Fibrocystic breasts...?

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discometal
discometal Member Posts: 3
edited May 2015 in Benign Breast Conditions

Hi everyone. I just went to a doctor who was highly recommended by a friend, though I'm not sure why. First, he laughed when I told him I found the lump in my breast on my own rather than it being found by a doctor (???). Then, he did the ultrasound, and afterwards, he told me not to worry and that I have fibrocystic breast changes, that's all.

I don't feel 100% about this and I'm considering a second opinion, and here's why. What I have felt is that when I'm lying on my back, I have a small lump that almost feels like a peanut on the lower outer part of my right breast (maybe like 7:00ish). When I'm standing, though, I can feel that it's bigger and more like a marble-ish feeling. However, I can feel the front and sides, but not the back, and it almost feels like it's at the end of a little section of breast tissue that I guess, now that I've read about fibrocystic breasts, feels a bit like a short wide rope.

So, when the dr said there was nothing on the ultrasound and I have fibrocystic breasts, I initially felt like he was wrong because I know I could feel a lump. But then thinking about it, I guess the nature of the lump and the fact that it feels almost attached to a tube like structure when I feel it from a certain angle would make sense because of fibrocystic breasts being "ropy." The thing is, I've had the lump since before my last period, and it hasn't changed in size or feeling, and I don't have any breast pain. I have occasional breast pain before my period, but nothing too intense, and not every month.

The doctor was also just bad at answering questions and I didn't really like him. BUT, I'm in Japan and have been living here for the last three years, which complicates things because doctors are different here. I'm coming back home to NYC in August, and I don't have insurance in America yet, while I do have insurance here and things are much cheaper anyway - my doctors appointment and ultrasound was around $19US.

Anyway, what do you all think? Do you think I should get a second opinion? And if you do, do you think I should get a second opinion here, where there's a bit of a language barrier and doctors aren't so friendly, or wait until America? Or do you think that this sounds very typical of fibrocystic breasts and the dr is probably right? Any thoughts? I didn't really like him, but the more I think about it, the more it seems like he's probably right, even if he had absolutely terrible bedside manner (which most doctors in japan do, so this will probably be the case again if I visit another doctor). I've been so worried the past few weeks and now I feel a bit stupid for thinking it's a lump and wondering about all these horrible conclusions when it turns out apparently it's not even a lump? Though, I still feel it, so I don't know. I feel very reassured that it's nothing, but I'm not sure I'm clear on exactly what kind of "nothing" it is - though I'm not sure I really will be while I'm in Japan, to be honest.

So, I guess, my own cultural problems aside, does the lump I described sound like fibrocystic breasts? Do you think it's okay to not get a second opinion? Or at the very least, to wait until America or just wait and see if anything changes?

Thanks, everyone, and sorry if my questions seem vague or too situation-specific. I guess I mostly just want to know if what I'm describing sounds like fibrocystic breasts and he's right. I know you're not doctors, but I'd appreciate any input if any of you have experienced fibrocystic breasts before! Thanks so much again!

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited May 2015

    I don't know if there is any advantage inserting a second opinion where you are, for the reasons you stated,but if you are worried when you return to NY you could seek assistance then. I wanted you to know that fibrocystic breasts can definitely present with lumps - or cysts. That is the cyst part of fibrocystic. They can be rounded or oval, or other shapes, can be firm and/or palpable, can cause pain, but may not. The cysts are usually well visualized on ultrasound and it is also usually apparent that they are cysts. Hope this is helpful. Good luck.

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  • Godiva
    Godiva Member Posts: 1
    edited May 2015

    Hi discometal, so sorry to hear you are going through this. I found a lump two months ago and after a diagnostic mammogram and core needle biopsy, have been diagnosed with fibrocystic changes. I go for excisional biopsy next week, because while pathology shows b9, there is a slight chance of DCIS hiding behind it. I would go for a second opinion, but maybe wait until August when you are back in the US. How big is the lump? Mine is oval, about 2.5cm x .8cm. Hard to tell though because its connected to all the fibrous tissue in the breast.

    You've come to the right place. This site and forums are a great source of information and support.

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  • MarlanaB
    MarlanaB Member Posts: 292
    edited May 2015

    Discometal, that first lump is scary. I was diagnosed with fibrocystic breast disease at 19. Because of that, I have always done self breast exams a couple of times of a month. Learn how the cysts feel at the start of your menstrual cycle, mid-month when you're ovulating and right before your cycle starts. Mine tend to feel oval with a little ropy tail on each end and if I press on them, they'll get smaller. Because of the cysts and a family history of BC, I started having mammograms every 2 years at 30 and every year at 40 (my last before I found my "new" lump was June '14 and it was clear). The key is to look for changes and learn when to be concerned. I'm now 45 and I had a new lump that I noticed around the end of January that felt just like all the others but by the end of February/first part of March, I noticed that it wasn't following my normal hormonal flow and the lump had turned from the usual firm but squishy to hard as a rock and the shape was unusual. I was on vacation and made an appointment to see my PCP as soon as I got back and was eventually diagnosed with BC but fortunately, I caught it early. To make it even more complicated and scary, my 1.8 cm tumor was sitting on a much larger cyst.

    The bottom line is that it is better to be safe than sorry and if you have a concern, get a second opinion.

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  • JJOntario
    JJOntario Member Posts: 356
    edited May 2015

    Only you know your body. Sometimes you have to be your advocate and satisfy those inner voices. I no longer feel guilty "bothering" a Dr. We are the customer. It's weird that we demand customer service when buying a pair of shoes but not with our health. Since BC I ask questions and politely ask for answers in terms I can fully understand.

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  • Ddw79
    Ddw79 Member Posts: 533
    edited May 2015

    Have you considered iodine supplementation? Supposed to help with this problem

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