Should I be worried,recurring bruising.

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mwood
mwood Member Posts: 6
edited June 2014 in IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer)

Hi I'm 37 years old and was seen by my Ob/Gyn in 10/2010 for a very large bruise(7cmx7cm) that appeared above my left breast. I had no trauma to that area and no pain when pressing area. My doctor performed a breast exam found no lumps, and was stumped as to what happend. He called it a hemmorrage and said that I should go see a breast specialist. My family members thought that I probably had been possibly kicked in the chest or hit in the chest by either my 1 or 2 year old children. I never saw the speicalist and now it's January 2011 and a small bruise has formed above my right breast near my ribs like the other bruise had formed. My left breast feels like it has been throbbing, and I have axillary pain in my left arm pit. When I do a breast exam on my left breast there is pain below the breast and on the side, and I can almost feel a small nodule on the left side of my chest(side of breast). My Dr scheduled me for a digital mammogram and ultrasound on 2/1. Has anyone had similar symptoms? I went through 4 IVF cycles to have my 2 children and I'm now wondering if all the drugs I injected in my body are causing this. No family history of Breast Cancer. I have had Thyroid issues in the past and low Vitamin D levels. Any feedback greatly appreciated.

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  • MNSuzi
    MNSuzi Member Posts: 5
    edited January 2011

    Hi there!  Just wanted to let you know that your story sounds very familiar to mine, and I'm glad you are getting in for mammogram & ultrasound.  I was diagnosed with IBC on 10/27/10, and the only two symptoms I had were a very large bruised (think yellowish bruise) most of my breast and some slight skin thickening - which I wouldn't have noticed had the Dr not pointed it out.

    My PCP also asked if one of my children had recently hit me or if I had other trauma to my breast, and I couldn't recall anything.  She immediately referred me for an mammogram and ultrasound, which quickly turned into a biopsy and diagnosis of IBC.

    Interestlingy enough I also did IVF and have 3 1/2 year old b/g twins, and I've heard speculation on the connection to ER/PR+ breast cancer and fertility treatments.  AND at the time of my appointment with my PCP, she pointed out my thyroid was enlarged (apparently there is some connection with iodine, the thyroid and breast cancer).

    So, I hope these are all just weird coincidences, but JUST IN CASE, I'm glad you are seeing someone.  You might want to consider trying to move your appointment up.  When I first called the surgeon's office to schedule my biopsy, they said the 1st appointment was 2 weeks out, and I said NO WAY!

    Best of luck, and please keep us updated!

    Suzi

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  • mwood
    mwood Member Posts: 6
    edited January 2011

    Suzi,

    Thanks for all your information. Interesting the similarities we have. So from what I'm reading on peoples posts there are different symptoms of IBC? From the pictures I have seen I assumed it had to be more involved other than bruising and skin thickening.  I have now developed a smaller bruise above my right breast about 3cm by 3cm.  At least as weird as it sounds I took pictures of both instances, so I can show the specialist if need be. I have had low thyroid and haven't had it checked  in a while. I talked to some health professionals I work with and they thought possibly the bruising was a blood disorder. (vitamin k deficiency)  And of course my husband says, your fine,stop reading peoples posts on line. He thinks I have a muscle pull from carrying my daughter on that side. Yeah right!!  Men.......  Unfortunately the earliest I can get in is 2/1, at least the breast cancer specialist and my ob office are all within 5 minutes of the hospital I'm having these procedures at.  

    Good Luck to you as well. I will update next week.

    Michele

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