Could it be IBC - Not sure what to do...

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mbf
mbf Member Posts: 63
edited January 2017 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

Not only is it a holiday weekend but I'm also out of town right now. Two days ago I took off my bra off to take a shower and saw that almost my entire left breast was bright pink and swollen. It was a little sore too, and continued to become more sore. I'm 50 years old so very slim chance of it being mastitis, plus there's no fever or other symptoms. As of today my breast is still sore and swollen, but does seem not to be as bright pink, so I think it's getting better. I'm hoping by the time I get home tomorrow it's all better so I don't need to go to the doctor, given that I have to get back to work. But... I'm wondering if I should still get to the doctor to have it checked. I've convinced myself that it can't be IBC because it's not worse and though I had IDC four and a half years ago, the chances of IBC are even slimmer due to that. Has anyone ever had a similar experience?

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  • muska
    muska Member Posts: 1,195
    edited January 2017

    Hi mbf, I can't say what it is but I think you should get it checked after you get home.

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  • mbf
    mbf Member Posts: 63
    edited January 2017

    Thanks muska, I appreciate your reply. I will probably get it checked just to be certain. I just recently had a scare in the opposite breast and went through mammogram and ultrasound for that. So I'm just reluctant to go through the process again - now wishing they had checked both sides

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  • amarantha
    amarantha Member Posts: 457
    edited January 2017

    Well, mbf, those were the symptoms I had before being diagnosed with IBC. And I put off going to see the doctor for something like a month. I did not know anything about IBC and neither did my doctor who thought it was just hormones. So no - go as soon as logically possible to have it checked out. One look at me with the swollen red breast was pretty much all the technician needed to know she had to do biopsies. So get thee looked at by a competent person as soon as you get home. If it is IBC it probably won't show up in a mamogram or an sonogram, mine did not even show up very much on a TEP scan. It can easily be missed without doing biopsies. I hope to god it is not IBC. Please keep us posted.

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  • mbf
    mbf Member Posts: 63
    edited January 2017

    After just reading your response amarantha I'm not feeling as confident. I'm also so sorry to see that you were just diagnosed again - you are in my thoughts. I will somehow get to the doctor when I get home. I just figured that since my breast is not as pink any more and feels like it's not as sore either that that means it can't be IBC - thought with IBC it would continue to worsen. Do you mind my asking - did yours feel better or look better at any point before goin to the doctor?

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  • Scwilly
    Scwilly Member Posts: 489
    edited January 2017

    The only way to get peace of mind is to see a doctor. I can't give you any guarantees but IBC doesn't usually get better. My sister, in her fifties, had similar symptoms, before I was dx with IBC. Her doc put her on antibiotics, and at the same time she went to the 'one stop' breast clinic (she's in the UK) for a biopsy. She ended up being cleared for cancer, and she thinks she had mastitis. So it can happen in later life.

    My IBC presented itself over a number of weeks, with my left breast increasing in size and was a bit itchy on the lower half. It wasn't red - but everyone has a different experience. I was going to book to see a doc eventually - but by coincidence I was called back because my new doctors had got back my previous mammogram from my previous docs and saw a difference. This speeded up my getting seen, as I am sure I would have procrastinated for a week or two until before being seen.

    I am really hoping that you continue to get better and it doesn't turn out to be a recurrence. I bet you are concerned, especially as you had a recent scare.

    Will be thinking of you - let us know how you get on.

    Sarah


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  • mbf
    mbf Member Posts: 63
    edited January 2017

    Thank you Sarah, I know you're right about peace of mind. Even though I feel like there's improvement I'll still wonder at times, especially if anything comes up again. I will let you know the outcome once I get home and in touch with my doctor. I feel a little better since you commented that usually IBC does not get better. I'll also be keeping you in my thoughts.

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited January 2017

    Keep us posted.Glad it's improving. Thinking of you

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  • mbf
    mbf Member Posts: 63
    edited January 2017

    I'm relieved to be able to say that it is not IBC. They couldn't say what it is, but the exam, mammogram, and ultrasound all look normal according to breast specialist. I need to go back in two weeks because she wants to follow up and be sure discoloration and swelling are fully cleared up.

    Thank you all for your thoughts. I appreciate it more than you know!


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  • Meadow
    Meadow Member Posts: 2,007
    edited January 2017

    Happy for your good news!

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited January 2017

    Great news! Hopefully it's gone in 2 weeks. If not, they may be able to do a punch biopsy to see if it's a bacteria, fungus, etc to treat it. I'm so happy to hear your good news!!

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  • Scwilly
    Scwilly Member Posts: 489
    edited January 2017

    Great to hear this - you must be feeling relieved.

    Sarah

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