Rash that comes and goes..IBC?

Hi Meago! I am sorry you are feeling all this anxiety. I am no expert on IBC, but I do know that it is one of the very rarest kinds and makes up only about, 1-5%of all diagnosed breast cancers. So the odds are very much in your favor for this not to be IBC. From what I have read, IBC isn't something, that comes and goes. It is a very fast moving cancer.There are some here who have been Dx with IBC and I am sure there will be someone along who may be able to calm your fears.

You've done everything right so far and your Doctor has been pro active by getting the tests done. I think if it were me, I wold be going to see a dermatologist, it does sound like it could be a skin issue. I think if a Dermatologist was concerned that it was not a skin issue, they would put you on the right track, for further investigation.

We all understand the fears you are feeling, let us know how you get on.

Meago29, welcome to Breastcancer.org. We're sorry that you're dealing with this worry, but we're glad you found such a wonderful community for information and support.

Changes like this is your breast should always be checked, and we are glad your GYN is being responsive and suggested the mammo and ultrasound. Until you get your test done we hope that reading the articles Getting Your Test Results and Test Results and Medical Records will help you manage the anxiety. We know you're nervous, but just take a deep breath and take one step at a time.

Please let us know how it goes!

The Mods

Hi Mego.

This reply is sent to encourage your pursuit to understand your symptoms. It is my first post in the BC forum. I went with the tide of dismissal and I think I waited entirely too long to get pushy. I suspect the widely accepted view of IBC's rapid onset is a consequence of long term symptoms having gone unrecognized.  I'm 55 and had similar symptoms, for how long I don't know other than years.

Infrequent itching and tingling on one nipple, sometime both, odd little rashes *around* my breasts and lymph node tenderness would come and go. The yellowish discharge was very slight, but the residue has always been visible. Through the years I mentioned the symptoms during my breast exams and all symptoms were mutually dismissed as minor skin irritations.

Thanksgiving morning while in the shower I felt my right nipple sting and it started bleeding. Blood was flowing from 4 ducts, a small rashy discoloration presented *on* the areola and on closer inspection I saw dimpling that really does look just like an orange peel. 

If I were you, I'd start a journal to document the date and time you notice *anything* different. Keep telling your providers, but don't be surprised if it's dismissed.  It might take longer than you expect to get your insurance to authorize more tests.

Take pictures on a regular schedule to create a baseline.

And take good pictures of each nipple *when* you notice a rash, tenderness, discoloration or a discharge.

My symptoms would appear and disappear as quickly as they presented and verbal descriptions were not enough to raise a concern for either me or my provider.

On hindsight, I realize now that the changes to my nipple and areola were subtle, steady and consistent.

Get the picture while the symptom is presenting and label it so you know it was taken with another symptom.

Save the pictures by date and store them on a secured micro SAN disk that can be used on your phone if you need to show them to your provider.

Try not to panic. This is still relatively new territory for researchers because it's so rare, and the online material clearly notes there is still much to learn.

Let's help. Just forge ahead and don't stop listening to your inner voice.

I'm tired. I think I waited too long and I guess I'll be finding that out soon.

Meanwhile, I'm documenting too.

Hope it helps someone else.

Hope this helps you. 

No rashes/redness that comes and goes does not sound like IBC. Once it presents, it's aggressive and rapid. Of course, anything is possible and needs to be followed up on. There is no 'One Size Fits All' when it comes to any of us. Rash/redness does not always present with all of us. I never had any rash/redness.

How did the Dermatology appt go and the path. report go?

Hi Meago29, I am experiencing the exact same symptoms as you had in 2014. Now 4 years later, can you please tell me how is it going? Is it still there? What was the diagnosis. Please respond, as this undiagnosed rash is killing me with stress.