Fibrocystic Disease....scared

Yesterday I went to my Dr. and during an exam...she said i have Fibrocystic Disease and that means it is usually non cancerous. She wants me to get a mammogram. Now, i read that sometimes a mammo doesnt always show if you have cancer because of dense tissues. Is that true? Should I get a biopsy? Im very worried, I have 2 mentally disabled children. Im so scared...she told me right after i get the mammo she wants me to come in to see her for the results. And i also read sometimes fibrocystic disease can be cancer. Is this true? Im also on alot of meds...could that have caused the lumps? I'm on Tramadol (for back pain), Hydrocodone (pain med), Flexaril, and Neurontin for nerve damage in back.  Maybe the meds i take could have something to do with this.
I dont know. Im 39 yrs old...had partial hysterectomy (uterus removed) like 3 yrs ago. I also have osteoporosis from bone density test yesterday. Please let me know someone..im worried.
Thanks so much....April

[corinacrayola]

Please do not worry so much.  Everything will work out. Fibrocystic disease is
often an over used term for any benign condition.  Getting a mammogram is the best advice.
Listen to your  Dr. and He/She should guide you wisely.  Sometimes mammograms
are read immediately by a Radiologist and he/she will tell you immediatlely if they suspect
any thing suspicious.  

[SunflowerInAz]

Yay i just went to get mammo....and the tech said it looked good...so i will get results hopefully by tomorrow from doctor.ill let u know then.....but do u think i should still get biopsy in case something is hidden? thanks again

[SunflowerInAz]

Also my dr said before the mammo that i had swollen lymph nodes in breast....does that sound like anything to be worried about????

[SunflowerInAz]

Yay i just went to get mammo....and the tech said it looked good...so i will get results hopefully by tomorrow from doctor.ill let u know then.....but do u think i should still get biopsy in case something is hidden? thanks again  
SunflowerInAz


  Also my dr said before the mammo that i had swollen lymph nodes in breast....does that sound like anything to be worried about????  

[Flasparr]

I have had fibrocystic breast disease for years.  I had annual mammograms, always followed by ultrasounds because of breast tissue density and multiple fluid filled cysts.  I had several cysts aspirated of a hazy straw colored fluid, sent for pathology, and always benign.  The nightmare of waiting for those path reports drove me nuts.  I got sick of the same thing and decided since I had NO risk factors or family history other than being female, I would have the mammograms every few years.  Well, I'm busy and time got away from me...it's been 7 years, and I thought 6 months ago it was just another cyst...then a lump popped up under my left armpit after a sinus infection.  I decided I'd better go get a mammogram; of course they did the ultrasound.   Then the tech went and had the radiologist come in the room.  He redid the ultrasound on the left breast.  Then he said we needed to do core biopsy.  Path report came back invasive ductal carcinoma with mets to lymph.  I'm in the middle of myriad tests, had a PET scan, left breast MRI yesterday (and an allergic reaction to the contrast dye!); head MRI to follow in a couple days, but can't have the contrast MRI due to the allergic reaction.  Advise ALL going through this to skip the contrast MRI...and ask for PET to supplement MRI without contrast.  The risk of kidney damage and allergic reaction to the contrast for MRI is too great in my opinion, especially when you are in the cancer battle...don't risk harm to anything else!  I learned the hard way...but my kidneys are fine to begin with, so there shouldn't be any problem.  I have NO other health problems, and am really a very healthy 55 year old woman.  After my brain MRI, I will see the surgeon again, he will confer with my oncologist, and I will either have immediate surgery, or if there are other signs of mets, chemo to shrink, surgery and more chemo.  I think the best thing to do is take a a deep breath, don't panic, EDUCATE yourself, talk to people...you will be AMAZED at how many women had or know someone who had breast cancer...it's everywhere!   So, learn from me...get annual mammo and if you are dense, insist on ultrasound follow up.  You are not too busy to take care of yourself.  I have immediately started zeolite liquid, ellagic acid, essiac tea, and mushroom complex.  Additionally, I take CoQ10 200 daily, a very comprehensive multi vitamin mineral complex that has other stuff too, Cod liver oil capsules and Omega 3 that is guaranteed to not have any fish oils from mercury contaminated fish.  I eat organic fresh foods, am avoiding wheat products, and am eating organic meats once a day...mostly chicken, turkey, fish and a beefsteak once a week.  I feel good, energy is fine.  It's been 2 weeks of diagnostics and I'm trying to get "boosted" for surgery and recovery.  Prayer, meditation, laughter (when else can you have your mom and your husband sitting in a corner watching two other men play with your boobies with their eyes shut and your husband says "how do they feel?" and your mom says "this is a good thing").  The love of my family and my family of coworkers has been overwhelming.  We are all learning lessons through this.  Modern medicine is fantastic, but it doesn't hurt to research sound alternatives that have been effective for hundreds of years as well...maybe not so much for cure, but for palliative support.  I'm learning that I need to take care of myself better...keep work at work, play more, do nothing more, indulge in things like beauty shops, pedicures, manicures, massage, bike riding, etc.  I need to say "no" more often and quit taking on the weight of all the burdens of everyone else.  I need to be just a little help...not the whole enchilada.  It's OK to get sloppy...no one ever died from an unmade bed or a heap of unfolded laundry in the basket.  Appreciate the beauty of a weed or two in the garden...and understand that my weeds in Florida are the flowers you plant annually up north!  It's all relative.  I'm a well educated registered nurse practicing in the hospice discipline....thought I had it figured out...and now realize I'm just in my infancy of learning to really live.  Please take care of yourself well, and don't panic about mammograms.  If you need biopsy of suspicious lesions, your radiologist will suggest it.  Do monthly breast self exams too.  My best wishes to you...stay calm...you don't want a biopsy unless it's absolutely indicated.

