BREAST INFECTION NOT RESPONDING TO ANTIBIOTIC..POSS. SKIN INFECTION

[Dahrma]

I have been having alot of phisical ailments and can't get good help on this.From the beginning: I have psoriasis and had shots of quartizone placed into each spot.After this the psoriasis had become more inflamed and itchy like never before.Next went to doc for urinary tract infec Antibiotics given.This was all in Aug. then started having low grade fevers.Sept.brings me the flu.aches and pains sinus and cough.After three weeks things cleared up,still felt feverish, aches and pains.Beginning of Oct.Doc finds urinary tract again,some pain in left kidney and left side of bladder.Treated agian.Did not clear up and treated with leviquin.Now My breasts started to hurt and I checked to find a green fluid coming out.Gyno here I come.Staff infection.Now I'm put on Keflex(twice)after inf.would not leave.Spread to both breasts during this time.I can see changes in breasts.The area around the nipple started to crease strangely only in certain areas and very deep indents(when touched or cold)I now remebered at the time that I had the flu I had a rash under the breasts that was hot and very painful.When I touched it it felt like raw nerves.Lasted two day's.Now my breasts are loaded with white little pmples.Still have green fluid and another part of the nipple excreates a thick yellow fluid.Under the skin of the breast there are white spots noticeable when I lift breast.When stimulted some indent and others puf out slightly.Here is the twist.When on antibiotics (breasts) my psoriasis began to clear problem:now I have white spots on legs.1 is the size of silver dollar & indenting.pls help

[CCF-RN,MSN-JS]

Dear Dahrma:  Like other areas of the body the skin on the breast is also susceptible to infections/skin problems.   Discuss with your doctor so they can (with benefit of examination and information specific to you), direct you appropriately.  With the complexity of the situation, without  benefit of physical examination, ability to evaluate testing results etc. it is difficult to advise more specifically.

[Dahrma]

Your response is understandable. Here is a little more info.  The skin on the breast does NOT have staff.  It is on the inside and still has not cleared after many antibiotics.  This last time I was on Keflex 500mg four times a day for 7 day's. This was the third treatment for breasts with antibiotic.  The thing that I am worried about is it still has not cleared.  I no longer am having low grade fevers.  If anything I have been having temps of around 97. I was told that fevers are actually a good thing because it means your body is fighting infection. Is this true?  And, if it is, then what could be causing my body to stop fighting?  I'm getting more concerned about breast cancer.  I read about a disease where it appears as an infection but does not respond to antibiotic treatment and that the breast will start getting an orange peel effect on the skin.  This is what my breast's are starting to look like.  Could this be just because I have an infection within, or, could this be a sign of cancer???  I am going for my first Mamo this monday along with an ultrasound.  What is a Mamo like.  I heard it is herendous!!!  When they put your breast onto this thing..(for lack of a better word..lol) how long til the pic is finished?  How long do they clamp your breast down for?  Sorry for all the questions, just very nervous.  If anyone can give me a little more insight it would be greatly appreciated.  Thanking you in advance.

Dahrma

[boninclyde]

A mamo is not to bad. They do compress things  (the breast)for 30 seconds or so, maybe, but it is just uncomfortable not really pain. The films are instant. You will be fine.

[Dahrma]

boninclyde,
Thanks for having responded...I truely appreciate it. I'm hoping I don't chicken out....lol...what you said does not sound as bad as what I was told....Thanks again.. Have a great weekend...I guess I'll know my fate on Monday or Tuesday....I'll post to let you know....Good luck with your own issues..I'm sure you must have something going on to be on here.  I'll put a little prayer in for you.....

Thanks
Dahrma

[boninclyde]

Please don't chicken out. It is nothing to have a mamo. You could have just a blocked duct but I would think antibiotics would clear that up. Again please go for mamo. I had right breast masectomy (August 25, 2006) after finding a pea size limp in late july. I think I was very lucky I caught it early. Please let me know Monday how it went. You will be surprised, it doesn't really hurt.





please don't chicken out.

[vermontgirlII]

Sorry to butt in, but why did you have a mastectomy after only finding a pea sized lump?  Was it a partial mastectomy?  Was this your choice because of family history or something?

[Dahrma]

So sorry to hear about your mastectomy...Have you had reconstructive surgery yet?  If not, do you plan to?

As for me, I didn't chicken out.  Although I missed my appt..Thought my appt. was this afternoon but I couldn't find my paperwork to verify time. I tried to call this morning and it was busy busy busy.  Got in touch with them at 10:00 and found out my appt. was actually at 9:00.  Can you believe they wouldn't allow me to run in then!!! Oh well...Just wish it was over with.  Now I'm rescheduled for next Wed.  I'll definately let you know once I find out.

