So i woke up last thursday with a sore swolllen lymph node under my right arm, as the day went on the pain started moving down my breast and i developed hot red patches. I saw GP on Fri & started antibiotics for treatment of breast cellulitis but the symptoms got worse & i was having fevers too. Got admitted to hospital on Sunday for IV antibiotics, x2 strong ones. The redness and swelling has improved but has not resolved. I was discharged on Tuesday for follow up at the breast clinic which is 2mor. I am a nurse and i feel that the symptoms have not improved enough for me to be convinced it is cellulitis.
I have read on line that the symptoms of IBC can improve temporarily with antibiotics and this can cause misdiagnosis and delayed treatment.
Currently i have a patchy red area over aprox 30% of my breast, the skin is dimpled and feels thicker i can also feel lots of lumpy tissue under it. I am getting sharp pains from my nipple as well as burning pain and my breast remains very tender. I also have what feels like a very hard vein running from my nipple to the side of my breast.
What are peoples thoughts? I think i have convinced myself that it is IBC but am worried about going 2mor and possibly being dismissed. Has anyone had a similar experience? What tests should I expect to get done?
Thanx xx
Hi Lou,
You won’t be able to rest about this until you get it properly checked out.
I see you have been referred to the breast clinic, so that’s good, but how long is the wait? It’s not clear as there’s a typo there.
If you were referred as not urgent, then see your GP who will be able to refer you under the 2 week rule.
IBC is very rare & it would be the Least likely reason for your symptoms, especially you’ve had a nasty infection there, but it does need to be properly looked at.
Referral under the 2 week rule rule is quite routine for any breast change & only the breast clinic can get to the bottom of it. You should not be fobbed off, just be clear about is as you’ve been here.
ann x
Hi Ann, thanx for the reply. My appointment at the breast clinic is tomorrow, this in its self is both a worry and a relife, im glad i havent had to wait 2 wks like many on here seem to but im also concerned that the appointment is so soon because they suspect it is some form of BC. Good to get an idea of what to expect at the clinic. I never asked any questions about it or about what the Doctors though was going on in the hospital as at that point I was trying to convince myself I was just being melodramatic!
Thanx Ann, im a bit of a nervous wreak this morning, glad i dont have long to wait. Hoping its a one stop clinic and i may know more today. I think not knowing is worse than anything, nothing to get my head around yet but cant forget about it either. Ill let you know how it goes.
Thankyou again for your reply, its much easier to express worries on here than to my family. Xx