Constant single breast pain, for months

stephkd · May 2018

Hi,

New, worried! Right before the holidays last year I began experiencing breast pain in just my left breast. In January I saw a new doctor for my endometriosis and adenomyosis. I mentioned the breast pain to her. She performed a standard breast exam, felt nothing (same as I), and said it was probably hormonal due to everything else I had going on. I was not on any medications at the time, but I was put on medication for the endo/adeno at that time. Fast forward 4 more months and I'm still feeling the same pain in the same spot. I still don't think I feel a lump or anything and haven't noticed any other symptoms, but the pain is persistent.

I definitely had a red spot on one breast, I can't remember which one of when because I thought nothing of it until I read about inflammatory breast cancer recently. It was small, pencil eraser sized, and went away within a week I'd guess. I assumed it was just a clogged/irritated pore, which I've had before on my breasts but not frequently by any means.

I feel like really my only symptom is pain. It's the same location always, top inside of the breast. It isn't every day but happens most days randomly throughout the day, and it does not seem to be related to my cycle at all. Typically the pain is felt just randomly without being provoked, and if I rub or press on it the pain increases only momentarily before subsiding completely. It's almost like pressing on it relieves the pain. The pain itself is uncomfortable, a cross between a burning/stabbing, but never severe enough that it inhibits activity or sleep. It's mostly just aggravating and worrisome.

I've done so much research and can't really find anything that it could be since it's only one breast and I don't really have any lumpiness or palpable or visual changes. I am 32 years old and have never had a mammogram. I have a second cousin who is in her late 30s that was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, but otherwise no female relatives who've had it. I don't feel like I have fibrocystic symptoms. There is no discharge so I'm not sure if it could be duct related. I have had 1 child and attempted breast feeding but was never very successful. I did pump for months to supplement with formula, and I had mastitis once during that, but this was 9 years ago now.

I was going to schedule a mammogram just to rule things out, but after research I feel like if it is breast cancer it's probably inflammatory since there's no noticeable lump, so I'm not sure a mammogram is even a good next step. However I'm not sure if the constant pain for 6 months is enough to warrant insisting on a biopsy or anything else, so really hoping to find out if I need to worry more or less. Any ideas? I would really appreciate any input at all!

Thanks,

Steph

mustlovepoodles · May 2018

This doesn't sound anything like IBC. IBC does not come and go. Symptoms usually are dramatic and steadily worsen over hours and days. I think rather than trying to Google symptoms and diagnose yourself, maybe call a breast specialist and leave the driving to them.

Recap · May 2018

Many women have been surprised to learn they have a lump, after imaging. Mine was tiny long and skinny. As it developed, so developed pain in my breast. I call that displacement pain. When my biopsy reduced the size of my lump, there was a corresponding reduction in pain symptoms. So you should not ignore this and mammogram seems like the logical first step.

I read a lot in these forums about breastfeeding and pumping-manually or electronically, mastitis, etc. Not a topic I know anything about, but it makes me curious about statistics related to breasts that have supplied breast milk. Still googling for articles but this article gave me a good grounding in what all is involved if anyone is curious like I was:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3134520/

stephkd · May 2018

Thank you both for the replies. I agree with you, Recap. I think a mammogram may be a logical next step. The pain is becoming more persistent. I did a more thorough self exam last night and feel like I may have felt a tiny lump in the location of the pain.

mustlovepoodles, I notice you said a breast specialist...would you recommend I go straight to see them and skip over my GP or gyno?

mustlovepoodles · May 2018

You can probably get in to see your GP or GYN quicker, but they are not experts in breast issues. A breast specialist will be very familiar with benign and malignant conditions of the breast. They do it all day, every day.

stephkd · May 2018

I just wanted to post a follow up because I have since gone to see my GP and had a mammogram and ultrasound done. I went to my GP because I was having trouble finding a breast specialist and because I didn't want to go back to the obgyn I had been seeing for unrelated issues.

GP said that he didn't know what it could be and thought he could feel the lump as well so he had me schedule for the mammogram at a breast center. I had a screening one done, 2 images of each breast, then an ultrasound of the breast with the pain. I saw very white areas in the imaging and was worried but was told after that I have dense breast tissue and that some women just deal with constant breast pain with no known cause and was essentially sent on my way. There were 2 exceptionally bright white areas in my painful breast, I think one of the white areas was where the pain is.

I was told that everything is fine and I don't need another mammogram until 40 unless I have any further changes or anything else concerning. I asked what if the pain continues and lump remains for another 6 months or year (because to me that would fall under "concerning"), and they said to go back to doctor if that is the case but that may just be how it is for me.

I am frustrated with this unknown. Obviously they are the professionals, but I am very much a "why" person and don't feel like I got decent explanations about how they are so sure it's nothing despite pain and lump. I'm trying to convince myself with my age, family history that there is probably nothing hidden in there...but there is still the worry in the back of my head. Is it really that frequent to have constant pain but no findings on both mammo and ultrasound? Should I force further, or just sit back and hope the pain goes away?

mustlovepoodles · May 2018

Did they give you a BIRADs score? Can you get your hands on the report? If so, post it here. Djmammo is our resident radiologist here and he might be able to shed light on your results.

