painful and hard breast, scared, please help me.

Hello

Sorry this is a long post.I'm new to this site but have been reading other posts and that everyone seems to so supportive. I am a 28 year old female and over the past few months I have having some strange symptoms and growing more and more anxious about it. I suffer from health anxiety since losing my mum a year and a half ago to Breast Cancer. She had a very agressive form of breast cancer that spread to her lymph nodes immediately, then lungs and brain but she fought for 10 years, through so many courses of chemo, radiotheraphy and surgery. She was always positive but without her I feel lost and can't seem to be positive about life. No one else in my family has suffered from Cancer and my mum always said she was a healthy person with a few rogue cells.

I've been feeling an aching pain in my armpit that is stretching to the left breast. My breast feels tender and painful to touch and is harder than the other and feels a bit lumpy on the side. I first noticed this about a month ago, not sure but it might be linked to my period. But would this occour in only one breast?  I am so scared of going through everything again, I'm trying to keep my mind positive and am going to Cognative Behavioural therapy but I am having real symptoms and getting more and more anxious each day.

I've been to the doctor a few times recently before the pain in my breast as my periods have become very light and I had pain in my left side of my groin. They did an examination and the doctor said one of my ovaries felt swollen but she couldn't feel any cysts. She took some swabs for Endo and PID so I am currently waiting for the results of this. Could this be linked to the pain in my breast?

I've also had a cough and sore throat for ages and the glands in my throat feel lumpy. I am scared this could be linked to breast cancer or something wrong with my lymph nodes like Lymphoma.

My partner has been my rock through all that happened in the past few years but he's getting upset with me and telling me to stop wasting my life worrying. I know he's right but I find it hard to be positive and I'm so scared. I don't won't to tell him what I'm feeling now in case he get's angry with me so I feel a bit alone at the moment.

Sorry it's so long, but just wondering if anyone has had similar experiences or what I should do?

Thank you all for your time.

V

[japdip]

The symptoms you describe may not be anything terribly serious BUT they also should NOT be ignored. I would advise you to see either your family Physician OR a Breast Specialist for a clinical breast exam and some type of imagery; probably an Ultrasound. Breast pain can be caused by many things but is rarely associated with Breast Cancer. The lumpiness you feel may well be either cysts or Fibroadenomas and both are benign findings and can also be associated with the hormone levels in the body. I realize that you may be extra sensitive to any breast issues due to the passing of your Mother from the disease and this is even more reason to be proactive and have your issues checked out as soon as possible. I doubt that we're talking about breast cancer here but PLEASE see a Dr. and find out exactly what is causing your symptoms. Waiting and Worrying never solved anything .... Take care.

[veevee2010]

Hello Japdip

Thank you so much for your response. I've made an appointment at the Doctors so I will see what they say.

Thank you again.

V

[veevee2010]

Hi Japdip

Just thought I'd give you an update as I always like to read what the doctor said on other peoples posts.

I went to see a breast specialist yesterday and had an examination and breast ultrasound. The doctor said the lumps I can feel are due to me having dense breasts and the ultrasound showed they are normal tissue and nothing to worry about. He said if he thought there was any cause for concern he was have me come back for a check up or do a needle biopsy but he says he's very confident that it's nothing to worry about, just thick areas of dense tissue. He said keep self-checking and come back if anything new comes up. I am so relieved but he said I'd done the right thing by going to him and you shouldn't leave things like this, so thank you to you too for encouraging me to get it checked out.

He also checked all the lymph nodes  which were fine and  he said the pain in my armpit was coming from the breast pain travelling up the armpit.

I've also been to a gynecologist to about the pain in my groin, pelvis legs etc.. I had a transvaginal ultra sound and he said everything looked very healthy down there. So I am relieved and happy about that too. The Doc said that the lighter periods are proabably just normal and I could go on the pill to stop that. I would like to try for a baby soon so he said don't bother with the pill. He wanted me to come back for a check up just to make sure and again he said ovaries, uterus all looked healthy.

I am still having pain in my hip, leg and lower back which was on the left side and now has started on the right. It feels very deep and is constantly aching. It has now started to ache and pain on the right side too. So I am back to the Doctor on Monday to see if I can find out what is causing this pain for the past 3.5 months.

It isn't affected my movement and doesn't hurt at night. It feels like it's deep in the hip and leg and groin, constantly moving so I can't pin point it. I will keep going back to the doctor until finds out what is going on.

Thanks again for your help and encouraging me to the lumps checked.

[katarina777]

Dear veevee, I am really sorry you are suffering with this problem. To me there is nothing worse than having real pain, or something really wrong, and no diagnosis to place with it . I will take  any other illness, even cancer, and at least know what it is, and go from there. Plus, I know what it's like when doctors after a while stop taking you seriously, never mind that you have to pay for this out of pocket.

You have had all the blood work done? What about Vit. D level? (And I would not say this unless I really thought this test was important; I am not trying to go the 'alternative route' here.) And I know you have to pay or wait for long times as well.

Also, and you of course do not have to answer this, but what exactly was the breast cancer your mom had? You say it was a very aggressive type?

Do you get fevers at all?

I don't know what you have and that is not why I am asking specifics, but I have had chronic illnesses all my like, and I used to be a nurse, etc.

Going to bed now, but if you write back I will read your response...well, USA time and later in the day? Take care, KATRIN

Tell you the truth, I do think there is something wrong with you, i mean something that can be explained physiologically.

