not sure what to do!

Options
katiarae
katiarae Member Posts: 2
edited June 2014 in IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer)

Hello, everyone.

I am hoping for some advice.

A few days ago I woke up with a warm, painful, spreading red rash on my breast with a hard lump underneath.  I immediately went to the doctor and said ... I am concerned about IBC.  She rolled her eyes and laughed about googling too much - until she saw it. 

She called a surgeon/breast specialist and got me in the next day.  Bless her heart for being so proactive!  He too was taken aback by the rash, but explained that ultrasound would show nothing with so much inflammation, etc.  Put me on 7 days of antibiotics and I see him again next week.

The inflammation is (thank God) responding to antibiotics - but I am still terrified about the possibility of it being IBC.  I really want to push the Dr. into doing a biopsy of it next week, but am not sure he will.

I guess my question is: has anyone here had a rash that responded to antibiotics, but still turned out to be IBC?  And is a biopsy going to be the best way to completely rule it out?  

This forum is amazing - I cannot believe the support and information that is shared here.  I have scoured the net for days, and am so thankful to have found this site.

Thanks for any information!

Katia 

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Caseysmom
    Caseysmom Member Posts: 507
    edited July 2009

    Katia:

    I would push for the biopsy is the only way to get a correct dx of IBC. My understanding is that antibiotics will clear this up only for it to come back.   Also Mammograms, ultrasounds ect... will not pick up IBC. 

    If this doctor will not do a biopsy I would get a second opinion.

    Keep us posted.

    Hugs

    Laura

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • idaho
    idaho Member Posts: 1,187
    edited July 2009

    The best way to diagnose IBC is with a skin punch biopsy... it is a fairly simple procedure.... Hope it's benign!     Tami

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • katiarae
    katiarae Member Posts: 2
    edited July 2009

    Thank you so much for all your advice! 

     I called the doctor again and gave them a heads-up that they will HAVE to do a biopsy next week, whether he feels like it is better or not.  After all my research, I DO want a pet/ct scan - but the information I have puts them at about $4000.00.  Is that anyone else's experience?

    I don't think my insurance company will do one without a biopsy first and at this time I can't cover that totally out of pocket.

    Bonnie - I have read the stories here and am terrified!  All the things the doctor says are contradictory to the experiences here.  "It doesn't present overnight.  It always looks like an orange peel.  It doesn't respond to antibiotics."  I don't want to alienate him - but even I get that this type of cancer doesn't follow a specific set of rules.

    For now, I am waiting to see him next week.  If he won't at least do a biopsy, I'll get a new doctor.

    Again ladies, thank you for all your help.  I am praying for each of you.

    Katia 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tiba
    tiba Member Posts: 2
    edited July 2009

    i was diagnosed with ibc about a year ago..took antibiotics twice before i finally had a mammo done because i kept responding well to the antibiotics...dont mean to scare you but i def think you should have a biopsy done. Good Luck!!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories