Pains in Breast

I have had that pain too. I have cut down on my caffeine intake, but I have also had tumors in my breasts. Another thing that you may want to consider is that the bras that you are wearing are giving you the support you need. Go to Victoria's Secret and they can do a bra fitting. Not having the right bra can form pockets of fibroids because the breasts hang without support. See if that works. Email me @ ____@____.com and let me know how it goes.

Hi Y.. I have been having the same problems lately. In addition I have been experiencing a leakage in my left nipple. I have seen my internist, ob/gyn on several occasions. I have had a series of mamograms and nothing can be found that is there were no lumps or anything the doctors fill abnormal. I had been sent to a specialist for a ductagram only she could not get those painful needles in any of the ducts in my nipple. Oh, the leakage came months before the pain. I went back last week because of the pain and was told that it is probably a muscle strain. She (gyn) asked if I had lifted something heavy. I then remembered that I recently started going back to the gym and had been lifting weights. Maybe this is causing the strain. I am now monitoring everything I do that would involve muscle usage in the chest area do determine if this is where the pain is coming from so far I cannot tell. The pain comes and goes. Let me know what is going on with you from you self monitoring. This is truly strange.

Y., first, you are very much in the thoughts of this stranger. I have been where you are. I am there right now. Please keep reading.

Let's start with the retest on the mammogram: Yes, it could be something, but it also could be a simple calcification that's nothing, or it could be a problem with the way the first one was done. It's fairly common for women to have to have mammograms redone, especially if the radiologists who read them are cautious. Be proactive, even insistent if you have to: Ask if the radiologist will be there at the lab, at the very time you are there getting the mammogram redone,and ask if the radiologist can "read" it while you are still there in the office, so you do not have to go home and wait and wait for a call or a piece of paper in the mail. My ob/gyn suggested this when I had a "call-back" on a mammogram and it helped a lot to have the radiologist read the film during the same visit; I knew that either way,I would have an answer and proceed with whatever happened next. (In my case it was nothing.)If there is a problem, at least you will know that same day.

Second, about the pains. Did you just talk to your ob/gyn or did you get a full breast examination? If not, get one right away. That is vital and your ob/gyn should have insisted on it. If you aren't confident in your doctor, ask to see another one in the practice or find another. OK, here's the deal: People will say "Breast cancer isn't painful, so it can't be cancer," but there is one form of breast cancer, called inflammatory breast cancer, that is painful, and it is very serious; your doctor should check you immediately to rule out this possibility; HOWEVER, Y., it may also be much more likely that you have fibrocystic breasts. Your doctor should be able to tell that with a good exam.

Ask about fibrocystic breast condition. It means your breasts are prone to forming benign but painful fluid-filled cysts (not tumors, which are hard "like frozen peas" as my doctor says). These can really hurt. The pain often comes and goes as the cysts form and disappear; the pains can "shoot" through your breast; the pains may "move around." It's a benign but very scary condition, especially since we all know that breast cancer affects so many women.

Yes, caffeine definitely does encourage formation of cysts in women who are sensitive to it. Even if you think you've never had issues with caffeine -- "it doesn't keep me awake, it doesn't make me jumpy," etc. -- it may be behind the formation of cysts. Knock off all caffeine right away. If you're a big-time coffee or soda drinker you may have to stop a bit gradually but try to eliminate all of it and replace it with water.

If you're fibrocystic, you might also ask your doctor about taking daily vitamin E supplements and supplements of evening primrose oil (available in gel capsules in health food stores and Whole Foods supermarkets). Evening primrose contains lots of fatty acids that help with breast tissue health. The National Institutes of Health web site says evening primrose is "well tolerated" by most who take it. Two ob/gyns recommended for me a regimen of daily vitamin E, evening primrose, a B-complex supplement (all the B vitamins) and of course a calcium and vitamin D supplement which most women need. I think these supplements do help.

Ask your doctor also about your brassieres. I was told to switch to very good quality bras that hold very well, so that the breast tissue doesn't shift around, which can add to pain if you're having a time when the cysts are bad. I haven't always adhered to this advice as the tightness of the bras can be a drag, but it can help. There are specialty bra shops that have professional "fitters" who know vastly more about bras than anyone at Sears or Penneys and who have heard about this condition.

