any thoughts

cheryls · October 2008

Hi everyone! Iam so scared and also alittle confused! About a month ago I found a lump, not to big. It then started getting inflammed and red! The dr tried two antibiotics but they did not help much! It did make the imflammation go down alittle, but then it came back! I went for mammo and ultrasound, both negative for lumps but irregular. So then the ctscan... thickened skin and lympnodes under arm swollen! So my dr did a skin and core biopsy... both negative! Then the bone scan... the results... Radiopharmaceutical accumulation within the left breast is worrisome; although this pattern can be secondary to minor inflammation or trauma, it has been reported in malignancy. So the dr put me on another antibiotic and set up a mri! I am confused, what could this be! Could the biopsys not have shown cancer and its there or am I over worrying myself?

Anonymous · October 2008

ONe thought would to be to have your biopsy slides evaluated by a second lab. MD Anderson in Texas has an IBC center and would be the top experts. I would say that you should be concerned until this is ruled out and your symptoms have been treated or resolved. Hopefully the MRI will shed some light on the subject. All the waiting is hard though.

You are in my prayers.

cheryls · October 2008

just more waiting!!! My mri stated... skin thickening! My dr is convinced it is infection! But because of the negative biopsys my dr just wants to wait 2 weeks to see if the so called infection clears up with no antibiotics! So what to do now! Do I just wait?

Caseysmom · October 2008

I would get a secon opinion.

Laura

cheryls · November 2008

I just came back from the doctors! He feels the thickening is a little less! I feel different because the sore that was right next to the original thickening that I found! The sore has gotten alot better, but I dont see the difference in the thickening! So now he want to give it another 2 weeks! I pretty much had to beg him that if it doesnt look better then that he would do something more! He said he would do a surgical biopsy in two weeks! But now I feel like he thinks I am imagining things! I would so love to just think that my body will slowly take away these things that are happening to my breast, but Its not changing and I am so worried! But Is it just me??? Am I just over thinking it and making things worse on myself???

Anonymous · November 2008

Cheryl,

It is hard to evaluate what is going on right now without knowing your age. I would guess that if you are very young this could simply be an infection or hormonal flare and probably nothing...

I say...don't worry, just use the antibiotics and think positively.

L

cheryls · November 2008

Hi Linora

Iam only 29 years old! I have been on 3 different antibiotics but my doctor said he doesnt want to try any more antibiotics for now! He said he wants to see if my body will clear this up on its own, or have it come out more! He feels that if its an infection it will clear or come out more and they can get a culture to find out exactly what antibiotic would help, since the other 3 havent helped! So he feels this might help show if its infection! I guess I just have to wait! That horrible word... wait!

Anonymous · November 2008

No kidding, waiting is the worst part of anything and the worst thing in a cancer diagnosis. But is you want my gut opinion, this is not cancer. It may be an infection and it may be troublesome, but I think you're OK.

cheryls · November 2008

hi everyone! Its been 2 more weeks! I am suppose to go the drs this week, but I am not sure if I want to! My breast hasnt gotten any better, its still red and swollen! I just know that the drs said last time that it could take a long time to clear up an infection! But how long? My dr did say he would consider a surgical biopsy this week just to subside me! But he makes me feel stupid like I want to have IBC! I dont want this but I do know what my gutt is telling me! Iam not sure if its saying IBC, but it says that it is something more than just a infection that the symptons havent gone away! I guess what iam asking is if I should just let time go and not request a surgical biopsy! Please honest opinions!

shrink · November 2008

Trust your guts! Eleanor Roosevelt said, "No one can make you feel stupid without your consent," Insist on the biopsy. If one round of anti-biotics didn't clear it up, you need to find out what it is - sooner rather than later. It's your life.

ibcspouse · November 2008

Linora,

I have suggested to others, a FNA (fine needle aspiration) of lymph nodes that are swollen. It's not that invasive. It will not be conclusive since you can have BC without node involvement, but since yours are swollen and you suspect IBC, it is another tool that can be used.

Keep pushing the Doc's, the first step is to rule out IBC, any other thing you will have more time to deal with.

Jonesym · August 2015

Hi, I'm 17 years old and I'm experiencing the exact same thing as you. Over a month ago I started having severe pain in my right breast. I went to my family doctor and he said it was a breast infection. I've been on two antibiotics and haven't had any test done. The pain has only gotten worse. I'm so afraid that it is breast cancer and that my doctor isn't taking me seriously. My lymph nodes under my armpit are swollen and he said my right breast tissue is a lot firmer than the other.

any thoughts

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