Anyone have these symptoms and diagnosis???

Amber_Lyn
Amber_Lyn Member Posts: 11

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone has experienced this...  I noticed my left breast was "swollen", sore and just not feeling right.  Then about a week later my armpit swelled.  I went to my gyn who said he felt the swelling and sent me for a mammo and ultrasound.  The reports state that there is no swelling in my lymph nodes, no abnormalities within the breast.  The only thing they said is that the breast shows scattered Fibroglandular density.  I have an appointment with a breast specialist but when I called to see if I could get on the cancellation list I was told that I was scheduled appropriately and that I shouldn't be concerned because cancer usually doesn't cause pain and my reports were clear.  I am concerned that they are going to "sweep me under the carpet"!  I don't think my symptoms are normal and obviously my gyn didn't either.  Has anyone had these symptons with "negative" test results?  My breast and armpit are very tender, still very "swollen" and not right!  Anyone who may have info I would greatly appreciate it.  I would like to see the breast specialist armed with my concerns/info so that I don't get "swept" aside. 

Thank you in advance for your comments!

Amber

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Comments

  • Megan M
    Megan M Member Posts: 3,000
    Hi Amber!  I think you are

    Hi Amber!  I think you are doing the right thing by having an appointment to see a breast specialtist.  I don't think your symptoms are normal either, but, I don't know what it might mean.  It could be an infection or something.  Did they do an ultrasound or mention a MRI?  You might bring that up to your breast specialtist.  It is good news that your mammo was clear.

    I have high breast density in my breasts too, which is the same as fibroglandular density, so that is why I not only have a mammo, but, an ultrasound and even a MRI still. 

    You keep your appointment.  When is it?  If your breast gets worse, call them and tell them so they can get you in sooner.  Or, even call your PCP and see what they think.

    Wishing you good luck and keep us updated,

    Megan

  • Patti1967
    Patti1967 Member Posts: 186
    I would insist on an MRI or

    I would insist on an MRI or ultrasound.  I had bilateral breast cancer and the cancer in my left breast hurt and kept waking me up at night, which is what prompted me to go to the doc.  It may be nothing, but do what you have to do to make sure:)

    Good luck and hope you find out nothing is wrong.

    Patti

  • Angie2U
    Angie2U Member Posts: 2,991
    Patti1967 said:

    I would insist on an MRI or

    I would insist on an MRI or ultrasound.  I had bilateral breast cancer and the cancer in my left breast hurt and kept waking me up at night, which is what prompted me to go to the doc.  It may be nothing, but do what you have to do to make sure:)

    Good luck and hope you find out nothing is wrong.

    Patti

    I don't want to scare you,

    I don't want to scare you, but, some pink sisters here did have pain in their breast and that's why they went for a mammo etc.  I think it would be the best to get a MRI also.  It is expensive and your insurance will have to approve it, but, it should, so you will know whether it is just dense tissue for sure or something else.

    Good luck,

    Angie

  • DebbyM
    DebbyM Member Posts: 3,289 Member
    Angie2U said:

    I don't want to scare you,

    I don't want to scare you, but, some pink sisters here did have pain in their breast and that's why they went for a mammo etc.  I think it would be the best to get a MRI also.  It is expensive and your insurance will have to approve it, but, it should, so you will know whether it is just dense tissue for sure or something else.

    Good luck,

    Angie

    An ultrasound and MRI would

    An ultrasound and MRI would be good things for you to try and get Amber.  Something is wrong and it needs to be found out and taken care of. 

    Keep updating us,

    Debby

  • Gabe N Abby Mom
    Gabe N Abby Mom Member Posts: 2,413
    First, please realize that

    First, please realize that you have come to place of people who have breast cancer.  Because of our experience with it, we go to 'breast cancer' first and other possibilities second.  We don't want to scare you because those other possibilites still exist...there is a good chance it is a virus or an infection causing the swelling.

    I did have swelling in the armpit, no pain though.  I saw my PCP, had a mammo, and ultrasound all in the same day.  Never even went to the GYN.  The biopsy was the next day.

