Constant left breast pain! Swimming in worry

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Typingatabooksale
Typingatabooksale Member Posts: 10
edited December 2018 in Not Diagnosed But Worried

Hey everyone,

I'm in a constant inferno of worrying lately as I have had constant breast pain— stabling and buring- like, and more dull at times in my left breast only. It seems a bit bigger than the right, and when manipulated, small drops of I think milk come out of both breasts.

The pain radiates from the nipple and diagonally up following a vein that is sometimes more pronounced than all of the others. The vein connects to the nipple. I stopped breastfeeding 1.5 years ago, and am not pregnant.

Mammogram said dense tissue and I've had two ultrasounds that were clear and showed the lymph nodes were fine. Saw a gyno, and a breast specialist. Getting an MRI at my request.

I can't wear a real bra- just stuffing my achy breast in an ugly, loose sports bra.

The breast specialist wants my thyroid checked as she said my throat was a bit swollen.

I'm taking anti inflammatory pills, primrose oil, and starting to use warm compresses.

I'm very stressed as I'm treating for Lyme too.

Please help, and tell me what to do next! I'm so incredibly scared! I'm 36 years old.

Thank you!

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited November 2018

    We understand how the not knowing can be terribly stressful. It sounds like you are getting alot of things checked out - an MRI will be very helpful, and checking out other possible diagnoses.

    Hang in there! One step at a time.


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  • Shellsatthebeach
    Shellsatthebeach Member Posts: 316
    edited November 2018

    I'm glad you're getting an MRI. Dense breast can be tricky for a mammogram to pick up lumps. Try not to worry too much. I know waiting around sucks! The statistics are in your favor this is not BC. Worst case scenario if it is cancer, there are all kinds of advances that have taken place over the years. Take a breath and just know that no matter what you will be fine.

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  • Denise-G
    Denise-G Member Posts: 1,777
    edited November 2018

    So glad you are getting an MRI - dense breast tissue is a really tough thing that women are not taught about enough.

    There is a great website called https://www.areyoudense.org/ Waiting is tough, but so glad you are on this!

    All my best wishes!

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  • Typingatabooksale
    Typingatabooksale Member Posts: 10
    edited November 2018

    Thanks! All of the doctors I have seen think nothing serious is the matter, but I don’t feel relieved as I am still in pain. There are no skin changes.... what can this be and are MRIs good ways to know if something is wrong

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  • Denise-G
    Denise-G Member Posts: 1,777
    edited November 2018

    Pain can be many things -- sometimes just hormonal. However, with dense breast tissue, an MRI is the best way to see a possible breast cancer.

    And if everything is okay, it is always good to have that initial MRI.

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  • Typingatabooksale
    Typingatabooksale Member Posts: 10
    edited November 2018

    Thanks. They just moved my MRI to a later date because I guess you need it a camera in number of days after your period. The pain is worse some days, and lighter on others. I wonder what other causes of this pain can be? I wonder if this could be fibromalagia or late stage Lyme-related? It feels much better after epsom salt baths and seems okay at night. I just don’t know what this can be and I think a stress and worry make it wor

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  • Typingatabooksale
    Typingatabooksale Member Posts: 10
    edited November 2018

    Thanks.

    Do you know if ultrasounds are accurate? What could this pain be? I can barely do anything with it. I do have a vein the connects to the nipple that pops out- or becomes more pronounced than the others on the breast near where the pain is.

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  • Typingatabooksale
    Typingatabooksale Member Posts: 10
    edited December 2018

    An update:

    My MRI was all normal. My left breast is still slightly bigger than the right, I have a vein that pops out, mainly in the morning and goes almost to the nipple, and my left nipple seems a bit inflamed. The pain is horrible some days, and the breast seems heavier than the right. No other symptoms. What to do next? Any advice? Please! I know I responded to myself in moments of very high anxiety before. Are MRI's accurate to pick up breast cancers?

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

    MRIs have a less than 5% false negative rate.

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  • Typingatabooksale
    Typingatabooksale Member Posts: 10
    edited December 2018

    Thanks, MelissaDallas. :)


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  • Recap
    Recap Member Posts: 120
    edited December 2018

    Just curious where your tick bite was? Mine was on my right breast and I still remember after the initial bullseye there were many spider veins feeding towards the bite mark where the tick had burrowed in.

    I also had for several years what I would call random zaps (only when at rest) from outer side of left breast up then down the armpit and partially down the underside of my upper left arm. I always attributed it to obesity/high blood pressure/cholesterol/heredity but it might be worth asking for a cardiac evaluation. (Not sure how effective EKG is since it may only show something during the pain.)

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  • Typingatabooksale
    Typingatabooksale Member Posts: 10
    edited December 2018

    I'm not sure where the bite was exactly, but not in my breast. Many people with Lyme and/orBartonella seem to have breast pain though.

    One thing I was wondering is if the use of massive amounts of antibiotics ( treating the Lyme) can cause thrush in the nipple and breast and be creating this nipple inflammation and horrible pain?

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