worrying breast symptoms - desperate for ultrasound

Women's health
1

I have mentioned recently about my breast problems - occasional pain in left breast if pressed, itching on breasts, prominent blue veins appeared and skin has changed (looks sort of wrinkly).

I have other recent problems as well (though not sure if related to breasts) like occasional back pain behind both breasts, tenderness under arms, shoulder ache and constant leg ache.

Anyway my blood test results for full blood count, rheumatic/muscular conditions came back clear. I am now going to have to go back to doctor to see what to do next. I am desperate for a breast ultrasound/mammogram so I know if there is a problem or not as I cant go on like this. Should I tell the doctor I want one.

2

Hello beck. Yes you should tell your doctor you want one and I'm surprised he hasn't suggested it because you have some breast changes. If you don't have an appointment make one.

3

Hi beck

You don't say how old you are, but if under 50 a mamogram would be unlikely to tell you much.

However, and ultrasound might, and if you are really worried than there is no reason why you shouldn't have one ... especially if you have skin changes.

Just make an appointment to see your doctor, grit your teeth, be assertive and ask for an U/S.

Don't suffer horrible anxiety in the meantime.  I speak from some experience, having had two breast cancers treated fairly recently.  I think that I am OK now, but I remember the fear very well indeed.

Hopefully it will be turn out to be nothing to worry about, but it is far more sensible to make sure a tthis stage, than to wait. 

Take care

M x

 

4

Hi Amanda

I am 38. Think I am more worried as I had been on the pill for over 10 years.

The only thing that gives me a bit of hope is that some of these changes happened soon after I came off the pill so maybe that caused it. I spoke to a cancer research support nurse and she didnt seem too concerned about my symptoms as she said sometimes these changes just happen though she did say I should still go back to doctors.

Dont know if it would make my heart pump harder as it has been doing that as well as the other symptoms.

Hope you keep well

Rebecca

5

Go back to your doctor and get this checked out immediately.

6

Hello Beck

There is far too much going on here for anyone to give you reliable advice, or even significant support and empathy over this site.  I think that you really must go back to your GP, and have an appointment made to see a breast surgeon, who may then decide with you what further investigations are required.

I am a little disturbed by your comment which begins 'the only thing that gives me  a little hope'.

Firstly, although it occurs, breast cancer is relatively rare in women of your age. So many of us are or have been on the pill, or HRT, or both, as in my case, for far longer than ten years.  Yet not all of us get breast cancer.

Secondly, there is absolutely no point in winding yourself up at this point.  The important thing, as I said above, is to get yourself sorted out with your primary physician, and make sure that you get yourself an appointment at a breast clininc, and hopefully a breast ultrasound can be arranged for the same time. The longer you delay doing this, the more time you will subject yourself to anxiety and stress, which in itself can make you feel unwell.

There are many reasons for experiencing the sensation that one's heart is pumping harder, but the most probable one in your case is anxiety. I think that the sooner you see your doctor, and have an appointment arranged for the breast clinic, the better for you. 

What made you decide to speak to a breast cancer research support nurse?

One of the support groups that I found really very helpful can be found at www.breastcancercare.org.uk.

I can really recommend these people.  The training required to be a one-to-one person on the phone for people to talk to is quite onerous, and also either they have to have had breast cancer themselves, a genetic predispostion for it, or a close relativeor partner with it.  As a result they are empathetic, sensible, well informed and very good at helping you to keep things in perspective.  I am considering applying to be one of their volunteers, but you have to have had at least two years pass after the primary was diagnosed before they will consider you for training. 

I think that they may be able to offer you the support and also the objective information that you may need at this stage. 

 

7

Hi Amanda

I went back to my doctor today and he did examine my breasts well and under my arms and couldnt find any lumps or thickening of tissue. He said there was no dimpling of the skin either so he said everything seems fine there. However he did say he would refer me to a breast clinic for my own peace of mind if I wanted to, so am waiting for a letter from them now.

I feel a bit more reassured now so hopefully wont worry so much.

The reason I spoke to a cancer support nurse was someone recommended them to me as they knew how worried I was. I will have a look at the website thanks.

