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cecyc
cecyc Member Posts: 59
edited March 2019 in Not Diagnosed But Worried

Hello,

I am 36 years old and for the past 3 months have been having a lot of pain in my left breast, chest, shoulder blade, armpit and upper and middle back.  I went to the ER late November since the pain in my chest was very strong and my arm was numb.  ER doctor suspected a heart problem and ran an ekg and chest xray but everything came out normal.  Pain has not subsided and this week I went to the doctor and she did a breast exam and said she could feel a lump on left breast and refereed me for an ultrasound and mammogram.  Appt is next week.  She told me to try and not worry too much because I have PCOS and it is possible to also have cysts in breast.  I can feel the lump as well, it is towards the bottom part of my breast. It is hard to determine the shape but it moves around and is very painful to the touch.  I do not have a rash, inverted nipple or discharge but because all of the pain in the surrounding areas I am very scared.  Any advice would be greatly appreciated.  The fear of having cancer has taken over my life completely.  in 2017 I lost my 40 year old brother to pancreatic cancer.  He was diagnosed in September and gone in October.  I have two little girls and I am mortified that I will face the same fate he did since his diagnosis and passing were so shocking to me. Thank you for your time. 

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited January 2019

    Hi cecyc,

    We understand how fear can be paralyzing, especially when you've lost your brother. If possible, distract yourself, and enjoy your girls and friends. Go out, walk, exercise, watch movies. We're here for you, and wishing for all to be benign!


    The Mods

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

    cecyc

    Your non-breast symptoms are likely unrelated to your breast symptoms and should be evaluated separately regardless of the outcome of the breast imaging.

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  • cecyc
    cecyc Member Posts: 59
    edited January 2019

    thank you for your response! I guess I just worry about ibc and it spreading hence the other symptoms.  And the painful breast lump is also a reason to worry for me. 

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

    cecyc

    For someone with metastatic breast disease, the pain in their back, limbs, ribs etc is from spread of the cancer to the bone. It takes much longer for this to occur than you think even with IBC (which commonly presents with findings in the skin first often without a discrete mass).

    You can have breasts cysts even without a history of PCOS. A mobile, tender mass is far more common with cysts than cancers.

    I would speak to a professional about how this is effecting you emotionally.

    Let us know what the imaging shows.

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  • cecyc
    cecyc Member Posts: 59
    edited January 2019

    i am hoping it is just a painful cysts. But the pain in my has been unbearable. I will post the results as soon as I have them. My appointment was moved up to Tuesday

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  • WC3
    WC3 Member Posts: 1,540
    edited January 2019

    cecyc:

    i am sorry you are having such pain and breast issues. I hope your results turn out to be benign.

    As for the pain in your ribs/shoulders and the numbness, I had some pain similar to that on my non cancer side. There are a lot of orthopedic and neuromuscular things that can cause those symptoms. You might want to see an orthopedist or spine specialist or both. They will likely suspect a nerve being your arm goes numb and may want to do an EMG and nerve conduction test or try a nerve block.


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  • cecyc
    cecyc Member Posts: 59
    edited January 2019

    Thank you. I will definetely check it out. My US and Mammogram are tomorrow. Very nervous

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  • cecyc
    cecyc Member Posts: 59
    edited January 2019

    Just another update: I spoke with my doctor today to let her know my US and Mammogram got moved up to tomorrow . I asked her why she was concerned with the lump she found and she said because of where its located. Its on the lower outer quadrant and very close to the armpit area.What does this usually mean? Now I am even more concerned. Praying for peace tonight not only for myself but for everyone on here!

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  • cecyc
    cecyc Member Posts: 59
    edited January 2019

    Hello,

    I just wanted to update: My mammogram and ultrasound came back clear.  I will follow up with my doctor to see what exactly is in there and what the next step is.  For now I will take a deep breath and just enjoy this moment.  Thank you so much to everyone that took the time to respond and to give me some insight.  I really do appreciate it.  God bless you all!!

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  • Meow13
    Meow13 Member Posts: 4,859
    edited January 2019

    cecyn, good news.

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  • cecyc
    cecyc Member Posts: 59
    edited March 2019

    Hello,

    I am back after a while.  I have an appointment with a breast surgeon this Friday since the lump is still there and causing a lot of pain.  I obviously don't want to find anything but I know there has to be something there since I can feel it and it is causing me pain.  I feel stupid for continuing to think I have breast cancer that has spread and that is why I keep feeling so much pain in my shoulder and collarbone as well as my armpit.  I know the lump is what is causing this pain because every time I press on it I feel the pain shooting all the way up. I know after reading all these stories that breast cancer is not painful is really just a myth.  Why healthcare professionals keep repeating this to me just really bothers me but anyway that is a different story.  My question is can fibroglandular tissue feel like a lump and cause pain?  I think the reason why I keep pushing for additional screening is because my PCP and OBGYN tell me that it does not cause pain so naturally I keep thinking this is something else.  does anyone else have any feedback on this?

