Hi Everyone
I am having problems with my right breast itching round the nipple and painful to touch from under the arm in a band about 3 inches wide.Doc says probably period related but I think not. He has refered me to a specialist but not as an urgent as I have no lump will be waiting 6 weeks minimum. Given me pain killers [mefenaic] and steroid cream. Breast has a red strip on it.This morning I have had a bit of discharge from the nipple first time.It has worried me. Is this normal? Does any one have the same?
Hi
Sorry you have ended up on this web site though you will get lots of support. Why dont you give your gp a ring in the morning and tell him about the discharge which means your circumstances have changed and could he speed up your referal. The waiting for appts is the hardest part of all this.
Sending you hugs
karen
XXX
Thanks Karen I give him a ring tomorrow and hopefully get some action. GP is good but says under 50’s usually don’t have serious problems. Hope I am a lucky one.
Do get it checked again magicerm.
Don’t want to worry you but keep an eye out for any swelling/change in breast size.
Hopefully it’s just an infection and a dose of ab’s will sort it out.
I’m glad you have a good GP but think it’s a little rash of him to say under 50’s don’t usually have serious probs as many of us on here would fall into that age group but sadly have major probs.
Good Luck with your referral and be sure and letus know how you get on,
Love
Jackie xx
Thanks for your support, have spoken with GP today who is going to try and get me seen sooner. He is putting in a second referral to another hospital trust to see if they can help quicker.
I am wondering about going private if not seen in a couple of weeks.
Regarding what you said about swelling it is definetly swollen and very tender to the touch. The nipple is still discharging a little not like yesterday.
I will let you know what happens. Has anyone else had a private referral does it mean if I need treatment that has to be private too or can you go back to the NHS?
With an urgent referral you will be seen within two weeks. If you opt to go privately for initial consultation any treatment can still be under the NHS.
Either way,keep a close eye on the swelling/increase in breast size as you wait.
Has GP mentioned possible infection or prescribed antibiotics?
Jackie x
Hi Jackie
Hi Jackie
No mention of possible infection from GP, when I spoke to him on the phone today he arranged an appointment to see him tomorrow evening. I want him to check me out again, it is really worrying me. First doc I saw at the practice told me to leave it for 12 weeks and see how it went ! Fortunately I managed to see another dr.and at least he examined me .
I felt really alone at first no one took me seriously fortunately I found help with you all here.
What sort of tests do they do appart from mammogram as I haven’t got a palpable lump to biopsy, it is more rashy , do you know wat they do?
Fi x
Hello
Just been back to GP he thinks I may have an infection in the duct or something, has given me antibiotics and taken a swab from the nipple. It felt like milking a cow! Any way he says wants me to see breast clinic people asap.I was ok with that till he said he could feel a swelling of the glands under my arm on that side, nothing in the breast though. He wants me to measure my breast every few days to check for swelling and increase in size as this may show a spread of the infection.
Keep you fingers crossed for me
Fi
Hi Fi,
Glad you got back to your GP and he is pushing for early referral.
If the antibiotics don’t kick in after a couple of days go back!
Hopefully it is just an infection, and an infection will cause the glands to swell too.
If, and it’s a BIG if, there is no improvement with the AB’s and the swelling and rash contine you need to be seen at the breast clinic. I really don’t want to alarm you but IBC does not present as a lump and this needs to be ruled out quickly.
You will have a mammo,and depending on the results of that possibly an ultrasound scan and possibly a biopsy,
I hope to see you posting that things are improving very soon though.
Take Care
Jackie x
Hi Fi
I have just been through the nipple discharge thing, just wanted to say good luck at your clinic appointment.
Yvonne x
Fi
Just read your comments - I had a rash and swollen breast and pain under my arm. My GP gave me antibiotics for 5 days and arranged an appointment at the clinic in case the antibiotics did not work and it proved not to be an infection. The clue in my case was heat - the breast was hot where it was red. The mammogram did not pick up anything. I hope yours will prove to be an infection but mention Inflammatory Breast cancer - some doctors are not so clued up on it. It is rare though so do not worry too much and if I can be of any help let me know.
Penn1
Hello Penn1
Yes my breast gets very hot too, I have had one day of antibiotics only so far so still early days hopefully it is just an infection. Just wish I could get an appointment at the clinic, still it will come. I don’t know anything about IBC but thanks for the advice. I will keep in touch and let you know the progress. Thanks for everyones support.
Fi
Hi All
Just to let you know I now have an appointment but not till April 8th seems an age. Wanted to ask my GPif he could hurry it up but he is away till Easter Tuesday. The nurse says that it is quite quick but when you have been having problems for almost 5 weeks already it seems an age.
Still on positive bit is that the ab’s have helped a little with the nipple. The nurse made me feel that I was wasting the clinic time by even going since it was probably an infection.
My dear Chris wants to pay for me to go to a private Breast screening clinic so to get me some peace of mind but I am not sure if it would move me on at all. He had checked up and they do mammogram and an exam but then I am still going have to wait any way you lot any views?
Fi x
Hi Fi
I went to a private one stop clinic rang on the Thursday and got the appt for the following Tues, had the results the following day, as far as I am concerned it was the best thing I did even though I only had another week to wait with the NHS but would have had to wait another week for the results
Linda
X
Hi Fi,
I’d finish the course of antibiotics, if it’s an infection you should see an improvement. If there is no improvement when you have finished the course and the breast clinic cannot see you any earlier then I would pay for a mammo privately.
Really hope the AB’s kick in soon.
Jackie xxx
Just to let you know that IBC is not necessarily picked up on a mammogram - it certainly wasnt in my case. The ultrasound gave some clue but the doctor went on the appearance mainly. Lets hope your antibiotics are working for you.
Love Penn1
Hello
Just to let you know the ab’s seem to have worked yippy however my breast is still not quite right. I keep feeling it all day now seems lumpy all over like at period time. The locum gp
doctor thinks the April 8 date is plenty soon enough !! Not his breast obviously anyway I have self referred for a private breast screen and mammogram which is on April fools day. I have got an appointment with their breast surgeon on Tuesday as an assessment before the mammo and other tests the following week.
Fi
Glad the AB’s seem to have done the job.
Good luck with the rest of your tests and let us know how you get on,
Jackie xx
Glad the abs are working - good luck with the appointment on Tuesday - let us know how it goes. Fingers crossed for you.
Penn1 xx
Hello
I have had my first appointment yesterday,was really strange as they fitted me into his outpatient clinic so all these ladies waiting for breast reductions etc only me with the problem who really want her boobs. Doctor thinks that there are two things going on one is a ductal problems hopefully a cyst and the other relating to the swelling and heat in the breast which could be a benign problem or something more serious hope not. He did a biopsy of the nipple yesterday and wants me to have a ultrasound and mammogram next week. If those are clear then he wants an MRI .
I am on more ab’s now and also some new pain killers. Although I am still worried and cried a bit last night I had a better nights sleep now I feel something is happening.