Recap · May 2018

Agree-you need your official reports from mammo and ultrasound. BTW initial reports are frequently altered upon review so give it several weeks even a month. My BiRad score was not in my initial report, but was in a later revised version.

My derm visit report has been quite amusing as revised versions appear. They still have many things wrong in it but it is not worth requesting correction-the pathology report suffices. I did however request a correction and they complied with my breast surgeon visit report-quite a difference between my saying 10 years of birth control pills and their dictated no history of bcp's. And all they had to do was examine their own records since 40yrs of my healthcare has been at one institution.

stephkd · June 2018

Thank you both for the replies. No, I wasn't given a BIRADS score. I will be requesting the report, but I haven't yet since Recap said that it may change within the first few weeks. I supposed I'll wait until the end of this week and then request it. Once I see it I imagine I will probably post results back here for help as I'll likely not know what I'm looking at. Honestly I didn't even know to ask about the BIRADs score when I was there... I should have read more about what to expect at the appointment I guess. Is that something they should have given me, or would they not have that until later when they make the report?

I'm going to post in the benign conditions forum as well in the meantime. I do appreciate you guys sharing your knowledge in this. Recap, I'm surprised you call the multiple revisions to your report amusing--to me that would be so bothersome! Haha. But it sounds like a common occurrence maybe from what you're saying.

Recap · June 2018

One nice thing about medical computer programs like Epic is that tweaking is much easier than it used to be. In the old days before 'patient portals' like MyChart, pts were forever in the dark about what their medical records/reports really say, and paper charts grew so big no one could read through everything. I love Epic and am really really good at it and wish I could give direct feedback to the company that developed it.

Drs are more crunched for time now is the downside of such programs. Lol administrative types chase after them with delinqency reports, hence the delayed tweaking of said reports.

Training Training Training of/by all employees, even drs, will increase their satisfaction and speed with such programs, and KISS to all administration types who keep adding layers of complications to justify their jobs (LESS IS MORE...)

mustlovepoodles · June 2018

BIRADS or 'BI-RADS stands for Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System. The BIRADs score enables radiologists to determine next steps, whether something appears benign, needs further imaging, or looks suspicious. Here's a great site that explains it. https://breast-cancer.ca/bi-rads/

Erinashley19 · July 2018

any update? Your post caught my eye as our story is so very similar! I’m 36 and have pain in the upper inner part of my right breast. I can’t feel any distinct lump but I have dense breasts so I know that makes things harder. My pain is described just like yours, stabbing pain. Mine mainly hurts only when I start poking around. I hadn’t called my doctor yet becuase I initially felt this pain after accidentally whacking myself in the breast with the end of the vacuum cord. But the pain has not gone away and now things are getting concerning. Plus just today I was able to squeeze out some greenish discharge first from the painful breast and then the other one. So now I am getting Ann appointment ASAP! Anyways, was hoping you got clear answers to your concerns

illeana · July 2018

hi guys ... i m 33 yrs old have son 5 yr old..after months of wearing underwired bra nd exercising in it ... i felt sore boobs no where near my period... i was stunned nd visited a doctor... so she checked nd said i do have “ill defined nodule on left breast uuper outer quadrent” thats just her observation... my left breast is heavy nd painful... she asked me to chek fr pregnancy as well for which my report is due tmrw... i am so stressed ... i wish i turn out preggars which is a bttr option den having a breast cancer... my gynae told me to wait until d end of next period which wil be around 7 th august to find out if it is a premenstrual breast change ..m really worried .. she asked me to keep observing my breast till the next period nd den get a mammography done... i am really afraid of the outcome.. nybdy in d same situation plz acknowledge

Erinashley19 · July 2018

illeana you should start your own topic so others will see and respond better to your concerns.

Moderators · July 2018

illeana, it sounds like you are doing a very good job keeping on it, and following up with your physician. Please let us know what your report shows, and we hope that all is just fine!

stephkd · July 2018

Hi Erinashley19 & illeana,

Unfortunately I have not received any more information regarding my issues. I still get the pain. When I was posting here before and had my mammogram and ultrasound the pain I had then I would best describe as "raging." It is no longer that intense but definitely still coming and going frequently. It still does not appear cyclical. None of my doctors are concerned.... From what I've learned here, it is highly unlikely for my issues to be inflammatory breast cancer since it's coming and going, but I absolutely hate not knowing what it is and still have fear.

I did get my images and reports back... Initially I was super confused about it because I didn't see "birads" anywhere, but later figured out that the "ACR 1" listed on my report must have been my birads score of 1. Looking at the images, yes I see areas that I would be concerned about. But I am an untrained eye and it could just be regular dense breasts.

