Possible IBC here.

Hi Terri, thanks so much for responding. I've been refreshing over and over in hopes someone would respond! Thank you.  According to the breast specialist/surgeon, if the MRI comes back okay, she's not going to do a biopsy. As of now, so many of my symptoms have abated (and did so before I began taking the antibiotic ... I've read here that some people's symptoms abate after taking the antibiotic, but that doesn't mean it isn't IBC). 

I'm a newbie, you've read it a million times here from other newbies who are dibilitatingly terrified of what's next ... I'm more terrified of the MRI machine than anything! I go in tomorrow at 7:00 am.  Thanks again for posting back.

Hi Ariom, 

Thank you so much for the support and encouragement. What an amazing group of women that are here! I've probably read post after post for the past 15 hours, as a result, I don't feel so alone. I appreciate you taking the time to post back to me.  

MRI is in a couple of hours. Hope the radiologist gives me a clue and I won't have to wait to speak to my doctor for reports (which will be four days of waiting -- and waiting is indeed the worst because of the unknown).

Ariom, 

Thank you so much for your thoughts! 

I initially didn't have a GYN, as I had just moved to a new city, so I went to see anyone who would take me the next day, and this GYN happened to agreed to see me. Usually, it takes 2 months to see a GYN as a new patient, so I was grateful. I waited two entire hours in her waiting room and was so disgusted that I thought I'd walk out (two little kids with me, too, who were getting very antsy). Finally, she called me back and was just terribly rude and condescending to me. I absolutely hated her and thought she was the worst doctor I had ever met. I left there, grateful at least to have gotten a mammogram and sonogram prescription out of her. The next morning, first then, I went to the radiology place and they told me the doctor didn't order a comprehensive exam, only a screening. They were very upset with that, b/c anyone with pain, thickening of skin, and my other syptoms should have a full comprehensive screening (the difference, too, being that the radiologist reads everything right then and there, rather than waiting a few days). The radiologist called the GYN and insisted that she fax over the proper paperwork so I could have the right screening. GYN did (after 3 hours: ugh!). Finally, I had the mammogram and sonogram and radiologist was concerned and wanted me to get an MRI and go on antibiotics immediately.  She called GYN to tell her so (as GYN has to prescribed the MRI and antibiotics, radiologist can't do that...). Anyway, GYN wouldn't hear of it, refused... GYN called me on my cell a few minutes later and said, "I'm sending you to a breast specialist right now. I called in a favor to a friend and she will see you at 3:00 pm".  I was surprised by that kind of quit action, given how utterly horrible of a person she was the day before. The breast specialist sped everything along so quickly, as she was worried about IBC, which his how I was able to get the MRI this soon (just a day later).  

Thank you for being here for me. No words to show how grateful I am.

Moira, 

I love your name! 

Yes, you were so lucky to have had that digital mammogram close to you. When I got my comprehensive mammogram, they used the digital machine. I noticed the difference between that one and the traditional mammogram machine. I was grateful for having the chance to use that technology, then again, they told me that it likely wouldn't pick up inflammatory breast cancer anyway, nor would the sonogram. And even warned me that the MRI might not pick it up.  So, I wondered why not just get this party started with a biopsy?  My symptoms, today (only a couple days now after the initial onset of panic) have entirely abated. I mean, not a single symptom now, not even the slight blush of color that was there yesterday. I've been taking the antibiotics still (only 4 days now) and maybe it was an infection? I've also read that periomenaupause can set this kind of thing off? I'm 44 and have other symptoms of perio, so maybe? I wish modern medicine knew a lot more about women's bodies and the different cycles of life. We've come a long way with medicine, for sure. But not far enough ... not when I'm reading about others who're into two months of the cancer/no cancer guessing game because they can't get proper health care. Some women who've had my exact symptoms can't get a doctor to prescribe MRI or do a biopsy, instead, they're on round 3 or 4 of antibiotics for an infection, rather than barrelling ahead with ruling out IBC. It just infuriates me.  I live in Washington DC. I will definitely become more involved politically now that I've learned so much about how healthcare for women is just not adequate. You and I are lucky. You were lucky to have that wonderful digital mammogram and doctor. And I was lucky with my breast surgeon. Everyone should have the same opportunity for excellent healthcare. I've learned so much from this experience and plan to continue learning more, and will always fight along other warriers for better care. (((Hugs)))