could symptoms go away and come back?
Last November I developed an itchy, bruised, slightly red, slightly dimpled area on my left breast. It itched incessantly and the bruise got bigger. I was breast feeding. I waited a couple of months but it did not go away. Concerned about IBC, I visited my OB/GYN who had recently had breast cancer and had a dual mascectomy. I told her my concerns about IBC. I had a baby in July and I was still nursing. She gave me some anti-fungal and told me to come back in 2 weeks. I didn't use the anti-fungal she gave me at that time (It was lotrimin and I had already tried over the counter anti-fungals). When I went back, it had gotten a little better (with no treatment). She told me that before I came in, she was "pretty sure she was going to be sending me for testing that day, based on how it looked the first time", but that since it was better, she was no longer concerned. I have not had any problems since then.. until now.
A couple of days ago, the area came up again with the incessant itching. I can see a small bruise starting and my left breast is MUCH bigger than my right. It's a little more bumpy (but not much), and is warmer to the touch than my right. I should say, though, that I am still nursing my baby on that side ONLY, but ONLY at night and morning. At most, she is nursing for about 5 minutes to go to sleep and when she wakes. I'm not even sure she really gets anything anymore. The itchy bruise area looks EXACTLY like it did about a year ago. Exact same area, same pattern, same feeling, etc.
My concern is that if it were a fungus or just a rash, that it wouldn't come up looking exactly the same as last time? It seems it would be a little different, at least. I have read that IBC doesn't really go away, but I would like to hear from some of you if any of you had it go away and come back.
I appreciate any personal experiences and suggestions any of you may have.
Comments
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I forgot to say that the first time the rash/bruise/itching appeared, it started with what looked like a bug bite.
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Hi momof7, and welcome to Breastcancer.org.
Until you hear from members sharing their own experiences, you can read more about Diagnosis and Staging of Inflammatory Breast Cancer at the main Breastcancer.org site. Looks like it could be something related with breastfeeding, but better to go and check with your doctor.
Keep us posted!
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