I really didn’t want to be back here!

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Mandyhiero
Mandyhiero Member Posts: 90
edited May 2019 in Not Diagnosed But Worried
I’ve been around for about a year and a half and I’m still worried about the same thing that brought me here in the first place. In October of 2017 I noticed an indention in my right breast, under the nipple on the areola about the size of a 50 cent piece. It’s noticeable only when I raise my arm. I’ve had about 6 breast exams, two mammograms, and two ultrasounds. The only thing that showed up on any of them was benign calcifications. Back in October of last year, I developed a tingling feeling that would come and go in my bottom lip on the right side. Being stupid, I googled, and it came up with something called numb chin syndrome that was caused from metastatic breast cancer and the prognosis is poor. (Since then, I’ve had a tiny amount of numbness come up on the chin and when I smile, I get this little shocking feeling in lower right side of my lip). Needless to say, it terrified me. I went back to the breast surgeon I see and that’s when she decided she would order the second mammogram and ultrasound. That’s when the benign calcifications showed up, but still nothing to show as to why the indention is there. I asked for an MRI at my last visit but she said insurance wouldn’t pay for it. So here I am, still worried about this numb chin thing and scared to death that I only have months to live. I feel stupid for calling them again but I want an MRI to rule out anything because I know that’s the only test that would show certain types of breast cancer. Am I being unreasonable? I’m so tired of feeling this cloud of doom hanging over my head. I just want to feel better and not cry every time I look at my girls because I’m afraid I won’t be around to raise them.
Sorry for the rant, I’m just more scared than I’ve ever been and I don’t have anyone else to talk to.
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  • SimoneRC
    SimoneRC Member Posts: 419
    edited May 2019

    Have you had dental work on that side? You could have an injury to your 5th cranial nerve. Also, it could be trigeminal neuralgia. Or it could be a tooth issue. Or other things. Probably not metastatic breast cancer. Please see a good dentist and try not to assume you are in dire straits. And obviously be in touch with your doctor.

    Keep us posted!

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  • Mandyhiero
    Mandyhiero Member Posts: 90
    edited May 2019

    Hey SimoneRC! Thank you for replying! I haven’t had dental work prior to this all happening. Just cleanings. I have an appointment for a consult with an oral surgeon on Wednesday, about an impacted wisdom tooth on the top of the same side, but I’m not sure with it being on the top that that would cause numbness to my chin and lip. They will be doing a panoramic X-ray so that I guess would show if I have an abcess on the bottom teeth somewhere, but I just went to the regular dentist last week and there were no cavities on the bottom so I think that’s probably not what it is.
    I don’t know. Maybe I’m being paranoid, but I’m just afraid I have breast cancer and they’re not going to find it until it’s too late.
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  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited May 2019

    If you are willing to pay out of pocket for an MRI I’m sure you can find someone to order it. If no doctor thinks it is indicated, that seems to be your option

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  • Shellsatthebeach
    Shellsatthebeach Member Posts: 316
    edited May 2019

    Hi Mandy,

    I had a similar situation happen to me. My chin would get numb and it felt like a piece of hair was on it when nothing was on my chin. I'm thinking maybe neurological. Nothing was found. In the meantime, that strange feeling has completely disappeared. Haven't had it in years.

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  • Mandyhiero
    Mandyhiero Member Posts: 90
    edited May 2019

    Hi Shellsatthebeach! I actually have a neurology appointment but it isn’t until July. I have random feelings on my head like someone is shocking me. It’s weird but oddly enough, I really don’t worry too much about it. I’ve had an MRI of the brain and an MRI of face and neck soft tissue, because my doctor wanted to rule out MS or anything else, and both of those were clear. So she wants me to go see the neurologist to see what he thinks is going on. The chin and lip thing is a totally different feeling but my doctor thinks it’s connected to the other feelings I’m having. I have lupus and saw my rheumatologist who says lupus wouldn’t cause what I have going on. I just don’t know what to think anymore.
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  • SimoneRC
    SimoneRC Member Posts: 419
    edited May 2019

    Mine was neurological. Had been diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia although I think it was injury to 5th cranial nerve. Still have numbness and tingling and zapping sensations about 20 years later. But it got better, not worse, so not trigeminal neuralgia. It sounds like something could be irritating your 5th cranial nerve. And if you are having a problem with the wisdom tooth on that side, you may have found your culprit. Fingers crossed you get to the bottom of this soon

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  • Mandyhiero
    Mandyhiero Member Posts: 90
    edited May 2019

    Thank you, Simone RC! That makes me feel a little better. I had looked up Trigeminal neuralgia before in hopes to find the cause but it says it’s terribly painful and I haven’t had much pain. I’ve had a few little twinges of pain up the side of my face but nothing too bad and that’s only happened three or four times in the past couple of days. I think I may have TMJ because my jaw pops when I open my mouth wide and I’ve had some pain up near my ear and in the jaw itself. I’ll let you guys know what I find out on Wednesday from the oral surgeon. I’m hoping I can maybe get an idea of what it is that’s causing this. Every time I feel it, it sends me over the edge.
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  • Mandyhiero
    Mandyhiero Member Posts: 90
    edited May 2019

    Thank you, MelissaDallas! I thought about that too, but they’re really expensive. I can understand my breast surgeon saying that they won’t pay for it, but I worked for an orthopedic doctor for a long time and there are certain things that they look for when making the decision. I know that certain types of breast cancers don’t show up on anything but an MRI. To me, with my indention and other symptoms, I would think they would consider it at least. But, I guess my doctor doesn’t think it’s warranted. I do respect her but I’m just worried that I could have breast cancer and it won’t be found because I can’t have an MRI.

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  • Mandyhiero
    Mandyhiero Member Posts: 90
    edited May 2019

    Also, let me say that I appreciate those of you who have or are going through breast cancer right now, and taking time to try to put our minds at ease in scary times. I don’t take that lightly. My prayers go out to all of you

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