Severe pain
I posted in here over the weekend. My appointment with the breast surgeon isn't until next Friday. I've been having breast pain for the last 3 weeks but just this last week it has escalated. The pain Is so bad that I can't even put on a bra an had to take The day off due to the pain. I plan on calling my PCP as soon as they open this morning.
My ultrasound showed 1 complex cyst and 1 solid mass. One on each side of my left breast.
The pain I'm having is a constant throbbing pain and what feels like a lightening strike through my left breast every few mins.
Has anyone else ever experienced anything like this? I know this is not normal. Especially for it to be this bad and only in 1 breast.
Does anyone have any suggestions of what I can do to alleviate the pain at home? I had to take IBUPROFEN just to get to sleep and I'm having to use a body pillow to prop my left breast on while laying on my side.
Comments
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I had a certain amount of discomfort with the lump I had. That was actually what caused me to find it - trying to locate the source of that pain. But it was nothing like what you describe.
Have you had a biopsy yet? Check with your PCP about what you can take for the pain. Some pain meds (aspirin, ibuprofen) can cause problems with blood thinning and problems with clotting and would probably be discouraged before a biopsy.
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We routinely asked patients to refrain from taking any NSAIDS like ibuprofen for 7 days before a biopsy. If you are taking any blood thinners for other medical problems consult the prescribing physician to see how long you can be off them for the biopsy.
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Heather...so sorry you are suffering. Honestly I have never heard of anyone having severe pain in breast from BC. There are those who have mild to moderate pain though. Could you possibly be having chest wall pain instead ?
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I have not had my biopsy yet. I see the breast surgeon next Friday. Ive just never hurt to the point of not being able to wear a bra. The pain feels like it is in the fat of my breast. I'm no surewhat to do for it at this point
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Hi Heather, my ultrasound also showed a complex cyst that is pretty painful, especially when poked at. It definitely hurts more closer to my period than other times of the month but the pain is pretty bad and it's hard to do things like even walk up or down the stairs. For me it helps to wear a tight bra which seems counter intuitive but then they move around less and that feels better. I think I asked the radiologist if this was normal but I can't remember what she said. I would be curious to know what the breast surgeon says, I wasn't referred to one but I am considering going to one at some point. Keep us updated!
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Painful cysts are common. They can be aspirated under ultrasound to relieve the pain. Ask your radiologist.
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Hi Djmammo, thanks for the advice! One radiologist told me I could aspirate to relieve pain and possibly make it go away. A different radiologist told me there is no point in aspirating and I would need surgery if I want to remove it. I guess when a cyst is complex it has liquid and solid components so aspirating might or might not help?
But Heather you might want to ask about aspiration- maybe your cyst is more liquidy than mine
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Its not the mere presence of the cyst that causes pain, its how tense the cyst is from all the fluid being produced inside. If the procedure will relieve the pressure, it will help with the pain.
There are a number of tricks to aspirating a cyst that decrease the likelihood of recurrence. All of them include sending the fluid to the lab for analysis if its not a completely simple cyst.
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Hi Heather, just wanted to let you know I am experiencing the same. Lightning strike pain (good description) every 5 to 10 minutes of left breast. On the underside towards the middle of chest but no constant throbbing. I hope someone has a suggestion for pain relief. I don't like ibuprofen. I had a mammogram last Dec. When my left breast was squashed I felt a lot of unusual pain all over my breast which I did not feel in the right. Results were no cancer. It is worrisome and quite frightening having to endure this pain regularly. I only wear a bra when I have to go out! The pain has increased over the last few months. I have an appt at the rapid breast clinic on Wednesday. I have no idea what they are going to do. When you see your surgeon how long will you have to stay in hospital? I hope all goes well for you.
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I have no idea what the surgeons plan is. I will find out Friday. However, on Thursday the doctor did another exam. I do have what seems like swelling in my left breast. He said it's possible that whatever the lumps are could be pressing on nerves And causing the pain. They put me on some pain medication until I see the surgeon Friday. I was in so much pain that my blood pressure was high which is not normal for me. I am unable to wear my normal bra and have resulted to wearing 2 sports bras just to be able to go to work.
The doctor ran a CBC to check for an infection. Thankfully there is no infection. I am doing ice as well as an ibuprofen regiment with the pain meds that he prescribed which is helping tremendously. Try ice. It does help.
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