Terrified of IBC

Bilateral IBC is pretty much unheard of (a radiologist here said he had only seen a single case written up in all the medical literature.) The fact that you think you see peau d’orange on both breasts (which at least one of several doctors you have already seen does not see) right there pretty much makes it unlikely, as would the fact that IBC would alsolikely be pretty much unmistakeable and extremely advanced after several months. I’m sure you have looked at pictures of IBC. I’ll bet whatever is going on with you does not look like them.

Hi Astern,

IBC is rare, IBC in both breasts is almost unheard of. I think the pictures of peau d'orange can sometimes be misleading and sometimes a breast can look similar to what you are seeing online but it is not actually peau d'orange. I don't know what the dent is, is it always there or does it come and go.

I see many posts here from people who think they have IBC, and most do not.

Astern, how old are you? Have you gained or lost weight recently?

You say these changes aren't "my normal" but breasts change as we go through life and your normal at one point in your life will not be your normal at another point in your life. The fact that these changes are taking place on both breasts suggests that something other than IBC - which progresses quickly and almost always is unilateral - is causing the changes.

Here is a list of 8 common symptoms of IBC. You have one symptom - and your doctor doesn't even see it. So the signs don't point to IBC, although I understand your need to find out what's going on

Inflammatory breast cancer doesn't commonly form a lump, as occurs with other forms of breast cancer. Instead, signs and symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer include:

• Rapid change in the appearance of one breast, over the course of several weeks
• Thickness, heaviness or visible enlargement of one breast
• Discoloration, giving the breast a red, purple, pink or bruised appearance
• Unusual warmth of the affected breast
• Dimpling or ridges on the skin of the affected breast, similar to an orange peel
• Tenderness, pain or aching
• Enlarged lymph nodes under the arm, above the collarbone or below the collarbone
• Flattening or turning inward of the nipple

I don't see weight gain listed as a symptom, why do you think it is connected? A node above the collarbone means on the top side of it, not two and a half inches above it. You might see an ENT specialist for that.

As in stretch marks, not cancer of any kind...

update. Still no appointment at breast clinic until 09-11. Two Supraclavicular nodes swollen. Dr felt and didn’t seem concerned. 1/2 cm and movable. Neck pain. Ct scan showed inflamed tonsil which I was prescribed antibiotic for but no mention of supraclavicular area that the doctor even pointed out was inflamed Donnie I’m worried that the area was missed. Dr Google has me in a pretty dark place recently. I’m afraid every day. I do see a therapist and take medication. For anxiety. I don’t enjoy being so scared all of the time but it isn’t something that I can help.

You’re probably right not the place for me I guess. I’m very sorry. I won’t post on here any longer. I wish everyone the best on their journeys. I’ve read a lot on here and you all have incredible strength.

Astern, a breast cancer forum is the right place to post when someone has breast concerns. However since you've seen a doctor who doesn't even see the same breast symptoms that you see, and since the breast changes you describe are bilateral and therefore unlikely to be breast cancer, it's probably the case that your bigger health issue is anxiety and not anything related to your breasts. You should of course get any breast concerns checked out - as you are doing - but given your health anxiety, continuing to google about breast cancer and breast conditions, and reading a breast cancer discussion board, is only fuel your anxiety and make the next few weeks much worse for you. What you need to do is put all things breast related aside for now, knowing that you've seen two doctors who are not concerned, and that you will be seeing the breast clinic in September.

I wish you the best of luck in dealing with the anxiety. And if the breast clinic identifies breast concerns that need to be investigated further, of course come back here for information and support.