Pain in one breast but BIRADS 1 on US-more testing?

Options
scaredpt123
scaredpt123 Member Posts: 2

about two months ago, I started getting a bad pain in my left breast. It wasn't really related to my period, so went to an gyno who referred me for an ultrasound. I couldn't locate the pain so they did one of the whole breast and it came back totally clear, birads 1. I believe that means not concerning. They said I do not have to come back for more scans.


however, my gynecologist is at a loss and hasn't been able to explain the pain. Furthermore, the past week or two my stomach and side have been itchy (possibly related to me wearing a bra more bc of the pain), but cleared up with ointment. I am frustrated and worried that I'm two months into pain and no answers or even a treatment.

Could the US have missed something? Any other tests I should do? I have severe anxiety and constant breast pain isn't helping. I'm 26 so they said US was best.

Comments

  • moth
    moth Member Posts: 4,800
    edited March 2021

    I have mentioned before on this site that when you have pain in the breast and actual breast anomalies have been ruled out, you should consider seeing a registered massage therapist or physiotherapist. The breasts are enervated by nerves which comes from the thoracic spine. Any impingement there caused by poor posture, bad mattress, uncomfortable sleeping posiions, slouching over computer etc can cause muscle tension and nerve pain to radiate into the breast.

    Also heating pads, rollers, anti inflmmatory rubs (or oral advil if you're ok to take it) may help. In severe cases muscle relaxants may be required if this is the culprit but usually good body work, doing the assigned stretches and fixing posture will fix it and the symptoms will disappear.

  • scaredpt123
    scaredpt123 Member Posts: 2
    edited March 2021

    that's really helpful. The other thing is that my skin or breast has been really sensitive to bras the past week or two. Like I just got a lot of pain under my breast in my back from wearing a sports bra. Pain wouldn't just be triggered by a bra, right? I was thinking I should focus on stretching

  • clarebarez
    clarebarez Member Posts: 36
    edited May 2021

    Hi scaredpt123, sis Moth is right. Look for a therapist, you might have a muscle tension due to posture problem. Ive had that in my left breasts before. Imagine I was in pain for 7 months and US was clear. OB cant tell why I have pain. I've been to many doctors. The only thing that worked is Physical Therapy. My work is computer all day. Hope that helps. <

  • SKWUT04
    SKWUT04 Member Posts: 24
    edited May 2021

    Hi there! I had a mammogram and ultrasound last week for pain in my right breast. Mine was focal and related to a palpable mass although at times the entire boob ached. I also have diagnosed health anxiety so it was a rough couple of months as my pain started in February. I spent a lot of time doing all the CBT techniques my therapist and I have worked on, but some days were hard. Such is life with health anxiety.

    My scans came back clear. I have heterogenous dense breasts and a BIRADS 2. My palpable lump was an "island of dense tissue." The pain I've experienced was likely related to a combination of hormones and touching it constantly. Once I stopped messing with it, the pain has gone away.

    The others have given you great advice and they certainly know far more than me. I also believe my own anxiety was causing the pain to not manifest per se, but worsen. "Worrying on a schedule" where I allot myself a certain amount of time to worry/Google before I turn it off and focus elsewhere was really helpful as was meditating. I'm also very active, so exercising helped.

    Ultimately, I think my pain comes down at least in part to how I sleep. I tend to lay on my right side and I sort of "bunch up" and I noticed the other night that the way my boob is squished in that position is exactly where my island is. Perhaps I've squished it into being - stranger things have happened.

    Ultrasounds aren't perfect, but they do a good enough job. I had to have a few moments of tough love with myself to get me to accept the results. but in the end, doctors are a LOT smart than us ley people. Trust them!

Categories