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I'm sure it's nothing...

Babs79
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...but what if it's not?

(Apologies if two of these posts appear, I typed everything out, hit "post" and have no idea where it went."

Basically (very) long story short, I have sore boobs.

They've ached for about 6 months, not a sharp pain, not in one place (or boob), not linked to my cycle, just a randomly placed, dull, ache, pretty much every day.

They're pretty hefty boobs, 32J, and so I wear pretty hefty bras.  I do get some kind of ache on my back (sort of where my bra straps run vertically...not the horizontal fasten-y bit).

 

So, I went to my lovely Dr about 3 months ago.  She examined me, found no problems, and told me to come back if it didn't stop.

 

It didnt stop, so I went back 3 weeks ago.  Different lovely Dr, same examination, same result (nothing to worry about).

 

I only have one side of my medical history (I know nothing about my Dad) so I've no idea if there's a family history, there's not on my Mum's side, but I think the lack of info on my Dad's is making me paranoid/a but nuts.

 

So, my question is, do I:

1) Stop stressing, forget about it, keep doing my usual checks, and go back to the Dr if I find anything.

 

2) Pay for a private check (I'm 40 in 3 weeks so would qualify for a mammogram if I pay)

 

3) I cant go back to the Dr, can I? They'll think I just want people to fiddle with me...

 

Sorry for all the waffling, I sound like a twerp, but if any advice would be great, because I've Googled myself into a bit of a state...

  • Offline

    Hello Babs79, 

    Welcome to our forum! First of all, stop googling if you can as it will only make you feel worse. Dr Google is well known to be unreliable and to be mostly good at making us panic. 

    I can appreciate that it must be worrying for you if you don’t feel that your problems are being diagnosed properly. If you are still worried about this, you can if you want request to see yet another doctor just to give you peace of mind. You can find out more about this here. Going private is obviously also an option if you feel that it would really reassure you to have a mammogram but it may be rather expensive so perhaps you could first try to talk to another GP and see whether they think you could be referred to the breast clinic where they will be able to examine you further.

    I hope you find the reassurance you need soon. I am sure you are in very good hands with your doctors and that they will be able to point you in the right direction. 

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Offline in reply to Moderator Lucie

    Thank you, I really appreciate you taking the time to reply.

     

  • Offline in reply to Babs79

     

    Hi Babs,

    I had hefty breasts before I had a double mastectomy 9 years ago. I too used to get pains in my boobs and pain along my bra straps, when I was younger. Like you, I wore sturdy and supportive bras, but the straps still dug in due to the weight of my breasts. I was assured that any pain I had in my breasts was due to hormonal changes. I am not a doctor, but I suspect that yours may be the same?

    We know our own bodies better than anyone else, so if you still feel unsure of what your GPs have told you, I agree with Lucie. If there is another doctor in your practice, it is worth getting a third opinion.

    I am like you, in that I know nothing of my mother's family, as her mother died giving birth to her and, she was later adopted. However, my mum had breast cancer later in life and, I developed it 11 years after she had it. When I attended the breast clinic my consultant advised me that breast cancer didn't usually result in pain.

    I found a lump in my breast when I was in the shower. This was removed by lumpectomy. Unfortunately, I found another lump in the same breast the following year, which resulted in a double mastectomy.

    I hope that seeing another doctor can convince you that all is ok and help to put your mind to rest, However, don't forget to keep  a regular check for additional changes. Here's hoping that you never find any.

    Consulting 'Dr Google' is never a good idea. Much of the information is out of date, poorly researched or aimed at the spectacular cases. This will only worry you further. Try your best to steer clear of him.

    Do please let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Offline in reply to Jolamine

    Thank you so much, I feel like a bit of a twit, but you've made me feel so much better.

     

    I dont want to be that patient that's constantly looking for something to be wrong, but by the same token I dont want to regret not taking action, y'know.

    I've started wearing a non-underwired bra to bed, and that's already made a difference, but nowhere near as much of a difference of having people to talk to.  So thank you xxx

  • Offline in reply to Babs79

    Hi Babs79, may I suggest trying a different kind of bra?  I gave up on underwired bras a long time ago. Never found one that was right for my shape. Perhaps it's worth considering a professional bra fitting. Hope you're more comfortable soon.

    regards, gamechanger

     

     

  • Offline in reply to Babs79

     

    Hi Babs,

    I gave up on underwired bras long ago too. They're just not designed for people of my shape. Gamekeeper's idea of a bra fitting is a good idea. I'm glad to hear that you find wearing one to bed helps. I tried this but found that it meant that I didn't release the pressure on my shoulers, so gave up eventually.

    I'm glad to hear that you're finding having people to talk to of some benefit,

    I hope that things improve soon.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

     

  • Offline in reply to Jolamine

    I think you might be right (I'm slightly concerned that they'll be on my knees without an underwire, but not as concerned as I was after my consultation with Dr. Google).

     

    Thank you x

  • Offline in reply to Babs79

     

    Hi Babs,

    You can get some good supportive bras without an underwire. The trouble is that not many of them look very sexy.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

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