Forum Discussion
Painful mammogram and now recall for suspicious lump
Hi there, I'm not sure where to put this as I haven't as yet been diagnosed, but I'm terribly anxious and feeling very alone. I had a mammogram a week ago and still feeling very painful from it. Tingling in breasts and feeling hot in the chest. After I had it I did a bit more reading up and feel like I should have just done an ultrasound as it was a routine check and I'm 42.
I called BreastScreen QLD to report it and kind of complain, but then they said oh, you are on our list to call back to check a lump. I had noted it before my scan. I had my first mammogram about 3 years ago with no effects, no pain and nothing suspicious.
The next appointment is on Wednesday and I just want to be armed with as much info as possible as I had concerns about the mammogram when I was there but really feel like I was pushed into it when I was there because I didn't have enough info about how painful it might be and the radiation (which I'm wondering whether it has caused the heat).
I keep trying to examine the lump and google all the different types, but it seems to change depending on the position I'm in. It definitely feels hard, but sometimes it feels like it's moveable, sometimes it even feels larger than just a few hours before, and I can't really tell the shape.
I've been reading up on different options they might take at the appointment, which is ultrasound, which I'm fine with, fine needle aspiration or core biopsy. They also said diagnostic mammogram which I definitely DO NOT want to do.
I appreciate that there hasn't even been a diagnosis yet, and maybe this isn't the most appropriate forum, but I'm super anxious and just need to speak to people who understand. Can anyone share their experiences on the different diagnoses methods? Which is the safest option without radiation or drugs?
Thank you in advance.
I called BreastScreen QLD to report it and kind of complain, but then they said oh, you are on our list to call back to check a lump. I had noted it before my scan. I had my first mammogram about 3 years ago with no effects, no pain and nothing suspicious.
The next appointment is on Wednesday and I just want to be armed with as much info as possible as I had concerns about the mammogram when I was there but really feel like I was pushed into it when I was there because I didn't have enough info about how painful it might be and the radiation (which I'm wondering whether it has caused the heat).
I keep trying to examine the lump and google all the different types, but it seems to change depending on the position I'm in. It definitely feels hard, but sometimes it feels like it's moveable, sometimes it even feels larger than just a few hours before, and I can't really tell the shape.
I've been reading up on different options they might take at the appointment, which is ultrasound, which I'm fine with, fine needle aspiration or core biopsy. They also said diagnostic mammogram which I definitely DO NOT want to do.
I appreciate that there hasn't even been a diagnosis yet, and maybe this isn't the most appropriate forum, but I'm super anxious and just need to speak to people who understand. Can anyone share their experiences on the different diagnoses methods? Which is the safest option without radiation or drugs?
Thank you in advance.
39 Replies
Thanks @Sister I have told a few very close friends who have been great, but I can't expect anyone to take time off work for that long to come with me. The limbo is just awful isn't it? I feel like I'm floating through the day, just wandering aimlessly around the house with no purpose :-( I don't know how I will be the next few weeks/months if I have to wait for further testing results.Sister said:They do use a local for a core biopsy. I had a fine biopsy for a cyst many years ago but can't remember how that was done. Try to leave it alone as others have said - there's no way you can self-diagnose and you'll only make things more tender. They do mammograms on anxious woman every day so just let them know that the area is tender, that the screening mammo hurt, and that you're very anxious. I was shaking so much at mine, I suspect I was being held up by the machine rather than my knees.
Ring someone up and make arrangements for a movie or a walk. It doesn't matter if you can't concentrate but you need to distract yourself. You've said that no-one can come with you but at the very least, if you can, make contact with someone who you can tell what is going on - it always helps if someone has your back.- They do use a local for a core biopsy. I had a fine biopsy for a cyst many years ago but can't remember how that was done. Try to leave it alone as others have said - there's no way you can self-diagnose and you'll only make things more tender. They do mammograms on anxious woman every day so just let them know that the area is tender, that the screening mammo hurt, and that you're very anxious. I was shaking so much at mine, I suspect I was being held up by the machine rather than my knees.
