Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Other Health Discussion => Topic started by: Hawthorns on February 16, 2024, 01:10:23 PM
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Can anyone give some reassurance on a lump my doctor has just referred me to the breast clinic for? Appointment in 10 days.
I'm 49, on 4 pumps of estrogel per day and 2 utrogestan every night from Day 15-26. I have 36G breasts. I've breastfed all my children (5). There's no history of breast cancer in the family. I have PCOS and I've only ever had regular periods since I started HRT. I've been having pain in my right breast on and off for about 3/4 months and the nipple and skin is sometimes itchy. It feels 'bruised' and tender if my husband cuddles me, enough to make me jump.
The doctor says there's nodules in both breasts but in the right one, she can feel a lump inside the nodule. I said that I'd read that breast pain is hormonal and that cancerous lumps rarely had pain associated with them but she said that cancer can cause pain. She didn't say what size the lump was.
I've had a small lump at the bottom of the same breast (oval, slightly soft about 1cm x 2cm) on and off for years and it comes and goes. They weren't concerned at my last mammogram about 2.5 years ago.
I really couldn't say if the pain is cyclic or not. It seems a bit random to me but I'm now doubting myself because I thought it was just hormonal with it coming and going and didn't take much notice of the cycle dates. I finished a period about 3 days ago and the breast hurts more now. It feels tender quite a lot of the time but actually hurts in varying amounts. When the doctor was examining me, the left breast also hurt a bit.
I have a bit of sciatica down my right side with carpal tunnel and in right hand and shoulder and the ovary on the right side always hurts more too, so this side feels 'weak'.
I had my first mammogram about 2.5 years ago.
Can anyone shed any light on this? I'd be very grateful for some help especially as I lost a 34 year old friend from BC last October.
Thank you
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I'm sorry you have this worry. I can't really help. I do get breast pain, usually right sided but on examination nothing has been found. I like you have always been led to believe that pain isn't usually a symptom of cancer but have also been told the opposite so always get checked if it's still painful after a week. Ive had breast cysts in the past and tenderness was always the first symptom to alert me. The best thing is to wait for your appointment. I know its natural to want answers and reassurance beforehand. I've done the same. Usually there's a breast care nurse that is attached to the clinic and you can contact them with questions. Is there anything on your letter?
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Breasts are a nuisance. The side where I had surgery in the 1990s has been extra sore when touched in recent weeks.
Many people have lumpy breasts as well as some have cyclical cysts. If U R able to take a short notice appt at the Clinic if someone cancels then ring to let them know? IN the mean time make a list of your cycle, your HRT regime and any worries. Do take someone with you to listen as a 2nd ear.
Breast disease possibilities are a worry . :bighug:
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Hi. I’m sorry you are going through this but yes maybe you could ring the breast care nurses for some advice.
As CLKD mentioned, you could also try ringing for a cancellation to get seen a bit sooner. . You will know what day the clinic is on because you already have an appointment so if it’s a Tuesday, ring mid to late afternoon on the Monday or early on the Tuesday morning to see if anyone has cancelled.
It’s awful having the wait, I fully understand your worries.
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Or let the dept know that you are available for a cancellation so that they can let you know. Good Luck!
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Thank you to you all for your kindness. There's no contact number for a nurse and the says that the only way to change the appointment is to go through the GP. At my GP practice, there's little chance of getting through for that and I don't want to risk that appointment by leaving it with the receptionist in case they think I want to cancel it.
Again, thank you so much. :)
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That's awful sometimes there's no joined up thinking! If patients are able to offer themselves for short notice appts., it saves money in the long term. Many simply fail to attend leaving a gap.
Let us know how you get on.
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That's awful sometimes there's no joined up thinking! If patients are able to offer themselves for short notice appts., it saves money in the long term. Many simply fail to attend leaving a gap.
Let us know how you get on.
Couldn't agree more! :-*
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Hi. Was it a choose and book appointment? I work in outpatients in a hospital and you can definitely ring up and change appointments without having to go through the GP.
Just ring the hospital and say you want to rearrange an appointment and they’ll put you through.
Or if you can’t be bothered with the stress just wait.