Thanks for your concern
God Bless

Dahrma

[boninclyde]

You are not butting in. If I can share my story to help one other person or many I will do so. I do not have a family history of breast cancer. I have a friend going through breast cancer. She may have saved my life even though she didn't know it at the time. She got out of the shower and found her lump.  Suddenly appeared. So a couple of weeks later I was laying in bed, Sunday morning, Husband was in shower and I did the normal check per the doctors. For some reason I did somtething we are not taught to do. I picked up my breast and rolled it around (like rolling a cigerette) in my fingers and felt a knot. 3 weeks later a total masectomy. Mainly because I had widespreade DCIS. Precancer all over the breast. They did not think it was invasive yet. Invasive was found after doing masectomey. Again thank God I chose the masectomy or it would not have been found. There was just to much DCIS for lumpectomy. Again I found this not by how doctors that tell us to do a self check but by very carefully checking the breast. Scary. If not for my friend I would not have given it a second guess and would maybe passed it off as nothing since it was so small. I have told her she saved my life. Hers was much worse than mine but she is doing well . Thank God for friends. She had not shared her story with many. Again Thank God she did with me.

[boninclyde]

I did not do reconstruction. I was not to impress by the pictures I saw. They would have had to reduce my left to match my right. They can only get you to a b cup and I am a c. Lots of women do have it done sucessfully. My only regret it not having a double masectomy. I was flat chested all my life until I had my kids and wish I were now. I hate bras but unless you want to be lopsided you have to wear it all the time. My neighbor stopped by this weekend causght me in the yard working and kept asking me if I was cold because I kept my chest covered. He don't know about my cancer. I felt like they could tell by looking at me. Sorry so long winded just wish I was flat chested. I have a wonderful husband and all we were concerned about was getting rid of the cancer. He loves me just the same. 17 years.
I am sorry you missed your appoinment. Please Dahrma go. It may be nothing and I will dance with you or I will cry with you. Let me know.

[boninclyde]

Sorry about the spelling. I got very emotional writing this. If I can help anyone of you let me know.

[laure113]

Thank you so much for sharing with us. This site has been a God send for me. I am scared. My first biopsy was fine and I hope this one is too, but who knows. The randomness of it all is staggering. Thank you for being there for all of us. I'm praying for everyone.

[boninclyde]

You will be fine. No one ever wants to here the words I heard or feel the pain I felt. I have cried for an hour now I don't klnow why I am so emotional today. This never goes away. May be my up coming appointment and the possibllity of more surgery. Again you will be fine.

[Dahrma]

You are so sweet...Thank you so much for all your information.  I see that you respond to many ads and I'm sure you have given better info. then even the doctor's.  I'm glad you have a wonderful husband like that.  As long as your cancer ridden I think that's a blessing.  Everything else I'm sure will come with time.  I myself have two children and am 36 yrs old.  I have no "other half."  Because of this I am concerned about recontruction....I guess I'm jumping the gun. I'm looking too far into the future yet don't even know what is wrong yet.  I wish I had made it today and it was over...I would probably know where I stand within two day's.  I hope by next week the two of us will be learning a new dance...Thanks again...I guess we will have to see...

I'm hoping it's just an infection they just have not been able to cure yet. keeping my fingers crossed.

I do have another question if you don't mind:  Did you still have to do any kemo or radiation after matectomy?

Thanks again for everything
Dahram

[laure113]

I can't imagine what you are going through. I feel terrible that you feel so sad. I see it hasn't been that long since you have been going through this. I would think you are intitled to cry if you felt like it. You're a brave woman. God bless you.

[boninclyde]

I really don't mind your questions. My cancer was estrogen + and progest +, HER2 negative, 0.09mm invasion, no lymph node involvement. My oncotype score was borderline at 20 1/2. Over 30 and it is usually chemo.  Chemo or radiation would not have benefited me. Dr.s thought since I had the masectomy they had got it all but due to it being hormone feed I will have to take tamoxifen to such down the hormones. I am 41 and not into menopause yet. I go tomorrow to see about having ovaries removed or total hysterectomy. Even if I have the other surgery I will still have to take tamoxifen because your adrenal glands still produce hormones. But the tamoxifen can cause uterine cancer so another reason for surgery. There is no easy answer here and it is torture. I will start my tamoxifen tomorrow with all it side effects. I am scared of being throwed into memopause so suddenly. I hear a few days is all it takes. But I am afraid of the cancer coming back. I have had the med for 2 weeks. I will start tomorrow while my husband will be home with me for 5 days. Sorry so long winded it just complicated. I also have three children. 5, 12, 16.

