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Cyclical Breast Pain post biopsy
I had an 2 excisional biopsies to remove calcifications 8 months ago. The first found a 4.5mm area of DCIS on margin so I had to have a second biopsy which was clear. Since then I have periods of significant pain in that breast. It seems to occur around ovulation and menstruation. My recent mammogram was clear as was my physical check. What I want to know is has anyone else experienced this? My surgeon doesn't seem to have any explanation except for saying he removed a lot of tissue. Am I unique or have others experienced this? Is it likely to continue forever?
I am 47 yrs old and have been told through prior mammograms that
show fibrocystic breast disease. No one ever seemed too concerned about the little bumps and nodules that could be felt in my breasts. This past Oct.2002 I had a routine mammogram
done. The technician,upon finishing the initial 2 views, came back in and said she wanted to take another film of the left breast. A week later I received a call from my OB/GYN telling me
that the left breast showed some "abnormalities" and that he wanted a diagnostic mammogram. During the diagnostic, the radioligist upon viewing the films then ordered an ultrasound.
When this was done, the radiologist showed me his concerns re: the films. He wasn't concerned about the numerous cysts, but about an area of clustered micro calcifications. He showed me on the films that normal micro calcifications appear as isolated
"white" tiny dots and that they, by themselves, were of no concern, but he was concerned about a particular area in which there was a grouping. He strongly suggested having a biopsy,and
reaffirmed his opinions through a certified letter which I signed
for several days later. My OB gave me the name of a breast surgeon in the Breast Cancer Institute. Needless to say, by this
point my nerves were a little shaken. I scheduled the appointment for the soonest available which was another couple of weeks. I emotionally began to prepare for the worst, perhaps jumping the gun, but in my confused state I was making checklists to prepare for the worst case scenario. I had a stereotactic core biopsy done on Nov.7,2002. The following day the nurse from the facility called me to tell me that the biopsy was benign, and to call the surgeon for the complete findings and follow up schedule. I waited another week, thinking it better not to call too soon in case the completed report was not yet available. When I called the following week I left 2 messages inquiring about my results. I received no return call, and called again. This time they connected me to a nurse who said the biopsy was benign, as if that was "All there was to it".
She said the doctor was going to review the complete report and would call me back within a couple of days. Once again, a week went by. I called again, and once again was told by the nurse that the results were benign, and that the doctor would like a follow up in 6 months. I told her that I was experiencing a dull ache in the breast, almost constant. She asked if there was any redness, heat, swelling, or discharge. I replied no to all, but there was considerable tenderness constantly in the breast area and into the armpit area. She didn't seem concerned.
I know I should be exhalted by the benign results, but the whole ordeal was frightening. I am curious as to whether this biopsy was even necessary now that the findings are benign and seem to be of no significance to the doctor to even call me with the results. I am also curious as to why, now, I have a continuous achiness in the breast which I never had before. So what now, in 6 months??? I feel like I was a lab rat, and want to know how to avoid this experience again. I thoroughly understand that without a biopsy there could be no confirmation of cancer, but if micro calcifications are so "normal" then why did they make me feel like someone had pointed a loaded gun at me, only to tell me a month later "just kidding" everything is fine.
show fibrocystic breast disease. No one ever seemed too concerned about the little bumps and nodules that could be felt in my breasts. This past Oct.2002 I had a routine mammogram
done. The technician,upon finishing the initial 2 views, came back in and said she wanted to take another film of the left breast. A week later I received a call from my OB/GYN telling me
that the left breast showed some "abnormalities" and that he wanted a diagnostic mammogram. During the diagnostic, the radioligist upon viewing the films then ordered an ultrasound.
When this was done, the radiologist showed me his concerns re: the films. He wasn't concerned about the numerous cysts, but about an area of clustered micro calcifications. He showed me on the films that normal micro calcifications appear as isolated
"white" tiny dots and that they, by themselves, were of no concern, but he was concerned about a particular area in which there was a grouping. He strongly suggested having a biopsy,and
reaffirmed his opinions through a certified letter which I signed
for several days later. My OB gave me the name of a breast surgeon in the Breast Cancer Institute. Needless to say, by this
point my nerves were a little shaken. I scheduled the appointment for the soonest available which was another couple of weeks. I emotionally began to prepare for the worst, perhaps jumping the gun, but in my confused state I was making checklists to prepare for the worst case scenario. I had a stereotactic core biopsy done on Nov.7,2002. The following day the nurse from the facility called me to tell me that the biopsy was benign, and to call the surgeon for the complete findings and follow up schedule. I waited another week, thinking it better not to call too soon in case the completed report was not yet available. When I called the following week I left 2 messages inquiring about my results. I received no return call, and called again. This time they connected me to a nurse who said the biopsy was benign, as if that was "All there was to it".
She said the doctor was going to review the complete report and would call me back within a couple of days. Once again, a week went by. I called again, and once again was told by the nurse that the results were benign, and that the doctor would like a follow up in 6 months. I told her that I was experiencing a dull ache in the breast, almost constant. She asked if there was any redness, heat, swelling, or discharge. I replied no to all, but there was considerable tenderness constantly in the breast area and into the armpit area. She didn't seem concerned.
I know I should be exhalted by the benign results, but the whole ordeal was frightening. I am curious as to whether this biopsy was even necessary now that the findings are benign and seem to be of no significance to the doctor to even call me with the results. I am also curious as to why, now, I have a continuous achiness in the breast which I never had before. So what now, in 6 months??? I feel like I was a lab rat, and want to know how to avoid this experience again. I thoroughly understand that without a biopsy there could be no confirmation of cancer, but if micro calcifications are so "normal" then why did they make me feel like someone had pointed a loaded gun at me, only to tell me a month later "just kidding" everything is fine.
