Persistent itching

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mlp34
mlp34 Member Posts: 3
edited December 2020 in Not Diagnosed But Worried

Hello! I've had a few strange symptoms lately and unsure if I should be concerned.

Potentially relevant info about me - I have no family history. I'm only 25 but have 9yr old twins and a 3yr old. I breastfed my twins for 1.5yrs and my younger child for over 1yr, so I'm familiar with mastitis etc. and know my breasts like the back of my hand.

A few months ago, my left nipple became extremely itchy. I have no skin irritation and the best way I can describe it is it feels like it's deep in the breast/nipple tissue. It has been persistent and escalated to a point where I called my GP one month ago to book a breast exam.

In the two weeks between booking my appointment and my breast exam, I found a new lump (at 10 o'clock). My breasts are already very lumpy but this one felt different. At my breast exam my GP found that lump at 10 o'clock, plus another lump at 6 o'clock. She referred me for an ultrasound which I had done the following day. The ultrasound technician couldn't find any lumps and my GP emailed me to book a non-urgent results appointment. This was two weeks ago and her first available appointment is another three weeks from today.

Since my breast exam and ultrasound, the nipple itching has become more severe and is spreading - my breast is now itchy from my nipple to an area above those two lumps (about 1/3 of my breast). When I scratch it I have to push down quite hard as it feels as though it's deep in my breast tissue. I have also since noticed that my pores are slightly more pronounced on this breast and only on the itchy area, though I'm not sure if this is new.

I don't really have external symptoms except for an occasional rash which looks like tiny raised 'bites', but I think this is skin irritation from scratching. The 'bites' disappear but the itching persists. The skin on the itchy area also looks a little bumpy compared to the rest of my breasts but nothing extreme and only when I'm lying on my back.

Does this sound concerning? What else could this be? Should I be booking an appointment sooner with another doctor? I try not to worry myself with these things but this is unusual for me and nothing like I've felt before with mastitis, etc.

I would really appreciate hearing your opinions and any similar experiences. Thank you for taking the time to read this!

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Comments

  • LivinLife
    LivinLife Member Posts: 1,332
    edited December 2020

    Welcome mlp34! I have not experienced what you describe... However I would be concerned too though I'm "not" saying that means cancer. I just mean if I had all that going on and the discomfort I'd have some feelings about it. If at all possible I'd encourage you to either see if you can get in with your GP on an early cancelation or with another doc whichever comes first. Regardless of what is going on it sounds like you need some kind of treatment. I hope they can get you in soon. I'm not sure where you are from though wondering if you have any walk-in clinics if the others can't get you in for a bit.... Please check back in about when you get an appointment, ok

    Edited to add the "not" in not saying that means cancer....

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  • mlp34
    mlp34 Member Posts: 3
    edited December 2020

    Thank you for responding! I’m waiting to hear back from my usual GP who may be able to squeeze me in on Monday, and also booked an appointment on Tuesday with a new GP in case that falls through. I’ll make sure I post an update.

    Hoping this is nothing, it’s just very unusual for me and I can’t find anything else online which matches my symptoms. I read that peau d’orange can sometimes be seen more clearly when pinching the breast between two fingers - I tried it and it’s quite noticeable in the itchy area, no where else. It’s harder to see without pinching as I have a lot of stretch marks/loose skin from breastfeeding and weight loss. I probably shouldn’t be Googling symptoms but I am a little concerned! Something weird is definitely going on in there, fingers crossed it’s not serious.

    Thanks again for taking the time to respond, I really appreciate it :)

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  • LivinLife
    LivinLife Member Posts: 1,332
    edited December 2020

    Yes, best not to Google though we all do it. Try to stick with this forum until at least your GP appointment. I'm so glad you called for the 2 appointments - you have a back-up that way.... Did you hear back from your GP? Please check back in....!

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  • mlp34
    mlp34 Member Posts: 3
    edited December 2020

    I had an appointment this afternoon with my usual GP. She checked my ultrasound results which were pretty normal, just a small cyst in my other breast but this is a non issue.

    She checked my problem breast again and has now noticed some dimpling, so she's referred me to a breast surgeon. Their next available appointment is Feb 3rd but they've put me on a cancellation list - it sounded like they expect to see me some time over the next few weeks.

    Hoping I am able to follow this up asap! My GP couldn't give me any other suggestions as to what this could be which is a little worrying, but I'm trying not to stress. Easier said than done though!

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  • LivinLife
    LivinLife Member Posts: 1,332
    edited December 2020

    These things are stressful mlp! I'm soooo glad you followed up on this and provided an update here! I'm glad the surgeon's office has a cancelation list. If you don't hear anything in the next 10 days or so you may want to call once or twice per week first thing in the morning to see if anything is available. I wish you well and please check back in, ok?

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