[boninclyde]

Thanks for letting me cry on your computer I needed that. Wish you well.

[Dahrma]

I never heard of a cancer caused by hormones.  Good thing you caught it when you did.  Sounds like you are right on top of things.  I'm so happy you have the support that you need from your husband.  I'm so sad to think that your only 41 and going through such a horrible time.  It sounds to me like your a trooper.  Please let me know what you and your doctors decide and how the hormone therapy goes.  I'm placing a BIG prayer in for you today!!!..I believe that no matter what you go through you WILL make it and eventually will be helping others.

As for me I found yesterday a yellow thick fluid coming out of my right breast now.  The other one has a thin dark green.  I don't know why he wants to wait til I get the mamo and ultrasound.  I think I'm going to call and ask to be put on another antibiotic.  I feel like this infection is just getting worse.  I now also found where it is coming from.  he did not feel any lumps but I do.  Just under the nipple on both breasts are lumps a little larger then a grape.  Don't know if these belong there or not, but, I found when I press on these lumps the fluid comes pouring out.  Obviously this is where the infection is.  It is so tiring...I'm very worried myself and it seems like a life time to get any answers.  I feel like a ticking time bomb, that everyday that passes things could be getting worse when all this should have been taken care of long ago.

Again, Good luck with everything.  Please let me know as soon as you can what happens today.  I will do the same for you...

God Bless
Dahrma

[boninclyde]

Can't you call anyone else where you live? Is there a breast cancer center nearby? Maybe if you call someone else they could get you in this evening or tomorrow. Get in the phone book. Mamos don't take but just a few minutes so you want be taking up to much of anyones time. Remember most everyone will be closed for Thanksgiving and then we have the weekend if you will need new antibiotics. I guess if worse came to worse you could go to the emergency room. How painful is it? Some pain meds would help to. Just hate having to see you wait. Please call around to someone else. This infection may become life threating. The different color may mean is it clearing up but I don't know.

[laure113]

Anytime! I wish I could do something for you. You're in my prayers. So is your family. I'm anxious to hear how your appt goes. Hang in there. We're all pulling for you.

[vermontgirlII]

Dear girl, God bless you.  It sounds like you found yourself in the middle of a nightmare that was real life.  You have been such a help to me, as well as I'm sure, a number of women who have looked to this site for information, support, and just a place to vent.  Good luck with tomorrow, and please let us know how everything went.

[laure113]

I hope you were able to get in touch with your doctor, today. My prayers are with you.

[Dahrma]

I wound up not being able to get in today.  I didn't even bother to call because I forgot my son's got out of school early and I wound up having meet the teacher's day.  Next thing I know I'm cooking dinner and here I am.  My gyno/obstatrician referred me to a breast specialist but didn't want me to make the appt. until I had the mamo/ultrasound.  I tried calling another place in my area to see if I could get an earlier appt. for the mamo/ultrasound but the soonest they had was Dec. 3. I guess Oct. was breast cancer awareness month and everyone was making appts.... I did go to the holpital about a month ago being that nothing was clearing up and I had a temp.  I wound up sitting in the waiting room for six hours.  It became a nightmare.  Noone could tell me when I would be seen and at this point my back was so bad I could barely walk (disc problems and very hard chairs)...I will try my doc tomorrow, my kids will be home and nothing pressing (except of course shopping for thanksgiving...blahhh)..lol..If I just had another chance at an antibiotic I would feel safe.  i think this infection has turned into another type of infection. Both breasts still have the dark green fluid, but the right one has two fluids.  It looks like puss that you would find in a wound, another part of the nipple is the green fluid discharge(same breast)..Let you know tomorrow what happens.  Off to watch my fav. show 'HOUSE'....lol...

Was it today or tommorrow that you go to your doc?  Any news yet...

Thanks
Dahram

[Dahrma]

Hi Laure....Just wrote to boninclyde with my reponse as to the doc.......thanks for your thoughts and prayers.  I truely appreciate it.  Hope all is well with you....Do you have problems yourself being that you are on this forum????

