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Re: More breast issues and need some logical thinking
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Nicole0134
For my two-penneth .....i agree with everything Carys has said. She gave me the same talking to early 2018 when I was going through the same circle as you!
Sounds like you have a very good GP and they're like gold dust. He's recognised the real problem and is working on it with you. It makes me sad when I hear of young people like yourself going through this HA crap. Not sure I could have coped with a life time of it so focus on getting that sorted. By magic, the aches and pains will disappear if you do (most of anyway!)...
thanks Nicole.
Ive cried a few times today. Just can’t shift this doom and gloom feeling at all. I’ll collect my referral forms from Drs tomorrow.
I put a heat pad on last night and it helped loads. Still very tender in places but area of tenderness isn’t huge. Also back to my underwire bras and that’s helped with the pain significantly as no band sitting on it anymore. So only been noticing it when moving around or like when I took the dog to the vets today and she was pulling on the lead.
Appetite has really gone though. I went to see my friend and she had bought me some gifts to cheer me up and did lunch. I felt sick by the time I had made myself eat it. Not like me at all. I don’t think I feel sick as a physical thing connected with this pain, I think it’s the anxiety making me feel sick to the pit of my stomach x
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Re: More breast issues and need some logical thinking
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I put a heat pad on last night and it helped loads. Still very tender in places but area of tenderness isn’t huge. Also back to my underwire bras and that’s helped with the pain significantly as no band sitting on it anymore. So only been noticing it when moving around or like when I took the dog to the vets today and she was pulling on the lead
I honestly think this will heal and get better with some sensible treatment (that you are doing like bras and warmth and so on).
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Re: More breast issues and need some logical thinking
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Originally Posted by
Carys
I honestly think this will heal and get better with some sensible treatment (that you are doing like bras and warmth and so on).
I hope so carys. I’m so hyper aware of it and it’s not helping at all as I can’t seem to distract myself. Going to put another heat pad on after a nice hot bath.
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Re: More breast issues and need some logical thinking
I’m really sturggling today, I was doing ok but now I’ve stopped cleaning and sat down I just feel really tearful and panicked. My heart is thumping and I feel convinced this is cancer. Made my phone call to my private health insurance company to get the back rolling on breast consultant and psychologist. . I’ve cleaned my whole house today. Normally I feel so low I have to do it over two days. This is the first time in a long time I’ve hit it out in one day. Had my music on and was singing away. Noticing aches as I was cleaning but nothing horrendous. Since I stopped I touch the sore spot and the pain is horrendous. I swear in the light it looks like there is a tiny lump but I can’t feel anything. Looks like a really pale patch about 1mm wide.
I keep thinking back back to my Drs appointment and how he couldn’t offer me any reassurance. I wish my husband could of come with me as I’m now over analysing everything he said and his facial expressions. But on the flip side he didn’t order any blood tests and his secretary still hasn’t typed up my referral letters so I think if he thought it was really bad he would of given me s blood test for blood cancer and the referrals would of been done the next day.
I dont mnow. My mind is racing and I feel sick again, I’m so panicked and I’m trying to calm down. I also stuoidly googled bruised feeling ribs and it bought blood cancer again.
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Re: More breast issues and need some logical thinking
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I put a heat pad on last night and it helped loads. Still very tender in places but area of tenderness isn’t huge. Also back to my underwire bras and that’s helped with the pain significantly as no band sitting on it anymore. So only been noticing it when moving around or like when I took the dog to the vets today and she was pulling on the lead.
So, in all honesty, if you do the opposite of being careful - and clean your house all day - is it really surprising it hurts more ? Googling 'bruised ribs' won't give you an answer - you could get 100, 1000, 100000 results and none of them will actually tell you what it troubling you, but, instead give your mind more to analyse and worry about. I know you are looking for an answer, but only the doctors are going to be able to give that.
