Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Other Health Discussion => Topic started by: Crow Lady on November 05, 2023, 12:36:51 PM
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I found a lump in my left armpit this morning. For the last few weeks I have had an occasional twinge ,as if there was a sore bit near my armpit and a bra was rubbing on it. Each time it happened I had a feel round it but couldn't find anything. When it happened this morning I felt nothing, then decided to press further up. There's a hard lump. Not moving. And since I've been touching it the side of my breast feels tender and my nipple a bit sore. I'm ringing the docs first thing tomorrow morning but I'm trying not to freak out. I would imagine they'll send me for a scan / biopsy etc. And I expect they'll tell me to stop my HRT immediately. I've been on utrogestan and estraderm patches for a year and a half. How quickly will the meno symptoms start again? Will it be really bad? I can't even think of how I'll cope with waiting to find out if the lump is bad news along with feeling like I did before I started HRT.
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Good you're getting it checked out,remember that is where glands are situated,I had a lump there too and when I went to the Dr,that's exactly what it was,a swollen gland,hopefully that's all it will be :) x
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Yes, I have always had lumpy boobs but did find a strange lump and had it checked out, all was ok. Crow lady, you are doing the right thing. The drs will talk you through things, as to what checks they want you to have, so you may not even have to cease hrt immediately if at all. Explain to the dr or nurse your fears about the thought of stopping hrt too, as it seems to be such a help for you. Let us know how you get on. X
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It's always a worry. Don't take 'no' for an answer from the Surgery, there's a protocol for examinations etc. let us know how you get on!
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The only benefit I've had is the terrible palpitations have stopped. And the awful anxiety that made me feel I was going mad. Hasn't helped anything else x
Yes, I have always had lumpy boobs but did find a strange lump and had it checked out, all was ok. Crow lady, you are doing the right thing. The drs will talk you through things, as to what checks they want you to have, so you may not even have to cease hrt immediately if at all. Explain to the dr or nurse your fears about the thought of stopping hrt too, as it seems to be such a help for you. Let us know how you get on. X
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Oh and don't keep prodding it ;).
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I think it's good news it's painful, the more sinister lumps usually aren't. Hope all is well.
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Agree with Sheila. Soreness is usually infection or inflammation. Good you are getting it checked though, but try not to worry x
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Hi crowlady,
With regards to the partial benefit of your hrt I think easing the terrible anxiety is a huge thing. The mental health side was always extremely bad for me, less so the physical. I think to myself am I better on or off hrt, and when I look back at a short symptom diary I kept I know atm I am so much better on it. I look at it as a support not a cure.
I agree, so insist on an appt from your surgery. Take care
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Got an appointment in an hour. I'll let you know how it goes.
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Please do crow lady x
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Saw the doc. Got an appointment for chest xray on Wednesday afternoon. She's referred me to the breast screening clinic so I'll be seen within 2 weeks. She said it's up to me if I stop the hrt immediately or wait and see what the diagnosis is. I don't know what to do. Trying to keep myself together.
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Personally I would keep on with the HRT. If this is a cyst rather than anything sinister, U may go through withdrawal = more anxiety.
Let us know how you get on.
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I agree with CLKD, best to cover minus unless advised otherwise by the medical folks. It may keep any meno related symptoms at bay and help your already ( understandably ) heightened anxiety.
Good that you were taken seriously, and quick investigations set up x
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I had an xray and bloods done last week, haven't got results yet. Been to the breast screening clinic today. They said the lump in my armpit was slightly swollen lymph nodes. Had 2 mammograms and 2 ultrasounds. There is a shadow in the left breast on the mammograms, but not on the ultrasounds. They don't know what it is. They will be sending for me in the next couple of weeks for a different kind of scan. I had only found the lump in my armpit, didn't know there was anything in my boob. Currently feeling a bit numb, trying not to get myself in a state.
