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Do i have Periductal Mastitis or IBC

mrskayson
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Hi All,

Last month Aug 5th i noticed my left breast suddenly swell up and at the time it was visibly red and hot to touch.. I grew a bra size as well in the next few days. My left breast was feeling heavy but no lumps anywhere but found lumps in my armpits but i put it to glands being inflammed. Days passed by and being mum of 4 i really did not find time to see my gp and besides i did not want to waste time of the doctors.. It increasingly became difficult as my breast was very tender and i struggled to keep bra on or even hug my kids was like painful. So i went to my gp in the end the registar checked me and said il make an urgent breast clinic appointment and i saw them yesterday.. 

I was examined by 2 doctors and both kept saying left breast axilla tender , lumps in arm pit. The doctor asked if i smoke for which my answer was No, so he went on to explain i could possibly have a Periductal Mastitis but my question was i am not breast feeding my babies the last i did was in June 2017. He did not explain to me anything and said it should clear up in 6 weeks or so and then if it does not to come back for further tests.. 

I am so tender after the examination and this morning my breast have slightly grown again and its so uncomfortable. Not sure if this is related i am not able to lift my left arm up and when i try it hurts my shoulder and collarbone and pain up to my arm muscle paralled to my nipple (i think i must have hurt my arm surely and this is not related to my breast issue and this has been since aug 5th when my breast had the changes) however the doctor said it was due to the glands swollen underarm and that was causing this.. 

My husband and i are very unsettled as they did not even do a ultrasound .. God forbid but if its is anything that is .. we have 4 young kids (oldest is 9 and youngest is 20 months) and im 32 years.. 

My neighbour directed me to your website and asked me to post on here as she said sometimes the doctors miss the early symptoms and if no lump is found in breast then its even difficult unless a scan or mammogram is done. She mentioned to me Inflammation Breast Cancer and she explained to me a little about it and my symptoms do tally with what she said.. Im very anxious and i do not know what my next step should be .. wait for 6 weeks or go back to gp ? 

My symptoms so far

Left Breast Tender especially on the right side of the nipple 

Skin looks slightly pitted but not orange( which doctor said dont worry its normal ) 

 Left Breast looks and feels heavy 

Swollen lumps in my left armpit 

I am sorry this is long but i am really lost and slightly fearful of my situation.. Thank you for reading this through and i fully appreciate all your replies xx

  • Offline in reply to Hannahapos

    Hi Hannahapos,

     

    My Mastitis has only ever been in one place right next to & underneath my nipple, & yes I understand your worry about misdiagnosis, if the symptoms persist go back and get a second opinion & ask directly for a referral to the breast clinic. My symptoms usually start a week before my period, where my whole boob feels hot and tender. 

    Do you have pets or been somewhere where there are? hope you are well too.

     

    Lou xx

  • Offline in reply to Lou8181

    Hi,

     

    just read these post. I'm a 21 one year old with no children or breast feeding, and I've had this reasonably large mark on my breast for a few months that comes and goes, it's never hot or raised but sometimes can feel a bit tender and every now abs then I get a burning sensation. I've been having a full ache around my collarbone for a while thay also comes and goes and google always point to IBC snd it's really worrying me as I know it's very aggressive and progresses quickly. 
    I'm in uni I've just had to register with another GP surgery however it's a 7-10 day wait and it's starting to really worry me, it's also worrying that IBC is also misdiagnosed a lot.

    any advice or help?

    Thankyou very much  

  • Offline in reply to Lou8181

    HI Lou. 

    I came across this forum researching my periductal mastitis and was interested to see your comment about it starting a week before your period,as this is the exact cycle mine does too! I have suffered since coming of birth control in 2013! I had it for four years,then fell pregnant and my breast finally healed! 3years later the same pattern and fistula forming in my left breast now! That's what brought me to search about it again! Can I ask what antibiotics you've been on for it? And a bit more on your story? I have never had any breast removed,was always advised it would burn itself out eventually(four years of nearly monthly flares of it!) And it did but I'm just so disappointed now it's came back with a vengeance in my other breast! 

  • Offline in reply to HMCS1

     

    Hi HMCS1,

    A very warm welcome to our forum. Most of us on this site are not doctors, just cancer pilgrims, so cannot answer your question reliably. You  might find it helpful to talk to one of our nurses. They are available Mon-Fri, from 9.00am-5,00pm. Their number is 0808 800 4040 and it is a freephone number.

    I agree with the advice given by Lou. I appreciate that you are kept busy with four boys to look after and, that it is difficult to find time for yourself, but you cannot ignore this. Make an appointment with your GP as soon as you can and get this checked out.

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

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Offline in reply to Lou8181

    Hiya! 
     

    I have been suffering with mastitis on and off for 7 months now. On and off antibiotics. I'm not breastfeeding. Had a baby 4 years ago now! Yesterday I went to the breast clinic for the 3rd time and I have decided to give up smoking. I'm praying this will work. I'm only 28 and they said that it's at a reversible stage right now but if I carry on smoking it will never heal and my breast will be deformed! 
    How long have you had it for? 
     

    Thanks in advance for reading x

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