I will say this, if it was something (an injury) that I had identified as having had before, which went on its own, then I more than likely wouldn't even have gone to the doctor about it at all. I'm just giving you the side of someone without (usually lol) HA. It has moved location, 'symptoms' have changed a few times during the thread (since was it last Sept?), pain and discomfort has waxed and waned in intensity and you said you'd had this once before 3 years ago which started you on the path of extreme HA. So, why fixated on cancer ? I think once and for all having the scan that you are waiting on is probably a good idea for you, even though last time the consultant didn't give you one after the full mannual exam. Following that, you've just gotta go with the psychological therapy stuff, because you know how much you really need that.
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Re: More breast issues and need some logical thinking
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Carys
So, in all honesty, if you do the opposite of being careful - and clean your house all day - is it really surprising it hurts more ? I will say this, if it was something (an injury) that I had identified as having had before, which went on its own, then I more than likely wouldn't even have gone to the doctor about it at all. I'm just giving you the side of someone without (usually lol) HA. It has moved location, waxed and waned in intensity and you said you'd had this once before 3 years ago which started you on the path of extreme HA. So, why fixated on cancer ?
I know but I was careful all day yesterday and it was painful when I did nothing to encourage it. I think the stress has triggered some ibs over the past few days as I’m getting tummy ache quite badly too.
i made myself clean my house to prove to myself that I’m not ill with cancer, that I do not have fatigue but low mood which makes me feel tired. I was trying to prove to myself that if I was riddled with cancer I wouldn’t have the energy to clean a large house by myself like I always used to do with no problems. Now I’ve said it out loud I sound tapped!
i think this is where I hurt myself exercising 3 years ago but I’m not 100% sure. I’m thinking it may be more towards my side where as this pain is closer to the centre of body but still on the ribs. . I know it was in the same region but not sure if it’s was this specific area. I can’t find any messages to anyone about it other than to my mum to say at the time the dr thought she felt a lump in my ribs but they couldn’t find anything at the ultrasound. I’ve had so many symptoms and “problems” over the last three years it’s all blurring into one.
When i I saw the dr and he diagnosed costochondritis he said he was only sending me to breast specialist for reassurance. He didn’t say that this time. He pressed the ribs a few times at the examination and could see they were tender. He didn’t get me to lie down and didn’t feel about for lumps or anything which I don’t get as that’s the way I was examined last time I had pain in the rib region.
I have been reading about anxiety causijg rib pain but again he never mentioned that being a possibility or muscle strain etc,
im just stuck in this spiral of convincing myself it’s nothing and then convincing myself im going to be the unlucky one and get told it’s metastasised cancer and I’m terminal. There is no inbeteeen.
Now im waiting for the breast consultant appointment and that’s making me feel even more anxious, I’m just not coping at all. I’m so annoyed st myself. Why can’t I just be calm? Why do I always think I’m dying? Why do I always feel like I’ve got this huge cloud of doom over me constantly. It’s so draining.
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Re: More breast issues and need some logical thinking
Also o have some numbers for a psychologist and I will ring tomorrow when the girls are st school. I just can’t do it now as they will hear the phone call and my 9 year old will worry
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Re: More breast issues and need some logical thinking
I'm sorry unicorn - I can see you are so stressed and it doesn't sound that odd to say you were 'proving to yourself that you weren't riddled with cancer'. In a way that's not such a bad thing, and is quite positive - as no you'd not be able to clean your whole house in one day with various metastatic cancer sites. The way you are responding about swinging between 'I'm fine' to 'I'm dying' is actually really common, and something that women waiting on ultrasounds of the breast often feel (or waiting for any results for that matter). The over analysis of your doctor's actions and words are part of your anxiety state also - as a by-stander I can see that your doctor might not bother doing too much of an exam if he is sending you for an ultrasound, which is a diagnostic tool. I can also see that he might have listened to you say that you can't feel a lump, just pain, and that the last breast consultant exam said they felt nothing to be concerned about. So, don't read too much into things, as hard as that is I know. Your doctor can't say to you 'its nothing, I know its nothing' because at this point he isn't sure what is causing the pain - but is doing everything he can to try and find an answer.