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Keep calm, I was told by a private specialist that as we age,we get increase breast density and I'm sure this can show up as a shadow,may also be a fibroadenoma,this is what I had but they operated to make doubly sure and that's what it was a benign lump,again,please let us know how you get on x
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I too would feel extremely anxious and worried, that's a very natural reaction to something scary going on in your own body.
. I hope you can be reassured that you are being taken seriously and that all the necessary investigations are being arranged swiftly and with care and professionalism. could you call your gp surgery to speak with someone about your fears?
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I don't think that those doing the scans tell us enough!
It's the waiting that can be troublesome. Take a list of your worries to the next appt..
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Got the letter, my next scan is 4th December. Not sure what sort of scan it is. Was hoping it would be sooner.
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It's good you have an appt coming up. The waiting is so hard when our bodies need some investigations. So hard to stop worrying, we all do it because it's a scary time. I can only advise is you are looking for further advice,steer clear of any scaremongering websites, we all freak out on those. Keep to websites of reputable health sites,or forums like these. And make sure you are looking after yourself too. X
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I would ring the Dept and ask the question. Make notes! Also take a list of your concerns with you to the appt..
Not a lot can happen to the body between now and 4th Dec., although when I underwent treatment, I wanted to get it done ASAP as I felt that I was in control. Still here!
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I wonder if it will be an ultrasound,that's what I had & it picked up the cyst. Waiting is the worst,HA is awful but please remember the majority of these things are nothing at all,good luck x
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I wonder if it will be an ultrasound,that's what I had & it picked up the cyst. Waiting is the worst,HA is awful but please remember the majority of these things are nothing at all,good luck x
They've already done ultrasounds, nothing shows on them, just a shadow on the mammograms.
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What do U want to do in order to ease your anxiety?
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Had a letter this morning, an appointment for the 30th of this month. Its a xray breast tomosynthesis , apparently its like a 3D mammogram. Spoke to one of my sisters this morning, she said she had something similar a few years ago, turned out to be a dense area, nothing scary. So I'm feeling a little bit less stressed. Just have to keep myself busy, which is easy because I'm always running around for everyone lol.
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I'm guessing density too,the breast area changes so much as we age,good luck,imysure it will be fine :) xx
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That's a relief!
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Had a letter this morning, an appointment for the 30th of this month. Its a xray breast tomosynthesis , apparently its like a 3D mammogram. Spoke to one of my sisters this morning, she said she had something similar a few years ago, turned out to be a dense area, nothing scary. So I'm feeling a little bit less stressed. Just have to keep myself busy, which is easy because I'm always running around for everyone lol.
Fingers crossed! I had the routine mammogram on Tuesday so waiting for the result.
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Had the tomosynthesis scan. Went last week for the results. They had me wait 90 minutes after my appointment time then told me they didn't know why I was there as there were no results. They also said there were no notes from the previous visit, so i had to tell them that they gave me 2 ultrasounds and 2 mammograms that day. Said they would ring me. They didn't. I waited a week then rang them, it says on my notes I need an ultrasound. I've already had 2 ultrasounds, it doesn't show up on them. It only shows on mammograms. They haven't got a f*cking clue what they're doing. I am chewed to bits, got loads of stuff going wrong in my life and other health worries.
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That isn't good enough. Layering worry upon worry >:(
Could your GP have any results ........ might be worth ringing the surgery to find out. Were U given a card with your Hospital Ref Number?
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The GP hasnt got any results. Ive got my hospital number on a letter.
That isn't good enough. Layering worry upon worry >:(
Could your GP have any results ........ might be worth ringing the surgery to find out. Were U given a card with your Hospital Ref Number?
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Does that number correlate with the Depts who suggest that you haven't attended :-\
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They know I've attended, but they're saying nobody took notes.
Does that number correlate with the Depts who suggest that you haven't attended :-\
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UNACCEPTABLE!!! Have you a number for the region who does the mammography?phone them,the good old nhs don't know their a**e from their elbow 🤬🤬🤬🤬
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Been back to see the consultant today, had another ultrasound and they've taken a biopsy. Also left a marker in. I have to go back in 3 weeks for the results. Sore boob ! Taking it easy tonight.
