New symptoms, when is enough?!

B055W0man
B055W0man Member Posts: 9
edited February 2019 in Not Diagnosed But Worried

Hey everyone! So it has been about a month since I had a mammogram and ultrasound because my left nipple was/ is still retracting into my areola. Doctor said everything looked normal and that my nipples are normal but I have very dense tissue that is lobular with no infection but my auxiliary nodes in both armpits are swollen “left more than right”.Since then my right nipple is doing this same retracting thing with my areola but the right side is being pulled down more ( like the tip of my nipples faces my right arm). Also when i raise my arms the bottom of my areolas pucker up around my nipples. Along with these changes I have a spontaneous straw yellow discharge that’s “solidifies” like a scab, a burning sensation and pain in my breasts and underarms (not caused by period, been constant for the last month and half), nipples that are a reddish purple color constantly, and my montgomery glands that normally are prominent have dimpled and become dry/scaly. I have another appointment In a week to have my birth control implant removed. I Am 28 yrs old but have a VERY strong family history of breast cancer. Should I insist on a MRI? Biopsy? There is something going on that is not normal for me.

Appreciate any input you guys have!

Sincerely,

B055W0man 💖

Comments

  • AnnieB7777
    AnnieB7777 Member Posts: 26
    edited February 2019

    B055W0man, my advice is to push for MRI, as you have a lot going on there and it doesn't sound normal. MRI is the best way to tell if neither mammo and ultrasound are revealing anything. You could also ask for a biopsy on the nipple area. Better safe than sorry! Good luck.

  • djmammo
    djmammo Member Posts: 2,939
    edited February 2019

    B055W0man

    Do you have the US report? What are the measurements of the lymph nodes including cortical thickness?

  • B055W0man
    B055W0man Member Posts: 9
    edited February 2019

    djmammo

    I do but it does not contain a lot of information. It does not give measurements just states there is no axilla lymphadenopathy but still states “The patient has axillary swelling, left greater than right." With no explanation of why. I really feel like I got pushed aside because of my age. The report also has some incorrect information as the ultrasound was the fastest I have ever been through and clearly missed the small lump i have had for a last three years (even though I pointed it out to her and the tech that did my mammogram). The report reads as follows... “ I palpate no discrete masses on either side... normal extremely dense tissue bilaterally with small simple cysts on right." The mammogram tech even used a marker to mark the lump that apparently wasn't seen then either

    Thank you for responding!,

    B055W0man


  • B055W0man
    B055W0man Member Posts: 9
    edited February 2019

    AnnieB7777

    Thank you for your response! And I know most of it has been all of a sudden. Hopefully my OB will be more understanding and order at least the MRI. I will keep ya informed of how I make out next week at my appointment! 💖

    Thanks again!,

    B055W0man

  • B-A-P
    B-A-P Member Posts: 525
    edited February 2019

    push for the mri. Be your own advocate.

    I was 30 at diagnosis and was pushed off because of my age.

  • vlnrph
    vlnrph Member Posts: 1,632
    edited February 2019

    I agree with the suggestions that you request an MRI and, while you’re at it, get a referral to a genetic counselor. That person can analyze your family history and recommend who should be tested (if they are willing)

  • B055W0man
    B055W0man Member Posts: 9
    edited February 2019

    Thank you for your input B-A-P and vlnrph ! So far my grandmother (on mothers side), two out of three aunts (mothers side) and my mother have been diagnosed with breast cancer. My mother’s being the worst with IBC in her left the same time she had a mass in the right. And many others through the extended family. Pretty sure all have done genetic testing.

    Thanks again!

    B055W0man

  • djmammo
    djmammo Member Posts: 2,939
    edited February 2019

    B055W0man

    The phrase "The patient has axillary swelling, left greater than right" sounds like a part of the history. Does that phrase refer to the reason you had the scan? Could your doctor have supplied this history to them?

    US is very good at evaluating lymph nodes so if they look normal on US they are likely normal. "Axillary swelling" is very vague and does not have to be related to enlarged nodes. The axilla is mostly filled with fat so if there is any asymmetry of its distribution one side could looks "swollen" which is a clinical term and not imaging terminology.

  • B055W0man
    B055W0man Member Posts: 9
    edited February 2019

    djmammo I made the appointment due to pain that would start in my armpit and spread to the breast coupled with what I was experiencing with my nipple on that left side. And my insurance just recently changed so they gave me a different doctor that I haven’t seen yet. Should I make appointment with that doctor? Think that is who the report was sent to.

    Thanks again and for being so patient with me

    B055W0man

  • djmammo
    djmammo Member Posts: 2,939
    edited February 2019

    B055W0man

    See as many as you need to get a diagnosis. Perhaps the new ins will pay for an MRI.

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