[veevee2010]

Hi Katarina

Thank you so much for your response. I really appreciate it.  You’re right, it’s so hard feeling this pain and then having to question your own sanity when the doctor insists it’s not happening. I know in my own body that there is pain and I don’t think chronic pain should be ignored.

To be honest the private doctors I’ve been to have been amazing, they have explained everything to me, made me feel like my fears are valid, not got short with me for asking questions and made me feel completely at ease. But I guess that’s what you pay for. I’m not knocking our health system in the UK as I know how lucky we are to have it. But I am exhausted, exasperated and feel miserable, I’m also kind of scared to go back to the GP as I’ve been so many times and had the brush off.

You’re also right about the worrying and unknown is so much worse, having no idea what is happening opens up so many scary possibilities and the worrying really effects your entire life.

I haven’t had a blood test, I will ask for one when I go to the Doctor on Monday. What kind of things do they look for in the test? I don’t know much about Vitamin D, is that another test they can do at the Doctors?

I haven’t had any fevers, I feel pretty well overall. The cough and sore throat have cleared and generally I feel alright.

The pain is a deep aching in my hips, lower back and legs and sometimes pelvis. It sometimes shoots down my legs in the front of my thighs and feels like it flares up. It moves from place to place, so one day my hip, the next it’s my back, next les. It doesn’t seem to be affected by movement. I am still able to walk around a lot, jog for the train, stretch. When I rest it does feel better though. So at night in bed I feel the most comfortable and when I wake it feels better, then starts all day.

I’ve seen a Neurologist that my Gyn got to see me. He did lots of movement tests on me, reflex, lifted my legs up and he said I was flexible and if it was lower back associated I would probably not  be able to do all the exercises without any pain. He said to have an MRI but he did say he’d be likely to rule out ‘sinister pathology’
I am stumped and feel like I’m at a dead end, all I know is it hurts all the time, a nagging dull ache. Do you have any ideas?

I hope you are feeling ok? What kind of Chronic illnesses have you suffered from?

As for my mom I don't know the exact kind of tumour unfortunately, she was 44 and went for a private health check, not because she felt unwell or found a lump, she just thought she should check all was good. They found a lump in her breast, she had a mastectomy almost immediately and they found that the cancer had already spread to her lymph nodes. I am not exactly sure of the terminology of the cancer. She then had Chemo and they said she’d never recover but they could try and keep the tumour under control. She continued with chemo, radiotherapy, herceptin and so many other treatments. Then about 5 years later the cancer had metastised into the lung. She had half her lung removed and continued with chemo, radiotherapy. It was always a case of treatment to shrink and then hope she has some quality time without treatment before it grew again. Then it metatised to her brain about another 5 years later, she still didn’t give up and went in for a radical new surgery called Gamma Knife Surgery that uses lasers to remove the tumour. Something went wrong in the surgery and she died. She survived 10 years despite the doctors saying she wouldn’t. I never heard her complain or moan about it despite everything. She was so positive and strong. I wish I could be more like her but without her here I don’t know how.

Gosh I am sorry how long this email is and I don’t blame you if you’ve zoned out a while ago.

Thanks again Katrin. xx

[katarina777]

Dear veevee, let me start somewhere in the middle, with your mom. This happens all the time that 'people', like family and friends and others sort of idealize a person who has breast cancer (bc) because they are so strong, and never complain, and are so positive when they themselves, who are well, are not nearly as noble.

I have serious cancer like your mom too, and I am also constantly told how strong I am and how they could never have my attitude, etc. All this is plain stupid, naive talk. I am sure it is much harder for the family than for the patient, I know in my case it is. Also, as the patient you are not so 'good' but you have no choice and just do what you are told. I have been much more positive than ever before, but that is not because I have tried to change my attitude or anything, it's just how I feel. Everyone is so nice and kind to me, I get a lot of attention, am respected and taken seriously...and, it has really not been so bad at all.  I had much, much worse pain and misery and depression non illness related. You see, cancer does not hurt your soul and that alone makes it a positive experience. so I want you to stop comparing yourself to your mom and keep on saying that she was strong and you are not, because this is a belief, or role you have fallen into. this, what you are going through, and without as mother, the mother you loved, is a lot harder than being diagnosed with support. You don't have to be positive, just be yourself like now and try to not be alone, because you are with the way you are feeling. I am not with serious cancer, and a very bad prognosis.

Oh, I have also a lot of autoimmune diseases, like diabetes which I have had for 35 years, and hypothyroidism, high blood pressure..I am bored now!!

Back to you. I cannot believe you have not had your blood tested; that is the very first they would do here, and of all the blood tests the Vit. D would probably be the last.

I know you have this pain in your hip and groin and breast but that does not mean the problem, or cause originates in/from that area. It could be thyroid related, or another deficiency, or really just about anything related to an illness elsewhere or a virus or infection which they can pretty much all get some idea from by looking at your blood.

i.e. I had a serious bone thing called osteonecrosis where my right femur was in the process of dying, the bone marrow terribly swollen and it was the most painful thing I ever had in my life. the doctor was talking total right Knee replacement.

My vit D level was also very low, and that is common in people who have, or maybe will have cancer. to make a long story short, it was the vitamin D, and getting that back to normal with supplements that helped most and cured my condition. it was the same thing as childhood rickets?

This is getting long as well but i am also concerned about your breast symptoms and that they are only on one side. (And do know that I have no diagnosis in mind but am saying these things for you to bring up with your doctor who may need some help with brain activation as well?)

For now, Katrin (not edited)