Over the past 8 months I have suffered with non-cyclical breast pain. This ranges from a dull ache- sharp ache up to strong shooting pains.
Both of my breasts are swollen. I have gone from a DD-FF. At times I cant take my bra off due to the pain. I get pain in the one breast & also the top of my breast leading under my armpit.
I have colour changes to one breast. In one area it is always pink- if I take my bra off, the breast below this point changes colour too so my breast is pink/ purple. It sometimes looks bruised. Heat (like a warm shower) makes this worse but only to the one breast.
I have been treated twice with antibiotics as the GP’s said it looked infected/ inflamed. It made no difference. I fought for a referral to the breast clinic. The nurse said she could see & feel some vascular changes to the tissue & sent me for an ultrasound of the one breast which came back normal. The nurse said she can’t explain my breast changes, perhaps it’s hormonal but she would speak to a colleague & call me.
I have chased her (as she hasn’t called me) and she is still waiting to speak to a Dr. I asked her if they could rule out IBC- she laughed dismissively & said it wasn’t IBC.
I just don’t know what to do. It’s not that I think I have IBC, I want it ruled out. I want someone to tell me whats causing these changes so I can have peace of mind & stop the psin.
Does anyone have any suggestions or thoughts? I’m not that pushy & worry I’m not having the right tests.
hi there and really sorry to hear about your ongoing worries. Please ring the helpline they will be able to advise you. It is not helpful that your team have been dismissive of your worries, but if there was any doubt at all they should still be checking you out. Saying that you are entitled to ask for a second opinion. if you still have the symptoms you describe and antibiotics havent worked then you need them to follow up, Do pm me if you want any more advice.
Thank you Kess. I have had a shower tonight, taken my bra off & I’m wearing a supportive top instead in the hope that helps but the pain is incredible. If it was just the swelling I’d assume it was hormonal- its the colour change thats alarming. I wear a bra all the time so wondering if that could be the problem.
It’s got to the point I’m considering paying to see someone. Still no call from the nurse who told me twice she would call back which is incredibly frustrating.
What does the helpline do? Is it run by medical staff?
No its still the same… We took the children to a water park at the weekend & the water was cool- the pinkness turned more of a blue/ purple which looked very odd but back to pink after I warmed up.
how are things now.? Hope someone has managed to get you in to see a doctor? I have never heard of this before as a symptom of breast cancer…if it helps.