[KarolH]

Hi everyone,

There is not a for women only section here so I hope I do not offend the men in any way.

I developed excruciating pain in my right breast with a noticeable thickening.

Long story short I had a ultrasound of the breast done and it was NORMAL.

I felt like a idiot because for sure there was something seriously wrong in my mind.

OK, here is my question. How many of you developed severe pain with swelling, thickening or a lump and find out there is absolutely nothing wrong?

I really feel very embarrassed over this but how can anyone have severe pain with swelling and have a normal scan?

I am so new to Lupus but need to know if this is common with this disease?

As always, thanks so much for your insight and support.

Signed, embarrassed girl in New Jersey.:rotfl:

 

[cath]

HI Karol,

I'm not sure if what I'm writing is of any use to you, but here goes...

When you say "breast thickening" what do you mean - a lump, or increased glandular tissue, ir general increased breast size?

One of the things associated with lupus for some people is a high prolactin level. This can induce increased glandular tissue and milk production - called galacotrea (sp?). Obviously not in relation to giving birth....

There are a few women here (myself included) who have had mastitis from the build up of unneeded milk, which is very painful indeed.

Does this ring bells for you or was it something totally different?

I hope it isn't still causing you pain?

X C X

 

[KarolH]

Hi Cath,

I had mastitis many years ago after the birth of my son and it is not that.

It is what I would call a thickening and as a result the breast is larger then the other but not uniformly, make sense?

It is larger on one side only, say from 6 o clock to 11 o clock if you were looking at a clock on the wall.

There was a little discharge from the nipple but certainly I do not think it was milk and again the scan said my boob was fine..........NOTHING WRONG.:blush:

 

[cath]

Hi Karol,

I suggest that you ask for a referal to a specialist for a biopsy. Non milk discharge is a symptom warranting further investigation. A scan cannot give a conclusive diagnosis - ie normal scan may not be normal breast.

X C X

 

[KarolH]

Hi Karol,

I suggest that you ask for a referal to a specialist for a biopsy. Non milk discharge is a symptom warranting further investigation. A scan cannot give a conclusive diagnosis - ie normal scan may not be normal breast.

X C X

I always thought that a Ultra sound was a good way to dx a cyst vs cancer. The Radiologist told me that there was nothing there and it was totally normal.:worried:

 

[cath]

HI Karol,

I'm sure that with ultrasound they get a reasonable view, and an experienced technician has a pretty good idea what he/she is seeing, but there is no way they can tell the difference between normal and abnormal histology - you need a microscope and a specialist for that. They will probably pick out the advanced cancers with a scan, but if only a few cells are abnormal?

The standard diagnostic path in the UK for suspect lumps is ultrasound plus fine needle aspiration, and then if needed open biopsy.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa4100/is_200503/ai_n13591638/pg_2?tag=artBody;col1



Also nipple discharch is simply not normal. To disregard this symptom is in my opinion irresponsible. Is this an ongoing problem or something that happened and now seems to be resolved? Either way I'd get a specialist referal.

X C X

 

[Clare.T]

Hello Karol

I am sure that your generalist or gyny can advise you what to do now. If not, perhaps you can see a breast specialist for an explanation and, hopefully, reassurance?
I don't know of any way lupus affects the breasts apart from the milk production that sometimes occurs because of high prolactin. I think that affects both sides.

Lots of luck

Clare

 

[Flibble63]

This is so strange. I am going in for a mammo today because of the same thing. My pain and thickening(sort of a lump) is in the left one. I hope you feel better.
Laura

 

[KarolH]

I know that nipple discharge is not normal.

2 years ago I had surgery on my left breast to remove a lump they thought was cancer...........turned out it wasn't.

The female doctor I dealt with then was awesome and she is a breast specialist. She only does boobs.:rotfl:

When this problem started I called her office and the nurse was the go between me and the doctor. Long story short I felt some what blown off by the doctor as her attitude was go to your pcp, get a script, have the scan and then if I need to see you I will.

