I could use some advice

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worldempress
worldempress Member Posts: 2
edited January 2020 in IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer)

Whew. I've read through so many of the stories and questions here that I feel a little silly still being worried, because my symptoms seem really mild compared to what so many of you are dealing with.

But I had a mammogram today and the technician seemed to think it looked normal. I know IBC is unlikely to show up on a mammogram - but I also know that if the mammogram goes back to my GP with nothing obvious on it, she won't pursue it further unless I make an issue of it.

It started with a red mark on my right breast, near my armpit. It's not very large - began about the size of a pencil eraser and eventually got up to about the size of the tip of my pinky finger. By the time I saw a doctor it had been hanging out not changing much for about five weeks.

My doctor referred me to a breast clinic (for the mammogram), but I didn't go right away. In the two weeks between seeing my doctor and today's mammogram, the spot got very dark red, but never very big and I started having breast pain, especially in the armpit and seeming to radiate into my back. It's not severe nor constant - it's just enough to be uncomfortable and worrisome.

At the end of last week, the spot was quite dark and big enough for me to see significant mottling in it (thought still relatively small). And I seemed to have two more similar spots forming on that breast. But then over the weekend, the two new ones disappeared and the original one has faded significantly.

I'm driving myself crazy trying to figure out if I think there's any peau d'orange on that breast. There is a texture difference, but it basically looks like I just have constant goosebumps on my right breast. I thought peau d'orange was supposed to be dimpled, rather than bumpy? Some days I look and I think, "that's just goosebumps. Clearly I'm cold because I just took my shirt off." And some days they kind of blend in with my stretch marks. And some days I think, "that's an undeniable texture difference. How could I have really thought I was imagining the rough texture." But I don't have a lump. My breasts appear to be the same size. There's no temperature difference. And now, practically no redness.

Just this one spot that won't go away, some goosebumps and some breast pain. It seems hardly significant.

So I don't know whether I should keep bugging my doctor and push hard for more investigation, or give it some time and see if my symptoms change. If I opt to wait and see, how long is foolhardy?

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  • ibcmets
    ibcmets Member Posts: 4,286
    edited March 2010

    When I was diagnosed w IBC; I had the redness consistently for over 3 weeks.   I had no pain.  My breast was a lot warmer than the other and had a hard texture while my other breast was soft.  It was also getting larger than the other breast.  I guess I had obvious signs of IBC.

    Terri

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  • worldempress
    worldempress Member Posts: 2
    edited March 2010

    Thanks so much for your response. I know this is supposed to be a safe space for those diagnosed and dealing with IBC, and I don't want to invade that space for my own stress.

    Since my symptoms are pretty far from the typical ones, I've decided to wait and see for a little bit. If it gets worse or if I get a diagnosis, I'll post an update.

    Thanks again.

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  • lorieg
    lorieg Member Posts: 802
    edited March 2010

    I had pretty classic symptoms as well.  What you are describing does not necessarily sound like IBC, but I have heard a wide range of symptoms from other people who have been diagnosed.  I will say, however, that my skin had more of a "goosebump" appearance as well.  If you squeeze the skin together it kind of gets that peau de orange look.  Maybe you should get a skin biopsy to be safe?  Just a thought. 

    Best of luck,

    Lori

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  • LINDAGARSIDE
    LINDAGARSIDE Member Posts: 345
    edited April 2010

    I went to the cancer clinic yesterday and asked the Dr if she thought I might have IBC.  She looked at me like I was crazy and said something like, "If we thought you had IBC you would be receiving a completely different treatment than what you are getting".  She then added something like, "You had your surgery and your specimen was examined closely and you do not have IBC...you have IDC".  I asked her about why has my breast turned so red and has developed the "peau d'orange" appearance in one area in particular.  She said this can be considered normal for some cases after surgery as there can be quite a bit of swelling etc.  Certainly that was the case for me...but it still concerns me somewhat.  She then explained that IBC is very rare and if I had it, it would have shown in my pathology report.  From what I've read, the pathology report does not usually find IBC...it is found through a different type of test using a technique called the punch biopsy.  But hey, what do I know?  I'm just a patient with a red breast and undergoing radiaton as well.  Thanks for letting me vent a bit.  I feel better.

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  • Laura2234
    Laura2234 Member Posts: 2
    edited January 2020

    did you ever find out what the goosebumps were? I have a patch on my right breast too, don’t think in my case its cancer or anything I just can’t find anything online about what it is and this is the only thing that came up which is close.

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  • Flo80
    Flo80 Member Posts: 349
    edited January 2020

    Laura do you have swelling and redness in the breast. Does it look large. Please see your doctor for the symptoms. IBC cannot be detected by mammogram usually so press for punch biopsy and MRI. Ultrasound can find skin thickening but to rule out wether the skin thickness is due to cancer present in the skin or not you need a punch biopsy

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  • Laura2234
    Laura2234 Member Posts: 2
    edited January 2020

    Thanks I’ll go to a doctor just in case, I have no other symptoms and I’m 19 so doubt its IBC. Only worried because I’ve had it for months now and its not gone away just get even more goosebumps that won’t go away in a patch.

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  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited January 2020

    Laura2234, do you know, or have you heard of, a lot of nineteen year olds with any kind, much less a very rare type, of breast cancer? Didn’t think so. You need to schedule an appointment with your gynecologist to learn what is normal and what is normal for you

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited January 2020

    And/or make an appointment to see a dermatologist since they deal with skin issues.

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