Increasing/longer lasting pain, Vitamin D level is 16

K_Lee
K_Lee Member Posts: 18
edited July 2019 in Not Diagnosed But Worried

I'm just a lurker who occasionally posts but mostly just reads. I noticed a lump several years ago, was brushed off by BS (didn't even order a mammogram) which made me ignore lump until last October-ish when I started having a tingly-milk let down kind of feeling. This prompted me to mention it again to my PCP and she was able to feel the lump I felt but not really concerned. I went to new BS, whom I love. She too could feel lump so I went for diagnostic 3d mammo and ultrasound. This came back BIRADS-3 (indistinct focal asymmetry) instructed to come back in 6 months for repeat. In my mind, if there was anything concerning they would have seen it (my breast density is only level 2, not super dense, just scattered areas of density). Over the last couple months the area of my breast with the lump will get this deep gnawing achy feeling that comes and goes along with tingling feelings throughout. The achy feeling would come a few times a day and last 10-30 seconds but has progressed to lasting about 30 minutes at a time. I will also get a deep burning in the same breast. The lump is definitely larger now but not super huge and it feels different. Don't know how to explain it, kinda like one end has a hard nodule that wasn't there before. I have also been feeling very rundown so my PCP ran some bloodwork and found my vitamin D was 16 so I'm on a replacement regimen now. I have an appointment with the BS on the 5th for my 6 month follow up. I'm 2 months behind because I feel like a hypochondriac. I don't tell my husband most of this so I don't worry him unnecessarily. I've tried talking to my sisters, who are wonderful, but they just kinda laugh it off tell me it's nothing and not to worry. The odds are they are right, I realize that, but sometimes I just want to feel validated in my worry and fear. Someone to understand and just say you know what, this is scary for you and your worry is totally understandable. I guess that's why I'm venting here. I don't necessarily need advice, I just need to talk to people who are in my same boat. We know it's more than likely nothing but we worry anyway. Thanks for reading!

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Comments

  • ceanna
    ceanna Member Posts: 5,270
    edited July 2019

    K_Lee, I don't have any insight into the "lump" but I'm glad you found out about the low Vit D levels. Getting those levels up will help with feeling run down. You can always talk here on these threads! We're here for you. Hugs!

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

    My oncologist said my vitamin D level was low and increased my supplement to double what was in my daily multivitamin. I've run into others who also had low vitamin D around the time of diagnosis. I need to ask my oncologist if it's an indicator of all cancers or just breast cancer, or general breast health problems, and also if it is a cause or effect of one of those. Or maybe we don't get our D levels checked unless we go to certain doctors.

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  • jessie123
    jessie123 Member Posts: 532
    edited July 2019

    Can you go back and tell them that you would like a biopsy? My biopsy didn't hurt and it sure will make you feel better if it comes back negative. And by the way, my vitamin D level was 7 years ago. I've brought it up with vitamin D drops daily in my food.

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  • OnTarget
    OnTarget Member Posts: 447
    edited July 2019

    Hi K_Lee!

    Before BC, I didn't worry too much about what appeared to be lumps in my breast which my gyno said were nothing. I think they were probably cysts, but still, I wish he'd ordered a mammo. He said to wait until I'm 45 (that was before the age changed).

    I hope they are really on top of your issues because BC certainly can hurt or feel weird. Hopefully it is nothing, but it would be nice if they'd biopsy it to be sure! It would at least give you peace of mind.

    Here's a tiny bit of info on Vitamin D and breast cancer:

    https://www.breastcancer.org/risk/factors/low_vit_d


    Thinking good thoughts!

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  • K_Lee
    K_Lee Member Posts: 18
    edited July 2019

    jessie123- I have an appointment on August 5th to meet with the BS to get my follow up mammogram scheduled. I have thought about requesting a biopsy but then I think that if this mammo shows no change then it's gotta just be a fibrous tissue lump that's maybe pushing on some nerves in that area. I don't have super dense breasts so I feel like a mammo would show something if it was there...? I think that's all I need to feel better, a second look just to make sure there aren't any changes then I think I can let it go.

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  • Scrafgal
    Scrafgal Member Posts: 631
    edited July 2019

    some studies have shown a correlation between low vitamin D and breast cancer...my MO regularly checks mine. It's been normal always but we always check it.

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  • Kkmay
    Kkmay Member Posts: 156
    edited July 2019

    Hi,

    Several studies have shown a correlation between BC and vitamin d deficiency. My mom vitamin d was ZERO when she was diagnosed with BC. I asked her MO to supplement her with vitamin d, and she has been taking 50000 units weekly for five months, and then 1 pill monthly. He said that vitamin d level must be at least 60 ng/mol, preferably around 75 ng/mol. I have read several studies that prove vitamin d can improve survival and PCR in cancer patients. Google “vitamin d and breast cancer”

    Best of luck!

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  • K_Lee
    K_Lee Member Posts: 18
    edited July 2019

    I sincerely appreciate all you lovely ladies and your responses. Just having people who understand and can relate goes a long way to calming anxiety!! Thank you

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  • GreenEyes81
    GreenEyes81 Member Posts: 389
    edited July 2019

    I didn't read the long list of replys....so forgive me if this is already mentioned. The low D is very much a concern for me (obviously the lump too!). I had low D several years ago....tooks LOTS of D to get to a normal range. I was in the single didgits and iron was just as low...my doctor didn't know how I walked into her office. I thought I needed anti depressants. lol

    Fast forward about 4-5 years----I was dx with breast cancer. BUT I went in because I felt "off"...I thought my hormones were off. Turns out they found the cancer, I had surgery....but I healed and still felt "crappy". I went to another doctor that ran blood work and found that my PTH levels were VERY high. Basically I had hyperparathyroid desease.

    EVERYONE with low Vit D should be checked for this. Taking extra D every day can help you feel better, but it is masking the root issue. It is a SIMPLE blood test. Low D, High PTH and high blood calcium--- pretty much confirms it. Its also a simple fix as it means you have a tumor (benign) growing off your thyroid. You have it removed by a VERY expirence doctor, and you walk out feeling better. It is that FAST!!!

    I got it removed----Felt AMAZING within days. I also found out a few months later that they have found a connection and higher risk level of breast cancer for those with hyperparathyroid desease. Mine went untreated for at least 4-5 years...who knows how long I had it before that!

    Please have them run more blood work and just cross this off while you are already seeing doctors. HUGS!!!

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