Hi all you lovely ladies,
Sorry for very long post
A brief history-
I'm 44, I have ms ( which strangely enough isn't worrying me currently ) ibs, extreme health anxiety for which I take 100 mg sertraline. I think I'm peri menopause.
Last year when my anxiety kicked off I had breast/chest wall pain in my right breast. Went to docs who didn't find anything and said it was prob due to swimming I had recently done but to ease my mind ( she could see I was extremely anxious) she referred me to breast clinic/ mammogram which all came back ok. The pain eased funnily enough after a few weeks. Fast forward to a couple of months ago and me coming off the mini pill ( cerezette ) for a break after been on it for long time.
Started getting all the pms symptoms badly ( inc the achey full breasts) which never had on the pill.. anyway for nearly four weeks now I've had on and off right breast pain, shoulder blade pain and armpit pain for most days but not usually all at the sane time . Been back to Docs twice for breast examination as wanted a second opinion and again no lumps or discharge etc. Doc says it's this cylicle or non cylicle breast pain and has referrerd me to a physio for my shoulder blade pain but I'm soo very scared as I know I shouldn't but I've googled and of course IBC comes up and it's scaring me, I find myself constantly looking at my breasts and feel like I'm hypersensitive about anything that looks slightly odd and think are they different or maybe they have always looked this way but not paid that much attention. Both docs gave me a thorough examination but should I go back again ?? Or could this be just my hormones adjusting to coming off the pill. Ps def something wrong with my shoulder blade as it often clicks and crunches when I move it certain ways.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Pps no immediate family history of bc .
Hi ,
I often have breast pain ..and I get cysts in my breasts that cause lots of pain. I know for sure my hormones cause the pain but also caffeine . If I drink too much caffeine I can guarantee I'm going to have breast pain. I've had 2 ultrasounds done and I get examined every year but they find nothing sinister.
I think you've had the appropriate tests done & they came back ok so I think you are fine. It's most likely hormones .
Hi kaila12140
Thanks for your reply and your reassurance, when I think logically about it I agree with you and that it's hormones related as none of this startered till I believe when my peri started last year ( the odd flush etc and irregular periods despite the fsh blood test saying I'm not in menopause but I also know the fsh results can vary depending on what time if the month you have it done, my mum strarted menopause at the same age as me ) and then this yr after I stopped taking the mini pill so yeah I do think and it's hormones but with health anxiety it so hard and I wonder if I will ever get back to life without anxiety :-(
Thanks again and it's interesting you say about caffeine because I do like my coffee but trying to cut down on caffeine. :-)
I kno what you mean because I battle health anxiety as well. Once I fixate on something I can not stop until I know for sure I'm healthy. It all actually started with my breast pain and went from there . I've diagnosed myself with every illness in the book . It's exhausting . I'm finally on meds and finally doing better . Google is thy enemy -I have to force myself not to google anything because we all know the worse case comes up!
My dr is the one who told me about the caffeine /breast pain link and he was absolutely right . I finally stopped drinking it for good because it triggers my anxiety as well .
Have you tried therapy or medication in the past ?? I do both and combined they work great .
Sharon
You have been seen by two GPs and they have suggested Pysio, go for your manipulation and see how it goes
If you are having problems with your shoulder blade the hospital pysio will pick up on that and the shoulder pain may be transmitting around to the breast if the breast is large that can also cause pain.
Your best way to go is the hospital for manipulation. So do not worry
BOB
Thanks bob, yes I am fairly big breasted lol and I read in the booklet that a breast dr gave me last yr that big breasts can contribute to pain :-( so I guess that doesn't help matters but thank you I will wait for my physio appointment and explain everything.
:-)
Hi kaila,
I know exactly what you're saying about fixating on something, and yes it's very exhausting.. "dr google " is like a drug, I was doing ok and then it's like I had a mental relapse and started looking again ( but really fighting it at mo )
I do meditation a lot as it helped me in the beginning and so I have continued with it every day plus I'm on sertraline which def helps and I'm also fighting with myself not to up my dosage, trying to persevere.
Oh and I also see a neuropsychologist every other week which has been a big help.
Starting Thai chi in a couple of weeks too.
Taking evening primrose and peppermint tea and going to try and completely cut out caffeine all together like you suggested. Thank you much oh :-)