Thanks again
Dahrma

[laure113]

Yes, I read you post. Try again tomorrow. Most offices will be closed on Friday. I hope you get your antibiotics. What a miserable thing to go through. I'm waiting on my second biopsy. I was supposed to have two at the same time, but due to a complication, they were only able to do one. My first did come back okay and I am praying the second one will be the same. I have calcification clusters. The odds are good, yet until I get this over with, I can't rest easy. I'm scheduled for Dec.6th. Phooey, long time to wait but I'm not yet healed from the first.
By the way, this was my first mammogram. I should have had one eons ago. It wasn't bad at all. Even the biopsy wasn't that bad. It's the waiting. I hope you have a good Thanksgiving. Thanks for writing.

[Dahrma]

Thanks for writing...what are calcification clusters??  I hear this mentioned alot...It is a horrible thing to wait, at least your first biopsy was fine...that's really good new's.  I can't believe how they make you wait so long with such horrors going through your mind..Hope to God things go quick for you and you get all good new's!!!!!  I will remeber you on the sixth and place a prayer in for you...God Bless....

Dahrma

[Bunny711]

Everyoone is truly in my thoughts and praygers. bonincylde, you are quite a special person....................

Daharma:  get to the mammo soon, don't wait for your doctors.

Laure113: you know how I feel, you will be fine.

Prayers to everyone!!!!

Have a very Happy Thanksgiving.

Daharma:  calcifications are pre-cancerous cells dying off in your breasts, there is scattered ones (usually benign), and clustered, which I had and Lauren has, which deem indeterminent as they cannot tell whether there may be a lesion underneath growing, in order to really tell is to do a biopsy, thankfully I an fine, however right breast is swolled, but not infection.  Usually if it is signs of maligency, it is caught is such prestages, that all that needs to be done is radiation.  We must be thankful for how far they have come.

GOD BLESS EVERYONE!!! YOUR ARE ALL VERY BRAVE STRONG BEAUTIFUL WOMEN!!!!

[laure113]

Thanks so much. I think it's wonderful that we pray for each other. There is power in prayer.
Were you able to get your antibiotic? (Watched House, last night, too)

[laure113]

Hi, Was wondering how you were fairing, your appointment? Please let us know, when you have a chance. God bless you.

[boninclyde]

I will give my wishes to you for it to be nothing. December 6th is my birthday. So I wish for you, your wish.
bunny711 - anyone that goes through what we have to is truly special. Thank You.
laure113 - doctor talked about having the bacar (spelling?) test done which I was going to do later because of my 3 girls. Family history gene testing. He felt it was important because if it is in my genes there is a 30% chance of uterine caner occuring. He did not push the surgery because he knows what I have been through. I was pushing it because I have met all of my out of pocket expenses for the year. Nice to go to the doctor and not have to pay a co-pay. And my breast surgeon sugessted it. Hope you have been following in order for all this to make since. Even if I do the tamoxifen it will not shut the ovaries down completely. I thought it would then all I would have to worry about is the estrogen from my adrenal glands. So the surgery sounds like me if I can do this. They can't do it vaginally because of my fibroids so it is a 6 inch incision in stomach (muscles and all) 6 weeks recovery and no driving. I don't think I can be down that long.  Things in family are always on the go. So next step is gene testing. Maybe surgery Later. Great news today other than 2 fibroids. Female parts looked great. I did not start tamoxifen today as I promised myself I would but first thing in the morining. Thnaksgiving day seems like a great day to start. So wish me luck with the drug for now. I'll keep you posted. Thanks all.

[laure113]

I am so glad to hear from you. I am spending the holiday at a freind's but there was no computer so I came home to check and see if you posted. You kow I wish you more than luck. I hope today is a special, wonderful day for you and your family. I'm glad your other "parts" look good! I'm sure you are a beautiful woman. Thank you for taking the tome to write. As always, you are in my prayers. There is still a lot to be grateful for. Happy Thanksgiving to you and the rest of us!
Lauren

[boninclyde]

Thank you for checking in on me. I did it. I started my tamoxifen today. I hope you have a great day. It is beautiful here in NC today 65.

[laure113]

How is it going? Are you felling okay? Thanks for responding.

[ziggy123]

I also wanted to know how you were feeling, now that you have started your medication. I hope that the holdays were enoyable for you and your family.

[Dahrma]

Where have you been?  I hope all is well...I'm sure your just taking a break.  I did myself.  I kind of wanted to just walk away and get away from it all for a little while.  Just wanted to let you know that I saw two doc's today and Wed's I'm due for my mamo/sono.  Had a great holiday..hope you did too. Went to the dermatologist who said that my psoriasis is not infected..(thank god)...new meds for that.  Also went to my regular physician..He found that I still have a urinary tract infec...(white blood cell count up)  Been keeping him up to date whith what has been going on (breasts) whith my gyno.  He decided not to put me on antibiotic at this point.  He feels the treatments that I have had should have cleared it all up.  So, I now go for the mamo/sono..After this my gyno wants me to see a breast specialist.  If I don't get immediate treatment, my regular physician wants me to see an infection specialist.....I guess it's still a waiting game.  One more day til mamo so I guess I'll have some answeres soon......

