fill in the info soon.

No cancer diagnosis. No diagnosis at all.

Implants were cosmetic by choice as had no boobs to fill a bra. Second Implant surgery was over 6yrs ago and was a ‘new set’ as the first ones had been in over 10yrs. Think it was 2014.

First mammogram and breast ultrasound I’ve ever had.

Lady that performed the ultrasound said my mammogram came back clear. I didn’t question it because they’re the professionals. She appeared very thorough with the ultrasound, it all just looked like ‘normal’ breast tissue on the screen. She confirmed it all looked normal. She scanned the lymph node under right arm and said it was on the bigger side but looks healthy so gave that the all clear. I presume she took measurements etc.
I'm unsure about diagnostic mammogram. They just said mammogram.

I have been back in touch with my GP saying that I wasn’t happy not knowing what was going on because something is happening/changing. The advanced nurse practitioner rang me back and she is going to contact the breast surgeon so he will see me again. At this point, after doing lots of research I feel armed with knowledge and will most likely persuade him to send me for a breast MRI or biopsy, I’m quite forceful with my health once I’ve gathered enough knowledge.
been here before with two health conditions with a couple of GPs telling me I had anxiety, acid reflux and depression. One was heart related-GP said it was anxiety and acid reflux. I was adamant I was having heart pain, they were adamant it wasn’t so I asked them to specify that in writing that it wasn’t my heart. Naturally they wouldn’t so I got sent for a stress test (on treadmill with heart monitor). I last 6 minutes on that treadmill and got admitted to cardiac (what fun anxiety and acid reflux that was eh?). I have cardiomyopathy and a bundle branch block.

Similar situation with my kidney, I was adamant my kidney was in my pelvis (crazy huh?). My GP though so too and told me it was anatomically impossible for my kidney to be there. I pushed hard with that too and told them I thought it was nephroptosis (lots of research), they said nope, I forced an ultrasound. Referral to a urologist kidney surgeon and DMSA scan. Presto....I had nephroptosis. Kidney surgery last November fixed that.....don’t think the GP likes me anymore.

Sorry for such a long post but my fears run with GPs not listening to me hard enough. I feel I know my body so well and know when something is wrong. I just strongly hope I’m wrong about this but when I get that feeling...

I will take a look at that link on Lymphadema. Thank you xx

MrsB1977

oh and I’m 42. Four children aged 8, 17, 21 & 22. Breastfed all but for no longer than 6 months.

I’m in the U.K. so don’t have an OB/gyn

MrsB1977

wow, I’ve just seen your info at the bottom of your comment!! How are you? Your diagnosis sounds complicated. Are you managing, are you well?

Hope that’s ok to ask.

AliceBastable

They can't biopsy something that doesn't show up on imaging. There wouldn't be anything to aim at.

MinusTwo

Yes - it's OK to ask. I'm doing well 6 years after the last treatments.

If you don't have an OB/Gyn - who takes care of the women health stuff? Who did your implants?

Moderators

We are thinking of you! ROREVER in our prayer.

MrsB1977

well a plastic surgeon did my implants.

We normally see our GP and they refer us to either breast clinic or gynaecologist depending on the problem. We can’t book an appointment direct.