Still worried about IBC.

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Lrigau
Lrigau Member Posts: 9
edited October 2019 in Not Diagnosed But Worried

Almost 2 weeks ago, I noticed a small red spot on my breast. I didn't think much of it until my health anxiety kicked in this week. It was diagnosed as eczema and has improved with steroid cream. Of course, now I've read about IBC and im convinced I have it. My breast itches, but only when wearing a bra, I swear it feels heavier than normal, but my period just started today. Any advice or help?

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  • Beesie
    Beesie Member Posts: 12,240
    edited October 2019

    Lrigua, this is the third thread that you've started on the same topic. In order for people here to give you valuable and relevant advice, they need to see your previous posts and the previous answers. Otherwise you will just the same advice over and over. That's not helpful to you, and it's not fair to those who spend their time responding to you.

    You had a small rash that has cleared up. Your issues since then appear to be related to your health anxiety and the fact that you've read about IBC and convinced yourself that you have it. Reading about IBC does not give you IBC.

    Your health issue is anxiety. Please talk to your doctor about that. And try to stop thinking about your breasts and IBC. You've seen a doctor and it appears that your breasts are perfectly fine and normal. Hanging around a breast cancer discussion board and googling breast concerns isn't what you should be doing.


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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited October 2019

    Lrigau - as Beesie says, if you haven't made an another appointment with your PCP - do so. You may get a referral to a dermatologist. Multiple threads with the same question are counter productive and will only cause you more anxiety.

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  • blue22
    blue22 Member Posts: 280
    edited October 2019

    Hi Lrigau,

    I understand your concern. Yes, itchiness can be a symptom of IBC, but it can also mean nothing. The heaviness associated with IBC causes one breast to be heavier than the other. You said your breast felt heavy - is it heavier compared to the other one?

    I also suggest not starting multiple threads. It doesn't help. Worrying doesn't help either, and is actually harmful to your health. Have you tried to get an appointment with a specialist? I suggest you talk to your OB/GYN's office and make an appointment. Then once you have done that, try not to focus on your symptoms until you see your doctor.

    Please don't spend your time worrying and reading about IBC, it won't accomplish anything. Most likely, you don't have IBC, and your symptoms will be gone by the time you see them and you can cancel your appointment!

    I really hope it is nothing!

    Take Care

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  • Lrigau
    Lrigau Member Posts: 9
    edited October 2019

    Blue22, thank you for the kinder reply than the others. I do suffer and am in treatment for severe health anxiety. The original red spot that kicked off my anxiety has healed. It seems highly unlikely for that to heal but other symptoms appear, don’t you think?The itching stops within minutes of removing my bra and according to my husband, there is no difference in the heaviness of my breasts.

    I have my annual GYN visit in 2 weeks and will discuss everything with him at that appointment.

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  • blue22
    blue22 Member Posts: 280
    edited October 2019

    It is definitely unlikely that the red spot healed if it is IBC, and you should focus on that! I'm trying to remember specifics of the itching - which was sometimes bad - I think it improved without a bra, but didn't go away when I took my bra off.

    I'm glad you are getting treatment for your health anxiety. Reading up on symptoms probably makes that worse, so try to instead use that energy to take care of yourself! I'm glad you have an appointment coming up and just remind yourself of that when you start to worry about the symptoms you are having now.


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  • Lrigau
    Lrigau Member Posts: 9
    edited October 2019

    The itchiness is gone, my breasts haven’t changed size, don’t feel heavy and the red spot has completely healed. Yet I still ended up in the ER with a panic attack convinced it’s IBC. IBC symptoms wouldn’t just stop, right? The GYN NP in the Er said she saw nothing concerning nor did she feel any swollen lymph nodes. I was able to move up my scheduled GYN appointment to tomorrow. Hoping this will all be over after she checks me.

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  • blue22
    blue22 Member Posts: 280
    edited October 2019

    Hi Lrigau,

    Glad to hear the symptoms disappeared! How did it go with the GYN appointment today?

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  • Lrigau
    Lrigau Member Posts: 9
    edited October 2019

    It went well! She sees no skin changes, no rashes, nothing of any concern. The itching near the armpit appears to have been an allergic reaction to a new deodorant because it spread to the other armpit as well.

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  • blue22
    blue22 Member Posts: 280
    edited October 2019

    Yay! I'm glad to hear it is nothing to worry about.

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