Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Other Health Discussion => Topic started by: tambourine queen on June 25, 2023, 04:45:40 PM
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Hi all
Off to the breast clinic for the first time this Thursday and I’m a bit freaked out. I am 47 and peri on HRT. I noticed a couple of weeks ago that when I tense my chest muscles, I get two little marks on the side of my breast- like skin pulls, almost like big stretch marks. Not there if I don’t tense the muscle and I’ve no idea when they appeared as I do all the arm raises when I check but don’t generally do that pose!! Went to GP last Monday and she had a good look at feel and said she felt nothing and saw nothing that worries her and she mentioned possible structural changes due to age, hormones etc. she asked a lot about my HRT actually. However she said they won’t take any risks with breast stuff so she was going to refer me but she wanted me to try to put it out it my mind! Ha! I am a poster girl for health anxiety!!
Anyways- it’s a one stop one so any advice about how it will go? The letter said I could be anything from 45 mins to 4 hours. I guess I should take a drink and a book- not that I’ll be able to concentrate!!
Any help, advice etc?
Trying hard not to go out of my mind!
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I am sorry to hear you are worried about your appointment. Your GP saying this is nothing to worry about is a very good sign. Breasts can change due to hormones. I have had to go to a breast clinic twice due to suddenly having inverted nipples. It was just like going to the GP really. A quick examination that was about five minutes followed by five minutes of answering a few questions. It was all over before I knew it.
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Let us know how you get on. Logically as oestrogen levels drop muscles may become lax as well as the body may become dry. Which alters how we look, i.e. chicken neck ::)
Your GP is on the ball and offering you a referral to make sure. 2 weeks is the usual 'time' for breast concerns.
If U are worried take a list of your worries.
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Thank you all! I feel like health anxiety stuff is all I talk about on here. I’ll update when I know anything.
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Thank you all! I feel like health anxiety stuff is all I talk about on here. I’ll update when I know anything.
You can talk about whatever you like. I hope today is a better day for you.
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Hi all
Off to the breast clinic for the first time this Thursday and I’m a bit freaked out. I am 47 and peri on HRT. I noticed a couple of weeks ago that when I tense my chest muscles, I get two little marks on the side of my breast- like skin pulls, almost like big stretch marks. Not there if I don’t tense the muscle and I’ve no idea when they appeared as I do all the arm raises when I check but don’t generally do that pose!! Went to GP last Monday and she had a good look at feel and said she felt nothing and saw nothing that worries her and she mentioned possible structural changes due to age, hormones etc. she asked a lot about my HRT actually. However she said they won’t take any risks with breast stuff so she was going to refer me but she wanted me to try to put it out it my mind! Ha! I am a poster girl for health anxiety!!
Anyways- it’s a one stop one so any advice about how it will go? The letter said I could be anything from 45 mins to 4 hours. I guess I should take a drink and a book- not that I’ll be able to concentrate!!
Any help, advice etc?
Trying hard not to go out of my mind!
Hi tambourine Queen I was about 46-47 when I noticed a slight swelling on side of my breast. Saw my gp about a week later who immediately referred me to the breast clinic. He said it felt a sausage shape and it was smooth which were good signs but He did say they don’t wait with any breast problems and you get referred asap. By the time I got home from seeing him (15 mins) the surgery was on phone with my appt in 4 days at the breast clinic. I was a total wreck. I had even bruised the side of my boob with poking and prodding. I went to my appt and the dr was lovely. He examined me and said it felt ok but I had a mammogram then ultrasound. The dr who did the ultrasound said everything was normal but there is a lot of glandular tissue running from side of boob to the underarm. Saw the dr again after and he still wanted to do a biopsy just to be sure and to ease my mind. The whole appt took probably about 1.5 hrs. Results from biopsy came about a week later and completely normal. I have mammograms every 3 years and all have been normal thankfully. Please try not to worry too much which I know isn’t easy. Your gp is doing the right thing referring you.
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Thank you. That’s very reassuring to read and I’m so glad you were ok. ❤️
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It is a worry. Where I had the drain following surgery in the 1990s is tender to touch and yesterday it hurt on movement so my brain goes into over drive. >:(. No tenderness today ::) even on palpation. Let us know how. you get on.
:thankyou: Pip16.
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Hi all
Went well this morning and got the all clear. It’s just saggy boobage!!! 😂 went in and was taken to be weighed first. Then went in and spoke to the consultant and he had a feel around from many different angles. He said he defo couldn’t feel a lump so I was sent for a mammogram and an ultrasound. Then back to the consultant for results. The radiographer actually told me at the ultrasound that all was clear but it was good to talk to the consultant about it. He said that age makes your boobs shrink but that the skin obviously doesn’t. So that’s all good. The staff were lovely-lots of nurses in the waiting room just kind of being around and checking in. And the radiographers were lovely. So a big relief!
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I am so happy to hear everything is okay! What a huge relief for you. I think you deserve a treat after all this. :)
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Thanks ladies!
I don’t know if it’s a medical term but it should be. 😂😂😂
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Thanks so much for updating, and for everyone else sharing their experiences. I am yet to be called for first mammogram, but have major health anxiety even about screenings, so it is good to hear about a variety of things that turn out to be normal!
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And also very glad you got the all clear!
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Hey penguin. I totally get that. I just tried to tell myself that IF there was something, it was better they find it. But it’s a very vulnerable time. I hope you get on well. Totally get it.
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Sorry missed your update, so pleased that your exam went well with a good result! Now you can get on with enjoying the Summer.
Penguin: mammograms may nip a bit. The Staff know what they are doing and will guide you and your breasts onto the scanning machine. It doesn't usually take long. Occasionally if it's a 1st set of films and/or if the film is blurred for some reason, ladies get a call back for another set of films. Usually nowt to worry about!
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Also: once anything untoward is found, treatment is usually fast tracked so that 1 gets underway .......... what my Consultant insisted upon was a list of worries every time I saw him even when in Hospital. ::)
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Thanks. Am sure I will need hand holding when time comes! I was thinking of actually paying for one of those private one stop places where they do mammogram, then also do ultrasound and biopsy on same day if needed. But I havd also heard NHS breast care where we live is really good and better than private. My issue with the anxiety though, is the waiting time between getting results and next test / stage. I am still working with my counsellor on how to manage uncertainty, it is the hardest bit for me. My GP actually said that mammograms for younger women get more callbacks because their breast tissue is denser, which is also why they don't start them younger l, so I am fully expecting a callback when I have my first one.
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Hi Penguin,
My local area for mammograms are so lovely. They changed the equipment from previous checks, when It was a bit uncomfortable as the nurse manoeuvres you boobs, but now it is so comfortable now to take the actual scan\x-ray. No discomfort at all.
Am sure they will allow someone to come with you and stay in the waiting area.
It is good that you are prepared that any call back is likely to be very innocent, that It is just not a clear picture. If I remember rightly my result last time came back in about 10 days.
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Sarah that is good to know, thank you. My breasts get so sore at two specific times a month so I usually have up to 15 days each month with tenderness depending on what my hormones are doing, so I'm hoping they don't just send appointments out but actually let you phone up and book so I can pick a good time!