Until you have some more psychological support its going to be tough the next few weeks for you and that emotional roller coaster may well continue - I'm fine, I'm not, I'm fine, I'm not. Wanting the answer is a powerful feeling, hence the googling. I will remind you though that you did say that heat and not wearing your underwire bra helped, so why not in the meantime, whilst waiting for everything to come through - just try these methods as often as you can ?!
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Re: More breast issues and need some logical thinking
I was going to say also, the reason why your doctor may not have done much about the rib pain thing, is that most of the appointment was spent on discussing mental health issues. ;)
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Re: More breast issues and need some logical thinking
I’m definitely going to call tomorrow to get some help. This can’t carry on.
thanks for not thinking I’m totally nuts about the house thing. I know I’m being really repetitive but I really am also trying my hardest to fight this.
I think i wae habing a bit of a panic attack earlier when I first posted. Mine aren’t breathing into a bag but I feel completely certain when they are happening that the worst case scenario is completely right and it’s game over.
ive just led down and had a feel and barely any pain. This must be psychological. Maybe I’ve made it sore in the first place by poking and then the anxiety and continued poking has made it all worse along with tensing with out realising.. Anyway I know cancer pain doesn’t get better and then worse. It’s constant pain when you push at the site of the tumour, for it to stop hurting the tumour would have to disappear by itself which we know it doesn’t. I must stay calm and logical. But I need off this rollercoaster! I’m calling the psychologist tomorrow morning! I need help whatever the cause of the pain I need help.
Thank you for listening and for responding. I’m sure this becomes very frustrating after a while! X
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Re: More breast issues and need some logical thinking
I’ve got my appointment with breast consultant on Wednesday at 1.30. Very anxious but trying to keep busy. I’ve stopped wearing bras the last couple days. Still very aware of it and this fullness feeling there but no pain when I touch it anymore. It feels no more sore than the other side does. So I’m taking that as a positive. I’m still really struggling and panicking and my stomach is doing somersaults a lot. X
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Re: More breast issues and need some logical thinking
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Unicorn1985
I’ve got my appointment with breast consultant on Wednesday at 1.30. Very anxious but trying to keep busy. I’ve stopped wearing bras the last couple days. Still very aware of it and this fullness feeling there but no pain when I touch it anymore. It feels no more sore than the other side does. So I’m taking that as a positive. I’m still really struggling and panicking and my stomach is doing somersaults a lot. X
Sounds like you are having such a difficult time. I am currently down the breast cancer rabbit hole. Mine is due to an occasionally itchy left nipple and whitish discharge (which could be due to the fact my nipples have always been inverted). I am sure the discharge has been there for the past 15 or so years and it could be just normal due to the fact they are inverted so collect sweat as I do a lot of running (gross I know lol). But I’m still obsessing over it now as I have recently got over my bowel cancer fear.
As with my bowel cancer, skin, brain cancer etc etc what ever is hot topic at the moment, I will be hypersensitive to that area and will feel every single sensation there..
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Re: More breast issues and need some logical thinking
Quote:
Originally Posted by
HA1989
Sounds like you are having such a difficult time. I am currently down the breast cancer rabbit hole. Mine is due to an occasionally itchy left nipple and whitish discharge (which could be due to the fact my nipples have always been inverted). I am sure the discharge has been there for the past 15 or so years and it could be just normal due to the fact they are inverted so collect sweat as I do a lot of running (gross I know lol). But I’m still obsessing over it now as I have recently got over my bowel cancer fear.
As with my bowel cancer, skin, brain cancer etc etc what ever is hot topic at the moment, I will be hypersensitive to that area and will feel every single sensation there..
I’m sorry to hear you are having a bad time of it too. Have you been to see anyone about this? I’m afraid I don’t have any advice but I have met women who say they get discharge and nothing is wrong. Not that me saying that will stop you worrying.
