IBC...itching in armpit/breastbone?

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ezziboo
ezziboo Member Posts: 4

Hi everyone...I can't seem to find the answer to a question I have regarding IBC:  is the itching/redness confined to the breast, or can there be itching/redness on the breastbone & armpit?  Started this morning, intense itching & redness (I'm sure my scratching made the redness even worse Tongue out) and Benadryl cream isn't doing a thing to make it go away...I don't think it's an insect bite, and I've never had any kind of allergies, so I'm a bit concerned. 

I'm 38 years old, good health, complete hyst in 2001 due to endometriosis.  Currently take Premarin hormone replacement.

My yearly GYN exam is this Friday, so I'll definitely be talking to my doc about this.

Thanks to anyone who share their thoughts Laughing

Comments

  • kimmie39
    kimmie39 Member Posts: 319
    edited January 2008

    Im not sure but asking your doc is the second thing to do .  The first is to ask your doc if he or she has had any experience with Inflammatory Breast Cancer. Any other symptoms besideds the itching?

    A good informative site is ibcsupport.org

    Good luck 

  • melanierides
    melanierides Member Posts: 1
    edited March 2008

    Everyone can have an opinion but the best place for a true answer is the doctor. I know I am alittle late answering your question but I thought it was worth 2 cents. At 35 yrs age I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Upon finding out I made a choice to remove both breasts.(the right side had to be removed). Anyways after the removal, it was determined I had stage 3c breast cancer. I had 8 tumors under my armpit. Not once did I ever have an itch or redness. That may be caused by the aluminum in your deodorant. My symptoms were extreme tiredness, a lump at the 2 oclock hr on the right breast, my hair was frizzier than usual, and my skin in a certain area had the dimply orange peel feel. I want you to know that was over 7yrs ago. So regardless of the diagnosis, there is hope.

  • bburnett
    bburnett Member Posts: 16
    edited May 2008

    I have a similar question about earliest symptoms, with as many people as possible, who have dealt with Inflamatory Cancer. I had a lumpectomy and the closest lymph node removed about 6 mos. ago.

    My last radiation treatments ended in Jan.08, and I have been taking the Arimidex for several mos. now. Over 3 weeks ago I developed a sizeable pink patch that itched intensely, not close at all to the previous surgical site, but on the same breast. I've seen 3 (2 of which are oncologists) different Drs. over this time, to look at it, and say it is probably just contact dermatitis (allergy reaction). The each prescribed something different to try. The oral prednisone pack did stop the itch while I was actively taking it, but it definitely did not go away, or reduce the size of the pink patch.  I have some pain and achiness, in various parts of the breast and upper side, but I don't know if that is likely to be left over pain from the surgery last fall, or caused by the Arimidex. I don't have any problems with my other breast, and what could the underside of this breast have come in contact with, that the other did not , to cause an allergic reaction on only one. Please, any and all who might have some experience with this type of cancer, tell me what they're earliest symptoms were, to give me an idea of being paranoid or in need of an immediate surgical biopsy.

    bb

  • lexi4
    lexi4 Member Posts: 1,074
    edited May 2008

    Hi bburnett,

    I would suggest that if the creams didn't help the rashy area at all, it may be a good idea to a skin punch biopsy on the area. My rash ended up about the size of a nickel and started out looking like a little pimple. I think once we have been diagnosed with bc, the least our docs can do is take our fears seriously.

    More than likely it's NOT IBC. But, for your peace of mind, I'd say get a definite answer.

    HUgs and Prayers,

    Lexi

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