Left axillary pain and feeling of swelling following palpation of that breast

[healthcareguerilla]

For months, my left breast has evidenced something amiss.



Here's the background again:  First, there was the bat-shaped, suspcious mass which I noticed because there was pain. This was verified on ultrasound. The mass changed in one week's time to a more benign-looking one, and everyone was satisfied with a clear FNA biopsy.  



Then, I developed a superficial, indurated, erythematous lesion on that same breast, nowhere near the FNA site.  This began after I came across what felt exactly the way a cactus 'thorn' feels, and I rubbed it.  The lesion then developed in three days.



It was surgically removed and the biopsy, of course, was normal.



Yesterday, I saw the GP because I have had a reaction to the suture materials -- and, following the removal of the spitted-out knot, on June 5, and the incision became inflammed and remains so.  I am experiencing intermittent, shooting pain in the area.



Here is my question:  The left breast was palpated yesterday. During the exam, I experienced the most stunning pain, but it was not reproduceable, when the painful area was re-palpated. This morning I awoke with substantial tenderness in the left axillary region, and the sense of fullness.  This has to be caused by SOMETHING.  Blocked ducts?  An underlying systemic illness?  What?  It is not just, as the physician stated, that, "Some women have very sensitive breasts."  Something is not right.



Our bodies do not indicate pain unless something is out of balance.  Where would you start to figure out what's going on?  Thank you.

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear healthcareguerilla:  We would advise that you seek the opinion of a medical breast specialist.  These specialists are most often associated with large academic teaching hospitals.

[healthcareguerilla]

I welcome the wildest hypotheses.



When my original saga began, I was seen at one of the 'best' such institutions.  That, in itself, was quite the wild ride. But I thank Cleveland Clinic staff.  It will be a long trip to an institution like this from where I currently live, but should give it a try and probably will.



Meanwhile, I assure any and all who decide to 'throw in', that I will not take any responses as finite truths, or proven diagnoses -- how often does that happen anyway? -- what I'm experiencing is being experienced by other women as well, and one has to start somewhere.

[who_is_this]

I wonder if you had a small cyst in the breast that ruptured when first palpated?  After it is "drained" (ruptured) it wouldn't be as tender.  You might also have some local inflammation of your lymph nodes too.  You can also have intramammary nodes, so maybe it could have been those acting up, too.



How's that for wild hypotheses?

[healthcareguerilla]

Of course.  Both suggestions make perfect sense.  Can't thank you enough for posting.  As you know, the brain often shuts down when you're in pain, and faceing unknowns, and your physician refuses to postulate anything remotely possible, even if it might serve to heal.



Of course. I have cysts that come and go all the time, and I have taught myself to ignore most of them, and wait for their demise, and if not, get an ultrasound, or I'd go mad.



And because of all the recent stress, my immune system is doo-doo. Thank you.