Sharp Breast Pain

Hi everyone. For the last week or so, I’ve started to experience a sharp pain in my left breast. It feels like it’s central, in the tissues behind the nipple. It comes on intermittently and suddenly and it a kind of pain that makes you grit your teeth. It’s fine when I move, bend over, turn over in bed without a bra but it’s been triggered by lifting up my daughter, turning to lie on my back and when pressure is applied. I’m 41 and still on the combined pill. I have a history of BC within my family and because of this, had a mammogram in October which was normal. I haven’t noticed any skin or nipple changes.  Has anyone else experienced a pain similar to this and if so, what did it turn out to be? Thank you for taking the time to read.

Parents
  • I’m having the same symptoms, I ended up going to A&E last night as I felt the pain was radiating to the centre of my chest and I was feeling very tight and anxious about it. 
    blood tests and ECG came back clear, but the pain in my right breast is still there and can only be described as the same as yours. (sorta feels the same under the armpit too) 

    I have been to my GP in August about a similar thing and was told it was most likely menstrual pain, but I can’t help but feel it’s forreb worse this time around. 
    Going to call my GP at the end of the week if it’s still not Gomes 

    wishing the best for you x

  • Sorry to hear you are going through this too. When I saw the GP this afternoon, he completed an examination, starting with my right breast to compare it to the one I’m having pain in. He noted an area of tenderness on the outer left side of the nipple but said he couldn’t feel a distinct lump. He said that he wanted to have it checked as I have a strong family history but he tried to reassure me bu telling my that pain is not a common symptom. He said in his 11 years at the surgery, only one person displayed pain. I know some people do, but I’m trying to focus on the positives. Let us know how you get on and wishing you the best of luck xx 

  • Thanks, I’m going to call GP at the end of the week if it’s still here. My period arrived on Saturday, so hoping it leaves with my period, but we’ll see. 

    Keep in touch too and let us know how you get on x

  • just checking in with you; I went to the Drs yesterday and the GP confirmed they could feel a fairly large lump when they did their exam. She said it felt full which she thought meant it was maybe a cyst, but obviously couldn’t confirm that without getting checked. A referral has been put through for me, so hoping everything comes back okay. 
    just so anxious and in quite a bit of pain, taking cocodomal at the moment which is easing it a bit, but yeah, just can’t wait for some answers x

  • Thanks for checking in. Glad you got to see the GP but sorry you’re going through this. Hopefully it’s a cyst like she says. Do you have your appointment date for the breast clinic? I’m going on Wednesday morning. I’ve just been trying to keep busy. The pain hasn’t been as intense over the last few days but I finished my pill pack on Thursday so I’m wondering if it’s linked to that. I’ll let you know how I get on on Wednesday. Hopefully the wait for you isn’t too long too x  

  • How did you get on Poppy? I got my appointment through for next Saturday! Just can’t wait to get it over and done with now and see what’s going on x

  • Hi, I went yesterday. Saw the consultant who said she could feel a pea sized ‘something’ behind the nipple so sent me for an ultrasound. The radiographer said it all just looked like normal tissue and couldn’t see anything to worry about. He said sometimes there is no reason and it could just be hormonal. It did ease off at the end of my pill pack and start of period so it could be linked to perimenopause. Feel a lot better now that it’s been checked. I’m back at the hospital next Wednesday as I’m having the genetic test for the BRCA gene. 

    Glad you’ve got an appointment through. The waiting isn’t easy but just try and keep busy. Please let us know how you get on x 

  • That’s good news love, and glad you got your ultrasound etc and good they are checking you for BCRA as well next week, sounds as if they are being really thorough and checking everything. 

    Thanks love, as you’ll know, it’s hard to keep it off my mind and struggling to just get through work everyday with it hanging over me, but glad I’ve got my appt. 

    thanks love I will and you too xxxo

Reply
  • That’s good news love, and glad you got your ultrasound etc and good they are checking you for BCRA as well next week, sounds as if they are being really thorough and checking everything. 

    Thanks love, as you’ll know, it’s hard to keep it off my mind and struggling to just get through work everyday with it hanging over me, but glad I’ve got my appt. 

    thanks love I will and you too xxxo

Children
  • Hi, how did you get on? I’ve been thing of you today x 

  • Hi there, 

    I think okay, I was taken in for an ultrasound and biopsy, Dr confirmed she could feel a large lump, but told me she was fairly certain that it was a benign lump but have to come back on the 18th for my biopsy results. She told me I shouldn’t be worrying about it it though, so fingers crossed everything goes okay on Monday x

  • That’s positive that they’ve said that. I know you’ll not be able to help but worry but she’s said lots of reassuring things so fingers crossed you can soon put it behind you. 

    I had my gene testing done last week to see if I have the BRCA gene. Should have the results of that in around 6 - 8 weeks.

    Let me know how it goes on Monday xx 

  • Hi P, 

    Got my results back today, all clear thankfully. Still feeling pain in the area, so I’ve to go back in 3 months time for another ultrasound and just to make sure that it hasn’t grown, for now just to take painkillers and wear support bras etc and hope that it eases off x

  • That’s great news! Hopefully it will settle down so you’re not uncomfortable with it any more. So pleased it’s all been okay xx 

  • Hi there, I am experiencing something similiar and unsure about it so wanted to share. A few weeks ago while picking up my toddler I felt pain in my left breast and continued to feel this while pressing my breast. Its been on and off since but recently felt tenderness in my right breast too. I went to the gp about it and she examined me and felt my breasts were very "congested" but felt it was due to my menstrual period. She asked to see how my breasts were 2 weeks before my period for at least 3 cycles before coming back. This feels like im waiting and maybe not getting checked out soon enough , should I go back and insist on being referred to the breast clinic, thanks

  • Hi there,  I would just push for a breast clinic referral just to make sure. 
    I went to the clinic and got an ultrasound and a biopsy, everything turned out okay, and was a non-malignant lump. I can still feel it, and it causes me quite a bit of grief during my period, but they basically sent me on my way and said if it gets noticeably larger to contact them again, but i would say it’s worth getting checked out for peace of mind x