[SunflowerInAz]

Well i picked up my results from my mammo, and it said they found 2 oval shaped masses in left breast, one measuring 13 mm and the other 10mm. How big is that? Does anyone know? It says more tests are needed. They recommended a MRI and Ultrasound.So now im really scared and yes im freaking out. And im also allergic to the dye in MRI's. But of alot of stories i have heard...first they tell you fibrocystic or its benign only to show up a year or 2 later saying cancer! I'd rather forget all the tests and biopsy and just let them chop my breast off. Im terrified, i dont want to die...im so scared i have 2 special need kids that are mentally disabled. But id rather hurry up do their stupid tests, biopsy whatever they have to do, so in case it IS cancer, just remove it before it spreads somewhere else.    

[Frustr8ed]

Sunflower, I too have fibrocystic disease.  Twenty years ago I had a chocolate cyst aspirated then removed.  Every year I get a new cyst - well not every year but it seems that way!  I've had several aspirated,  3 needle biopsy, and 2 lanced because of infection.  I just received my ultrasound report and my largest cyst is 13mm (I have 8) - I believe that that is just about half an inch - sounds bigger doesn't it?   Did they say if the cyst was simple or complex?  Do you have an appt for an ultrasound yet?  The ultrasound should provide more info for you.  I'm waiting to hear if I'll have an MRI or not.  My films are being sent to a 'breast expert" and he will decide if further testing is required.  I'm doing a lot of reading and posting here, but I'm trying not to think the worst. After 20 years of having the mammographer run to the radiologist and having more films then off to ultrasound, I guess I'm used to the whole ordeal.  I would be a basket case if I worried about every fibrocystic change but I do have all those changes checked out.  I'm in no way implying that you shouldn't worry, we all do when we find something out of the ordinary.  I'm just urging you to try to calm down a bit and wait until you get results.  Once you are armed with more info, you will be able to do better research.  In the meantime, take Flasparr's advice.
Here's hoping we both have Nothing to worry about.

[SunflowerInAz]

It doesnt say fibrocystic disease like they first thought at doctors self breast exam she did on me. it doesnt say if it is complex or simple cyst. It just says 2 oval shaped masses...doesnt say cyst or tumor. It does say none on the right breast. just those 2 on my left. And it does say NO suspicious calcifications, whatever that means. It says patients needs to return for spot compression views, and ultrasound. My doctor is moving fast, which im glad of :) they sent the order to lab, and lab is waiting for authorization from insurance,  then the lab is going to set me up appt for ultrasound and another test i believe.  Im so worried. Ive heard fibrocystic disease is nothing to worry about. But now they dont believe that is what i have. I just want to get all the tests done, so i know. The "not knowing" is killing me. Once i know what im dealing with, then i can do the proper things that need to be done you know? But yea its easier to say not to worry than to follow it. But i WILL TRY. And it doesnt help that I already have an anxiety disorder haha. But thanks for the support and advice. And good luck to you too. My prayers are with you also :)

[often]

I know it is impossible not to worry, but take a deep breath and calm down.  10 mm is about a half an inch....pretty small, all things considered.  Your doc is not taking this lightly and is getting the proper tests for you.  If this works out to be cancer vs fd, it is early and it should be easily treated.  If you are allergic to the dye in the MRI, there are other tests they can run.  Just let them know about the allergy.  Keep us posted.

[SunflowerInAz]

Well, i thought they were ordering a ultrasound but they sent a order (the dr)  for a bilateral breast MRI....is that better than ultrasound? im pretty sure it is. Now all we got to do is wait for the authorization from my insurance company! But yes i have calmed down some...i am still nervous..i just want to know one way or the other so i can take care of it early u know?  But thanks again everyone for your responses and support. It really does help :)

[mmob]

I am in the same boat as you - fibrocystic breasts.  I had a mammo, then an ultrasound,they found 2 cysts, one simple the other complex.  The first radiologist said see you in 6 months - and while I didn't like the idea of waiting - i took some comfort in that thinking it must not be something horrible.  Then on Monday I got a call from the second  radiologist stating they wanted another look and to have me get an MRI.  I am of the opinion that I just want it biopsied and taken the heck out.  I'm with you on wanting the twins just GONE.  But that's unlikely unless I get to 'that' point.  At any rate - I have been a mess, stressing and worrying.  I decided last night that it is what it is and I need to wrap my mind around either outcome.  So I am not going to have the MRI immediately - but I AM going to make an appt with a breast surgeon/specialist and get more information - I would like to proceed straight to biopsy or removal - if I have to have that MRI first so be it - but I want more information and to know what my options are first. and I am just not getting that from the Mammography center or my primary care dr.  

I'll be thinking of you - wish me luck too.

[SunflowerInAz]

Thanks for responding to my email :) I know the MRI is more easier to diagnose whether it is a tumor or cyst....but yea i can relate...just take it out. We are trusting our lives with these doctors, and its scary. And that is the hardest part...not knowing and waiting. I know, im in the same boat as you.
I just wanna know, so i know what to do. Try to be calm and do things to take your mind off it. Ive been trying to play online games lol and read. Dont look up definitions or look up breast cancer, until you know what you are dealing with. It just freaks you out more i think. Thats my opinion.I was looking up everything on breast cancer and then calling hubby and crying. Im just waiting for authorization from insurance for my MRI. But dont get me wrong, I do remind them to hurry up so i can get the tests done and get my answers haha. If your not satisfied with MRI, or feel somethings wrong get a second opinion or push for the biopsy. My thoughts and prayers are with you as well...and again thanks for responding to me too :)