Confused by symptoms

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BrookP
BrookP Member Posts: 3
edited January 2021 in Not Diagnosed But Worried

Hello,

I'm posting here for the first time because I’m feeling a little confused. Last Monday, I woke up with a number of lumps in both armpits and on the outside of both breasts. They looked a lot like very large mosquito bites. Slightly tender and red. I assumed I had an infection because, after the birth of my baby on August 1, I had a number of postpartum complications and was re-hospitalized with a uterine infection. I saw my doctor on Thursday. She said she had never seen anything like this, but agreed that it may be some kind of skin infection. She prescribed Keflex, which I am taking now. However, she called me yesterday morning to tell me that after a lot of thought, she no longer thinks infection is likely. She told me that because both sides were affected, she is concerned about inflammatory breast cancer. She referred me to radiology for an urgent mammogram and ultrasound on Monday.

What I have read about inflammatory breast cancer is that there aren’t often lumps to be found. I have almost 20 lumps in both armpits and breasts. Did anyone here experience similar symptoms? Also, this might be a silly question, but is it even possible to get a mammogram when you’re breastfeeding? Thanks


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  • moth
    moth Member Posts: 4,800
    edited September 2020

    yes, you can get a mammogram while lactating - it just needs to be read by someone familiar with lactation tissue. Will also help if your breasts are as empty as possible. I'd bring a hospital grade pump with you and pump immediately before imaging. Now with digital imaging it's possible to send scans to someone for a second look as well if the radiologist is unsure about it.

    Best wishes

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited September 2020

    BrookP, we're sorry you're here and worried, but welcome! You've come to the right place for support and great info while you wait for your tests to be done! It doesn't really look like IBC, but here is a link from our main site on Inflammatory Breast Cancer symptoms where you can read amongst other interesting information that "inflammatory breast cancer usually starts with the reddening and swelling of the breast instead of a distinct lump". Anyway, you're wise to get your breasts checked by your doctor!

    Please, come back to let us all know about your mammo results and how you're doing. We're thinking of you!

    The Mods

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  • Beesie
    Beesie Member Posts: 12,240
    edited September 2020

    "However, she called me yesterday morning to tell me that after a lot of thought, she no longer thinks infection is likely. She told me that because both sides were affected, she is concerned about inflammatory breast cancer."

    Well, that makes absolutely no sense. IBC is very rare. And bilateral IBC - developing IBC in both breasts - is even more rare. In fact I found an medical journal article about bilateral IBC and the authors note that they did a search and found only one other case mentioned in medical literature. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26899495/

    The fact that you have multiple lumps across both breasts is certainly unusual, and seems much more likely to be an infection rather than breast cancer.

    Obviously you need this to be looked at and treated. So whatever it is, it's good that you are going for screening tomorrow. Hopefully the mammogram and ultrasound are clear and maybe the Radiologist will have some idea of what this might be and what to do next to get a correct diagnosis and treatment.



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  • AliceBastable
    AliceBastable Member Posts: 3,461
    edited September 2020

    I don't know if you saw your primary doctor or your on/gyn, but I'd get a different doctor. That one doesn't have a clue. In the meantime, maybe go to a dermatologist for skin testing. They also do the punch biopsies for IBC, just in case you're the second person in medical history to have a bilateral case!

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  • BrookP
    BrookP Member Posts: 3
    edited September 2020

    Thank you for all your reassuring responses, ladies. I’m definitely noticing the lumps getting smaller on day 2 of this antibiotic, which makes me confident that I do have an infection and nothing else. My mammogram is set for Wednesday morning, and I will keep that appointment since it’s time for me to start being screened anyway, but I’m feeling really reassured. I appreciate everyone sharing their knowledge and insight


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  • blue22
    blue22 Member Posts: 280
    edited September 2020

    This doesn't sound like IBC. I suggest you find another doctor ASAP.

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  • BrookP
    BrookP Member Posts: 3
    edited September 2020

    I wanted to share that I had my mammogram and ultrasound this morning, and the doctor confirmed that the lumps are ver swollen lymph nodes. So, as some of you responded, infection is the likely cause. Thank you again for your helpful responses.

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  • Beesie
    Beesie Member Posts: 12,240
    edited September 2020

    Thanks for the update. Glad it's not breast cancer but sorry you're dealing with this infection. I hope the antibiotic works!

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  • blue22
    blue22 Member Posts: 280
    edited September 2020

    Hi Brook,

    That sounds like great news! Hopefully the infection will clear up soon!


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  • MrsT41
    MrsT41 Member Posts: 6
    edited January 2021

    Hi, I am 41 years old and not sure what to do. I have been trying to find someone with similar symptoms to my own.

    I regularly check my breasts and I read about a lady with a similar experience, when I got out the shower two weeks ago I have a faint pinker patch of skin approx 2in in diameter and to me looks slightly raised like a hive. I saw a nurse last week and she said it looked a bit dry and sent me on my way. I'm very concerned and it's not 'normal' for me. I had a melanoma in-situ 9 years ago at the back of my neck, so regularly check my skin. Any advice would be appreciated, but because it is more apparent in different light I feel I'm going mad!
    thank you

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  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited January 2021

    MrsT41, as you can read in the thread above, BrookP had an infection, plus her symptoms were nothing like yours. As you were advised on your other post, you should see your doctor.

    You should start your own thread to receive more pertinent responses rather than “tagging on” to other users old threads. Go to All Topics, then Not Diagnosed But Worried and then select the red “Start New Topic” red button

    image

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