searing breast pain

[jeanmelnick]

3 weeks ago I crossed my right arm over my right breast I felt like a needle stuck into the inside of my right breast. I checked my bra, but it was soft.  I felt the area with my fingers and the spot was very tender.  There was also a 2nd tender spot above the 1st pain spot.  Also, when the water from the shower hits the right breast, it stings at first.  Then the warm water stops stinging the breast and feels OK on the skin.  I have no change in lumps.  I am 66 years old.  I have an appointment with GP today.  Any ideas on the shower stinging the breast?  Could this be muscular pain.  Also seems better if I wear a bra for support.  Will keep you posted.  Jean

[jeanmelnick]

Thank you.

[jeanmelnick]

Thank you.

[bluebutterfly2222]

Generally, breast cancer does not present with pain.

Pain is more often associated with other breast issues, such as cysts, fibroadenomas, infections, etc.

bb

[jeanmelnick]

Thanks for your shingles site selection.  My question was a concern whether shingles type pain without rash on the breast could be a symptom of breast cancer?  My GP did a blood test on Friday to determine if herpes/chicken pox virus is  in my blood. I will get the results next week.  Then I will know whether I need to see a breast specialist.  Thanks for your quick response.  

[bluebutterfly2222]

I'm not sure about that, as in this forum we deal primarily with breast cancer.

I'd suggest you post your question in the Family/Internal Medicine Expert Forum, or just do an Internet seach for Shingles. I'm sure there''ll be several sites that list full information about Shingles, including all the symptoms and treatment options.

Good luck,
bb

[jeanmelnick]

Thanks for your quick response.  To your knowledge has anyone else had shingles pain in the breast without a rash?

[bluebutterfly2222]

Hi Jean,

Sorry no one got an answer to you earlier. (One of our most prolific answerers is away on vacation.)

Thanks  for getting back to us with what you learned through your visit to your GP.  Her "no breast cancer" opinion is certainly good news!  (Shingles can be extremely painful, but nervertheless is highly preferrable to BC!)

You are right, the rate of BC increases with age. Have you been having regular screening mammograms? And have you been given a rating for your breast density?  This often decreases with age, but the breast tissue can remain dense, or even become more dense, if a woman takes hormone replacement therapy. Since mammograms have some difficulty "seeing through" dense breasts, ultrasound is often recommended to improve the early detection of early breast cancers too small to be felt.

I hope your shingles responds well to the antiviral medication, and doesn't give you a lot of problems.

Keep us posted on how you're doing, okay?

Besr wishes,
bluebutterfly

[jeanmelnick]

I just returned from the GP doctor.  When I told her about the sensitivity to the breast skin if shower water touches the skin on the right breast, she immediately said that I have "shingles.". I was very surprised as I have no rash.  She gave me a thorough breast exam and said she did not feel any lumps and there are no more painful areas when she pressed down.  I live in FLORIDA and every pharmacy has signs out for SHINGLES SHOTS.  My doctor has prescribed antiviral medicine for 7 days.  I am not a candidate for shingles shots until I am one year from a shingles attack.  I will keep you posted.  Shingles pain without the rash so far.  No mamogram right now.  My dodoctor said definitely not breast cancer, but recommends a mamo when the pain has cleared up.  I am 66 years and breast cancer increases with age.  Jean