Could it be IBC??

I am having similar problems with the breast surgeon.  I have swelling and constant pain and was told since i don't have a rash or it is probably not ibc.  The insurance company denied my breast mri and now I am still in pain and swollen and going to appeal the insurance desicion.   however, I am going to my pcp on wed and insist that i get this ruled out wether the insurance is going to cover it or not.  it means more to me, my husband and kids to rule out or confirm it than it does to them because "the odds are in my favor" (their words).  But i was wondering if they could do a punch biopsy even though there is no rash.  my breast surgeon said there is no where to biopsy without a lump or rash.... I think i need to get a second opinion from a nother breast surgeon...  can you get it biopsied without a rash?/

Trish

I am worried and frustrated and just need some reassurance, I think.  On March 28 of this year I noticed that I was experiencing spontaneous bloody discharge from my right nipple.  I nearly panicked because in 2006 I was diagnosed with invasive mucinous cancer in my left breast.  I had mastectomy with sentinel lymph node biopsy followed by chemotherapy.  So....you can imagine my fear when I saw blood coming from my remaining breast.

 I had a mammogram (showed no suspicious areas, ultrasound (showed small cyst that surgeon was not concerned about)  and finally on April 11th removal of ducts and biopsy showing no cancerous cells and some ectasia. (think I spelled that correctly)  About a week and a half later I noticed redness around my areola but no redness or swelling where the surgical wound itself is/was (the wound itself has healed nicely).  My surgeon put me on a week of antibiotic and told me to return in two weeks if the area is still red.  Well, it is still red and I am experiencing some pain in the area opposite the surgical site and swollen glands under my arm.  I feel like a hypochondriac, but I am just so worried that this might be IBC.  My surgeon was just so unconcerned and certainly not in a hurry to do follow up. He says that he could insert a needle to drain fluid as the next course of action to resolve the redness.  Am I on the right track here?  Should I just trust that my surgeon knows best?  I am very concerned. 

Thanks Bonnie.  I called AIBH and want to say first off, I was very impressed with how compassionate and helpful the woman answering the phone was for me.  Because I don't have a diagnosis of cancer in the right breast, AIBH can't help me as far as a second opinion, but I was given the name and phone number of a breast surgeon in Scottsdale who she highly recommended I see for a consult.  Have you heard of Dr. Lice (pronounced Leese) Walker in Phoenix?

I do have an appointment tomorrow with my surgeon here who did the ductal removal and biopsy regarding the continuing redness and pain.  As I've said, he mentioned that if the redness did not go away he would insert a needle and drain fluid from the area.  I will insist that any fluid removed be sent to pathology or he may as as well not do the procedure. I have concerns about him knowing where to put that needle without a lump and only redness to go by.  I guess that is a question I will have to ask him and hope I get a satisfactory answer, meaning I understand what he is saying and that it makes sense to me. 

 I also have a very small cyst in a different area of my breast that I want him to aspirate.(he has told me he doesn't feel that is necessary, but that he will do it).  I doubt either of these procedures will be done tomorrow as I know the cyst aspiration requires equipment (ultrasound) he doesn't have in his office and, for my own comfort, I am going to insist upon i.v. sedation.  I.V. sedation has to be done under the care of an anesthesiologist so will have to be done in out patient surgery.  I do not want to feel any pain, discomfort or anxiety  during the procedure at all and after all I've been through with surgeries and chemo, I don't think that is unreasonable.  

 I am due and have an order  for a PET scan so will set that up after I have met with my surgeon here.

I didn't know that about Mayo Clinic, that they had a waiting list for patients with  breast cancer.  The reason I considered them is because before I had chemo in 2006 my oncologist referred me to an oncologist there for a second opinion on my need for chemo and what meds to use. I just figured since I have had a consult and one mammogram done there, I would already be in their system as an established patient.  That's interesting to know that they have a waiting list and some patients get more priority than others, depending on whether they can use them for research studies.  I'm all for studies, but seems like patient's care and well-being should come as first priority.  Wonder if the hospital get grant money  for their research and that's why they give priority to individuals with recently diagnosed breast cancer and with health status, etc. favorable for research?

Thanks so much for your help and your encouragement.  I'll let you know how things turn out.  The worst part of the getting proper diagnosis, treatment, etc. is all the waiting for appointments and getting reports back.  As far as I'm concerned it's been too long as it is since  I first noticed the bleeding (which probably had been occurring for a couple of weeks at least before I noticed it).  I've probably been having problems with my breast now for two months or so.  Too long.

hi everyone dont know were to start im worried sick myself im 38 had ongoing problems with both breasts for 4 and half yrs one thing after another from papaloma to duct estasia discharge etc..i have 4 surgeries done so far all milk ducts in both breasts have been removed most recent op was march this yr.though this time round the pain is unbearable never had anything like it this is totally new breast looks a bit odd drooping to the side a bit itchy no rash but hurts when water hits it throbbing pains and like an intense sore heat goes through it under my arm which is a bit puffy right through to my shoulder blades and up my neck i cant sleep it disturbs me almost no appetite cant stand a bra on to uncomfortable i feel a hardness right under my collarbone been to clinic had ultrasound told me fibrocystic change with too many cysts to count but didnt even test them to make sure just sent me home am i worrying sick over nothing here ?????