8

Hello beck. I'm sp pleased your GP is referring you. You know your body better than anyone so it's only right that your GP is doing a referral. Good luck

9

I am 28 and have been experiencing the exact same thing. Started with a tingling or tender throbbing every now and again in the armpit; didn't think much of it, no lumps or anything. It kept coming back every few days and was in the back of my mind, so I went to the doctor after about 3-4 weeks. The doctor did an examination and it felt tender when she pushed right into my breast tissue (just one side), and she thought the area was swollen. She told me to book to see a specialist… PANIC! I had to wait a week for my appointment, and spent the entire week thinking I was dying.

The pain then seemed to be constant and everywhere... all down my arm right through to my fingers, around my rib cage, under my armpit, shoulders and neck. It wasn’t so much pain, more an ache or an annoyance, a burning sensation and a tingling… maybe like a trapped nerve somewhere. The fact that every website I read said breast cancer was rarely painful was irrelevant… I was convinced I must have somehow missed primary breast cancer and it had now spread to secondary bone cancer hence the pain.

I spent the whole week addicted to Google researching as much as possible. Not recommended! However, as the pain moved about a bit, I did start to reason with myself that this could be some sort of pulled muscle, potentially ‘Poshitis’ – a new term for pulled muscles from carrying a heavy handbag like Victoria Beckham in the crook of your elbow. As well as a heavy laptop handbag 5 days a week, I’d also lifted a heavy suitcase and injured my shoulder. When doing self-examinations, I still couldn’t feel any obvious swollen tissue like the doctor had, which also slightly reassured me.

Anyway, my appointment with the breast specialist was today and I am pleased to say that my inclination of muscle strain was correct. I spoke through all of my symptoms and already the specialist was agreeing it sounded a lot like a pulled muscle. He then examined me and said everything felt perfectly normal, and also did an ultra sound to be safe which showed absolutely no lumps, swelling or cause for concern. Over the last two days I’d also been consciously not doing anything with my left arm and the pain has definitely improved, so looks like  the muscle is on the mend and I need to buy a rucksack!! Hopefully this has reassured some of you, but BOOK AN APPOINTMENT with a specialist to be sure and for peace of mind – the last week of my life was awful, it’s not worth the worry of just waiting to hope for improvement.

10

That's such good news amy. It proves though seeing a specialist in that field of medicine is so important. You had the best of care ie the ultrasound and you can now sleep easy. 

11

I have my appointment booked for the

23rd. Feeling sort of relieved but also very scared and panicky at the same time. Still got to get through half term week first.

12

Try and keep occupied. It's out of your hands now.

13

Got my appointment at the clinic in the morning so feeling very scared. I know that if they find anything then the other aches in the rest of my body must be related to my breast changes. Everything from my neck to my toes hurts but I cant blame anxiety as I take my pills and I am a lot calmer since being on them. I am so panicked that I'm going to die and everytime I look at my beautiful girls I can feel the tears well up.

14

Well I had my appointment at the clinic today and breast consultant was happy that there is nothing wrong with the skin or anything else to do with my breasts. She said breasts do change over the years. Anyway she still sent me for a mammogram and ultrasound and the results were both fine. We are lucky we get them the same day.

When I had the ultrasound I could feel the pain in my left breast so told the sonographer and she could see on the screen that the glands were swollen (think thats what she said) and likely to be hormonal. She said it sounds crazy but to try taking evening primrose oil. Then the breast consultant told me the same thing to try taking them. Anyway I now know that there cant be anything bad going on with my breasts so feeling happier

Just got to try and get to the bottom of my back, leg and arm pains now!.

15

Hello beck I'm really pleased for you. EVO is supposed to be good for breast pain so definitely worth a try.

16

I don't know what these syptoms mean but I'm 18 and I have the same exact syptoms in one breast and I just noticed the blue veins just a moment ago.. it all came about sudently.. do you have any answers??

17

Hi

I have been told the pain is glandular pain as when they did an ultrasound on my left breast they could see swollen glands. I now take evening primrose oil to help relieve it which seems to be working. As for the veins and itching they didnt seem concerned or have any reason for it so dont know. Do you get all these symptoms then??