Ask your doctor if you should have a baseline MRI for future reference. My doctor got me one at a place (in Reston, Va.) that specializes in breast-only MRIs. The point wasn't that my doc thought I had any bigger problem; she wanted just to rule out anything she hadn't felt or seen on a mammogram, and she wanted a baseline detailed image. Your doctor may say no or your insurance may say no, but it's worth asking. I have a particularly cautious doctor who says that with this condition she has to "stay on top of" patients' breast conditions.

Most of all, do not let anyone dismiss your concerns or put off seeing you. You alone know what you feel. You alone have to cope with the worry and fear that are still real even if nothing's medically wrong. Take this in your own hands and see what's going on, and don't take no for an answer. I pray for you that this will turn out well. Please post here and let us know how you are. I completely understand your fears and concerns and am sending you my thoughts and prayers along with this advice, Y..

Don't get to worried just yet. I am in the Radiology field and actually used to be a mammography tech. Having to go back for additional views is pretty common, especially if it was your first baseline mammogram. There are some patients that seem to have to go through it every year. The purpose of the additional views is to take a closer look at areas of asymmetry from one area to the next. Could be that an area looks alittle different from the area next to it. They will go and compress just that small area in attempts to "make it go away". OR it there are microcalcifications, do magnification views to get a closer look. Most of the time calcifications are normal, but if they start to group themselves together, it could mean that there is a cancer there. Ultrasound of the breast in the abnormal area of the breast is also a good tool to re evaluate questionable areas of the breast.
So bottom line is, don't panic until someone gives you a reason to panic. Most of these 2nd trips turn out fine:)

Hi Y.,

Here is a resource: http://www.ovarian-cysts-pcos.com/news20.html#sec3

Hope this helps. Good luck. D.

Caffeine really does cause pains in my breast. I can be fine for a long time, then if it starts hurting, lay off the caffeine and it goes away very quickly.

Hi, Y.. Try not to worry too much until you know what the problem is. At my first mammo at 35 (to get my baseline), I was there for over two hours because they kept redoing my left breast. I was petrified and I kept asking what's going? They just kept telling me that they needed better pictures. As it turns out, they decided it was suspicious and wanted to keep an eye on it. I had to go back every three months for a year. At the end of the year, it was determined that it was calcium deposits (very common) and that I should come back every six months for the next two years just to make sure that nothing changed. I will tell you that I worried the whole entire time (which, in retrospect, I realized didn't help anything). Anyway, to make a long story short -- it all turned out okay and now I just have my regular yearly mammo like everybody else -- but they are still watching my "spots." I also had the sharp pains and they told me to cut down on the caffeine as well and it worked.

Good luck and try not to worry too much until you know what's going on.

been there done that! but I didn't want the T-shirt.

Alot of time mammograms are hard to read the first time around. Depending on the tech who did it and everything. So until they tell you there is something to worry about don't.

As far as the caffeine goes, my Drs. said it could cause pain in the breast etc. So I cut down, when I switched obgyn she told me that the pain could be from the about of fiber in my breasts. and she told me that the fiber is what causes problems in reading mammograms and often causes you to have to go back for a second one. The other thing she told me is a really good bra would help with the pain. and it did. I went back to drinking caffeine and haven't experienced any difference.

The thing to do is talk to your obgyn about the pain. It could be just fiber.

I hear you. I have similar issues. Thanks for posting. It was nice to read all the requests. I had my first mamogram in my 20s because I've had two fybroidanomas (fybriod cysts). The frustrating part for me is, they say the breast tissue is so dense they can't see much on the mamogram. Don't confuse this with perky breasts...even after my two children and the inevitable deflation/softening of breasts, my mamograms come back with dense tissue that's hard to read. Still, they have me do them periodially. I get so frustrated because I don't see the point but they say they can see things, it's just not as clear. Then they would ask me to wait and reshoot it. The hardest part for me was having the mamogram because my breasts were so tender already.

