Hello everyone, I wondered if anyone had experience of nipple retraction with no discharge or reddening. I noticed about 3 weeks ago that my left nipple has started to retract. I’ve never had this before and my breasts look completely normal to me. I didn’t know if it could be hormonal, as I’ve just finished a course of hormone injections for endometriosis, but now it’s really starting to play on my mind. I’ve been told by my gynaecologist this week that I have to have a total hysterectomy, both ovaries removed and a bowel resection because my endo is now so bad in that area. I’m taking painkillers like their going out of fashion. I’m so sick of hospitals (I’m a nurse as well!) and consultants that I can’t face going to my GP and possibly through more tests, and then feeling stupid cause there is nothing wrong. I can’t feel a lump, but my breasts are huge and dense anyway. I have had pain in my bones, but I figured that was due to the injection. I’ve seen how supportive you ladies are and I wondered if anyone has had anything similar. Apologies for the long rant! Any replies are very much appreciated.
Hi Icookie,I am sorry your having the problems with endometriosis and having to go through surgery.I have a friend who had this too she was also in a lot of pain and had to have surgery.I know your going through so much but you should get your breast checked,one of the symptoms I had was that my nipple had started to invert.I couldn’t feel a definate lump it was more like a thickning and I kept geting an itch in that area.I know it’s horrible the thought of having to go through more tests and as you say it could be hormonal but please go get it checked.
Wishing you all the best Mel xx
Dear lcookie
Welcome to the BCC forums. I am posting a link to our breast health publication which contains information about what to look out for, the booklet also contains information about our helpline which you are welcome to call for further support:
breastcancercare.org.uk/upload/pdf/BCC2_ybyh_throughout_life_web.pdf
Best wishes
Lucy
Hi Icookie
Another nurse here! there are loads of us on this site plus a few docs. I agree with melly2, you really must get this checked out. I can understand you must be totally fed up with hospitals etc, but you’ll only worry if you dont.
Julia xx
Hi Icookie,
I know this isn’t what you want to hear (and I’ve had 18 months of regular hospital visits so I do understand) but you need to get it checked by a specialist.
The first symptom I had was an inverted nipple and I never had the lump people usually associate with bc. You are clearly worried about it and this won’t help your health at all. The odds are massively stacked against it being cancer and think what a weight will have been taken off your mind if it turns out to be nothing.
best wishes for a good outcome.
Jan xx
Hello Everyone
Thanks for your supportive comments. I know I need to get it checked out but I guess I didn’t want to put my family and me thro any more stress. I spoke to a friend of mine today who has had both breasts removed from DCIS (is that right?) and she said the same thing. Her BC was missed the first time around and it was only her insistence that she be seen again that got her diagnosed - and probably saved her life. The next thing is trying to get an appointment with my GP and someone to look after my son. I’ll keep you posted. Julia, thanks for the post from a colleague - it just shows you that we need the support too!
Take care all.
Lynne
Dear All
Just to let you know I have an appointment at the Breast Care clinic on Tuesday. The GP was fine about it, but did think it might be ezcema due to the itching! Not sure if I’m wasting everyones time but I know I need to go. Thanks again for your support. X
Hi Icookie
Well done for getting it checked
Julia xx
Hi Cookie
Good luck for tuesday, ive got a inverted right nipple, i had a mammogram in may and it was clear but i wasn’t happy so last wk i went bk and had a ultrasound which showed ive got an enlarged milk duct, i really hope it’s good news for you aswell, i to have had loads of hospital appointments because ive got a cyst on my right ovary which just writing this ive just realised everything is happening on my right side lol.
And last year i had 7 mths on prostap injections and i’m still no wiser what they are going to do for me, ive got a scan in oct for that,i’m 45 had an hysterectomy at 32 due to heavy bleeding etc my youngest was 10 mths, i to had pains mine is my hips and shoulders so i was worried, my GP sent me for normal xray’s but they were fine.
Please let me know how you get on
Kim xx
Hi Kim
Thanks for the lovely message. I’m glad everything went well with your ultrasound. I’m hoping all will be well on Tuesday and its something hormonal although to my mind it seems to be getting worse. I too have just finished a course of injections to try and shrink my endo which unfortunately didn’t work. I get really severe pelvic pain which is now referring to my legs (at least I think its due to my endo). I’m due a full hysterectomy and ? a bowel resection at some point this year. I’ve already got a CT and bone scan due in September, so this appointment is just one in the queue!!
Take care
Lynne x
Good evening ladies
Well I had my appointment today and it’s mixed news. I saw the breast care nurse who found a thickening under my breast, the same one as the nipple problem. She didn’t think it was a problem but sent me for a mammogram anyway. After the mammogram things changed and I was immediately sent for an ultrasound. I’m a veteran of too many IVF cycles not to know she was measuring something in that breast. Finally they took some core biopsies out of the site. A lot of fluid came out as well which they also took for testing. They hope it’s a cyst but can’t rule out bc. Get my results next Wed. Bit stunned really as I thought I’d be sent away with it classed as a hormonal problem. Has anyone else had any experience of core biopsies? It would really help to have some experiences!
Hope everyone is well,
Lynne
Hi cookie
just wondering how you are ? i bet all this waiting as been awful for you esp going into the unknown not knowing one way or another, you have been in my thoughts and good luck for weds.
I’m really surprised no one has replied to you regarding the core biopsies ? hopefully someone will.
Kim xx
Hi Kim
Thanks for the reply. I was beginning to think I’d said something out of turn! You’re right - the wait is pretty awful. I’m trying to distract myself by thinking the chances of it being positive are really slim - its just that over the last 4 years my luck has been pretty appalling! I’ve decided what will be will be, it can’t be worse than stuff I’ve already been through.
Thanks again for thinking of me - it means a lot.
Lynne x
Hi
I had a core biopsy at it was horrid! Unfortunately it was also bad news, but
Hi
I had a core biopsy at it was horrid! Unfortunately it was also bad news, but I’m thru treatment now.
Julia xx
Hi Lynne
I’m in much the same situation as you at present. I had my retracted nipple checked in July, it was also discharging. They said they couldn’t find anything untoward but it’s been causing problems again. I have an appointment on Wednesday to see the oncologist and I’m getting myself pretty wound up about it now.
I had a core biopsy 3 years ago. Wasn’t the best experience of my life but not that bad. I wouldn’t be anxious about it if I had to have another lets put it that way.
I know what you mean about bad luck. The last 4 years haven’t been the best for me either I’ve had some awful experiences which have changed my life and really turned me into a different person.
I keep thinking that things will change, nothing lasts for ever and it might just be today when they do. After the time I’ve had boy is my life going to be great when things do turn for the better.
I hope it all goes OK. Be brave. You can do it. I’ll be thinking of you.
Love and hugs
Jan xx
Hi Jan
Thanks for the lovely message. It really helps to know that people are thinking of me. Good luck for Wednesday.
Lynne x
Hi
I hated the core biopsy,I still cringe when I think about it,and my boob was bruised for days after.
Best wishes Mel xx
Hi Lynne
I was diagnosed just over 2 1/2 years ago and my first sign that something was amiss was my nipple started to invert. I had core biopsies following mammogram/ultrasound. My breast was bruised and sore following this. I was told at the time that there was a high chance this was breast cancer, but had to return the following week for results.
I hope all goes well for you and that you have good news when you go for your results this week.
Jules