Hope you are ok x
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Hi. Was it a choose and book appointment? I work in outpatients in a hospital and you can definitely ring up and change appointments without having to go through the GP.
Just ring the hospital and say you want to rearrange an appointment and they’ll put you through.
Or if you can’t be bothered with the stress just wait.
Hope you are ok x
Thank you.
I don't want to wait. It felt much better today (only one dose of Estrogel and it hasn't been squashed by a seatbelt, which is painful), but then I gave it a good prod and a push and now it hurts more! That suggests a cyst, i think.
Anyway, the appointment system seems really silly so I'm going to give the main switchboard a call and ask to be put through. There must be a better way than having to go back to the GP. I don't want crossed lines. Thank you for the reassurance. It gave me a bit of confidence to call the hospital. x
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If U don't ask ...... let us know how you get on.
AND STOP PRODDING :D.
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If U don't ask ...... let us know how you get on.
AND STOP PRODDING :D.
I will.
Boob pain lesson 1: Prodding might make it hurt (more). Be sensible. Don't prod.
;D
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Logic flies out the window though .......... it's there, whatever. I know it's yours, but leave well alone ......... ;)
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Logic flies out the window though .......... it's there, whatever. I know it's yours, but leave well alone ......... ;)
Understood! How many times did our mums say 'Don't pick that scab. You'll make it bleed!' But we did....
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I've had brrast exam this week at the doctors as I had breast pain and I was the opposite. Daren't poke about at all, kept doing quick sweep over, think I was scared of feeling something that could be something if that makes sense. But as hard as it is, try to stop self diagnosing or second guessing and dont keep prodding. It's torture waiting but try to get an earlier one or find lots of distraction and it will be here before you know.
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My lump was found on palpation, never showed on mammogram or ultra sound.
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My lump was found on palpation, never showed on mammogram or ultra sound.
Thank you for the heads up on that. With such big boobs, they did warn me about not picking things up at my last mammogram.
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I've had brrast exam this week at the doctors as I had breast pain and I was the opposite. Daren't poke about at all, kept doing quick sweep over, think I was scared of feeling something that could be something if that makes sense. But as hard as it is, try to stop self diagnosing or second guessing and dont keep prodding. It's torture waiting but try to get an earlier one or find lots of distraction and it will be here before you know.
Thank you for your message. I'm a dreadful overthinker who needs to have every scrap of info I can find. It's self-torture. Have you been referred?
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Once I have found 'something' I'm at it ........... if after 2 weeks it ain't worse then I find something else to whitter about ::). How do u feel overall?
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I've had brrast exam this week at the doctors as I had breast pain and I was the opposite. Daren't poke about at all, kept doing quick sweep over, think I was scared of feeling something that could be something if that makes sense. But as hard as it is, try to stop self diagnosing or second guessing and dont keep prodding. It's torture waiting but try to get an earlier one or find lots of distraction and it will be here before you know.
Thank you for your message. I'm a dreadful overthinker who needs to have every scrap of info I can find. It's self-torture. Have you been referred?
No, she thinks it's a side effect of hrt and its now subsided. I do get it usually in one breast now and again. But as I said I had breast cysts aspirated for 10 years and then I once had to have vacuum biopsy so I always get checked out.
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I've had brrast exam this week at the doctors as I had breast pain and I was the opposite. Daren't poke about at all, kept doing quick sweep over, think I was scared of feeling something that could be something if that makes sense. But as hard as it is, try to stop self diagnosing or second guessing and dont keep prodding. It's torture waiting but try to get an earlier one or find lots of distraction and it will be here before you know.
Thank you for your message. I'm a dreadful overthinker who needs to have every scrap of info I can find. It's self-torture. Have you been referred?
No, she thinks it's a side effect of hrt and its now subsided. I do get it usually in one breast now and again. But as I said I had breast cysts aspirated for 10 years and then I once had to have vacuum biopsy so I always get checked out.
So glad you were ok but the aspirations and biopsy sound horrendous. I had no idea of any of this. I just don't feel prepared for menopause at all. It seems to have snuck up and overtaken me somewhere inbetween having kids, working and being too busy to appreciate youth, health and life.
