Not diagnosed - questions

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kimberly1981
kimberly1981 Member Posts: 37
edited June 2014 in IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer)

Despite my best efforts to remain level-headed about this, I've managed to completely freak myself out. I'd really appreciate some insight into whether I'm justified in freaking out or should just back away from the computer and calm down.

Backstory (thanks for reading): I'm 31 and about 1.5 years ago a red spot developed on my right breast that turned into a sore (looked like a little crater, kind of) that continued bleed, then scab over, turn reddish purple with kind of radiating lines and finally healed into a kind of scaly brown circle - the whole process took around 4 months. I didn't think anything of it, but now it has happened two more times in the same area on the same breast. I currently have one in the final healing stage that has been there for at least 2 months. My breasts have been really sore for the past two months as well. The right one hurts all over and the left one hurts around what I assume is the lymph node at the bottom of my armpit. It is almost unbearable to wear a bra. My right breast is now visibly larger than my left and my entire bust line has grown by 2 inches since I was fitted 2 months ago. The nipple and areola on my right breast is a different color than the left and at times in the past few months I have felt like they were leaking, but there was no liquid. 

I know everyone has different symptoms, but does any of this sound familiar - particularly the sores? I've seen a few comments about "sores" instead of rashes but no descriptions and I can't find pics of anything similar. 

Thanks in advance!

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Comments

  • ohiobecky
    ohiobecky Member Posts: 56
    edited September 2012

    Have you had a doctor look at this? If you have not go see a doctor. If anything is going to give you peace of mind that will be it. It could be nothing, it could be a bug bite, it could be an infection. It could be any of those things. BUT a doctor will give you much better answers. They can order the testing that is needed to find out exactly what you are dealing with.

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  • kimberly1981
    kimberly1981 Member Posts: 37
    edited September 2012

    I have to establish care with my PCP before I can be referred to a breast specialist (stupid insurance hoops). They are closed for the holiday so I plan to call tomorrow. Thanks

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  • ibcmets
    ibcmets Member Posts: 4,286
    edited September 2012

    Kim,

    It does not sound like ibc to me, but certainly could be an infection that should be looked into.  A biopsy is usually required to confirm ibc.  My breast was larger and warm & red.  My breast was itchy and I looked like I had a spider bite.  I also had the peudeorgange skin (dimpling like the skin of an organge) and inverted nipple.  Mine was diagnosed within a month.  Seems like you have gone a lot longer with your symptoms.

    Maybe antibiotics will help this one.  Hope your condition is not serious, but encourage you to check it out.

    Terri

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  • Claudia413
    Claudia413 Member Posts: 114
    edited September 2012

    Kimberly,

    Although this doesn't really sound like IBC, it could be. I only had one symptom before I got my diagnosis of IBC in 2007. I only had a slight blotchiness on one breast. I had none of the other symptoms, and I know that most IBCers have more than one. I suggest you try to get a biopsy, which is the definitive way to get IBC ruled out (or ruled in). To get my biopsy, I had to take antibiotics for 3 rounds of 10 days each, then go through a diagnostic mammogram and a diagnostic ultrasound, both specifically looking for the sheeting of the tumors in IBC (rather than a solid lump). The results from those 2 tests "qualified" me to get a biopsy. The surgeon actually did 3 biopsies to show me I didn't have IBC, but they proved that I did indeed have IBC. 

    It's best to rule out IBC first because it is highly aggressive and can be deadly if not diagnosed promptly and correctly.  I sincerely hope you only have some sort of infection and not IBC. Let this group know what you learn. Everyone is here for you. 

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  • kimberly1981
    kimberly1981 Member Posts: 37
    edited September 2012

    Thank you for the responses. I'm going to schedule an appt as soon as possible and have my fingers crossed it's nothing.

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  • kimberly1981
    kimberly1981 Member Posts: 37
    edited September 2012

    I was able to get into a PCP today. I feel slightly relieved, but kind of not. She was really reassuring that it was probably not cancer, because I'm only 31 and there is no lump (at least not in the right breast, more on left in a minute).

    I kind of broke down and explained that I managed to stress myself out by googling my symptoms, and asked about IBC. What worries me is that she said it couldn't be IBC because it always presents with an obvious large open sore or rash that comes on quickly - but I know that is not true for every case. She had no explanation for the non-healing sores I have, or the pain, or the swelling, or nipple discoloration. On the exam she was able to feel a lump on the left breast that I had checked last year and was dismissed as probably nothing by a breast surgeon (I was supposed to go in for a follow-up, which was the original reason for this visit, just for the referral). So she suggested I up the amount of ibuprofen I take for the pain (which does not help) and said she could give me a referral to a different breast clinic if I really felt it was necessary, but it would probably be a few weeks. So now I'm just waiting to hear from the care coordinator. 

    Sorry for the rambling, I just feel kind of muddled now. 

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  • MILCHICK
    MILCHICK Member Posts: 112
    edited September 2012

    Un-muddle. You are doing great and going in the right direction for a proper diagnosis of your symptoms. YOU GO GIRL. If its not breast cancer, make them figure out what it is. You owe it to yourself and everyone who loves you. Do what's right for you. Don't allow yourself to be dismissed. You deserve answers. Biopsy and skin punch test are what you need to know for sure what it is or is not.

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  • chester2010
    chester2010 Member Posts: 101
    edited September 2012

    Hi Kimberley:  Sorry to hear you are having all these issues.  It is important for you to be seen by a qualified breast cancer centre to rule out IBC and cancer.   I dont want to worry you but the Dr is wrong saying that you are too young or that there is no lump.  That is the worry about IBC that it does not show up with a lump.

     We dont know what the recurring spots can be but you should get any swelling, nipple change or discolouration checked out by qualified Drs. -and dont be dismissed, you need answers as to why this is happening to your breasts.  Ask the breast centre if they have a list for cancellations to fit you in as soon as possible, people often cancel appointments.

    Try not to get too stressed before you know anything.  I know that's easier said than done and the internet isnt always the right place as we read too much into symptoms and statistics but it is important that you get this checked out for your own peace of mind.

    Take care. Kathy m Toronto 

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