I honestly feel so sick. I’ve lost my appetite and I’m struggling to eat. It’s constant in my head “I’m ok” to “you’ve got cancer everywhere and will be lucky to see the year out”. I feel so drained. Also as you say I’m hypersensitive to any pains in that area now. The pains aren’t sharp or shooting. They are burning and muscle cramp type feelings. I’m occasionally getting them on the other side too but nowhere near as bad. I just can’t shake this doom feeling I’m carrying around. I’m imagining not seeing my girls grow up and not getting old. I’m really scared.
Im glad you said about being rally aware of every ache and pan when fixated on an area. When my breast cancer fears started just over w year ago I was convinced I had it in my right breast (this current issue is left ribs) as I found two hard lumps at the top of my armpit. They’ve never changed and I can still feel them now. At the time I was getting horrendous pains in my right breast and under it. If my husband touched my right breast sexually it hurt and I had to ban him from going anywhere near it for a few months.
Im really praying it’s my anxiety causing this but the dr offering no reassurance has not helped at all. He never mentioned it could be muscular or anxiety related and that’s not helped my state of mind at all. X
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Re: More breast issues and need some logical thinking
I’ve got my consultant appointment today at half one. Just picked up my referral letters from gp. He’s put down my symptoms and said most have improved which is true. He’s stated he’s referring back for their guidance on what tests to run but he’s ordered blood tests (nothing has been mentioned to me). He’s put down about my health anxiety and about my daughter dying. Said no swollen lymph nodes and he stated that he doesn’t recommend an X-ray which I guess means he doesn’t think it’s a tumour as that would show on an X-ray I believe. Doesn’t sound like he’s overly concerned kind of stated he was referring back to consultant off the back of the nurse saying I needed further tests,
Probably over analysing it all because of th anxiety.
I had barely any discomfort yesterday until dinner time. My stomach feels so sore and all the muscles feel really sore too. No pain when touching my rib cage anymore. I’m not sure if im wasting their time. Part of me thinks this is all anxiety causing the discomfort. I’m fixated on this area and the brain is creating it. Then the anxiety says no could be a tumour pushing on everything. I just don’t know anymore.
Im seeing a psychologist on 27th feb too x
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Re: More breast issues and need some logical thinking
Look, just go with the consultant appointment, you might as well now that its booked. As a by-stander I know the way this is going to go, and just like your pain 3 years ago went, I think this will too.
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Re: More breast issues and need some logical thinking
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Carys
Look, just go with the consultant appointment, you might as well now that its booked. As a by-stander I know the way this is going to go, and just like your pain 3 years ago went, I think this will too.
Thanks carys. I am really hoping you are completely right. My husband read the referral and said he reads it as the dr not being overly concerned and thinking it’s my health anxiety. He’s w thorough dr so I actually feel a bit calmer to be honest. It’s all through private health insurance so not taking up nhs time. My husband wants me to be scanned in the hopes this will be put it all to bed I think. I know I need the psychological help to do that and I will follow through, I don’t want to live like this anymore! I’m so tired of living in fear. I feel drained!
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Re: More breast issues and need some logical thinking
He didn’t scan me. He said it’s pointless as ultrasounds don’t show inflammation. I asked if maybe the costo had flared up again at Xmas and I was right at the end of it. He thinks that’s possible but he felt I was ok and as it is getting better he doesn’t feel it’s cancer. Had a good feel of mybreast and really poked my rib cage. Also confirmed that you can get pain at side of breast by armpit with costo. I explained about my anxiety but he felt a scan was just pointless x
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Re: More breast issues and need some logical thinking
Right. Now, time to put this one to bed. Carry on with lack of wireless bra, warmth, gentle exercises (there must be something for costo?) and feel entirely reassured that there is nothing there which is deeply concerning - annoying yes, but concerning, no.
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Re: More breast issues and need some logical thinking
I’m going to. Got my first appointment with psychologist soon and I know it will be tough but this can’t carry on. I’ve got to do the work to get better!
