Purple splotches, young and fat, IBC??

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BbyPop
BbyPop Member Posts: 12
edited November 2018 in Not Diagnosed But Worried

Okay so I'm 22 married with 3 kids (2 step one biological). I'm morbidly obese. E cup breasts.

I'm worried about IBC.

Symptoms: Purple splotches on both breasts, peau d'orange skin on both breasts, occasional sharp pain in breasts, pain in right armpit, neck, elbow and hand pain.

Last weekend I was using the restroom when I stood up and looked in the mirror my top had slipped down and reveled two BRIGHT purple splotches on both of my breasts on the side next to my nipple and in between my cleavege. About two inches big on my right side and an inch and a half on my left. I ran and showed my husband freaking out and we googled of course seen IBC or mastitis.

I pumped for 3 weeks after my daughter was born March of 2017 and that was all. Almost got mastitis and it was red and painful lump. Eventually got it to go away with hot compresses and massaging.

What I am experiencing now is nothing like that.

I went and seen the nurse practitioner last Monday, didn't have much to say other then didn't feel any lumps. Referred me to a local breast center for a diagnostic eval. Tomorrow 11/6.

It's been a little over a week since I noticed the purple splotches and peau d'orange skin. Since then I have gotten a constant pain in my neck, armpit, shoulder, elbow and hand.

I noticed that sometimes when I am sitting it makes me splotches a darker color and then when I get up and walk around they become slightly lighter.

I had a cancer scare earlier this year for a tumor that was found on my liver, did an MRI and determined it was benign.

I am just so worried about my breasts. I'm so worried for my family I am the "rock" in the family.

Gonna be doing updates.

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Comments

  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited November 2018

    Bilateral IBC is almost unheard of. IBC is rare and the average age of onset is 50 or 60. Breast cancer of any kind in a 22 year old is exceptionally rare. I'm glad you are getting checked out, but any kind of breast cancer would be WAY down the list of possibilities. Most skin issues are just that-skin issues

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  • BbyPop
    BbyPop Member Posts: 12
    edited November 2018

    I really hope it’s just a skin problems. I have always had issues with tiny hairs on my breasts leaving small marks almost like mini ingrowns? But now theres strange purple discoloration under the skin. About an hour ago it’s was pretty dark and larger now its not covering as much and lighter. It’s on and off but always there

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  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited November 2018

    IBC does not come & go. It rapidly worsens, in days, if not hours

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  • BbyPop
    BbyPop Member Posts: 12
    edited November 2018

    Mine does not come and go. It has now spread across my breasts. Its just lighter in color sometimes and darker sometimes. The size of the splotches is and has gotten larger covering more of my breast since discovering them about a week ago

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  • BbyPop
    BbyPop Member Posts: 12
    edited November 2018

    Okay so today I went to the local breast center where they did an ultrasound on both breasts. They said all they found was fluid under the skin and they think I have a skin infection and to see a dermatologist.

    They refused to biopsy me even after hearing my concern about IBC. I asked if they have seen IBC before and they told me "thousands of times" which was strange to me since it's rare.

    They told me they would be able to tell if I had IBC on the ultrasound and just didn't seem very educated about IBC.

    Telling me that no one gets misdiagnosed for skin infection with IBC because it's easy to spot.

    Made an appointment with a dermatologist for Thursday where I will be asking for a skin punch biopsy just to rule out IBC.

    I really do hope this is just a skin issue but I do not feel comfortable with playing the waiting game with my breasts looking like this.

    Thanks for listening - will continue to do updates.

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  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited November 2018

    The skin issue is a lot more likely. Hope the dermatologist can reassure you.

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  • BbyPop
    BbyPop Member Posts: 12
    edited November 2018

    Yeah well I’m not taking any chances.

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  • MexicoHeather
    MexicoHeather Member Posts: 365
    edited November 2018

    Have them check your liver again. Issues can be expressed through skin rashes.

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  • BbyPop
    BbyPop Member Posts: 12
    edited November 2018

    I was wondering about that. They never offered for me to have it rechecked 6mo after last mri I might have to request for them to take a look at it again.

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  • BbyPop
    BbyPop Member Posts: 12
    edited November 2018

    Tomorrow I see a dermatologist and ask them to do a skin punch biopsy for me. Fingers crossed they just do it for me so we can rule out IBC. The discoloration on my breasts has gotten larger on both breasts. Some more small welts appearing.

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  • Salamandra
    Salamandra Member Posts: 1,444
    edited November 2018

    I'm so glad you're advocating for yourself. Follow all the leads you get, including the ones you're skeptical of. I hope they are completely correct and it's something much less serious. But don't give up until *you're* satisfied on your suspicions. Healthcare for women can be terrible, and for women of size even more so.

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  • BbyPop
    BbyPop Member Posts: 12
    edited November 2018

    Thank you, yes I totally agree it really is!!

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  • BbyPop
    BbyPop Member Posts: 12
    edited November 2018

    okay seen the dermatologist today and they said it’s “Keratosis Pilaris”. Gave me a cream (cortisone) and told me to use aquaphor. I am just not comfortable with this diagnosis alone and still want a biopsy. She told me they are easy for her to do but didn’t think I needed one since she’s *knows* what I have. I agreed. I tried to feel confident with that diagnosis but I’m just not. I’m worried sick at this point and I’m starting to get lots of tiny sharp pains deep in my chest as well as slight very slight burning sensation occasionally on my chest. Gonna call in the morning and beg them to see me for a biopsy.

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  • BbyPop
    BbyPop Member Posts: 12
    edited November 2018

    image

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  • BbyPop
    BbyPop Member Posts: 12
    edited November 2018

    (FYI my nipple tattoos are over three years old and completely healed) discoloration is not raised or itchy but as you can see lots of raised small bumps. Also- The derm told me today I do not have orange peel skin. The tiny bumps are slightly raised.

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