So scared and unable to calm down

I'm getting increasingly stressed about my situation and not sure if this is causing me to feel symptoms. I've had a pain in my right breast for a few weeks, sometimes a dull ache, sometimes shooting pains, moves around and also has been felt down my arm on the same side. I felt around n didn't feel any lumps but went to the doctor who has found a small, mobile, pea sized lump. She initially said she would have asked me to go back in a month and see if it had reduced however as I was so distressed she said she would refer me for my peace of mind to the breast clinic. I have an appointment a week on Monday but, as I'm sure many are in the situation, extremely petrified and have got into quite an anxious state which has affected me physically with neck, shoulder and back pain from being tense. I also have what feel like nervous twitches.y armpit is hurting n the pain moves about within it n down my arm a bit like nerve pain, but am so frightened it's a sign of cancer spreading. I want to take comfort from the doctor who said she thought it was probably a fibroid and might disappear itself so to monitor it, and also that she told me she wasn't concerned, but I can't control the anxiety and not sure if it's what's causing my pains. Does anyone else have a similar experience? Should I feel comforted by the doctors words?

Parents
  • Hi  Emma . I've had what I thought was a lump about a month now some times I couldn't find it so wasn't to worried silly I know . Any way on Tuesday I had my 3 yearly mammogram screening , when I got home and had bath I felt lump again couldn't sleep all night so went to GP Wednesday morning I was in a real state she took ages to find the lump yet I could feel straight away,  she said it's small and not craggy and is not saying it's cancer but will send me to breast clinic anyway . There are no lumps in armpits which I think is good but I'm still worried sick I haven't had appointment yet , or the results of mammogram x where was your lump she found? Mine is just outside nipple area x

  • Hi Nellie

    its so scary isn't it, and a helpless feeling as you can't do anything to hurry anything along. You could try ringing the breast clinic to find out when they will see you, I did the morning after my 5pm Gp appointment and they told me the date id already been given. Don't they tell you there and then in the mammogram if they can see a lump or is that different to how it works at the breast clinic?

    My lump is in the lower outer quadrant, quite tucked in as she poked in quite far to feel it.

    I've seen so much that says lumps are far more likely to be benign, and if our doctors don't appear overly concerned I just hope that means we don't have to be either.

    Am thinking of you and sharing your worries xx

  • It's a mobile screening mammogram and you get results sent to you if they are negative like mine always have been I think if there positive they ring and make appointment at assessment clinic , May I ask how old you are as you obviously not had screening yet I'm hoping it's because I was in a state that she sending me as she said twice it's not because I think you have cancer it doesn't stop the worrying though does it , they do say 80% of lumps are benign and I'm sure with you being young yours will be hopefully xx

  • Ah ok, so they send you to the breast clinic if there's anything further to look at from the routine mammogram then.

     

    im 39 and petrified as keep seeing so many people around my age being diagnosed. My doctor also said she was referring me because I was so worried and that she wasn't concerned so I'm clinging to those things she said. She also felt as the lump moved that was a sign it was benign. You can read so much though that contradicts and you end up not knowing where you are xx

  • You usually start having 3 yearly screening from age of 50 , The worst thing you can do is go on Dr Google as my GP tells me The proper UK sites are ok but there are plenty of scare monger sites too I look at them all as well as feeling my lump about 100 times a day , im paranoid at the moment xx

Reply
  • You usually start having 3 yearly screening from age of 50 , The worst thing you can do is go on Dr Google as my GP tells me The proper UK sites are ok but there are plenty of scare monger sites too I look at them all as well as feeling my lump about 100 times a day , im paranoid at the moment xx

Children
  •  

    Hi Emma,

    It is unusual to have pain associated with breast cancer, and although many of us become so anxious that we are aware of all sorts of additional pains and aches whilst waiting to be or being investigated, most of these disappear once we get the all clear. It sounds as if your GP is not too concerned about your lump an,d it is a good sign that it doesn't feel fixed or uneven at the edges.

    Nonetheless I am glad to hear that she has referred you, if only for your own peace of mind. You will normally be seen within two weeks from the date of referral. I totally agree with Nellie's good advice. We always advise people to steer clear of consulting 'Dr Google', as much of this information is poorly researched, out of date and aimed at the more spectacular cases.

    Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

    Here's hoping for good news!

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

     

  • It's so hard isn't it, I've just resigned myself to spending the next 8 days being hyper vigilant about everything my body's doing and having waves of calm trying to focus on the positives (the doctor saying it's small, moveable, no discharge, was going to wait a month, thinking it may be a fibroid) mixed with waves of sheer terror n almost certainty that it's going to be bad.