Could it still be IBC? symptoms started 2 years ago

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texas956
texas956 Member Posts: 17
edited June 2014 in IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer)

The symptoms started January 2011. It started as pain, very painful, itchy, right breast. The pain lasted about 2 weeks before my period. I also developed these weird fluid-filled tiny spots on both breasts. They come and go in different places. If i pick at them the skin tears very easily and bleeds. Anyway i got pregnant on Dec 2011 and delivered on Sept 2012. The pain anf symptoms would come and go during that time but never to the point where i felt like telling my OBGYN. Now Dec 2012 the pain returned worse 2 weeks before my period but the spots are stilk coming and going...And the itchiness is uncanny. The spots are about 1/4 inch, flat, bruised colored, fluid filled, and can open if.i pick at them. The pain is.gone for the most part right now but i am terrified that it will come anytime.



My insurance will be effective March 2013. Should i wait that long? I am very sad and scared... I cant stop thinking about my baby girl and her future

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited December 2012

    There are programs, state and/or local to help the uninsured. Please take advantage of these ASAP. I don't know much about IBC, but picking at your skin is probably not a good idea regardless of what's going on. Wishing you the best.

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited December 2012

    This might also be helpful;

    Paying for your care

    http://www.breastcancer.org/tips/paying

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  • liv-
    liv- Member Posts: 521
    edited December 2012

    hello texas i dont know your health system but what i would most definitely do if i had any suspicions  whatsoever is to get it checked out asap. its just not worth the anxiety.

    its more than likely nothing, you had these symptoms for over 2 years & is prob just hormonal as ibc is very aggressive and i doubt you would not have many more symptoms by now..

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  • texas956
    texas956 Member Posts: 17
    edited December 2012

    I dont think I qualify for that type of help. I'm Juvenile Corrections Officer for Texas and I get free health insurance except that it wont be effective until March 1st. I am thinking about using some of my paycheck to at least make an appointment with my OBGYN. The bad thing is that i leave for trainninh Jan. 6-19 and this will delay everything. I am so scared....



    Thanks for the replies

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited December 2012

    Texas,

    Have you checked out health care for the uninsured? Even though you will have coverage in March, you have no coverage now. Please contact your county public health department to find out what options you have. Don't just assume you don't qualify for anything. The sooner you get it checked out, the better it will be for you physically and emotionally. Doing nothing is not good for you or your family.

    Caryn

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  • texas956
    texas956 Member Posts: 17
    edited December 2012

    Thanks exbrnxgrl!

    Right now i am planning to make an appointment with my obgyn for either Jan. 3 or 4 before i leave for trainning. I will at least have some peace of mind knowing that i've taken the first step.



    I am 25 yrs old if this adds anything...



    Another frightening thing is that during Christmas eve i got to talk to my aunt, who is 55 yrs old, and i shared my symptoms with her. She retold me her story... She had a double masectomy at my age and has prothesis. She was full of cysts but i dont know if they were cancerous. Anyway, she.confided in me that for a year now she has had a purplish spot on her breast, pain, and itchiness. She has an appointment with an oncologisy for next month. Now i am even more terrified!!!!!



    And to add to all this worry, my grandfather died of metastatic lymphoma to the spine, and his sister has breast cancer metastatic to the bones (shes 75) so she refused treatment and has chosen to die that way. Anyway... All of this is on my dad's part of the family.



    I am sick with worry. Any thoughts or advice is greatly appreciated.

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  • texas956
    texas956 Member Posts: 17
    edited December 2012

    Please excuse my horrible grammar... Im trykng to type from my galaxy 2 and its almost impossible! (i miss my iphone)

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  • HantaYo
    HantaYo Member Posts: 280
    edited January 2013

    Namaste!

    Just pointing out that shingles is not generaly considered contagious, except if someone who has never had either chicken pox or the chicken pox vaccine.  Someone who is not protected against chickenpox can catch chicken pox after exposure to someone with shingles but no one can catch shingles.  Only people who have had chicken pox in the past can develp shingles and it develops from latent virus that has been sitting around in the nerves since they recovered from chickenpox.  Of course the chicken pox vaccine does not protect 100% of those who get it.

    Karla

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  • texas956
    texas956 Member Posts: 17
    edited January 2013

    Hello ladies...

    Thanks for the info, I am positive it's not shingles. So I finally went to my OBGYN and she took a look at my "blister/patch" and said that it was a hormonal skin change. I even insisted that it was really worrisome but she brushed it off as nothing serious (this skin change in on the left pain-free breast). She did order an ultrasound for my right breast which I am scheduled to have on the 15 and a follow-up appointment on the 18. I am a nervous wreck right now...

    I am trying to stay positive but what else can cause unilateral breast pain with itchiness/burning? I have no "detectable" lumps but who knows what could be growing in my breast. I am terrified but a little relieved knowing that I am being proactive.

    On the other hand I've had 5 interviews these past 2 weeks and I am in the process of maybe? getting hired for CPS... so it's double.. TRIPLE stress for me!!!!

    I'd really appreciate some support during all of this, it's truly terrifying. Thanks!Cry

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  • texas956
    texas956 Member Posts: 17
    edited January 2013

    Thanks for the advice Bon! I have been limiting my googling and i have been going out more (went to the zoo yesterday).



    I wish i could be more "aggressive" with all of this but i am insured right now... The tests scheduled are coming out of my pocket including the $75 obgyn visits..:-/



    But for now the waiting game begins. I will find out in 7 days :O

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