Such a fool - now its breast c****r worries

[kozza 6]

Hi All

 

I could kick myself. Since I was poorly last summer I have suffered health anxiety and general, massive anxiety.

 

3 weeks ago I had a small lump under my arm, I didn't panic, put hot compresses and witch hazel on it and it went. but then I noticed my breasts were really sore  and one felt more painful and lumpier than the other.(I had a mammogram 7 years ago after my daughter and they said I had twisted tissue down one side so it has always been more painful and bigger than the other esp at pms time)

 

As I am going on hol soon I thought I will check with the doctor.(2 weeks ago) She said one was more dense than the other which I knew, which would account for more pain as I was due my period. as I am just turned 43!! she said it would get more painful anyway and to take primrose oil but she couldn't feel any lumps. To go back if it didn't ease and I could go to the breast clinic.

 

Period has been and gone but the pain hasn't gone, in fact today, it has burned and hurt including round under my arm and around my back. Now part of me thinks it is my head creating pain aswell. Plus, pain generally isn't a sign of breast c****r. it def hurts more on the right side but I do think I have pain in the left also, or am I imagining that too.

 

We are off for a sunny family hol on Monday, we haven't been away for a couple of year and I am worrying that the pain is going to carry on and I will worry all holiday and not be 100 percent present for my kids. My husband and kids are so looking forward to it and I am turning into a nervous wreck.  

 

I was toying with going for another docs apt on Friday but what can she say? If she found a lump I would be devastated and if she again found nothing I would maybe enjoy my hol more. But I feel like such a plonker, running to the doctor every sign of the least symptom.

 

I am getting myself into a right state and ashmed to say I  have solidly googled for the last few days, I know, stupid.

 

Any words of wisdom to calm me and help me relax to give my family the holiday they deserve?

 

thanks xxx

[rainbow 333]

hi kozza, 

did you check to see if they are cysts? it could be cysts. 

 

you just said it yourself "breast c****r usually is not associated with pain" and i was told that by a technician too when i went for a mammo last september........ so if its pain your feeling than highly doubt its breast c****r. 

 

i know its easier said than done, but try to put it out of your head and focus on your holiday instead. CHALLENGE those negative thoughts if you have too.... i am doing that and it is working. 

 

 

 

ENJOY YOUR HOLIDAY WITH THE FAMILY... focus on that !!! 

 

take care 

[jonathan123 2368]

Hi kozza. This is very much a female issue and I am in no position to comment but I must say DON'T GOOGLE. Rely on your GP for advice not that other charlatan. You will frighten yourself all the more if you do. As rainbow says, focus on your holiday and have a great time.     Jon.

[kozza 6]

Thanks for the replies.

 

Rainbow, the doctor said she couldn't feel any lumps so I suppose cysts would be out of the question.

 

She did say my age (43 just) may play a part in pain. Part of me thinks that they probably was pain initially due to my period but my mind has provided pain their now just as health anxiety has a habit of doing. I have read stress can make breast pain stronger and boy have I been stressed with work and other stuff.

 

Any other replies, especially from some ladies who have experienced this would be great   

[camginge 17]

I have pain like this often and for several weeks at a time. I just turned 44, so we are almost the same age. I have been checked by my doctor several times - nothing. He says it is probably hormonal or due to muscle and chest tension. I always have a lot of tension in my chest. It goes under the arm and around my back aswell. He said that chest pain is often felt in the back......if that makes any sense to you.

I know how you feel and I drive myself crazy just like you. If the doctor did not find anything alarming try to believe her. I have discovered that there is a fine Line between being checked out on a regular basis and being checked out too often. But it is the hardest thing I have ever tried to get rid of this anxiety.

[Gilly 1086]

Kozza, if there was no lump 2 weeks ago there won't be a lump now. Get yourself some evening primrose oil and starflower oil too if you want (I take both in a combo capsule) and go enjoy your holiday, if you feel you won't be able to enjoy it and really need that peace of mind, this one time it's ok to go see the doctor again. You can say the pain is still bothering you, and are worried it is going to ruin your holiday, the doctor may even give you something mild for the pain or recommend something. A holiday is a special occasion, you aren't letting yourself down if you think it's best to get checked again before going on holiday. Yes it is one of those no no's in normal circumstances, but as you are going on holiday, the circumstances are not normal. Holidays are meant to be special, time off from every day stress and relaxing! If you can't do that because this is on your mind and you are in pain, then by all means do what you need to do to achieve the best possible peace of mind.

 

I hope you have a great time away!!

[kozza 6]

Thanks so much for replies

 

Camginge, you hit the nail on the head when you described the pain under the arms to the back. Makes me feel better.

 

I have done some research into peri-menopause and breast pain that dosen`t follow the monthly cycle like your previous months is quite common. But at the moment I am in quite a rational mood

 

Gilly-in an ideal world I would see a doctor tmw who would confirm that nothing is there but the reality of getting an appointment tmw is slim. I tried today and was told to ring tmw from 8.30am for a few appts that they keep free for the day. Plus, if to be on the safe side if they referred me to breast clinic I would worry that they had felt something.

 

Maybe it is best to enjoy hol and see how things are when I get back . 

 

At the moment pain has subsided a little so feeling more confident, who knows what the morning will bring? This morn I was in bits as I thought I had signs of dimpling on my breast, I now think it was more where the towel had been tied round me. Sometimes I despair at myself.

 

But thank-you to everyone who has taken the time to reply, so much appreciated.

 

xxxx