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At last. Progress! What was the surgeon's take on your journey thus far? At least U R being invited back for the results, rather than being told over the 'phone.
How worried R U now? Take some pain relief B4 bed. :foryou:
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They've said it's possibly a dense area under the skin, which apparently can happen as you get older. They said they should know more when the results are in. I'm trying not to worry too much. It's bloody sore now. Just had some paracetamol and I'm in bed already ( 9.30pm
wahoo rock n roll lol )
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U know how to live. If Im' not in my bath by 9.00 p.m. then there's something wrong ;D
Don't prod the area either!
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You will let us know won't you? If they're a bit puzzled it seems like good news,they're usually pretty certain if it's anything nasty but the waiting is awful ☹️
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They've said it's possibly a dense area under the skin, which apparently can happen as you get older. They said they should know more when the results are in. I'm trying not to worry too much. It's bloody sore now. Just had some paracetamol and I'm in bed already ( 9.30pm
wahoo rock n roll lol )
I had biopsies and a marker left. Was I sore, I couldn't get undressed that night, black and swollen. Was it a vacuum biopsy?
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They've said it's possibly a dense area under the skin, which apparently can happen as you get older. They said they should know more when the results are in. I'm trying not to worry too much. It's bloody sore now. Just had some paracetamol and I'm in bed already ( 9.30pm
wahoo rock n roll lol )
I had biopsies and a marker left. Was I sore, I couldn't get undressed that night, black and swollen. Was it a vacuum biopsy?
I'm not sure, I had my eyes squeezed shut and was trying not to panic! There were 3 loud pops. Very sore, bruised.
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They've said it's possibly a dense area under the skin, which apparently can happen as you get older. They said they should know more when the results are in. I'm trying not to worry too much. It's bloody sore now. Just had some paracetamol and I'm in bed already ( 9.30pm
wahoo rock n roll lol )
I had biopsies and a marker left. Was I sore, I couldn't get undressed that night, black and swollen. Was it a vacuum biopsy?
I'm not sure, I had my eyes squeezed shut and was trying not to panic! There were 3 loud pops. Very sore, bruised.
You'd have been in the mammogram machine with something going up and down like a little oil drill if it was a vacuum biopsy. I feel your pain. I had to buy a special bra after. Mine wouldn't fit I was so swollen. Good news was, everything was ok.
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Went to get my biopsy results yesterday. They said the pathologist reckons it's just normal tissue. They said they think they got the biopsy from the right place. Got a follow up mammogram in 6 months. I'm still a bit worried, why would it show as a shadow on repeated mammograms? So I'm going to do more checks regularly just to keep an eye on it.
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Oh can't we worry about issues ::). If you are having a follow-up mammogram in 6 months, I wouldn't worry too much. It may be thickened tissue which causes a shadow or the way that the film was developed.
How do U feel overall?
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If it was anything nasty,you'd be getting further tests and NOT in 6 months time,they'll just monitor it,as they need it for their records,so as you don't go through it all again
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I had an xray and bloods done last week, haven't got results yet. Been to the breast screening clinic today. They said the lump in my armpit was slightly swollen lymph nodes. Had 2 mammograms and 2 ultrasounds. There is a shadow in the left breast on the mammograms, but not on the ultrasounds. They don't know what it is. They will be sending for me in the next couple of weeks for a different kind of scan. I had only found the lump in my armpit, didn't know there was anything in my boob. Currently feeling a bit numb, trying not to get myself in a state.
Just a thought but I was recalled in summer as they'd found an area on one breast described as like there was nothing there. I had repeat mammogram and ultrasound, it turned out to be how I'd been squashed the first time. I know how worrying it is, I've always found breast care to be very good in this country though. Are you having a MRI scan?