The scan was normal and so I guess she does not want to see me which really surprised me considering the discharge and my previous history of cystic boobs.

Anyway, the problem has resolved for now. No more pain, swelling is gone and no more discharge either.

Laura, good luck and let us know how you make out.:wink2:

 

[Flibble63]

Karol,
I just got back after a mammo and ultrasound. They said that there was nothing wrong with me either. They said breast pain happens a lot and they hardly ever know the reason for it. They said I just had fiberous boobs more muscle tissue than fat and that is why I felt lumps. How sexy!
Laura

 

[cath]

HI Karol (and my sincere appologiy for repeatedly getting your name wrong)

I use this rule of thumb when deciding for myself whether I need to pursue an issue or not:

If it goes away and gets better on its own, then it was probably not serious. Things that don't resolve and get worse need attention.

I'm not sure that this holds true for 100% but mostly it does. Of course when giving advice to others I (and probably many others) tend to err on the side of caution and reccomend assessment rather than risk someone happily ignoring something that later turns out to be life threatening.

And of course I am not a doctor and cannot replace your's:hehe:

Cheers, and I'm glad it is not a problem at the moment

X C X

 

[KarolH]

Glad you made out ok Laura.:wink2:

 

[senior]

strange

had a x ray and ultrasound for exactly the same thing, everything came back clear, so dont know if it has anything to do with lupus but it can be quite painful
look after yourself:thumbs:

 

[KarolH]

had a x ray and ultrasound for exactly the same thing, everything came back clear, so dont know if it has anything to do with lupus but it can be quite painful
look after yourself:thumbs:

Sorry your dealing with this too but glad to know I am not alone.:wink2:

 

[setApart]

I have had bilateral sensitive breasts for about 1 month. Usually they are only tender just before my period. I told my rheumie she asked me if I was pregnant. Um no way..... no possible way.... she actually had me scared but yesterday I finally started my period and I've been on 40mg of pred now for 4 days so when I woke up today no breast pain. I believe it was inflammation from my lupus from where who knows??? Ive been dealing with pleurisy and possible pericarditis as well.:worried:

 

[mady]

Hi everybody
My opinion is that you have a previous history and if I were you I would go for a biopsy ,just to be sure .
Hope you are doing better

Mady

 

[KarolH]

Hi everybody
My opinion is that you have a previous history and if I were you I would go for a biopsy ,just to be sure .
Hope you are doing better

Mady

Hi Mady,
Great advice but hard to do when the breast surgeon says your fine, bye bye.

My pain in the breast has subsided.....thank god!

 

[peonyprincess]

Isn't it unreal that we live in a society that does nothing than pay attention to the womens breast, but let there be a problem with the jewels, then society pretty much passes you over. Don't ignore the fact that there is no pain therefore no problem. Keep after the doctor to find you an answer that you find reasonable. Throw a fit, beg do whatever it takes to get further testing including a biopsy, an MRI anything that looks further into your problem. I would tell you that it this was happening to them, they would claim to be on deaths doorstep...........hahaha. Seriously, get it checked out further, don't blow it off.

Nancy

 

[KarolH]

Nancy,

Beings that I do not have pain anymore and the swelling or thickening is gone I can only assume I am fine.

Let it happen again and trust me................you will hear me scream in Illinois.:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Thanks for the post here.:wink2:

 

[halfpintfl]

Hi Karol, I know the maddening frustration you must be feeling . For the last
8 yrs. I have gone and had my mamogram regularly. I always tell them that my left breast hurts badly, when I touch it, when hubby hugs me, when I feel it myself or when I lay on my side. For 8 yrs all the tests have come back normal,&*^%# I have gone to different dr.'s, still the same. I am at a loss as to what to do , the same as you. Something is wrong, and no one wants to be the one to find it??? oh well, smile.