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Menopause: the change. Something we were probably aware of as no more periods and a few hot flushes ? ::)
I hardly felt the aspiration and deep needle biopsy.
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Once I have found 'something' I'm at it ........... if after 2 weeks it ain't worse then I find something else to whitter about ::). How do u feel overall?
Thank you for asking; I really appreciate it. And that someone else does the same as me! ;D
I've just felt tired for what feels like forever and with all the other aches, pains and emotional rollercoasters, you just try to get on with it. I swear, something different hurts every single day and having read things on here now, I realise that I'm not a total freak because everyone else goes through it too. Seems pretty unfair after periods and childbirth! :-\
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Menopause: the change. Something we were probably aware of as no more periods and a few hot flushes ? ::)
I hardly felt the aspiration and deep needle biopsy.
Absolutely, no one ever mentioned all the other sh*t! ;D
As for aspiration (never heard of that before) and biopsy, I'll let you know...! Blessings to you. I really appreciate all this. x
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I didn't go the children route - my 5 friends all had 3 kids each ;D
Give yourself a treat tomorrow ;-).
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Carpal tunnel syndrome is common in pregnant women and resolves after delivery. Night sprints might help. Splints even ;D
Is the pain sciatica; I thought I was suffering but a physio but it turns out to be bursisitis ...... she advised stretching exercises :-\. :D. Although the area does feel where the sciatic nerve emerges in the buttock the area occasionally itches.
Right - off for my bath. C U in the morning.
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The cyst aspiration wasn't a problem. My surgeon was very skilful. I had a vacuum biopsy not a needle biopsy and they took over 30 samples and left quite a mess. But mine was unusual apparently. The consultant took photos. I've always found those at the breast clinics brilliant, loads better than any other department I've been to. Try not to imagine what it is, there's no certainty until you've been checked and you'll tire yourself out.
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Carpal tunnel syndrome is common in pregnant women and resolves after delivery. Night sprints might help. Splints even ;D
Is the pain sciatica; I thought I was suffering but a physio but it turns out to be bursisitis ...... she advised stretching exercises :-\. :D. Although the area does feel where the sciatic nerve emerges in the buttock the area occasionally itches.
Right - off for my bath. C U in the morning.
I've got carpal tunnel (since 2002) and sciatica down my right side. Sadly the splints don't help and the operation (2009) is wearing off after all these years. I've had 5 children (including twins) and my pelvic floor is doubly shot too with cystocele and rectocele. What joy! Bursitis sounds horrid. I don't want that as well!
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The cyst aspiration wasn't a problem. My surgeon was very skilful. I had a vacuum biopsy not a needle biopsy and they took over 30 samples and left quite a mess. But mine was unusual apparently. The consultant took photos. I've always found those at the breast clinics brilliant, loads better than any other department I've been to. Try not to imagine what it is, there's no certainty until you've been checked and you'll tire yourself out.
All this info is good to know (if unpleasant to read!) - so thank you. x
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I didn't go the children route - my 5 friends all had 3 kids each ;D
Give yourself a treat tomorrow ;-).
Hope you had a lovely bath. Took your advice, or rather, my husband did. He whisked me off for a bracing sea walk in Whitby followed by fish and chips so it was a lovely surprise treat (albeit wet and cold).
Given my expanding waistline recently, there could also be a bit of PCOS playing up with high estrogen and low progesterone which would explain a few other symptoms over the last few months. Maybe going a bit far with those 4 pumps a day! :-\
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Good evening, all.
I've had a mammogram and an ultrasound and all is clear so I'm in a very happy place this evening. The consultant thinks it's just hormonal changes. Bloody painful still but nothing awful.
Thank you all for your overwhelming support. Being able to share fear makes it much easier to handle. x
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That’s fantastic Hawthorns. So pleased for you.
Big sigh of relief and relax now x
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Brilliant. Its such a feeling of elation isnt it. Just that horrible wait with your imagination running wild
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Blot and Jules:
Thank you! Can't believe what a scary 10 days that was. We go through some awful things really with boobs and other bits.
Blessings and good health to you. :thankyou: xxx