IBC Symptoms - stuck out of country

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Jcangel
Jcangel Member Posts: 8
edited February 2018 in Not Diagnosed But Worried

Hey everyone,

I'm 35 years old, married for 7 months, no children, started trying to conceive 2 months ago. Last week on Tuesday out of the blue I noticed a red patch in my right breast on top of nipple and some swelling and hardness on the right breast with some scattered pains. After this didn't go away for couple of days I decided to go to ER as I was leaving the country on Saturday to visit in laws in USA (I'm from Canada). I went to ER on Thursday, they did only visual/physical exam on and scheduled me for an ultrasound the next morning. I did the ultrasound of right breast and this is what it says: there is no overt obscene or collection right breast. There are multiple other findings, some which include complicated cysts and retroareolar findings (please refer to worksheet). Please book patient for appropriate short-term follow up.

They referred me to breast diagnostics centre and I asked them if I can leave the country for a week and they said yes. I arrived in America on Saturday and at this point most of the swelling and redness had gone. I've continued to have chest pressure, pain in breasts, lymph nodes and occasional nipple itching since and all these symptoms are now in both breasts and go towards both underarms and sides of neck.

Since couple of nights ago I had fever and chills and sore throat and random body pain, weakness, etc. and went to regular doctor. They told me I have a UTI and gave me antibiotics and also flue medication for the other symptoms.

Today's is Wednesday and the fever chills and body pains are gone but I still have painful breasts/nipples and and painful lymph nodes (not swollen). The red patch is now a very faint barely noticeable bruise. Breasts are the same size and feel the same.

I'm out of the country for another 4 days and worried to death. I can't afford going to ER here and pay thousands of dollars. Considering cutting our trip short but that would upset everyone here. They are throwing us a huge party in honour of our wedding.

Has anyone else has had similar symptoms? I'm scared to death of having stage 4 cancer. I'd appreciate some input until I get to diagnostics centre next week.

Love and healing to you all x

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Comments

  • marie5890
    marie5890 Member Posts: 3,594
    edited December 2017

    Hi JC and welcome,

    You certainly have had something going on, but not IBC. IBC symptoms don't get better; they get bad rapidly, and don't go away. I hope that you are feeling better soon, but you can relax about IBC. You don't have it. :)

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  • Jcangel
    Jcangel Member Posts: 8
    edited December 2017

    thanks for you for reassuring me a bit. The pain is getting worse everyday and it worse in the breast opposite the one that use to be red and swollen. The pain is right now mostly under my left breast and constant and not going away with pain killers. Before I had shooting random pains. The u/s report is so vague. Lymph nodes on both sides are sore. I don’t have a history of breast cancer in my family and I’m relatively healthy 35 year old. I’ve never been so scared in my life. I know regular breast cancer usually doesn’t involve a lot of pain as a symptom. What could be wrong with me that my whole body has gone out of order? :(




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  • Michelle_in_cornland
    Michelle_in_cornland Member Posts: 1,689
    edited December 2017

    I think you might want to do a pregnancy test. Are you taking Clomid or any other fertility drug?

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  • Jcangel
    Jcangel Member Posts: 8
    edited December 2017

    hi Michelle,

    No I'm not taking any drugs. I did get my last period and did two at home pregnancy tests right after and both were negative. I also did a full blood testing including hormones and a separate cortisol levels test done couple of months ago and all was normal. Could it have missed terminal cancer? Could it start within the last couple of months?

    I feel like pain is spreading through my whole body slowly. Thanks for your replies. It helps a lot while I'm stuck overseas for the next few days.

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  • Michelle_in_cornland
    Michelle_in_cornland Member Posts: 1,689
    edited December 2017

    JC Angel, no you did not miss terminal cancer. No terminal cancer would not have just started in the last couple of months. Are you stressed out with trying to get pregnant? To me, this sounds like a case of severe panic and anxiety. I would try to go to the doctor and get something to calm you down. Getting married is an adjustment, new family is an adjustment.

    Could you tell us why you think you have Stage 4 cancer? My sister was pregnant, and thought she had cancer too. We did a couple home pregnancy tests, and a doctor's office blood test. I had to go to her school, where she teaches, and tell her if she was pregnant or had cancer.

