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Bobbie37
Bobbie37 Member Posts: 23

Hello,

New to this forum.  I'm pretty worried about a rash that is very red, itches like crazy, seems swollen and is speading by the day.  It's been about 2 and a half weeks now.  Doctor gave a steriod cream and sent for mammo.  Mammo is normal and cream has not helped at all.  I now have pain in the breast feels like it's on fire!  Now pain under my arm and top of my chest on the side the breast is red (left breast).  Doctor put me on antibiotics and said may be some type of breast infection.  I'm really scared.  This breast also had a lumpectomy done 5 yrs ago and was negative.  Should I be concerned???? 

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  • lovemyfriend
    lovemyfriend Member Posts: 35
    edited May 2009

    I in no way want to frighten you, but because of what my dearest friend just went through, you should ask your doctor to either do a biopsy or MRI.  You have posted to this particular site because of suspicions that you have, always follow your instincts. 

    Inflammatory Breast Cancer is a lot like what you describe, BUT that doesn't mean this is what you have.  Please don't waste time and don't be passive about this.  Neither a mammogram nor a sonagram can detect IBC. 

  • lexi4
    lexi4 Member Posts: 1,074
    edited May 2009

    Hey Bobbie37,

    Yes, please have a skin punch biopsy done on the rash. You have a very high likely-hood that this ISN'T breast cancer, however, this shouldn't be taken lightly. Perhaps you can be seen by a bc specialist.

    Please let us know how you are doing.

    Hugs,

    Lexi

  • Bobbie37
    Bobbie37 Member Posts: 23
    edited May 2009

    Thanks to both of you!  Yes I am seeing a breast surgeon next Wed 05/20 so will see.  Until then I have started Keflex (antibiotic) my doctor wrote for today.  I'm really scared and hope it's nothing but have a gut feeling it's more then that.  My g-ma died from breast cancer in her 40's on my dads side.  She had a lump though.  I have no lumps nor did it show on mammo.

    My nipple is really itchey too,  Did either of you have that symptom?  and when you itch it, it burns like fire and the rest of the skin becomes raised and red.  I don't have a fever or body aches so it makes me wonder why my doc even thinks of a breast infection???

    Please share your stories if you can....  Just want to talk to others who have went though what I'm going through..

    Thx!  

  • cheers247
    cheers247 Member Posts: 270
    edited May 2009

    Bobbie37...  Yes, itchy nipples are a symptom.  My dr. put me on keflex too.  Of course there was no infection in my case.  I'm getting ready for my second round of chemo & herceptin and the redness is still there.  I am 34, I had no lump, my mamo did show a mass, but it could not be felt.  MRI and skin biopsy are diagnostic for IBC.  Hopefully IBC is not what is going on in your case, but if it is, being agressive with diagnose and starting treatment is best.  Please keep us posted.  Feel free to ask any questions also!!  Jessica

  • Bobbie37
    Bobbie37 Member Posts: 23
    edited May 2009

    Yes, on Keflex now for 2 days no change at all.  Lots of pain now into my under arn and shoulder and my arm is just kind of aching now too.  Breast still extermly red, swollen and hurts to but a bra on.  So I guess if I am not better after 3 days on antibiotic should i be concerned?

    Thanks for everyones support hope it's not IBC.....

  • Caseysmom
    Caseysmom Member Posts: 507
    edited May 2009

    Bobbbie37:

    I would get into see your doc.  The antibotics should have started to kick in by now. 

    I would also demand a punch biopsy.

    Hugs

    Laura

  • Bobbie37
    Bobbie37 Member Posts: 23
    edited May 2009

    Thanks for your thoughts....  Ya still about the same antibiotics Keflex for almost 4 days now....  No real improvement.  It's wired cuz in the am when I wake up it almost looks better then after a shower and the day goes on it becomes real red, itching and back to the same old thing.

    So I have an appointment with the brest doc on Wed next week... For now my doc still thinks it's some sort of skin infection, cellulitis, mastitis etc.  I'm with you have not nursed or been pregnant in 13 yrs what are they thinking????

    Thanks again and Yes God is GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Bobbie37
    Bobbie37 Member Posts: 23
    edited May 2009

    Hi Everyone,

    Just wanted to give an up date,,,,,  Rash on right breast is still there and not better at all.  The itching is driving me crazy and I think that is part of some of the pain I'm feeling scratching till the skin almosts bleeds.  Looks still like a rash has begun on the left but it does not seems to be getting any worse like the right breast did everyday it would spread and continues to spread.  Still feel real body aches my under arms, neck just feel real sore.  So I have an appointment on Wed will see what they say.

    Thanks again everyone for all your help!  Bobbie

  • g94u67
    g94u67 Member Posts: 436
    edited May 2009

    Bobbie I'm so sorry to hear you have to go through this frustration and pain.  I've just discovered a small rash myself under my nipple on my lumpectomy side.  I'm having my mammo tomorrow but as many have said, mammos aren't effective in discovering IBC?

    My rash does not itch but looks like 3 small flea bites and has been there a a couple of months. 2 Dr's said "Oh it's nothing" Yea I''ve heard that before.  I'm concerned too.

    Keep up posted and keep pressing for treatment.

    Jeannine

  • Bobbie37
    Bobbie37 Member Posts: 23
    edited May 2009

    Thanks for your support.  Yes, my mammo was negative as well.  My rash started small then began to move over the entire breast with in a matter of weeks.  It's about the 4th week now.  Been on antibiotics and creams to no avail.  Feel pretty beat down and just not well.  Feel like my under arm may be swollen too but hard to tell.

    So in your ending it looks like you had some sort of cancer before just not IBC?

    Thanks again will give up date as soon as I know.  Bobbie

  • cheers247
    cheers247 Member Posts: 270
    edited May 2009

    Bobbie37... I've been thinking about you non-stop, How did the Dr. apt go.  I'm praying for you!!

  • Bobbie37
    Bobbie37 Member Posts: 23
    edited May 2009

    Had bio done yesterday...  She said she was not sure and the only way to tell for IBC is by a bio.  I should know in 3 days.  So I had bio on both breast as the rash has started over on the other breast now.  My doc said that it would be rare to have IBC in both breast and didn't seem to shocked about the rash.  She was very nice and explained everything.  My mammo did show a swollen lymph node though but she also did not seem to concerned.  So will see.

    Thanks for your support and prayers.  Keep you posted, Bobbie

  • cheers247
    cheers247 Member Posts: 270
    edited May 2009

    Bobbie37... How are you doing?  I've been thinking about you, I hope you are well!  Love, Jessica

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