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  • santabarbarian
    santabarbarian Member Posts: 3,085
    edited March 2019

    What DID come up on US and Mammo? Cuz certainly there is a "something" if you can feel it. Keep pushing til you get a sensible answer!

    Pain might be from a lump that's pushing on a nerve? Not necessarily anything that's cancerous but it's good to get to the bottom of it!

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  • cecyc
    cecyc Member Posts: 59
    edited March 2019

    This was my report.  Because I am 36 I had a diagnostic mammogram then an ultrasound right after. 


    Technique: standard bilateral views, as well as bilateral exaggerated CC views. The examination was interpreted in conjunction with a computer aided detection system. Ultrasound of the left breast was also performed

    Breast Composition:B-

    Findings: a marker at the skin surface indicates an area of palpable abnormality, at approximately 3-4:00 position. There is asymmetric glandular tissue underlying the marker, with no mass demonstrated.

    Ultrasound was performed in the area of palpable abnormality. This demonstrates normal underlying breast parenchyma with no cyst or solid mass identified.

    Scattered benign bilateral axillary and intramammary lymph nodes are incidentally noted.

    Impression:

    No mammographic or sonographic evidence of malignancy. Recommend clinical follow up. Routine annual screening mammography should begin at age 40. Bi-rads category 2 benign.

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  • cecyc
    cecyc Member Posts: 59
    edited March 2019

    Hello,

    I had my appointment with the breast surgeon today.  He performed an exam and told me that there is definitely something there that corresponds to the area of the mammogram finding of fibroglandular tissue.  He said that the lump is moveable and does not have ill defined borders which he said is a good sign.  He gave me the option of waiting 6 months for another test or the other option is a lumpectomy.  He said an ultrasound guided biopsy is not an option because the lump does not show up on mammogram and ultrasound and an MRI still does not tell us exactly what is it.  He does not seem to be worried about it and is letting me decide what I want to do.  At the end of the day I know it is my choice but would like some opinions.  He will be the third doctor that tells me there is definitely something there but that it is not too worrisome.  I know the surgery is minor but I am wondering if my anxiety will make me go though unnecessary procedures.  Any feedback is greatly appreciated. Thank you so much!

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  • AliceBastable
    AliceBastable Member Posts: 3,461
    edited March 2019

    It could be something as harmless, but annoying, as a lipoma. I had one on the front of my neck that I was sure was something horrible (and it was pretty ugly), then had it diagnosed and removed. It had gotten to the point it was uncomfortable, and once it was removed, my high blood pressure went away - so benign growths can certainly press on other body parts and cause issues.

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  • cecyc
    cecyc Member Posts: 59
    edited March 2019

    Thanks for your feedback ladies.  My lumpectomy is scheduled for this Thursday.  I am so nervous.  I feel like I cannot focus on anything.  I don't know if I am just not listening to everyone but the PA at the office tells me not to worry because breast cancer typically does not hurt and that my lymph nodes look good.  Of course after reading all the posts on here I realize both things are a myth.  Needless to say I am so scared thinking I have metastatic breast cancer.  I need all the prayers one can get.  Thank you for your support.  I have spent all day looking at my mammogram and ultrasound images.  

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  • Lemonslemons16
    Lemonslemons16 Member Posts: 25
    edited March 2019

    Thinking of you on Thursday! I go in for my imaging Thursday. Super anxious and worried. The pain thing is eating me too... no one has said that to me (my MD didn’t play down my pain last week) but they have in the past. I had breast pain a couple of years ago and my OB wasn’t even worried when I said it wasn’t cyclical. I think I’ve waited to go to the doctor because I did have the seed planted that bc isn’t painful.

    You have lots on your side at this point. It will be great to get rid of that and be pain free. I had a sebaceous cyst removed in my early 20s (it was really big!!) and I believe had started to hurt a bit. I had another one removed that had formed in the scar tissue. Not the same but I don’t remember the recovery being terrible... lots of couch rest and naps! GL

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  • cecyc
    cecyc Member Posts: 59
    edited March 2019

    Thank you! I will be thinking about you as well.  I hope everything turns out okay. 

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  • cecyc
    cecyc Member Posts: 59
    edited March 2019

    hello, I had my excisional biopsy on Thursday with general anesthesia. Wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. Surgeon called my husband right after to tell him all he saw in there was mainly tissue. Not sure what that means. Anyway, now on to waiting for results

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  • suzy2618
    suzy2618 Member Posts: 49
    edited March 2019

    Praying for you 🙏🏻 Please keep us updated. I have a punch skin biopsy schedule for Monday and I can't sleep or eat of how nervous I am. I have two little girls as well.

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  • cecyc
    cecyc Member Posts: 59
    edited March 2019

    thank you! Best wishes for you as well.

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