Found a lump today...

[ChrisnSteph]

I've been having this weird shooting type pain in my left breast. Nothing really painful, usually last just a second or two, but always in the same area. At first I thought it might be a cyst, because I've had them before, but those always go away after my monthly. I hate to admit, I've never done a BSE. It terrifies me, but I had an ultrasound a few years ago and was dx with fibrocystic breasts. So they're really lumpy anyway, and I can't tell what's good or what's bad. Anyhow, I felt around, and noticed that my left side's lumpier than my right, and there is definitely "something" different about one lumpy area. It's also a little bit tender too. I'm completely freaked out to the point of wanting to throw up. In fact I'm shaking as I type this! I have an appt. with the doctor next week, and I don't know how I'm going to get through the weekend. My boys birthday party is tomorrow and I'm a wreck. I went through a horrible hypochondria phase a few years ago, and this just brings those horrible feelings that I'm gonna die all back to me. Am I worrying too much? I'm so convinced that it's cancer that I can't even think straight.

 

[Jennifer S]

I have no experience with this just wanted to say good luck. Try and calm down and enjoy your son's birthday. You are probably worrying for nothing but def. get to the doctor as soon as you can.

 

[mickeyboat]

O.K. Take a deep breath.

I can't imagine how terrified you must feel.

Can you call your doctor and try to get an earlier appointment? Maybe a NP or PA can see you today. I would hate to have to wait through the weekend. Talking to someone, even if you don't get any definitive answers right away will at least get the ball rolling a little quicker. That should make you feel better.

It should also make you feel better that you have a history of fibroids, this may very well be just another one. But you are right to take it seriously since it does feel different to you.

Try really hard to relax and enjoy your weekend. It should be a special one, indeed. Try not to worry about it until you know it is really something to worry about.

Hope it turns out to be nothing.

Denae

 

[missypie]

Does it move around or stay stationary? I think the stationary ones are the "bad ones." I AM CERTAINLY NO EXPERT, but my doctor's nurse showed me something that was very helpful...they have this fake breast with all kinds of lumps in it. You can feel it and they'll tell you which are bad and which are normal. Maybe your doctor's office has something similar.

 

[SpecialK]

I've had the same experience right down to the ultrasound. I had been having sharp, quick, shooting pains in one breast at the time I went for my last mammogram before my doctor's appt. I had myself dead and buried. Turns out, it was nothing. Found out breast pain is fairly commom, especially when entering peri-menopause.

Try not to make yourself sick with worry before your dr.'s appt. Enjoy your day.

 

[Tiffann4k]

Good luck & big

 

[diznygirl]

I've had the same experience right down to the ultrasound. I had been having sharp, quick, shooting pains in one breast at the time I went for my last mammogram before my doctor's appt. I had myself dead and buried. Turns out, it was nothing. Found out breast pain is fairly commom, especially when entering peri-menopause.

Try not to make yourself sick with worry before your dr.'s appt. Enjoy your day.

Great! Now you have her worrying about menopause!!

Seriously, I had painful lumpy breasts and turned out it was from too much caffeine. I had myself dead and buried too!! Funny how our minds work. Thank goodness it was something minor and fixable. Hopefully the same will be true for Steph.

 

[Ziva]

I'm sorry, I hope it turns out to be nothing!

 

[marybet]

I know you are worried, it is normal. I used to have a lot of lumps too, the older I got the less I have. I went through some bad weekends convinced of the worst, only to find out all was normal. I could feel the difference in my lumps, I had solid ones and fluid ones, all benign. Remember that cancer in the early stages is usually painless. I know my cyst would sometimes be quite painfull around that time of the month, and I had one that increased in size rather quickly and had to be drained. Try to think positive thoughts, and good luck.

 

[ChrisnSteph]

Does it move around or stay stationary? I think the stationary ones are the "bad ones." I AM CERTAINLY NO EXPERT, but my doctor's nurse showed me something that was very helpful...they have this fake breast with all kinds of lumps in it. You can feel it and they'll tell you which are bad and which are normal. Maybe your doctor's office has something similar.

It feels more stationary. But it's hard to tell, because it's just underneath, sort of near the ridge where my underwire is. I'm 30 years old, but it seems like more and more younger people are getting breast cancer. I'm just sick about this. I really hope it's nothing, but I can't stop crying. My appt. is scheduled for next Monday, that's the soonest they can get me in.

 

[SC Minnie]

Call the DR they should get you in quickly.

I felt a lump a couple of years ago on a Friday night. I couldn't call the dr until Monday. I was a wreck all weekend. When I called first thing Monday they had be come right over. They did all the tests. It turned out to be cyst that I could have left alone or had removed. I had it removed.

I am hoping that you only have a cyst. Please call you DR right away to see if they can fit you in today.

 

[Kim&Chris]

I have been having 'aching' pains in one of my breasts as well and I've been scared to death. This past Monday I went to my Gyno & he told me that lots of women experience similar pain. I'm in my early 40's, and he said women in my age group have similar problems. He told me that I shouldn't worry unless I see any redness (infection). I also have cystic breasts, so I know exactly how you feel.

It's good that you have a doctor's appointment. Don't worry too much, though. I've had numerous lumps removed from my breasts over the years. Take it from me, not every lump or bump is bad news.

 

[SpecialK]

Great! Now you have her worrying about menopause!!

Seriously, I had painful lumpy breasts and turned out it was from too much caffeine. I had myself dead and buried too!! Funny how our minds work. Thank goodness it was something minor and fixable. Hopefully the same will be true for Steph.

I guess you are too young for the Great Hormonal Shift...I'd still try to keep positive thoughts and assume it's fixable. Sending good thoughts your way.

 

[mommytotwo]

Get it checked to see what it actually is. Maybe you are worrying for nothing, and I hope it's just a regular bump.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

maybe you can get into the doctor quicker...

 

[Christine]

If you've read any of my threads from the past few days, you will know that I am going through a similar problem. I had a benign lump removed last year. Where the surgery was, I know have a huge "mass". The radiologist freaked out. I can't see the surgeon until next week. To say I'm freaked out is quite an understatement. The stress is so bad that I've not got a "fever blister" on my lip, shooting pains in my stomach after I eat, and I keep having mini-panic attacks.

So, I know what you are going through. Before all this, I have had 3 benign lumps in my best starting at age 14, then age 23, and my last was when I was 40. Each time has been a nightmare.

I wish I could tell you the magic words to feel better, but there is no way. All I can suggest is that you call your doctor EVERY morning and ask for cancellations. People cancel at the GYN all the time.

 

[Mimi Q]

Just went through something similar. Turned out to be a benign tumor. Try not to worry too much.

 

[Alice's Mom]

I went through something similar a year ago, I'm only 27, shooting pains, feeling lumps. The Doc gave me a technical term for it, that I can't remember, but she recommended non-underwire bra's and less caffeine...I had myself dead and buried too (glad to know I am not the only one that does that) I still wear underwire bra's on some occasions and I cut the caffeine down, not completely though and it has really helped tremendously.

I will think good thoughts for you that it is nothing serious...have some pixie dust too

 

[Serena]

I want to turn this into a psa for breast self exams just a moment. Please, do them. That way you know what is normal and what isn't for you.

I wish there were a magic word that can make the worry go away until you have a concrete reason to worry. But there aren't. Just know that most of the scares are just that, scares.
I hope that is all your's is.

 

[Blondy876]