Where to go from here?
Hi, my name is Melissa and I'm 32. I'm not looking for medical advice. Ive lost around 50 lbs this year from no appetite, I'm not sure if it's from stress or not. Around 2 months ago I noticed a painful area on the left side of my left breast. I'm ashamed to admit I've never routinely done self breast exams so when I quickly did one I only really focused on that tender area and felt a small pea sized, rubbery lump. I scheduled an appt with my Ob-Gyn and had a mammogram which came back normal heterogyzously dense breast. Since then I did a more thorough exam and found some rubbery and 2 hard lumps in my right breast, and 1 prickly one but only when sitting up. I've also found an indent under my right breast but only when raising my arm. I went for a follow up and showed my doc. He brushed it off and said I have fibrocystic breasts and said the indent is part of "normal breast changes". I've also learned about the BRCA gene on my father's side of the family and how many people have had it is massive. The youngest is my first cousin who first had ovarian cancer at 19 then breast cancer at 23. My paternal grandmother had breast cancer at 43. My maternal grandmother at 45. I told my doc this and wanted to be tested. He doesn't think it's necessary or will be covered by insurance, nor thinks it's necessary for further testing right now and doesn't want to see me back for another 3 months. I tried to call my PCP for a 2nd opinion and her office said that I have to keep seeing my current doc about it since he's already following me for it. I'm ashamed to say that I'm on Medicaid, I live in NC and I'm not sure if this is because of something with NC Medicaid or not. Should I be allowed a 2nd opinion? If so, where do I go from here? I really don't know what to do or what kind of doctor to try to call next, or if I should even try to see one.
Comments
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Hi MommyMel and welcome to Breastcancer.org,
We're sorry you're here and worrying, but we're really glad you've found us. Obviously, we're sending good thoughts your way that you have nothing to worry about. However, it's great that you're taking your breast health seriously and getting background family information so that you're well educated.
This page from the main Breastcancer.org site might help with your question about getting a second opinion: Asking for a Second Opinion.
We hope this helps and please keep us posted with what you find out!
--The Mods
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Hi MommyMe187, I'm so sorry you have to go through this. I don't know about Medicaid, but I'm sure you could call your Medicaid office and ask them. For Medicare you can log in and send a question via email. The doctor doesn't sound like he knows what he is talking about and I would be worried as well. Is there anyone in the practice you could go to instead? Wishing you well.....
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Thank you. I'm going to try to call medicaid tomorrow and see what I can find out. As far as the doctor office goes I'd rather go to a different office if I can. He owns the building and practice and is known for being very unpleasant, because of this I'm not comfortable that another doctor there will disagree with him. I used to work for a local pediatrician and learned a few things about our local small town docs. He made me feel like I was being a worry wart, and I'm so very glad I came here to this website because even just one affirmation that my worries are legit is enough for me. I have 4 kids and I just want to know 100% that I'm in the clear. Would it be better to try to make an appointment with a primary care provider for this? Or what kind of doc, initially, is the best starting point based on your experience?
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first of all hugs and good going being an advocate for yourself. Nothing to be ashamed of. People on MA are allowed to get second opinions or even change doctors if they don't feel comfortable. Maybe there is more info with an organization that fights breast cancer like Susan kolman foundation about your rights. Trust yourself.
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Good luck getting a second opinion. I also lost my appetite and a bit of weight before my diagnosis, and it can be an indicator, so good to get it double checked!
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With your family history and BRCA in your family, please persist in finding someone who will take you seriously.
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