first of all i would like to say that i think you are all amazing women and wish you all the very best of outcomes
… iv’e been putting off asking this question for ages.
i am new to this site also, so forgive me any ignorance!
i would like to ask whether any of you ever had similar symptoms to what i’m experiencing right now? as i really don’t want to be seen by the docs as a hypocondriac…as i have a host of other issues . . 
and even though i rarely go to docs they tend to dismiss any new symptoms as worsening of excisting condition.
i have had breast pain for years now…but the last 12mths it has been getting increasingly worse, and it is not hormonal ,it is constant all mth round…i have always had small lumps in armpit that come and go…i’m sure just blocked sweat glands., the last 2mths however i have had severe discomfort in chest, neck, breast,armpit and arm, i cannot lift my arm or put it in the sleeve of my coat without great discomfort. i cannot feel a ‘lump’… just more of these grit like glands…hard mass behind my nipples…polo shaped! AND SOOOOO PAINFUL TO TOUCH…THATS WHY I DID’NT THINK IT COULD BE CANCER? But when i put my arm down it feels like im holding a soft cushion under it! if that makes sense?
i am feeling full quickly, gassy,constipated,and have put on a sone and half in 2mths without changing my diet or excercise.
numbness in arms and legs, hands.
pain at rear left ribcage…
my mother died at the age of 46 from breast cancer… i am now 43, the same age she was when diagnosed… is it all in my head because of this?
i would be grateful for any feedback. especially anyone who had same/similar symptoms.
thanks.
annie.
Hi annie
I’m sorry to read that you are having a pretty tough time at the moment. I’m sure the other users will be along soon to offer you their experiences and support.
In the meantime maybe you would like to talk things through with a member of our helpline staff. Here you can share your concerns with somone who will offer you a listening ear as well as emotional support and practical information. The free phone number is 0808 800 6000 and the lines are open Monday to Friday 9.00 to 5.00 and Saturday 10.00 to 2.00.
Best wishes Sam, BCC Facilitator
Annie - I’m so sorry you are feeling so worried. You are not a hypochondriac! Far from it - you have what sound like very upsetting symptoms which you do need to talk to a doctor about. Everyone is different and we all will all have initially had different symptoms so I don’t think any one of us would would feel we could give health reassurances without also urging you to go to a medical professional.
I know it’s hard and if your doctor makes you feel uncomfortable or that you are there under false pretences, then go to another doctor!
Don’t delay any longer, bite the bullet and get down there!. Of course you will be worrying if you have a family history of BC, but the symptoms you describe may be down to something else entirely. Unless you get checked out by a doctor and the Breast Clinic, you won’t know and will continue to worry, possibly needlessly. Once you know what you are dealing with, you will be better placed to deal with things.
In the meantime, I would highly recommend you phone the BCC Helpline, just to give yourself a bit of moral support. The girls there are very knowledgeable and supportive and know what you will be going through. I have called BCC myself before and during diagnosis and really found they helped me get through.
Best of luck Annie, thinking of you, try not to worry. But I do hope you will not procrastinate any longer! 
xxx
Welcome Annie and your definantly not a hypochondriac. First you need to see your gp as no one should tolerate pain and of there is any changes to shape size or apperance of breast you also need to see gp…listen to your body hun!! its a marvelous thing…I have pain in my arm,chest,neck and breast and that’s how I found my mass… I have a appointment at private breast clinic on Tuesday. have you any discharge? Emma x
You must go to the doctor, choose one in the practice that you can talk to or bone you haven’t seen before, if its not breast cancer it’s certainly not normal and needs diagnosis for relief and peace of mind. Good luck x
Please, Annie, go to see your GP. I had intermittent pain in my breast for years and finally went to see my GP when I felt a mass behind the nipple and my armpit felt swollen. In my case it was cancer. The lump itself wasn’t at all painful though so I really hope you can go and get some reassuring news. Whatever is wrong, you can’t carry on like this. xx
thank you so much for your replies ladies…
i may ring BCC in future, thank you Sam … i don’t feel able to vocalise my fears yet and it is a whole lot easier to write them here.
MeJane, i know you are right in saying bite the bullet! lol… i will get it sorted asap…
Emz i don’t have any discharge and that is partly why (along with the pain) that i thought i may be over reacting… 
i get so worried that if it is nothing then docs won’t take me seriously in any future possible scenarios!
good luck on Tuesday Emz.
thank you for your words Carrie 
again you are right.
lilac i’m sorry to hear of your situation and everyone elses , i know i need to sort it out. and get reassurance. thank you.
i am also running away with bad thoughts about ovarian cancer as my symptoms of weight gain , fullness etc… but i will talk to doc about it all…
than you so much all of you , it means alot when you take time out of your own conditions and worries to support a stranger… i really appreciate all of your words 
all the very best
annie xxx
Annie don’t stress and start imagining all sorts of issues, and don’t google. Deal with each symptom one at a time and be positive. I am a great believer in the power of the mind to overcome adversity. Best of luck and pop back to tell us how you got on x
Annie, please go to the doctors and explain your concerns, if they don’t take you seriously now or in the future then change doctors. thinking back to before I was dx, I had chest pain but thought it was due to it being winter and having cold that effected my asthma, it wasn’t until I got a cold bug and was coughing that hard that I was sick and placed my hand on my chest that I found my lump. Better be safe than sorry. Hope you get the support you need from the doctors and it is a happy outcome. Good luck
hello everyone…
Carrie i did google!!! before i joined this site …duh! never again talk about end of world scenarios… in my mind my symptoms resembled every disease going!!! lol.
I’m sorry you found a lump Lucylou 
… i hope you are doing well ? i’ve been reading hrough this site and such bravery humbles me truely …brings a lump to my throat, you are all so amazing! i hope you all are doing well…
i have seen the doctor… he feels its nothing to worry about regarding BC… he is sending me to a rhumatologist
i have crohnes and arthritis. as i suspected they have put it down to my excisting conditions… hopefully that is what it is. as the main symptom that is distroying me is the fatigue,iv never felt anything like it! i have always had plenty of energy even with my other ‘problems’ i am just working and sleeping… no social life what so ever.
but if nothing else it wil either diagnose something excisting or eliminate, prompting further investigation .
i’m sorry to have generated concern if this turns out to be nothing ladies ,when so many of you are going through some unimaginable things 
big thank you and hugs to you all … and thank you again for your words of support,
annie xxxx
just to add to Emma… how did your appiontment go on tuesday? i was thinking of you.xxx