I am 47 yrs old and have been told through prior mammograms that
show fibrocystic breast disease. No one ever seemed too concerned about the little bumps and nodules that could be felt in my breasts. This past Oct.2002 I had a routine mammogram
done. The technician,upon finishing the initial 2 views, came back in and said she wanted to take another film of the left breast. A week later I received a call from my OB/GYN telling me
that the left breast showed some "abnormalities" and that he wanted a diagnostic mammogram. During the diagnostic, the radioligist upon viewing the films then ordered an ultrasound.
When this was done, the radiologist showed me his concerns re: the films. He wasn't concerned about the numerous cysts, but about an area of clustered micro calcifications. He showed me on the films that normal micro calcifications appear as isolated
"white" tiny dots and that they, by themselves, were of no concern, but he was concerned about a particular area in which there was a grouping. He strongly suggested having a biopsy,and
reaffirmed his opinions through a certified letter which I signed
for several days later. My OB gave me the name of a breast surgeon in the Breast Cancer Institute. Needless to say, by this
point my nerves were a little shaken. I scheduled the appointment for the soonest available which was another couple of weeks. I emotionally began to prepare for the worst, perhaps jumping the gun, but in my confused state I was making checklists to prepare for the worst case scenario. I had a stereotactic core biopsy done on Nov.7,2002. The following day the nurse from the facility called me to tell me that the biopsy was benign, and to call the surgeon for the complete findings and follow up schedule. I waited another week, thinking it better not to call too soon in case the completed report was not yet available. When I called the following week I left 2 messages inquiring about my results. I received no return call, and called again. This time they connected me to a nurse who said the biopsy was benign, as if that was "All there was to it".
She said the doctor was going to review the complete report and would call me back within a couple of days. Once again, a week went by. I called again, and once again was told by the nurse that the results were benign, and that the doctor would like a follow up in 6 months. I told her that I was experiencing a dull ache in the breast, almost constant. She asked if there was any redness, heat, swelling, or discharge. I replied no to all, but there was considerable tenderness constantly in the breast area and into the armpit area. She didn't seem concerned.
I know I should be exhalted by the benign results, but the whole ordeal was frightening. I am curious as to whether this biopsy was even necessary now that the findings are benign and seem to be of no significance to the doctor to even call me with the results. I am also curious as to why, now, I have a continuous achiness in the breast which I never had before. So what now, in 6 months??? I feel like I was a lab rat, and want to know how to avoid this experience again. I thoroughly understand that without a biopsy there could be no confirmation of cancer, but if micro calcifications are so "normal" then why did they make me feel like someone had pointed a loaded gun at me, only to tell me a month later "just kidding" everything is fine.
show fibrocystic breast disease. No one ever seemed too concerned about the little bumps and nodules that could be felt in my breasts. This past Oct.2002 I had a routine mammogram
done. The technician,upon finishing the initial 2 views, came back in and said she wanted to take another film of the left breast. A week later I received a call from my OB/GYN telling me
that the left breast showed some "abnormalities" and that he wanted a diagnostic mammogram. During the diagnostic, the radioligist upon viewing the films then ordered an ultrasound.
When this was done, the radiologist showed me his concerns re: the films. He wasn't concerned about the numerous cysts, but about an area of clustered micro calcifications. He showed me on the films that normal micro calcifications appear as isolated
"white" tiny dots and that they, by themselves, were of no concern, but he was concerned about a particular area in which there was a grouping. He strongly suggested having a biopsy,and
reaffirmed his opinions through a certified letter which I signed
for several days later. My OB gave me the name of a breast surgeon in the Breast Cancer Institute. Needless to say, by this
point my nerves were a little shaken. I scheduled the appointment for the soonest available which was another couple of weeks. I emotionally began to prepare for the worst, perhaps jumping the gun, but in my confused state I was making checklists to prepare for the worst case scenario. I had a stereotactic core biopsy done on Nov.7,2002. The following day the nurse from the facility called me to tell me that the biopsy was benign, and to call the surgeon for the complete findings and follow up schedule. I waited another week, thinking it better not to call too soon in case the completed report was not yet available. When I called the following week I left 2 messages inquiring about my results. I received no return call, and called again. This time they connected me to a nurse who said the biopsy was benign, as if that was "All there was to it".
She said the doctor was going to review the complete report and would call me back within a couple of days. Once again, a week went by. I called again, and once again was told by the nurse that the results were benign, and that the doctor would like a follow up in 6 months. I told her that I was experiencing a dull ache in the breast, almost constant. She asked if there was any redness, heat, swelling, or discharge. I replied no to all, but there was considerable tenderness constantly in the breast area and into the armpit area. She didn't seem concerned.
I know I should be exhalted by the benign results, but the whole ordeal was frightening. I am curious as to whether this biopsy was even necessary now that the findings are benign and seem to be of no significance to the doctor to even call me with the results. I am also curious as to why, now, I have a continuous achiness in the breast which I never had before. So what now, in 6 months??? I feel like I was a lab rat, and want to know how to avoid this experience again. I thoroughly understand that without a biopsy there could be no confirmation of cancer, but if micro calcifications are so "normal" then why did they make me feel like someone had pointed a loaded gun at me, only to tell me a month later "just kidding" everything is fine.
I had a stereotactic biopsy and had pain in my breast for several months. It was also worse closer to my period. Nothing they told me would happen did. I also have a noticeable scar, which several folks assured me would not be the case.
Dear SpeechLady, Possibly this is scar tissue, and with swelling that may occur during these times of your cycle pain may be from this stretching even through it may be slight. Usual discomfort from surgery lasts about 4 weeks, however individuals may experience discomfort for a longer period. Other readers of this site will likely comment on their personal experiences.
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