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Pain in left breast on upper left side towards armpit

ElishaM
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Hey all, 

Over a month ago I noticed that my breast was really sore on the left side toward my armpit. I didn't think much of it first as I have lupus so I seem to always have aches and pains. But one day I was feeling it and I noticed that there seemed to be a lot more "tissue" in that area (if that makes sense?) than on the other side. It seems to only have gotten more sore the longer I've waited for answers. I've beent to the doctor a few times and to be quite honest I am just not impressed with Ireland's healthcare (ther is a bad rep for women's healthcare here). First doctor told me that he could not feel anything in my breast unusual at all, while poking around in the very painful area and clearly seeing me in pain. He said it was probably just an inflammation of chest wall, which seemed ridiculous to me as I can feel that it does not seem like it is in my chest wall. I told him I feel lumpiness but he wouldn't listen. 

Second (female) doctor told me that she could feel no cancerous lump but that it seems to be glandular - indicating she could feel something there but not a lump necessarily. She agrees with me that it is in my breast, however, so referred me to a breast clinic which she says could take 6-8 weeks to hear back from. 

I'm really worried as it is so sore and I can very clearly feel something there. Then I was reading about Inflammatory Breast Cancer and how it doesn't usually present with a lump and spreads rapidly and is virtually incurable and now I've seriously freaked myself out and feel that I get zero answers from doctors here. 

I was told even after the breast check they will most likely just prescribe me evening primrose oil and tell me to come back if it doesn't go away - this seems insane! What if it is cancerous? Surely that is too much waiting!

I have never had soreness in my breast before in my life. I am 29 years old and surely if it was hormonal or something I would have experienced something similar by now?

I'm really worried. Any advice would help greatly!

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    I am 63 and have felt aching in my left breast for well over a year.I have been fobbed off by 2 different doctors,as there is nothing to feel,even when I feel tender spots.I haven’t worried too much,as it’s not a pain,but a constant heavy aching feeling,and can’t decide if it’s my breast,heart,or muscle pain,but it’s not going to go away,and may be gradually getting worse,been around so long,it’s hard to tell! I missed breast screening,as I am on an island,and doctor refused to refer me to mainland hospital,as they would need to pay ferry ect,and I can’t afford to go. Reading the comments from others,I wonder if there is any point in going to GP again,as there is nothing to see.I haven’t worn a bra for couple years,just the soft over the head “versions” and know I thought it was the bra making me feel so uncomfortable,and can’t wear one now.Hormones are mentioned in the threads,but that wouldn’t be my problem at 63- Just wish I could get reassurance at exactly what can cause the constant aching.

    Angela

  • Offline in reply to Sulakins
    Hi I am age 67 and I have had this same nagging ache fir over 1 year now. I had a mammogram last year and mentioned it to the nurse who’s answer was that some big breasted women have this ache. I later had an appt at my surgery for something not related and casually mentioned it to my doctor. He asked if I had a lump which I answered No and he said nothing to worry about. But if you feel a lump come back and see me. It has now been approx 17 month now with this nagging ache which goes up into my armpit and because I have this feeling every day I tend to examine my breasts daily. Maybe I’m doing the wrong thing and aggravating it but it’s continually on my mind that ‘what if it’s cancer’ . The ache does go right through to my back and it’s pretty uncomfortable. I have not mentioned this again to my doctor but I think I must make an effort. They say evening primrose oil is good fir tender breasts but I take this everyday and have done since my daughter was born and she is now 40yrs old.
  • Offline in reply to katyp

    Took so long to get back into this forum,and did reply,but don’t know if you got my reply.

    Nothing has changed with me,and I take evening primrose oil to.

    Let me know if you get any replies from me.

    Angela

  • Offline in reply to katyp

    Wasn’t sure if you got my first message.

    i had this ache and strange feeling for years,and found it was relieved when I stopped drinking so much alcohol.Wasnt a heavy drinker,but you know the weekly limit.Its never went away,no matter what,just less of the aches,also found when I stopped using bleach and anti viral products at hotel,it felt a bit relieved. I don’t think it will ever completely go away,and I seem to live with it,as it’s maybe been 4 years-  - also - but may be because I,m stressed about it,I,ve felt the need to take deep breaths.

    I have had a mammogram,recently,and there are no lumps anywhere,but that’s why I think of cancer,as it feels like a mass in my body,which varies where I feel it,but is mostly my left breast area,and I often pick up my left arm like I feel I have to relieve that “tight” feeling. Sometimes it feels like something is squeazing parts of my insides!!

    I have taken evening primrose oil most of my life,and other vitamins- and am quite heavy breasted and droopy with being 64-

    Angela

  • Offline in reply to Sulakins

    I keep making excuses for myself. Mostly about my weight. I am very overweight hence membership to slimming world. I blame everything on it. I had a hysterectomy in September as I had some high risk factors for cervical cancer but thank god results came back positive. But because of this nagging ache in my breast my mind wanders and I think well before my op I had to have a chest X-ray and I think if I had cancer and it's spread i( (because I've had nagging ache for so long) it would have showed up on my X-ray. So I can't have cancer.  The ache is mostly in the area of my armpit down the left side and when I'm laid on my back and feel around my breast which is annoyingly every day the ache can be all over the breast just not down one side . I've been worse since I read a few weeks ago about this woman who had same nagging ache she thought it was her sports bra at first. She went to see her doctor who booked her in for a mammogram . That was all clear but she felt that there was something wrong and asked her doctor to send her for an ultrasound. She found out she had stage 4 cancer. So ever since I read that I constantly think what if that's what's happening to me.  It's not a pain I have it's just an ache maybe if I can lose quite a lot of weight I might feel better but that takes time. 

  • Offline in reply to katyp
    Hmmm -got me worried now. It was about 3 years ago I went to GP as I thought a mole I had on my left breast was acting up.Told it was okay.I went back months later,by now wearing these comfy bras that just go over your head,saying it’s still cutting in to me,as I feel sore on left breast.Again got told I had no lumps,nothing cutting in anywhere,and my heart was sounded,told there was no problem.I had missed a mammogram,as I have moved a lot,and told if I wanted to go to hospital for tests ect I would need to fund it myself.I live in outer Hebrides,and couldn’t afford the trip. No worse,I suppose,and getting on with life,I feel it’s probably too late for me if I have cancer. We both should get the reassurance now,the covid not helped,but you should try get ultrasound,as it’s worse worrying about it.I have my family and 2 wee dogs,I really should try to sort this out,and it may be nothing.Thing is,we know our own bodies,and know things are not right! Angela
  • Offline in reply to katyp

    Hi Katpy 

    im 67 have had a sore left breast on and off for years but have had 2 bad bouts in last couple months one in October which cleared up now had it again for 3weeks so have booked a mammogram in 2weeks feeling scared but hoping for a good out come .

  • Offline in reply to leejulie

    Hi

    Good luck with your mammogram hope the news is good. Its been 18 month for me now. I don't know whether I'm making it worse as I'm forever checking if I have any lumps. I haven't mentioned it to my doctor but I'm going to have to.

     

  • Offline in reply to katyp

    Thanks I'm the same always checking I have no lumps and pain is so much better today hopefully it goes again now 

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