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Re: More breast issues and need some logical thinking
Excellent ! I tell you this, as you age, life is going to bring more aches and pains and oddities your way, so time to get it sorted now :o)
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Re: More breast issues and need some logical thinking
I know and I am going to be a mess that can’t function if I don’t get a grip on this soon. I also need to help myself now. Eat better and exercise, try to get more sleep. I have to make a change. The girls are getting older and more aware. I do not want this for them! I’ve always been a fighter and a grafter. I need to get back to me!
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Re: More breast issues and need some logical thinking
I think a focus on taking better care of yourself can reap many positive results. I think your awareness is pretty good actually unicorn, of what is going on here, and how to solve it. I like your attitude, the one that is underlying the thin sheet of fear enveloping you.
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Re: More breast issues and need some logical thinking
Thank you carys! Appreciate that! :)
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Re: More breast issues and need some logical thinking
Pain has gone in front of ribs but now the side of my ribs at the bottom are so sore. Started a few days ago. Wondering if I slept on my side too long in the night. Stomach has been really bad. Keep feeling bruised and like trapped wind in the same place as ribs feeling sore too. Is it anxiety? I keep telling myself it is. I’m so fed up of it. Got my psychologist appointment on Tuesday first one (last weeks for cancelled). Not sure if I should go back to Drs about stomach issues and now bruised feeling in different location but also don’t want to waste their time. Today has been so crap. Had a family member start on me over nothing and I’ve spent most of the day feeling rubbish, crying and pains getting worse. I just want to feel normal. I’m so sick of this hanging over my head all the time. The constant what if it is something bad thoughts. Sorry to sound odd. Just feeling upset and alone x
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Re: More breast issues and need some logical thinking
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Unicorn1985
Pain has gone in front of ribs but now the side of my ribs at the bottom are so sore. Started a few days ago. Wondering if I slept on my side too long in the night. Stomach has been really bad. Keep feeling bruised and like trapped wind in the same place as ribs feeling sore too. Is it anxiety? I keep telling myself it is. I’m so fed up of it. Got my psychologist appointment on Tuesday first one (last weeks for cancelled). Not sure if I should go back to Drs about stomach issues and now bruised feeling in different location but also don’t want to waste their time. Today has been so crap. Had a family member start on me over nothing and I’ve spent most of the day feeling rubbish, crying and pains getting worse. I just want to feel normal. I’m so sick of this hanging over my head all the time. The constant what if it is something bad thoughts. Sorry to sound odd. Just feeling upset and alone x
Hey there!
I am so sorry you feel so rubbish at the moment. I can really relate so much to the last part of your post about feeling so rubbish and crying and just feeling so upset and alone.
I just wanted to say we are always here for you and that you are not alone.
Going to your therapy sounds like a great idea, if anything to have a safe place just to talk and feel more calm. It may only help for a little bit as it takes time (I am 6 sessions deep and still feel awful half the time) but you are making positive steps to heal yourself.
Are you on any medication? If not would you consider it?
I was at the stage of being so irrational and manic, I needed something to break the noise / cycle. It hasn’t been a magic pill by any means but it has helped me feel more grounded and in a better head space to tackle this mental health beast head on.
Sending virtual hugs and strength
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Re: More breast issues and need some logical thinking
Thank you so much Lauz. I’m sorry you are struggling so much too.
My period has started and that coupled with my ribs feeling so sore on the side it just making me so uncomfortable. I am on the verge of asking for meds because I just can’t carry on like this. I feel restless but at the same time don’t want to do anything. It’s such an odd feeling.x
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Re: More breast issues and need some logical thinking
thank you, some days are better than others and I just keep reminding myself I am making small progress.
Your period will impact your hormones and emotions big time. Be kind to yourself and ride the emotions as they are totally normal.
I hear you, I am the same. It’s such a weird feeling and so hard to see the light to come out the other end. Don’t give yourself big goals, just little achievable ones each day that will make you feel like you are making a change.
If you have some pain perhaps have some pain relief if that helps.