Breast Discharge

[Pam Z.]

I am a 49 year old woman with 4 children (all breast fed) and post hysterectomy (3 years-ovaries still there).  For the past
three weeks I have had a spontaneous burning/stabbing sensation in my left breast and a concurrent single duct brown sticky discharge from the right breast.  No pain otherwise and no lumps noticed.  I had a negative history on mammograms with the exception of some fluid and fibrous cysts and some minor plaque deposits in the breast arteries.  Naturally, this scares the heck out of me.  I guess I should note that I also had a change in blood pressure medications (I am taking altenolol)and I was also put on Prozac to counteract some severe perimenopausal symptoms. The medications were started about 4 months ago.  I am somewhat used to getting sent on to Ultrasound after a mammogram with the cysts, but I am with an HMO now and I know things won't proceed as quickly as with my other health coverage.  I cant very easily shake the cancer fear, so I would like to get your opinion.  Thanks...P.S. The mammogram is next week.

[CCF-RN,MSN-JS]

Dear Pam, Many women have some type of nipple discharge or fluid when their breasts are squeezed, and its normal. Squeezing the nipple sends message to the brain and the pituitary gland responds by increasing prolactin levels, which in turn produces discharge from the nipple. The discharge can come in a variety of colors

[Pam Z.]

Thanks for the info on the discharge, but what about the spontaneous burning, stabbing pain....(other breast)I can't believe this is all happening at once.