I found a lump in December and went to gp in January. I was referred to the breast clinic and saw a dr at the end of feb, he felt lump and thought probably fibrous mass but referred me for an ultra sound. I had the ultrasound and then was later referred for a mammogram.
On these results the dr said I should have a biopsy but the lump would have to come out regardless. I went for biopsy today only to find out that I have some sort of breast infection. I had another ultrasound and mammogram but dr said he couldn’t really see lump because of the liquid. He took a sample of the pus and sent it off for analysis. I am now being sent for an mri scan.
Is it possible that I have two things going on at the same time, is it possible for mastitis to hang around since December with no real symptoms, except for feeling a bit groggy and swollen this weekend?
On my notes I read [first lot] ultrasound birads1 and mammogram birads 4, How can it be so different?
Sorry i’m ranting, this has been going on for so long that I feel like I am on a rollercoaster. Any advice appreciated, thanks.
Hi Amapola,
I just wanted to reply, but I’m afraid I can’t help you with any expertise! I’m sure soem others will come along soon with some advice. All in all it sounds a horrible long experience of worry and still nothing conclusive.
I do know that an MRI scan will give them a very clear picture of what’s happening in there - much better than mammo or ultrasound I would think - so that’s a positive step forward.
I’m afraid i don’t know what ‘ultrasound birads1 and mammogram birads 4’ mean.
How soon is your MRI? You could do with getting some answers
All the best, and don’t be afraid to kick up a bit of a fuss if you still don’t get satisfactory answers. Do you have a bolshie partner/ sister/Mum you could take along next time?!
Jacquie x
When I first found my lump I was breastfeeding. My GP and I both agreed it was likely hormonal or a blocked duct and royally ignored it (how irked I am when I look back). 4 to 5 weeks later, my nipple dissapeared and my breast swelled up an extra third its size and my whole breast was one big hard lump. I couldn’t feed baby off that breast and within 2-3 days stopped completely. I then had the 1st of several courses of antibiotics to ‘treat’ the ‘infection’. My breast wasn’t red, or sore or anything other than big, heavy, hard and swollen. I didn’t feel unwell at all apart from suffering severe anxiety. I arrived at the breast clinic a few weeks later very distraught and anxious. The consultant I saw did a needle biopsy and core biopsy based on the mamogram I had had that day. The consultant hesitated over giving me a mamogram and would have prefered to send me for an ultrasound due to my age as at 36 I was only just tipping the lower age limit for a mamogram (which isn’t generally used for 35 and under due to the breast tissue not being as clear with a mamogram or something). He sent me for an urgent mamogram as I was so anxious and I think took pity on me as I would have had to wait several days for an ultrasound.
Mine was BC and I know now, that the medical team had a good idea it was too when they saw my mamogram but it wasn’t confirmed to me until a few days later when the biopsy results were in. MY BC wasn’t inflamatory but my breast was very inflamed, due to, they think my immune system reacting to the tumor.
If you google Birads you’ll get some info re what they are but be choosy which sites you delve in to. I picked up the below:
The Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS), developed by the American College of Radiology, provides a standardized classification for mammographic studies.
I don’t know for one minute if your problems are beneign or not though I sincerely hope they are. I hope you do not read this and draw any similarities and think the worse. I do hope you get some results which make you smile more than a 12 month rollover on the euro lottery.
I agree with Jacquie though, to take along someone who will help you push for information, clarity and diagnosis. I always find my usual strength of character becomes a more compliant and less assertive when I am a patient and so so not in any comfort zone.
Best of luck, fingers toes and bits and peices crossed for you.
Love L x
Thank you all, this has been going on for so long that I started panicking last week. I am calmer today and know that we will get to the bottom of it soon I just thought it would be a bit quicker. I have also seen so many different doctors that I feel like I am starting again at every appointment. I would just like one person to tell me what it is and what they are going to do about it, hahaha.