Hi,
I am 38 years old and have a family history of breast cancer. My gyn has been sending me or yearly mammograms for 2 years now because of history. I was dx as having dense breasts or fancy term of fibrocystic breast disease about two years ago. I have had pain in my right breast for at least eight years. But things have changed, and I not only have the burning pain, but I have a swollen puffy area along my ribcage under my right breast, this hurts and pulls slightly, also feels like the underside of same breast tissue is getting hard. This and my many complaints prompted my Gyn to send me to a Breast Surgeon for a second opinion.(He thinks I am too young for bc, and I have had to shove my symptoms down his throat) I had mammo last week and it showed nothing. Although she did my left breast seven times because she saw something that she ended up saying was probably just folded tissue.
While I am waiting to see the surgeon (I go on the 24th) I have now developed a large swollen "puff ball" just above my collar bone. My left nipple is starting to invert when I put my arms behind my head, or am lying down. I have a small pink patch on my left breast as well. Skin around nipples is puffy. My left breast is swollen and larger than my right now. The swelling on my collar bone is beginning to hurt, feels sort of like muscle strain in shoulder and neck.
What I would like to know is has anyone else out there had anything similar with swollen lymph node and IBC. I have read so much about the symptoms of IBC, and know that the lymph nodes do swell above the collar bone, but have yet to read anything describing it, or anyone saying that they had that. Same with the mass along my ribcage.
I am terrified about going to the surgeon, but at the same time I need to know what is causing all this so I can deal with it.
Thanks in advance,
You guys are my inspiration, and my heros!
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NONE Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 52 |
Mar 12, 2008 03:06 pm, edited May 6, 2008 11:47 AM
by NONE
NONE wrote:
This Post was deleted by NONE.
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shrink Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 780 |
Mar 12, 2008 03:24 pm
shrink wrote:
See if you can move your appointment up. This may not be IBC but if it is, you want to get treatment started quickly. I had swollen nodes but they were in the axilla area not above the collar bone or in the rib cage. You're not too young, unfortunately, to have BC. Let's hope it's not. Anyway, my right breast became pink, had bruising and swelled all within a week. Please let us know what happened. |
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Caseysmom Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 153 |
Mar 13, 2008 07:08 pm
Caseysmom wrote:
Milyla: I agree with Shrinki about moving up your appointment. I too did not have any swelling above the collar bone or in the rib cage. I only had swollen nodes in the axilla area. Keeping you in my prays. Hugs Laura Dx 7/19/2004, IBC, Stage IIIb, 9/17 nodes, ER-/PR+, HER2- |
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lexi4 Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 1994 |
Mar 13, 2008 08:28 pm
lexi4 wrote:
Definitely get an answer to what is going on. I would be concerned, but don't scare yourself. It could be many other things besides cancer. Big Hugs, Lexi |
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mrs_X_Sunne… Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 415 |
Mar 14, 2008 02:26 am
mrs_X_Sunneedazee wrote:
Your symptoms do sound worrisome, so do be proactive in finding out what is going on. I had swollen lymph nodes above my collarbone, under my arm, and along my sternum when I was dx with IBC. They radiated the crap out of them after chemo and surgery.
29 years old, 28 at dx Stage 4 Inflammatory breast cancer, mets to the bones and lung. This picture was taken in March 08 in Puerto Rico. We were celebrating my completion of chemo, surgery, and rads!!!
Dx 5/10/2007, IBC, 6cm+, Stage IV, Grade 3, 3/5 nodes, mets, ER+/PR+, HER2+ |
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sirsmom Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 16 |
Mar 14, 2008 08:51 am, edited Mar 14, 2008 08:51 AM
by sirsmom
sirsmom wrote:
I am really worried and could use some advice from some expert woman. I have some of the same symptoms of Milyla. My swelling began 2 weeks ago, right after I had a clean mammogram. I saw my oncologist yesterday and he was very concerned. For this weekend they are are treating me for an infection although there is no clear cut reason why I would have one. I have been directed to call and come in this weekend if the swelling or redness increases at all. I will be seen again on Monday. This is scary. I know that IBC is rare and I just finished aggressive chemo and radiation and I'm now taking tamoxifen. I remember my radiation oncologist asking me about IBC during our consult because my path report mentioned some skin involvement. That has never been my diagnosis. Can IBC come on that quickly, especially after treatment? Dx 6/22/2007, IDC, 2cm, Stage IIa, Grade 2, 3/6 nodes, mets, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
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milyla Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 4 |
Mar 17, 2008 11:28 am
milyla wrote:
Thanks to all of you for your responses. Unfortunately I cannot move up my date. So will have to wait one more week. I know something is wrong, and understand that it could be a great many things. I have been told by a great many people as well as the mammogram technician that I should be concerned about IBC. I was not really aware of IBC at all until last November. So I am trying to prepare myself in case. Hopefully it will be something else. I will keep you all up to date. Thanks for the hugs and prayers. I sure need them, as I am not allowed to talk about it at home. SirsMom, I know how frustrating this is. Hang in there. |
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sirsmom Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 16 |
Mar 17, 2008 11:48 am
sirsmom wrote:
milyla, I wish you well. I think I am just experiencing an infection since the swelling has responded to antibiotics. I know how tough it must be for you to wait . I was told I had breast cancer in June by my surgeon who then told me she was going on vacation for 2 weeks. I think I gained 10 lbs from stress eating and drinking during that period. Dx 6/22/2007, IDC, 2cm, Stage IIa, Grade 2, 3/6 nodes, mets, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
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DianeE Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 125 |
Mar 18, 2008 10:06 am
DianeE wrote:
milyla, So sorry that you have to be going thru this stress. Is the office you go to telling you that you can not move up your appointment? Is there another MD you could see. I would suggest calling back and begging to be seen earlier as you are concerned about IBC. I not only work in oncology, but I do have IBC, and we would never have people wait with IBC symptoms. I will keep you in my prayers that this is something else, and if very well might be. In the meantime, force your way into an earlier appointment. Diane Dx 7/7/2007, IBC, 2cm, Stage IIIb, Grade 3, 2/22 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
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