Worried about symptoms

No, no exercise or injuries (the gyn asked me that too). What you're saying about antibiotics is right, but to be honest I don't really think it's an infection, since it didn't happen suddenly - the whole condition sort of developed gradually over 2.5 months.

I do agree now about IBC, especially with no change in the last 2 weeks - it would have to be very atypical, if it were IBC. For the same reason, it doesn't really resemble mastitis either. As of now, the pain and swelling is mainly in the armpit, but it's clearly associated with the breast - in fact the gyn said it's probably the breast tissue extending into the armpit that is swollen. It's just not typical of anything!

I'll probably wait a week or two and see how it goes, before trying for any further tests/consultations (obviously sooner if anything worsens in between).

Egads007 - thanks for the information! Well, I did have an itchy rash on the same breast for about 2 weeks in February, but the breast pain had started somewhat before that. And since the rash has more or less healed and faded now, there's no way to tell if it was shingles or not (it was cured by the steroid cream prescribed by my gyn, so I wasn't referred to a derm doctor). My breast/armpit pain and swelling actually worsened after the rash healed, since mid-Feb.

But certainly your experience tells me that this is one possibility. Can you tell me how long your pain and swelling lasted after your shingles episode?

I consulted 2 doctors today - a couple, the husband is an oncologist (who is supposed to be good at diagnosis), and the wife is a surgeon. I had actually gone to visit the oncologist, but ended up getting two simultaneous physical exams.

Well, still no definite diagnosis, but they both seemed convinced that - (a) my breast looks normal, even if a little swollen, and hence its not IBC (which I'm now inclined to believe since there's been no real change in my breast appearance in the last 2-3 weeks);

(b) my armpit has an overall swelling but no enlarged lymph nodes can be found on physical exam (this again matches with what the last two doctors said);

(c) there's a lot of tenderness and stiffness in the region of my pectoral muscle.

So their theory is that, as of now, it's mainly a muscular problem (he called it muscle spasm or 'contracture'), and it's being made worse by my movement restriction (which, of course, started because of the armpit pain, so it's sounding chicken-and-egg to me). I was again asked if I lift weights or have any injury (I most definitely haven't). On asking, he said no further US or MRI is required; he prescribed me some exercises, a local diclofenac spray, some blood tests to check for calcium deficiency etc, and a shoulder X-ray to be done after 1 month if there's no improvement, on the off-chance that it might be bone-related.

Talk about being proactive.. it seems I can't even convince a doctor to send me for another US, much less an MRI! Still, after going through 6 doctors, none of whom think that there's anything suspicious or requiring urgent testing (although they have differing opinions on what it might be), I feel like I've done all I can and have to let this rest, for now.

Obviously unless there's any sudden change or deterioration. I'll check in here to report in that case, or if and when there is any improvement in my symptoms (till now there isn't).