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IBC or mastitis?
Hello~
Two weeks ago, I noticed a red ring around my aerola which spread around my breast. I went to the doctor who sent me to the breast clinic. They said it was most likely mastitis, but could also be IBC. They put me on antibiotics. Within a few days, the redness went down. I went back to my physician a week later. She said it was 85% better (it was a LOT lighter and not as sore or warm). She said I didn't need to worry because IBC wouldn't fade that quickly on antibiotics.
I have a follow-up appointment in 2 months. I am off the antibiotics now (for 2 days), and I still notice a very, very light redness. Is that normal? I have slight pain, but much less than I had before. I am 32, not breastfeeding, and still worried. Am I overreacting? I don't want to make an additional appointment if I don't need to. It is barely visible at this point ~ in fact, my husband says he can't see anything different between my two breasts. I might just be overanalyzing because it was such a scare.
Thoughts?
Two weeks ago, I noticed a red ring around my aerola which spread around my breast. I went to the doctor who sent me to the breast clinic. They said it was most likely mastitis, but could also be IBC. They put me on antibiotics. Within a few days, the redness went down. I went back to my physician a week later. She said it was 85% better (it was a LOT lighter and not as sore or warm). She said I didn't need to worry because IBC wouldn't fade that quickly on antibiotics.
I have a follow-up appointment in 2 months. I am off the antibiotics now (for 2 days), and I still notice a very, very light redness. Is that normal? I have slight pain, but much less than I had before. I am 32, not breastfeeding, and still worried. Am I overreacting? I don't want to make an additional appointment if I don't need to. It is barely visible at this point ~ in fact, my husband says he can't see anything different between my two breasts. I might just be overanalyzing because it was such a scare.
Thoughts?
Thank you so much for taking the time to respond and for reconfirming positivity. I got my period last night...which accounts for the pain! Yay! The redness is continuing to dissipate.
After going through this scare, I have such a stronger understanding and such profound respect for people who have found out, treated, and survived any form of cancer. I applaud you!
After going through this scare, I have such a stronger understanding and such profound respect for people who have found out, treated, and survived any form of cancer. I applaud you!
Hi, I just want to briefly summarize in stronger form than zouzi did...You do not have IBC,
I understand that you were worried about it, and doing research on the internet often makes those fears worse.
But you don't have it, and what you had was an infection.
I also wanted to make a general comment to anyone who may be interested. There are common signs and symptoms with IBC but they do not always apply, and certainly not all of them to every person.
Like in my case, and I had IBC, the affected breast was actually much smaller than the healthy one.
All the best, Katrin
I understand that you were worried about it, and doing research on the internet often makes those fears worse.
But you don't have it, and what you had was an infection.
I also wanted to make a general comment to anyone who may be interested. There are common signs and symptoms with IBC but they do not always apply, and certainly not all of them to every person.
Like in my case, and I had IBC, the affected breast was actually much smaller than the healthy one.
All the best, Katrin
Hi again,
You welcome and I am happy I've helped a little.
Even though you have finished taking the antibiotics, the drug still works in your body for a few days and even longer depending on the antibiotic prescribed.
As the infection seems to have gone, the pain also will eventually subside.
To alleviate the pain,you could take some over the counter pain killers,like Advil or Tylenol... apply warm compresses and gently massage the breast.
Also wearing a good supportive bra (Not the tight type) could help.
I sincerely hope that all your troubles and worries are now behind you and that you'll be just fine.
Best wishes and God Bless...
You welcome and I am happy I've helped a little.
Even though you have finished taking the antibiotics, the drug still works in your body for a few days and even longer depending on the antibiotic prescribed.
As the infection seems to have gone, the pain also will eventually subside.
To alleviate the pain,you could take some over the counter pain killers,like Advil or Tylenol... apply warm compresses and gently massage the breast.
Also wearing a good supportive bra (Not the tight type) could help.
I sincerely hope that all your troubles and worries are now behind you and that you'll be just fine.
Best wishes and God Bless...
Thanks for the very detailed feedback. That helps a lot - just to see that someone else also believes I do not have IBC. I still have a bit of pain in my breast - nothing serious, but something. Any thoughts about that? I've been off the meds for about 48 hours.
Hi,
I think that what you had was an infection that it's getting much better with the antibiotics.
Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) would not respond to medication, as your doctor has suggested...also you would most probably have other symptoms,like increase in breast size over a relatively short period of time (sometimes a cup size in a few days),itching that is unrelenting and unrelieved by oral drugs or topical agents.
Red, or dark-colored areas sometimes with peau d'orange (texture similar to the skin of an orange)
A bruise that doesn't fade away.
Nipple flattening or retraction and discharge.
Breast is excessively warm to the touch,harder or firmer than usual
Pain that may be constant or stabbing.
Swollen lymph nodes in the axillary area (underarm) or above the collarbone.
If you don't have these additional symptoms and you see that your breast is getting better,than I presume that what you had was indeed an infection (mastitis).
However I would advise you to keep your appointment as scheduled and to keep an eye on it just in case the symptoms reappear.
Take care and best wishes...
I think that what you had was an infection that it's getting much better with the antibiotics.
Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) would not respond to medication, as your doctor has suggested...also you would most probably have other symptoms,like increase in breast size over a relatively short period of time (sometimes a cup size in a few days),itching that is unrelenting and unrelieved by oral drugs or topical agents.
Red, or dark-colored areas sometimes with peau d'orange (texture similar to the skin of an orange)
A bruise that doesn't fade away.
Nipple flattening or retraction and discharge.
Breast is excessively warm to the touch,harder or firmer than usual
Pain that may be constant or stabbing.
Swollen lymph nodes in the axillary area (underarm) or above the collarbone.
If you don't have these additional symptoms and you see that your breast is getting better,than I presume that what you had was indeed an infection (mastitis).
However I would advise you to keep your appointment as scheduled and to keep an eye on it just in case the symptoms reappear.
Take care and best wishes...
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