    When you get back home, I think you should see a counselor. Your thinking is a little misguided and may be a precurser for panic and anxiety attacks. Do panic, depression and anxiety run in your family?

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  • wrenn
    wrenn Member Posts: 2,707
    edited December 2017

    I’m confused about your comment about being stuck overseas.

    I agree that you should be seen about anxiety

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  • Jcangel
    Jcangel Member Posts: 8
    edited December 2017

    @MichelleI definitely agree about panic and anxiety. It's just that I also have had unexplained hardness redness swelling itching and a bit of texture change near my nipples which are symptoms of IBC and the ultrasound report doesn't sound too promising either. I suspect some of my chest pain can be due to my massive anxiety. But your comments do calm me down a bit and help me not think about the worse. I'll ask for a proper pregnancy test next time as well to be 100% sure. My breasts are going absolutely nuts with so manysymptoms and I'd be so glad to hear it's pregnancy.


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  • Jcangel
    Jcangel Member Posts: 8
    edited December 2017

    @wrenn I'm visiting family in the USA but I'm from Canada so don't have access to health insurance and my doctor here.

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  • wrenn
    wrenn Member Posts: 2,707
    edited December 2017

    Canada and the US are on the same continent is where I got confused...No sea to cross... :)You are not far enough from home that a few days will make a difference. You are not dying. You are anxious. Try to enjoy the rest of your visit and see your doctor when you get home. Maybe listen to relaxation tapes for now.

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  • Traveltext
    Traveltext Member Posts: 2,089
    edited December 2017

    Jcangel, your original question was about IBC. This you definitely don't have, so just relax.


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  • Jcangel
    Jcangel Member Posts: 8
    edited December 2017

    after two days of sharp breast pain in both breasts a painful lump and hardening is back in my right breast with sharp nipple pains. Appointment with surgeon is Thursday but not sure I can wait that long. Also my heart has been hurting on and off and feels pressure/squeezed for couple of days. So scared

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  • Jcangel
    Jcangel Member Posts: 8
    edited December 2017

    painful lump is back on the right breast along with sharp pains in nipple and heart feels painful and squeezed do past two days. Feeling weak and scared about the painful lump that returned. Appointment with surgeon is Thursday but not sure if I should wait

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  • Shellsatthebeach
    Shellsatthebeach Member Posts: 316
    edited December 2017

    If you feel you are having heart issues, you should probably let your doctor know today. You may even consider a trip to the ER.

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  • MTwoman
    MTwoman Member Posts: 2,704
    edited January 2018

    DO NOT GO to the ER in the US. They do not do work ups for bc, or other breast complaints. That needs a radiologist or breast specialist. Cysts can cause significant pain, and you're ultra sound indicated you have them. Please do follow up with your regular doctor when you return to Canada.

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  • sbelizabeth
    sbelizabeth Member Posts: 2,889
    edited January 2018

    Jcangel, what you are describing sounds like an infected cyst or other kind of infection issue. IBC doesn't cause shooting pains, heart pain, squeezing feelings, swelling/redness that resolves and returns, or generalized pain in the body.

    Probably because of your hormonal treatments and anxiety, you're acutely aware of the tick-tock of the internal functions of your body. I'm not a doctor and I can't offer a medical opinion, but I know you sound scared. Fear heightens sensations and sends our thoughts to scary places.

    Please try to direct your focus outward for now, and enjoy your family and activities until you return to Canada. You're not dying. I'd be willing to bet my next paycheck that you don't have terminal cancer.

    Gentle hugs from California!

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  • Jcangel
    Jcangel Member Posts: 8
    edited February 2018

    just an update.. I went back to hospital upon returning to Canada. They did more ultrasound and 3D mammograms and the surgeon told me I don’t have cancer just very cystic breasts. The lump did return again but disappeared again last month. They asked me to go back to get another ultrasound in 6 months to make sure the cysts have not changed. Overall I’m feeling much relief and trying to change my life style to as healthy as I can as I don’t want to deal with that terror again. Just wanted to post an update to encourage those who are worried about their results. Most likely you are just fine

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited February 2018

    Great news!!!!!!

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