Hello

I too have had a strange feeling on the outer side of my left breast and under and down my arm for seven months now. 

Like you I have been to breast clinic where mammogram and ultra sound were normal.

My gp at different times has prescribed gabapentin,naproxen and amitriptyline to no avail. I Di feel something pull in my breast seven months ago but I would have expected that to have healed by now. 

I have now seen a physiotherapist 6 times who thinks it is musculoskeletal. I am not so sure, it does feel better when I have seen her but always comes back..

I understand about worrying all of the time as this is what I do. It is constantly on my mind as soon as I wake up. 

I try and reassure myself that mammogram etc was clear but do start to wonder!!

I'm contemplating getting a private breast clinic appointment  but completely confused as I should be reassured by these negative results!? Will I ever be reassured.  I just wish the feeling would go away.  I question whether it's because I'm prodding and poking around incase I have missed a lump or something ? I'm just so anxious !.  It's just not that easy when you know the pain isn't psychological .... but am I making it worse myself? There's is some element of fear after seeing what my mum went through, but told my chances of inheriting a BC gene is slim. 
Thankyou for replying, nice to know I'm not alone.  I sometimes wonder if I'm losing the plot !!

[@Hev999]‍ 

Hi have just seen your post and it could have been written by me!  Have had pain in my left breast for ages - had a mammogram and ultrasound that came back clear but wasn't happy as still in so much pain.  Like you was told it was hormonal.  I then had my armpit swell up and had an ultrasound- this has picked up on two enlarged lymph nodes and I have been referred for further testing ie biopsies etc.  So angry because it has been going on for so long and I KNEW something was not right!  Now playing the waiting game but am convinced it is cancer.  Hope you are recovering well xx

hey treacle20 I am firstly, glad you've been referred. it does feel like they sometimes can't  work outside of the guidelines....no lump felt, no cancer , its wrong, I have listened to big c and me podcasts for ages and on one episode a Doctor came on and she is trying to re-educate every gp and specialist that pain can mean cancer. in an ideal world we should automatically be referred for ultrasound or more tests if we carry on complaining of pain. not everything is hormonal!  but we think they are the experts , we know nothing. I certainly did not know anything then, I do now!  I was actually relieved to find out it was cancer as perhaps now can be taken seriously. that said, when you are in the system, in my expierance everything works as it should, nurses, oncologists, radiographers are all fantastic. 

I do read that lymph nodes can enlarge if you have an Infection so well may not be cancer related. fingers crossed. let me know if I can help you cope going forward. I'm doing really well, 2 scans now , no cancer, 4 more chemo , a break, then 15 radiotherapy  sessions to stop it returning. I've wfh reduced hours but not everyone can. 

hopefully you'll hear soon, rejoice if all clear, one day at a time if otherwise, and they will have a plan for every scenario. I usually post more on the mcmillan site x

I am in North Hampshire x

Thank you so much for replying so promptly- good to speak to someone who knows where I'm coming from.  TBH my gut tells me there's something wrong - currently trying to get through to the hospital to see when my appointment is.  So pleased your treatment is working - like you say one day at a time!  
PS I'm in Essex 

pps re the lymph nodes - had them for three months now and they're both painful and getting bigger 

just to reassure you that even if lymph nodes should show  something,  I had 5 of 11 infected it can all be sorted. try not to panic. Once all the appointments start they come thick n fast. but also a lot of worrisome waiting . Nhs is really struggling. as soon as I have had my chemo...there is someone after me. we do have to be patient patients! unfortunately.    I always try to be kind to the staff and now we can have banter but takes time. they are getting tins of hero's from me xx  I know it's so easy to say but not worth worrying about what you don't know. you'll get yr appointment.  xxx

Patience has never been my strong suit :wink  I have managed to book a private consultation with someone tomorrow morning - Would never do this under normal circumstances but my nerves are shot due to this going on for so long - doesn't help that my job involves typing up medical negligence cases.  Thank you so much for answering my posts - stops me going insane x

Hi there, I hope you don't mind me asking, but I've read the thread and it resonates with me...

How did your private appointment go? Sending massive hugs.  

Sorry I took so long to respond to you - had the grandchildren this weekend.  So after having another ultrasound privately the results came back all fine.  To say I am relieved is an understatement.  I am sure you are all good too but what I've taken from this is always get it checked out.  Huge hugs to you too x

Morning hun, just to let you know that my ultrasound came back clear!  Thank you so much for being there for me in my hour of need - your words really did help xx

This is great!  Did they give you any idea what might be causing it?

The consultant thought the slight swelling was down to an infection but my body was fighting it.  When I asked why was I in such pain for so long he mentioned we have muscle behind our breasts and said it could be this or maybe hormonal or even my posture - so in fact several different reasons but definitely not cancer.  He suggested cutting back on caffeine and alcohol and maybe taking Evening Primose - he said some women swear by it but for others it does nothing.  Hope this helps xx

The consultant thought the slight swelling was down to an infection but my body was fighting it.  When I asked why was I in such pain for so long he mentioned we have muscle behind our breasts and said it could be this or maybe hormonal or even my posture - so in fact several different reasons but definitely not cancer.  He suggested cutting back on caffeine and alcohol and maybe taking Evening Primose - he said some women swear by it but for others it does nothing.  Hope this helps xx