Worrying myself sick

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MelissaAnn
MelissaAnn Member Posts: 57
edited June 2014 in IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer)

Hi ladies.

My name is Melissa, I'm 33 years old. The end of August I woke up with Red breast blotchy type rash on my left breast. No itching, no heat, no pain, no nipple discharge or inverted nipple. I googled Breast Rash and everything that came up was about IBC, it scared me horribly as I also have anxiety with panic. 

I made an appointment at the breast clinic and was seen a few days later. The Doctor comes in looks at it and says, that is not IBC, she felt my breasts and lymphnodes and told me to use Hydrocortizone and Have a Mammogram when You're 40. (7 years from now) I read that IBC is often misdiagnosed so I asked her, have you seen IBC before and she said yes to many times. and the reason it's misdiagnosed is because doctors treat it as mastitis a breast infection, which I have had when breast feeding my kids long ago.

I went home relieved, a few days later, a smaller elevated rash type thing appeared on the same breast. I started using hydrocrotizone on it as well. Both went away with in a week.No new foods, or soaps etc.

Then a couple weeks later, I got the same elevated rash on my Right breast this time. No itchings, no heat, no pain etc. I then started using Hydrocortizone on it and it went away within about  week.

Well a couple days ago, I got another red bumpy rash on my Right breast again, different area than before. I've been using hydrocortizone and it seems to be getting better. My breasts looks the same size, they dont look or feel swollen. No heat no itching, no pain.

I don't know what is causing the rashes, but everytime I search breast rash I get a whole bunch of information on IBC and it scares the heck out of me as I already have Multiple Sclerosis and really dont want to deal with anything else.

Can you ladies give me some advice or piece of mind?

Thanks in advance,

Melissa

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Comments

  • Southamptonmom
    Southamptonmom Member Posts: 491
    edited November 2011

    Please go for a mammogram AND breast MRI. It's the only way you will find out, and you shouldn't have to live in such horrible fear. Ask your family doctor or GYN for a prescription.

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  • mrsnjband
    mrsnjband Member Posts: 1,409
    edited November 2011

    Melissa,

    My IBC presented with a rash but it didn't go away.I had other symptoms as well, itching, breast swelling, sore lymph nodes. Since your rash recurrs and goes away when treated and you don't seem to have any other symptoms that it may not be IBC.  You could have another skin issues such as psoriasis.  BUT if it persist then get a referral to a breast specialist & request a biopsy.  NJ 

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  • MelissaAnn
    MelissaAnn Member Posts: 57
    edited November 2011

    Thanks Ladies for your input..

    One thing that is puzzling is that it jumped breasts, the breast I initially had the rash on and saw the breast surgeon that specializes in Breast oncology went away and is not on the right breast.

    This is the doctor I saw  <---link

    I'm wondering if it could be due to Hormones? I'm either noticing them around my menstrual cycle or when I'm ovulating.

    Does IBC present itself as just a rash? I read somewhere that the breast redness can come and go? But no heat, its actually quite cold to the touch.

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  • Southamptonmom
    Southamptonmom Member Posts: 491
    edited November 2011

    Mine was questionable IBC. I had a rash that I used a fungal cream on, and it went away, only to return again with skin thickening. Nevertheless,it was breast cancer.

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  • MelissaAnn
    MelissaAnn Member Posts: 57
    edited November 2011

    Southhamptonmom, Was there any other symptoms besides the rash? Did it itch or have heat?  When it came back was it in the same area or a different area?

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  • MelissaAnn
    MelissaAnn Member Posts: 57
    edited November 2011

    Southhamptonmom was there any other symptoms? Heat or itching, swelling etc?

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  • Southamptonmom
    Southamptonmom Member Posts: 491
    edited November 2011

    Just bright red and maybe a little itchy. I didn't realize that my breast was swelling. I had a large biopsy on the other side, so that breast was a lot smaller. I did not have a primary tumor in my breast, but I did have a very large node in my armpit. You really need to call for more tests. Hoping it's nothing.

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  • MelissaAnn
    MelissaAnn Member Posts: 57
    edited November 2011

    Here's what my rash looks like

    breast rash

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  • Southamptonmom
    Southamptonmom Member Posts: 491
    edited November 2011

    I know that a breast cancer rash can look different on each person, and you can't diagnose it by looking at it. I wish I could make you feel better and take away your worries.

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  • Southamptonmom
    Southamptonmom Member Posts: 491
    edited November 2011

    Are there raised white heads to the rash?

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  • mammalou
    mammalou Member Posts: 823
    edited November 2011

    I suggest you also see a dermatologist.  I also had rashes and they were biopsied.  I ended up with breast cancer, but the rash was lichen planas.  It is a raised, red rash the pops ups all over the place.

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  • MelissaAnn
    MelissaAnn Member Posts: 57
    edited November 2011

    there's a few raised bumps but not white heads.

    Mamma was the rash because of the breast cancer? Im confused

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  • ibcmets
    ibcmets Member Posts: 4,286
    edited November 2011

    Mel,

    I'm no doctor and have ibc--I had larger breast, bad itching, bug bite look & thickened breast skin.

    Sounds like something else--could be your detergent you are washing your bras or clothes with.  See a dermatologist.  I was allergic to Tide.

    Terri

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  • Southamptonmom
    Southamptonmom Member Posts: 491
    edited November 2011

    Woke up thinking of you. (((Hugs))) Call the doctor today. MRI is best...

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  • MelissaAnn
    MelissaAnn Member Posts: 57
    edited November 2011

    I called the breast clinic that I saw and they said I should consult with my primary care doctor about going to a dermatologist. They said because I had a rash on my left breast and now one on my right, it doesn't sound like IBC plus I have no swelling, heat, pain, itching etc.

    I called my Primary doc and wanted to get in today because this is causing extreme anxiety, to where I just lay in bed at night and shake in fear. :(

    Primary doc was booked today, and was suppose to call me back, but haven't heard from her.

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  • Southamptonmom
    Southamptonmom Member Posts: 491
    edited November 2011

    Keep pushing for an appointment. Call a dermatologist, make the appointment, then call your primary and get a referral (if that's what your insurance requires). I know some of the dermatologists here in Philadelphia are 2 months out on appointments. I would request a mammogram as well. There isn't any reason they shouldn't allow you to have one.

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  • mrsnjband
    mrsnjband Member Posts: 1,409
    edited November 2011

    As the others have stated, it's hard to tell from a pic.  My IBC didn't photo gragh well.  After my orginal respond, I realized you hadn't said whether or not you had any test.  You definitely need to have a mammo, but my IBC did not show up on a mammo.  It took a MRI to find the cancer, so you need to keep pushing for tests.  You know your body the best, you are your best advocate.  Keep us posted. NJ

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  • MelissaAnn
    MelissaAnn Member Posts: 57
    edited November 2011

    Saw my primary doc today, she said it looks dermatitis ish and if it doesnt go away in 2 weeks then to go back to the breast specialist.

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  • JoanneUp
    JoanneUp Member Posts: 2
    edited May 2015

    I am so anxious about my rash, I wake in the middle of the night. The anxiety is awful. Have tried hydrocortizone, tinactin, aloe vera, benadryl, etc. and it doesn't go away. Saw my RAD ONC 2 weeks ago and will see her next Wed. My breast has been tender ever since rad for IDC last spring, and is no worse, but itching is driving me crazy. Does an 'ordinary' malignancy, treated with surgery and rad ever spring back quickly as IBC? I am going nuts with worry.

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