Extreme breast pain after surgery

[simplyhere]

Hi there, I could use some help/advice. I had a lumpectomy/node dissection last march for idc. lump removed and followed by radiation and tamoxifen. Radiation was finished in July. Just before new years, I developed extreme pain in the same breast. Not in the surgical area, but on top of my breast and under it. I went to emerg. and was told mastitis. I took 3 wks. heavy antibiotics. Did not improve. Had celebrex (anti-Inflam.), no improvement. The breast is reddish, swollen, hot to touch and has ridges as well as little dots like an orange. Dr. did skin biopsy. Came back showing no infection but inflammatory cells. Was told this could move into cancer. Sent to see rad. Onc. He says he has never seen anything like this and after lots of probing regarding drug and alcohol use (none) stated that it was in my head. No other opinion needed. In the interm the pain has increased. I can now no longer move my arm up or down, lift anything, move my shoulder forward or backward. Breathing, sneezing, coughing hurt like hell. If I sit still I am ok. I have not slept in 4 nights cause I can not lie down. I am in tears of agony. My dr. gave me morophine for pain. Not really helping. Does anyone know what this could be? What I should be asking about? Or who to go to now. I need help! Thank you.

[annieappleseed]

"The breast is reddish, swollen, hot to touch and has ridges as well as little dots like an orange. Dr. did skin biopsy. Came back showing no infection but inflammatory cells."

Have you seen a medical oncologist or breast surgeon?  This sounds like inflammatory breast cancer which is a special type.

If it is, you will probably need an immediate mastectomy.  There is an organization for this type of cancer, check their website:  www.ibcresearch.org/

Good luck.

[ts_the1]

I had a lumpectomy in January and went through 3 weeks of the underarm pain and swelling, with several nights of no sleep and tears of pain and agony!  My surgeon told me that this is normal after such a procedure.  But in your case, I would be concerned about possible infection.  Inflammatory Breast Disease is so hard to diagnose.........are you going to docs that are breast specialists?  I know here in Houston we have MD Anderson where they specialize in IBC.  Perhaps you can visit there website for some Q&A.  www.maanderson.org
Best of luck to you and I never realized just how many women are going through any of this until I started the testing process 5 months ago.