After my mammogram I was told they saw nothing of concern and to come back for my next one at 40 to resume screenings as normal. Since I don't have a reason for the pain still, though, I have personally decided that I am most comfortable going back next year for another mammogram just so it can be compared, unless of course we figure out why exactly it hurts....but no one has any clue so I expect I'll go next year just because I feel better safe than sorry.

I'm sorry that I do not have more information or any advice, but I hope by sharing what I can it can be in some way useful, even if it does nothing more than let you know that you are not alone. Best of luck, I hope that you do have answers soon and that it is not cancer.

*Edited to correct that I originally put my birads score was 0, sorry the report said 1. It was the one that means "negative."

Erinashley19 · July 2018

stephkd is your pain still very localized? Hurts when pressed, that’s sort of thing?

My pain has also subsided a bit but is still consistently there mostly when pressed.

Still no lump or breast changes that I can tell..

Worriedlil · July 2018

I have the exact same symptoms. Shooting pain near nipple. When pressed it hurts like crazy. Had a mammo but shows nothing. When I squeezed the whole breast the pain subsides. Then it comes back the next day. It’s been going on for weeks. I am 50. Still have regular periods. Breasts are small. No swelling. Just localized pain

Erinashley19 · July 2018

worriedlil my pain is not near my nipple. It’s higher up but still it’s a deep stabbing pain when I press it just right. No tissue changes, no other symptoms. Im 36, no family history, had my kids young.. one of then little cancer calculators sayid I have a .2% chance of getting cancer based on my current health and history. Not sure I believe that..I’m to the point where I’ve resigned myself to the worst case scenario because I just can’t seem to find any other benign reason for this sort of deep localized pain. I have an appointment on Tuesday then a referral for mammogram and US hopefully very soon thereafter.

Worriedlil · July 2018

Hope more people respond and share their experiences

Erinashley19 · July 2018

yes me too. Most things I’ve read from people here that said they had focal pain it was with a lump or some other sort of symptom. Can’t really find anyone who seems to have experienced what I am. That is what makes me all the more worried.. 😔

stephkd · July 2018

Erinashley and worriedlil,

My pain is still localized. It is always in the breast tissue towards the top and on the inside. When the pain was at its worst, it would be a shooting pain that when pressed would feel worse momentarily then subside. As it got worse and worse, I started feeling a pain shooting behind my nipple. I don't know how to describe the nipple pain really except the word "metal" or "metallic" comes to mind.

Over the last month I have had some other hormonal issues (I take prometrium for endometriosis and adenomyosis and I missed a couple days of medication while out of town). I noticed the pain in my breasts had lessened significantly, but then it came back. Not as bad. When pressed it's worse. Same spot of breast, no pain in nipple area. I also currently have 2 red spots on my breast. I had 1 last month that looked like a clogged pore and have had those many times before. These seem like red colorations of the skin. May be clogged pores, but not as obvious as those usually look.....so I am just keeping an eye on them for now...

Have either of you had hormonal things at all? worriedlil, any menopause?

Erinashley, please post what happens at your appt Tuesday and also with your mammogram and us. Good luck!

CindyNY · July 2018

Stephkd- could you push for a breast MRI? It would show everything, leaving your mind worry free. But know it might not be covered by insurance unless your Dr pushes for it.

Years (prob 5) ago my sister fell going up a set of outdoor stairs. Her chest hit the metal hand rail, she immediately had a sore right breast and still does. Nothing has shown up on multiple mammo or ultrasounds.

Best of luck to you.

Erinashley19 · July 2018

stephkd how far away from the nipple is your pain? The weird thing with mine is the spot is kind of hard to pinpoint with just one finger. Because I can’t feel a lump I’m often just rummaging through breast tissue in the general area trying to find the source of it. However if I press in the general area with my open palm quite hard then the pain is there, like a pinpoint right beneath my palm. That’s thebonly way I can find it every time. Always in the same place. It’s quite worrisome. I’m loosing weight and sleep and just feel with each passing day that my chances of this thing being benign and going away are becoming more and more slim 😔

No I haven’t had any hormonal things. The most I ever did was a couple months of birth control 14 years ago. Nothing since. I’m literally the lowest on the ladder for having risk factors for breast cancer. My pain was much worse a couple weeks ago before my period. I’m not sure it was significant enough to really say it’s a hormonal thing though. No menopause for me. I’m only 36

Typingatabooksale · November 2018

I have constant pain in my left breast for the past month maybe in the nipple, and below, and above. My primary care, gyno, and breast specialist don’t seem to think anything is wrong. I had two clear ultrasounds recently. I can’t wear a bra, the pain gets so stabbing. I had a mammogram, but my tissue is dense. I’m 36. When squeezed, it looks like small amounts of milk comes out of each breast. I had a a nasty case of masTitus in the the same area when i was breastfedding 1.5 years ago. I will have an MRI sooh

stephkd · November 2018

Hi--just to update on my situation in case anyone relates. My pain has become more cyclical. It's still always the same spot in just the one breast, been going on for about a year now. It does get pretty intense. Still nothing conclusive. Not sure if that helps really, but at least we know we aren't alone.

Constant single breast pain, for months

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