Should I ask for a second opinion?

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inkworks
inkworks Member Posts: 5
edited June 2014 in IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer)

Hi. I am 25 years old and for about 8 months I have had this small patch of red skin below my left nipple. About a month ago it started to get quite itchy so I went to the doctors and he gave me some steroid cream. I used that for 3 weeks but it didn't work so the doctor gave my a stronger cream which didn't work either. Last week I went back to the doctor and he has refered me to a dermatologist for what he thinks looks like eczema. I also mentioned to him that my left breast feels denser than my right breast and that it feels more tender. He had a feel but said he didn't notice anything. Over the last few days I've also had a red, itchy, blotchy patch of skin above my nipple which seems to come and go. My breast doesn't seem to be swollen or hot to the touch and my nipple looks normal. I'm still worried though as my breast and under my arm feels achy but there it no noticible lump.

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  • Cowgirl13
    Cowgirl13 Member Posts: 1,936
    edited March 2012

    Inkworks, i'd go for a second opinion for sure.  good luck.

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  • inkworks
    inkworks Member Posts: 5
    edited March 2012

    Thanks for the information Bon. Cowgirl, I went to see another doctor today and again she wasn't concerned at all. She examined both of my breasts and said that both feel and look perfectly normal. She pointed out I have red, blotchy skin on my other breast as well.

     She also pointed out that I had a benign lump removed from my right breast about five years ago and it is possible I have Fibrocystic breast disease and that is why I am experciencing these symptoms.

     She prescribed me a steroid cream for the red patch under my nipple and a moisturising cream for the red, blotchy skin. She also advised me to take some ibuprofen for the breast pain and has made an appointment for me to go back and see her in two weeks to reassess.

     I would be grateful if you lovely ladies could give me your opinion. What would you do if you were in my position? Would you be happy to wait two weeks?

    Thanks. 

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited March 2012

    Given all you've said I'd be quite comfortable in waiting 2 weeks and I am IBC and started chemo 17 days after DX. The only difference I would have done is to ask for an anti-bacterial cream/soap or antibiotic as you say steriods haven't worked before. Most rashes are are not cancer and most cancers are not IBC

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  • inkworks
    inkworks Member Posts: 5
    edited March 2012

    Thanks for your input Kicks. I am feeling slightly more at ease now. If this were to turn out to be IBC would you expect my symptoms to get noticeably worse over the next couple of weeks?

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited March 2012

    Can only tell you my experience. IBC is very aggressive and can present itself literally overnight. I found the enlarged node under arm, saw my PA a week later (she was out of town) and by then I had 'orange peel' skin. By the time I started chemo, nipple had inverted and breast enlarged dramatically. I never had 'red' skin, heat, pain or itchy. We are all so different.

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  • inkworks
    inkworks Member Posts: 5
    edited March 2012

    Well after feeling more at ease yesterday I have been up through the night with a burning sensation in my breast. I can't tell if it's my breast or behind my breast as it sometimes seemed to radiate all the way back to my shoulder. I don't know what do do. I feel like if I go back to the doctor she'll just tell me the same thing as yesterday.

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  • ma111
    ma111 Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2012

    The dermatologist can do a skin punch bx if it looks bad to her. IBC usually does not come and go.

    After 8 months it would also be full blown obvious IBC.

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