      My thought is that your docs don't have the same urgency mine did, so that's encouraging.  If you really want to see the breast specialist sooner, just call every day and ask if they've had any cancellations.  It might not work, but it might work too.  Definitately call if you have any changes in your breast...redness, swelling, skin changes, a bruised look, change in the shape of your nipple, etc.  If you do have changes in your breast insist on getting in right away.

    I hope it all turns out to be nothing...I look forward to your post telling us that!

    Hugs,

    Linda

     

     

  • Pink Rose
    Pink Rose Member Posts: 493

    First, please realize that

    First, please realize that you have come to place of people who have breast cancer.  Because of our experience with it, we go to 'breast cancer' first and other possibilities second.  We don't want to scare you because those other possibilites still exist...there is a good chance it is a virus or an infection causing the swelling.

    I did have swelling in the armpit, no pain though.  I saw my PCP, had a mammo, and ultrasound all in the same day.  Never even went to the GYN.  The biopsy was the next day.

      My thought is that your docs don't have the same urgency mine did, so that's encouraging.  If you really want to see the breast specialist sooner, just call every day and ask if they've had any cancellations.  It might not work, but it might work too.  Definitately call if you have any changes in your breast...redness, swelling, skin changes, a bruised look, change in the shape of your nipple, etc.  If you do have changes in your breast insist on getting in right away.

    I hope it all turns out to be nothing...I look forward to your post telling us that!

    Hugs,

    Linda

     

     

    We just want to be sure that

    We just want to be sure that you don't have bc.  It might be an infected milk duct or node.  It could be something very simple that can be treated easily.  But, you do need to get this checked more thouroughly I think. 

    Please do and keep us updated.  And, I don't, nor do the others, mean to scare you.  We just want you satisfied with the answers and to feel secure.

    Hugs, Rose

  • Ritzy
    Ritzy Member Posts: 4,381 Member
    Pink Rose said:

    We just want to be sure that

    We just want to be sure that you don't have bc.  It might be an infected milk duct or node.  It could be something very simple that can be treated easily.  But, you do need to get this checked more thouroughly I think. 

    Please do and keep us updated.  And, I don't, nor do the others, mean to scare you.  We just want you satisfied with the answers and to feel secure.

    Hugs, Rose

    My bc showed up on the mammo,

    My bc showed up on the mammo, and, I then had a core needle biopsy and a MRI and it showed for sure that it was bc.  Your symptons show something is wrong, but, it might not be bc.  Just get the necessary tests and as soon as you can.

    You know we all are praying for you! 

    Sue :)

  • Ritzy
    Ritzy Member Posts: 4,381 Member
    Pink Rose said:

    We just want to be sure that

    We just want to be sure that you don't have bc.  It might be an infected milk duct or node.  It could be something very simple that can be treated easily.  But, you do need to get this checked more thouroughly I think. 

    Please do and keep us updated.  And, I don't, nor do the others, mean to scare you.  We just want you satisfied with the answers and to feel secure.

    Hugs, Rose

    Sorry

    it posted twice. 

  • Noel
    Noel Member Posts: 3,095 Member
    Ritzy said:

    Sorry

    it posted twice. 

    I didn't have the symptons

    I didn't have the symptons you describe Amber, but, I say the same as everyone else in please try to get an ultrasound, but mainly, a MRI if possible. 

    We are all praying that this will not be bc, and, it probably isn't, but, you need to be diligent in seeking out a doctor that will pursue this.

    Best of luck to you and I'll be watching for an update.