Please let me know how your doing.  I'm very worried about you.  Haven't seen any post's from you lately.... Please write back and let me know how you are.

care about you all in L.I. NY.....Prayers for us all...

god bless
Dahrma

[Montana girl 06]

How is the tamoxifin (tamoxifen) going?

[laure113]

I'm so glad you got your appointment and meds. I was wondering how you were and I was just going to write you, when I saw your post. Thanks for keeping us up to date. Hang in there. You're doing a great job. And, of course, you are in my prayers.

[boninclyde]

Thank you all for caring and sharing with each other. I did have to walk away to have my on pity party a bit. Had that monthly thing this week, saw my doctor, started my meds and the holidays (no family). If I don't get rid of this depression soon I'll have to see yet another doctor. This is all so emotional. I believe what I am going through is normal greiving. Before my surgery I saw my surgeon (a great surgoen) and was crying about my diagnosis and he told me I needed meds for depression. I got angry and told him I have a good d___ reason to be depressed. I have tried them and they just make me feel like a zombie. I couldn't cry if I wanted to. I just thank good every day I wake. I thank God for every munte I can spend with my family. I cry tears of joy and tears of sadness. Sometimes they just run together. Is this normal? Do I need to see a phycyatrist (Can't even spell it)? I maintain. I am active. Not confined to my bed or anything. Everything just makes me cry. Like I said joy and sadness.
Anyways. Off to yet more doctors to get Barcard (Spelling) gene testing done before doctor will decide if he will do my surgery. It will tell him chance of uterine and ovarian canccer. No appt yet.
I have to go for my mamo on the left breast which showed a small spot before my surgery but to small to biopsy. Appt is December 23, 2006 Just before the holidays again.
The tamoxifen. Well the first day I took it that night I got a headache. I never get them. Next two days I felt fine. Now I am having night sweats and dizzyness that should go away soon. Called the doctor today and they said "well that is good (I personally don't think so). We know the medicine is working. Call us back if you have more problems or questions". Yeap thats it. I will try it a few more weeks but like a few of the girls on the other site said my quality is more important to me now not quanity. Hope you understand what I mean. This is to long. I appreciate each of you. Some have been with me since the beggining. Thank you for putting up with me.
Dahrma - let us know ASAP.
bunny711 - Why is your breast still swollen?. Concerning?
laura - I will be waiting for your good news. We'll celebrate.
vermont and montana girls - (sound like cowgirls lol) thank you

[ziggy123]

I hope that you do not mind my asking, but did your doctor give you any idea of how much the tamoxifen improved your chances of not getting cancer in your remaining breast? While my circumstances are different from yours (I had a lumpectomy for DCIS), I elected not to take medication.
Montana Girl-I know that all of your biopsies have been benign, but is Tamoxifen an option for you as a preventative measure?

[vermontgirlII]

Boninclyde, of COURSE you are depressed.  This is difficult, and you have every right to be emotional, whether it's feeling tears of joy or tears of sadness.  It makes me mad that docs think everything needs to be 'fixed' with a pill.  I personally think it's healthier to let it out, than stuff it down.  You will stabilize, and part of it also could be a side effect of the Tamoxifan??  If it puts you into menopause then it might create extreme moodiness, for lack of a better word.  Do you know if your mom had mood swings with menopause?  It might give you some indication of how your going to be affected.  You made me laugh this morning with the cowgirl thing.  I guess I'm a wannabe cowgirl...

[boninclyde]

Wow ziggy glad to see you again. How are you?
Vermont girl I believe it will get better with time. Mainly after the holidays is over. I am going to put my mind in a new perspective. It could be the medicine. They told me this could be a side effect. Funny you ask about my chance for recurrance with the med. I called my doctor yesterday with the same question again. Waiting for them to call back. I think he said 12% with the med and 22% without the med. I let you know for sure when they call. As far as my mom, I don't know much about her back then except what I have been told. She had mental problems and a nervous breakdown that all happened during her menopausal years so thats a hard question to answer.
I was thinking about asking  montana girl the same question.

[Dahrma]

Hi bunny...sorry I'm responding so long after your post.  I just wanted to thank you for responding to my questions and I think I understand it now.  I guess I will see tomorrow what happens for me.  Thanks for your prayers for us all...God bless..

Dahrma