Ring someone up and make arrangements for a movie or a walk. It doesn't matter if you can't concentrate but you need to distract yourself. You've said that no-one can come with you but at the very least, if you can, make contact with someone who you can tell what is going on - it always helps if someone has your back. - @SundayChild I'm sure on Wednesday you can discuss all this with the Breast Screen staff and they will do their very best with allaying your fears. In the meantime I was also told to use a cold compress/ice pack on the sore breast and it helped a lot xx
- Once Wednesday is here you will have a clearer understanding of what your lump maybe! Here's hoping it is benign!
There's a wealth of information on here once you know what your diagnosis is and lots of support from the forum users!
Please, as everyone had said, keep off google and don't keep prodding yourself as it doesn't help. Some of us have tender breasts in a lead up to our monthly cycle and they are extremely sensitive.
Deep breaths, take a walk in the fresh air, find something that keeps you distracted
Take care - JulieVT11 said:@SundaysChild to be honest not sure if there was a choice, when they called they said I would be having a repeat mammogram. Originally the mammogram picked up an area of DCIS so then had ultrasound which found a small lump in another area. Fine needle asp was done on the lump core biopsy done on DCIS. Boob was quite sore after but just like a bad bruise
Oh @JulieVT11 that scares me if there's no choice about the second mammogram. I'm quite traumatised by it all :( - Oh yes we get it. However feeling it won't diagnose it on its own anyway...so hands off. It will just make the ultrasound more uncomfortable. It moves as thats the nature of breasts and so it's much more difficult than other regions to tell if tethered or moveable.
I don't think I'll be able to take anyone with me :-( Did the core biopsy require stitches, or local anaesthetic? Sorry I'm getting ahead of myself here, I'm just so anxious. Appreciate your time. xxSister said:Sorry @sundayschild I had to end abruptly as I was running late to pick up my daughter.
With the recall, everything was done in one afternoon - physical examination by a doctor, followed by a mammogram, ultrasound and core biopsy - then a consultation with the nurse to discuss what would happen from there and to make the appointment for the results.
Please try to take someone supportive with you to both appointments - partner, parent, sister, good friend... It helps with the anxiety and also to have someone else to hear what is said and ask any questions. I also found that I was too shaky and distracted to be safe behind the wheel.
Thanks @primek - I know I should stop mucking around with it, but google says it's more likely to be a cyst if it's moveable and a regular shape. It's so weird that it feels like it's different hour to hour. It's so stressful and my moods change every 10 minutes. I was hoping to have some closure on Wednesday but it looks like if it needs further testing via biopsy that's another couple of weeks' wait :(primek said:I had a recall for quite a large benign cyst years ago. It was definitely all set up ready to go with good support people. Mine was benign and I asked them to explain how they could tell this. If it had looked differently they would do a biopsy.
I found a lump years later and went straight to ultrasound and biopsy.
When we worry about physical health our focus can be on just that. We can suddenly be acutely aware of pain, heat and tingling as we are focussed on that. Also constant feeling, squeezing etc might actually be causing some inflammation and hense the heat...you might even have bruising appear. So my advise...no more touching. Try to get out and get distracted. Keep your mind busy in something other than the what ifs.
Wednesday would feel a long way off but you will have answers soon. We all know how unbearably long the wait is. Take care. Kath x- @SundaysChild to be honest not sure if there was a choice, when they called they said I would be having a repeat mammogram. Originally the mammogram picked up an area of DCIS so then had ultrasound which found a small lump in another area. Fine needle asp was done on the lump core biopsy done on DCIS. Boob was quite sore after but just like a bad bruise
- Not much point getting a second opinion at that stage. If you are diagnosed with bc you will be referred to a surgeon who will order scans and blood tests to get a more thorough picture of what is going on.