     

  • airdrie
    airdrie Member Posts: 3
    Amber_Lyn,  maybe find

    Amber_Lyn,  maybe find another specialist that thinks this is a serious matter.  I had my mammo done (the new 3D) in April 2012 with a marble sized lump in armpit.  Also during the prior year and after mammo I had been having sharp pain in breast.  It came back negative.   The last week of July I noticed a lump protruding from my breast and immediately made an appointment with breast specialist.  I was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer. So I for one don't trust mammos.  Don't forget the doctors work for you so if the mammo and ultra sound came back negative you demand and MRI or CT.  I hope it's not bad news 

  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    airdrie said:

    Amber_Lyn,  maybe find

    Amber_Lyn,  maybe find another specialist that thinks this is a serious matter.  I had my mammo done (the new 3D) in April 2012 with a marble sized lump in armpit.  Also during the prior year and after mammo I had been having sharp pain in breast.  It came back negative.   The last week of July I noticed a lump protruding from my breast and immediately made an appointment with breast specialist.  I was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer. So I for one don't trust mammos.  Don't forget the doctors work for you so if the mammo and ultra sound came back negative you demand and MRI or CT.  I hope it's not bad news 

    EXCELLENT ADVISE -- Airdrie

    Please let us know what is found .. when time permits.

    Strength, Courage and HOPE for a Cure.

    Vicki Sam

  • SIROD
    SIROD Member Posts: 2,194 Member
    Pain, Some Breast Cancer Does Indeed Have Pain

     "cancer usually doesn't cause pain and my reports were clear".

    The receptionist who you spoke to obviously doesn't know much about cancer.  I had pain and my mother had said that very statement before I went to the surgeon who told me that the pathology report stated my lump was malignant.  

    Please as your primary care physicial to order one of those breast MRI's or seek another place whose receptionist doesn't make stupid comments.

    Keep us updated.

    Best wishes to you,

    Doris

  • Amber_Lyn
    Amber_Lyn Member Posts: 11
    airdrie said:

    Amber_Lyn,  maybe find

    Amber_Lyn,  maybe find another specialist that thinks this is a serious matter.  I had my mammo done (the new 3D) in April 2012 with a marble sized lump in armpit.  Also during the prior year and after mammo I had been having sharp pain in breast.  It came back negative.   The last week of July I noticed a lump protruding from my breast and immediately made an appointment with breast specialist.  I was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer. So I for one don't trust mammos.  Don't forget the doctors work for you so if the mammo and ultra sound came back negative you demand and MRI or CT.  I hope it's not bad news 

    Thank you Airdrie!

    Thank you!  That is what I'm going to do!

  • Amber_Lyn
    Amber_Lyn Member Posts: 11
    SIROD said:

    Pain, Some Breast Cancer Does Indeed Have Pain

     "cancer usually doesn't cause pain and my reports were clear".

    The receptionist who you spoke to obviously doesn't know much about cancer.  I had pain and my mother had said that very statement before I went to the surgeon who told me that the pathology report stated my lump was malignant.  

    Please as your primary care physicial to order one of those breast MRI's or seek another place whose receptionist doesn't make stupid comments.

    Keep us updated.

    Best wishes to you,

    Doris

    Thank you Sirod!

    I was really annoyed that the receptionist said that!  It really made me feel like I was over reacting.  But I now realize I need to be armed with knowledge!  My grandmother passed from breast cancer and I had a hysterectomy when I was 29 and have been on hormone replacement since, so I know my risk is a little higher than most....

  • JJDS
    JJDS Member Posts: 258
    Amber_Lyn said:

    Thank you Sirod!

    I was really annoyed that the receptionist said that!  It really made me feel like I was over reacting.  But I now realize I need to be armed with knowledge!  My grandmother passed from breast cancer and I had a hysterectomy when I was 29 and have been on hormone replacement since, so I know my risk is a little higher than most....

    If you can't get in very

    If you can't get in very soon, please see if you can get into see someone else.  This should not be delayed.  Breast cancer can sometimes have pain, not that this is, but, if someone tells you that, they are wrong.

    Good luck

  • cinnamonsmile
    cinnamonsmile Member Posts: 1,187 Member
    Hi, I am sorry you are going

    Hi, I am sorry you are going through this. If no one has explained what Fibroglandular density is, in a nutshell, it means  you have dense breasts scattered in spots in the breast. It is harder to see some breast cancers in dense breasts. And some think that having dense breasts is linked to a higher relation to breast cancer. It is better for someone with dense breasts to have an MRI and/or ultrasound to pick things up as issues can hide in dense breasts.

