Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum.  ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
 | 

Breast Cancer or Pregnancy?

by Krysimarie, Nov 02, 2009 08:22PM
Hello,

About 2 years ago I felt a lump in my left breasts and had two noticeable protruding lumps on my underarms.  I went to the doctor who sent me to a breast specialist.  The doctor gave me a scan because of my age (I was 24 at the time) and said that although he too felt a lump, because he didn't see any clusters it was probably safe to say that I have lumpy breasts (!!!) and that the lumps on my underarms were due to a virus.  I haven't thought anything much about it since.  

The problem is that recently I started noticing sharp shooting pains in my breasts.  It started with my left breast where the original lump is. The pain now occurs in both breasts.  My breasts are swollen, with swollen nipples and large visible veins. Because of other symptoms such as a swollen abdomen, headaches, very bad lower back pain, and nausea I assumed that I was pregnant but after a light period and 3 negative tests, I don't think that I am.  I decided to look up what other problems might cause these kinds of symptoms (which have been occurring for over a month now) and what popped up was secondary breast cancer.  I should also mention that I have noticed cracking and pain in my bones for about the last year which is very strange since I'm athletic and have never had this problem before. It's almost as if I have osteoporosis! Around the same time I developed migraine headaches which subsided a little while ago, but have reappeared in the last month along with all the pregnancy-like symptoms.

In any case, when the symptoms of secondary breast cancer came up I have to admit that I was very frightened, especially when it included everything that I've been feeling, including the bone pain.  The problem is that I know that the chances of me having this are very slim due to my age, but because of my previous scare I'm a little more worried.  Do you think this is something that I should be concerned about or could these symptoms be due to something else entirely? I would go visit a doctor but I'm out of the country and don't have access to affordable healthcare so I thought I would ask here first. I am concerned though as the symptoms are still persisting.

Thank you for any help that you can provide.
Member Comments (4)

by Krysimarie, Nov 02, 2009 08:27PM
Oh and I forgot to mention the other two big symptoms are extreme fatigue, to the point where I can't muster up the energy to do anything, and loss of appetite.  I also saw these on the secondary breast cancer website so thought these were worth mentioning.  Thank you.

by Krysimarie, Nov 02, 2009 08:54PM
Update: I found a website that contained some photos of women with advanced/secondary breast cancer and so I'm feeling more confident that I probably don't have that and am just being a worry wart! :) Of course, I would still be grateful for your input.  

by katarina777, Nov 03, 2009 02:50AM
I think you need to have a thourough checkup with a doctor. Completely other things may be going on. Like you mention being out of the country for one thing, or it could be hormonal like thyroid, or something else. like stress.

I can understand your concerns, I really can, but I also know that surfing the internet leads to the type of syndrome medical students get, and where they are sure they have a certain disease.

And I agree that pregnancy sounds reasonable but if it's been a while and the tests still show up negative, then it's probably not.

I know from myself that sometimes, weird things just happen and then they eventually pass, but I also understand the worry that goes into it.

Anyway, hope you feel better soon, Katrin

by Krysimarie, Nov 03, 2009 05:48AM
To: katarina777
Thank you for your advice Katarina.  I will try to get a check up and you're right about surfing on the internet and looking for symptoms.  You start to feel like you have every disease ever. :) Hopefully I'll find out what's going on soon. Thanks again.
Post Comment
To
Comment
Post Comment
Recent Activity
peekawho is making evil, revenge filled thanksgiving plans.
Lisi251 Wishes everyone a happy thanksgiving
Crohn's/Ulcerative Colitis Tracker: not sure
10 hrs ago by nikki0207
Mood Tracker: things are looking up health wise
10 hrs ago by nikki0207
ita17 11DPO.............starting to get IMPATIENT!!!
nikki0207 needing to know more about crohn's dr thinks that is my ...
nikki0207 added the Crohn's/Ulcerative Colitis Tracker...
Nov 24
drifter0213 commented on NFL week 11 Results! ...
Nov 24
RSS Expert Activity
What You Don't Know About Breathing...
Nov 24 by Steven Y Park, MD
Thanksgiving
Nov 23 by Thomas Dock, Vet. Technician
Snoring As Your Internal Smoke Alar...
Nov 22 by Steven Y Park, MD
Community Members