Have been reading through and really wasn’t going to post but my anxiety has kicked in and everyone seems lovely and supportive.
Went to the doctors last week with a strange pain in my armpit / boob and the feeling of leaking breast milk (which wasn’t there and my youngest is 4), didn’t think much of it until the doctor found ”two small hard lumps” I have been referred to the breast clinic and my appointment is tomorrow.
I’m going alone as I know it’s probably nothing, but now I’m wondering if I should’ve asked my husband to come.
I’m 28 so I know the risk is low, but still, do you think I should have some support?
Hi. If you can get someone to go with you I would for sure. I have experienced this alone twice one was fine one wasn’t (current time) but I do think now I have had the 2nd one where it wasn’t good news I wish I had got my partner to come. I just saw it as a waste of time for him but sod it to help with your anxiety over it you need someone if you can. Hope that helps I’m sure you’ll be fine. My first check was when I was breastfeeding 6 years ago and was just a lumpy boob, got my fingers crossed for you, love.
Hi, sorry you are here. I was referred after routine mammogram. I went alone thinking it is probably nothing. Another quick mammogram and I would be sent away. I was wrong. The mammogram and ultrasound were fine but I was quite shakey after biopsy. I would have liked someone with me. I also went by public transport which didnt help.
I would recommend having someone if possible. Even if not needed, the support might be beneficial.
Thank you both for taking the time to reply, it’s really appreciated.
I didn’t want to feel like a bother but I’ve been ignoring this ‘pain’ for about 6 months and in the last 24 hours have worked myself up into a worry for never checking my boobs myself!
Hi, I would take someone with you. If it’s all good news then you can take them out for a coffee and cake; and if it’s a concern and you need a mammogram and/or biopsy at least you will have support.
I went in thinking mine was just a cyst and so glad I had someone with me when I was sent straight for a biopsy.
All the nurses did was give me a leaflet. No kind words. Use your support network. Either way, you will have company!
Hi @blue10 never apologies for being anxious and feeling you need someone there. I was told mine was likely nothing but I was very nervous so my brother drove me and sat in the waiting room. And I did end up having to have a biopsy, and having him there was amazing even though he wasn’t in the room with me it made such a difference.
Lots of luck with tomorrow, the women on here are so supportive and if you need to ask any questions then do!
Like you say, it is probably nothing to worry about, and your vigilance is to be applauded (not intending to sound like I’m being patronising). However, just have someone with you. It feels nice to have a hand to hold while you wait. x
Just got back from my appointment feeling a little deflated, the first doctor that did the consult couldn’t feel the lumps my GP felt but said she could feel thickening, went to ultrasound and they said there is nothing to see at all apart from different breast tissue on my left side (the one with pain) that shouldn’t cause any discomfort. So just wondering what I do now? No reason for the pain and not sure what to do now.
Sorry that you didn’t get any resolution - from my own experience I know that pain can get worse and appear in places where there isn’t a problem after a diagnosis or when something remains unresolved . It’s not that we are imagining it it’s just that any little twinge that might normally barely register is magnified because we are sensitised to it I’m wondering if a call to the Nurses on the helpline might be useful - they might be able to give you more explanation . Also it’s all very well to say that there shouldn’t be any discomfort but as we all know breasts are very sensitive to any kind of changes . The helpline is open 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm Saturday . Xx
Hi @blue10 well done on getting yourself to the appointment
Maybe go back to your gp and tell them how concerned you still are? Although the advice might be to just sit tight for a month or 2 and monitor what’s going on.
Only check your breasts once a month. No proding in between! I know this is difficult because it’s on your mind so much but you can aggravate cysts and breast tissue which will increase any pain. Check them after your period ends when they are less swollen and tender. Or pick 1 day each month to do this. I try to remember at the begining of each month.
Thank you both for your advice. I think I’ll probably monitor it from now until this time next month and try and describe the pain a bit better the next time I see my GP as I’m not sure it’s even really a pain more a sensation similar to when breast milk comes in and then leaks and an almost feeling like I’m carrying something under my armpit. Sorry for the rambling I just have a history of weird symptoms with no explanation so automatically just feel somethings been missed although it probably hasn’t! Thank you all again and I hope you’re all doing well in whatever situation you’re in x
You are absolutely fine to ramble away. You are doing amazing! It is scary stuff for us. And it’s so helpful to write these things down. It always helps me organise my thoughts a bit better.
Keep in mind that stress, worry and anxiety will highten lots of sensations in our body. You might find things settle down a bit now you’ve had it checked out. The breast care nurses just basically said to me, any changes at all, come back. X
Well done for having the courage to go down. Push back if you’re not happy. To reassure, ultrasound is pretty good at picking stuff up, but if you’re left feeling vulnerable, then someone needs to have a conversation with you.
As already mentioned, keep a diary. Write everything you can think of down. What you eat, what you notice, any activity you’ve done. Times of cycle. Then as already said, go back and speak to people until you feel sufficiently reassured.
There is no reason not to believe in their confidence that you are fine, but every reason to keep data so that they have something to work on, should you continue to feel concerned.
What you have done is the right thing. There is not one health professional in the world (worth their salt) that would berate you for checking things out. All of them would rather work on prevention rather than cure.
I went once scared to death that I had a bruise on my breast, and it turns out I’d actually banged it on my car door, but had forgotten as I was on a stressful work assignment. I’d been working away for two nights…try explaining that to your husband. Luckily he didn’t for one moment expect anything untoward. The doctor did nothing but praise me for coming in and checking it out.
Have a drink of something that you really enjoy, alcoholic or otherwise. Put your feet up and watch something really nice on telly. XXX
