I am worried that I have IBC. I am 16 weeks pregnant, and around each of my nipples/areola I have hot, pink areas. The skin is a little thicker there too. I have frequent sharp pain in my left breast, and shooting pains in both breasts. My upper back is constantly sore and under my armpits have been itchy. This has been going on for weeks and has got worse, although my breasts haven’t swollen at all.
I know it is more likely to be something other than IBC because IBC is rare, especially in both breasts, and I am pregnant. But 4 courses of antibiotics have done nothing, nor has clotrimazole anti fungal cream - it just seems to be getting worse.
My GP has finally referred me to a breast specialist but I am having to wait another 2 weeks and from everything I’ve read about IBC, a lot can progress in 2 weeks.
I am so scared that all the doctors will just write off my symptoms as pregnancy (although my midwife has said this is not normal) and if it is IBC, it will be too late by the time my concerns are taken seriously.
Do these symptoms sound like IBC (other than the fact that it’s in both breasts)? Has anyone else had similar symptoms in pregnancy? Has anyone had IBC in both breasts?