    That being said, I know it is hard, but don't automatically jump to cancer. No sense worrying about that until you hear the words that you have cancer. I know its hard.

    So you have an appointment scheduled with a breast specialist? Is it a breast surgeon? Oncologist? And when is it scheduled for? If you choose to still see this breast specialist, I would certainly let the department manager and the breast specialist  know about the receptionist's  callous remarks. If she isn't a doctor, she has no right giving out medical advice like that. Some breast cancers certainly do cause pain, and you probably (in my opinion from what you have written), have a higher risk for developing bc by taking HRT, dense breasts, and the fact that your grandmother had breast cancer.I am not a doctor, so that is just stuff I have learned since I have had cancer.

    Unfortuneately, there are people in the medical profession who shouldn't be there whether it be drs, nurses, receptionists, etc.

    I found it the hardest to wait when I was waiting for appointments like you are now, waiting for test results, and then waiting for a treatment plan. Living in limbo is very difficult.Try to think about the plan you have set now. For now, they don't see anything that alarms them which is good. If they were rushig you in, it would be worse. You have an appointment schedule. Not all things that happen in the breast are cancer, although I can see why you are worried. Once you see the breast specialist  you will have a plan and you can always get a second opinion elsewhere.

    I had a spot come up on  presurgical MRI that turned out not to be cancer. It was a benign growth. When I had my mammogram (it had already been established I had a lump), I had to wait because one of the radiologists were on vacation so they were back logged. Since they knew I had a lump, I was scheduled for a mammogram and ultrasound after. They saw something suspicious in the mammogram. When I had the ultrasound, I knew it was bad because the ultrasound tech left the room right away and brought back the radiologist who said it didn't look good and she wanted to do a biopsy right away, which she did.

    So take it as something good that they aren't seeing anything as of yet.

    I hope we help you through this.

  • lintx
    lintx Member Posts: 697
    Go now!

     

    I had dense tissue, and a mammo didn't show a thing.  The young radiologist said he called me back on a whim and had come to realize that aggressives sometimes hide behind a white cloudlike image on a mammo.  By the end of that visit with other scans done, I had a biopsy.  It all led to an aggressive bc and bilateral.  I did have pain in my right breast, and my GYN blew it off at my exam four mos earlier.  You know your own body, so follow your gut....please!!  Linda

  • RozHopkins
    RozHopkins Member Posts: 578 Member
    Please do what Patti and

    Please do what Patti and Angie suggested.  It really could be something or nothing but our gut feelings are usually right.  Be aware I had pain, itching, swelling. And mine does not show up on mamos.  I had one every year.  Now double mastectomy.......  You are not me.  Insist on MRI it is more thorough.  Good luck.  Lets hope this is just a nasty infection

  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598
    lintx said:

    Go now!

     

    I had dense tissue, and a mammo didn't show a thing.  The young radiologist said he called me back on a whim and had come to realize that aggressives sometimes hide behind a white cloudlike image on a mammo.  By the end of that visit with other scans done, I had a biopsy.  It all led to an aggressive bc and bilateral.  I did have pain in my right breast, and my GYN blew it off at my exam four mos earlier.  You know your own body, so follow your gut....please!!  Linda

    I urge you to please get a

    I urge you to please get a MRI.  You can't slip through the cracks here.  This is your life and we all want what is best for you.

    Hugs, Lex

  • Amber_Lyn
    Amber_Lyn Member Posts: 11

    Please do what Patti and

    Please do what Patti and Angie suggested.  It really could be something or nothing but our gut feelings are usually right.  Be aware I had pain, itching, swelling. And mine does not show up on mamos.  I had one every year.  Now double mastectomy.......  You are not me.  Insist on MRI it is more thorough.  Good luck.  Lets hope this is just a nasty infection

    Appt May 8th

    It's finally almost here!  my swelling has gotten worse and my arm seems weak Now.  Lots of pain and new pain in my chest towards the middle just to the right of my breast :(. I am hoping the breast surgeon will have answers and will schedule a MRI!  Thank you all for the support and encouragement to fight to get answers!