You should have a radiologist read your exam before you go so you don't have to wait for something in the mail. When you make the appointment, ask if that will be the case. If not, see if you can find another facility that will do this. It's worth a drive to get an instant response.

Anyway, I've had one cyst removed and one biopsied. They put a titanium bead at the site of the biopsied one so when it appears on future sonograms and mamograms, they'll know they've already checked it out.

Hang in there. I hope it is nothing. Knowing breast cancer is so prevalent makes it so much more frightening. Just know that you have options, there are many survivors and over all... most likely it is nothing major but the fear has made it seem huge.

My shooting pain pretty much stopped after I cut down the caffeine but I still get periodic aching and swelling. I used to think I was pregnant every month :)

Get the breast exams regularly. I have shown them things that concerned me and they have found things on their own. I love sonograms because they are so informative and painless.

Know that we are praying for you. I'm going to go call about that follow up sonogram that I was supposed to get in May... right now. I've been putting it off and you have given me the push I needed. Thanks.

God bless!
Liz

I wouldn't start panicing yet. It could be cysts, which can be very painful. I also experience pain in my left breast. After mammograms and ultrasound, they determined I have dilated ducts. Sometimes my breast just throbs, especially the week before my menstral cycle. If you're not happy with the responses you're getting with your OB/GYN & PCP, seek other opinions. Your health is worth it.

Hi Y.,
I had this same problem. My OBGYN told me to lower my caffeine too. What I have are fibroid cysts. Caffeine makes them hurt worse. My mother and my aunt (mom's sister) have them as well. My aunt was the first one to be diagnosed with them. The first thing the doctor told her was to cut back on caffeine. She loves coffee but can only now have one cup per day. My OB told me to take Vitamin E 400 I.U. each day. It is supposed to keep the cysts soft and moving so that they don't clump in one place.
I'd start with cutting back on the caffeine. If it doesn't seem to be helping, then start with the Vitamin E too. And remember, caffeine isn't just in soda. It's in chocolate and some medications.

Hi Y.,
I had an occasional sharp, shooting pain in my breast about 6 years ago. I talked to my doctor about it and she asked if I was carrying a heavy purse or backpack often, which I was. She suggested that I "lighten the load". I followed her advice and the pain ceased. I was very surprised that the answer was so simple and I hope that your problem can be solved as easily as mine was. I also hope that your mammogram results will be good.
Y.

First off, what were the results of your mammogram? I had the same question a couple of months ago, mammogram was negative, and my gyn said it was ligaments in the breast tissue; I can't remember what she called them...

Yolando,
I know the fear that you are going through. I also had the "follow up" and everything was fine. On the other side, it could be hormones indicating that "the change of life is coming!". I hit menopause at 38. It freaked me out!! Now I am on Bioidentical Hormone replacement therapy and the results are incredible. Research them on line and here:
http://www.leesburgpharmacy.com/
Good Luck!!!

I had a very similar situation and was told the same thing, decrease my caffeine intake. It worked. Up until this i drank 2-3 cups every morning. Now, I have cut back to 1 cup (i might sneak a second on Mondays)
Also, I had a sonogram of my breast and that came back normal. I hope this helps and that it works out as well for you as it did for me.

Hey you,
I get a lot of fibroid cyst like things and my doctor tells me that she is told breast cancer growths are not related to pain....say a prayer and rest easy.

Hi Y.,

I have that too as well as my sisters and mother. We all have fibrocystic breast disorder. I call it lumpy boobs lol. They are harmless but do hurt like crazy if I drink too many Cokes. Don't worry unless your doctor says to worry.

Y.,
I had a similar experience with sharp pains in both my breasts. The doctor even found a small pea-sized mass in one side that they were extremely concerned about. They gave me a mamogram and found that I had fibroids caused by too much caffeine. As soon as I laid off the diet coke a bit, all the pain and the lump went away.

Yes, I had similar problems with sharp pains in my breast. I had a mammogram, x-ray, heart stress test and then a bone scan revealed that I was developing osteoporosis at a young age. The problem originated because I am lactose intolerant and did not have sufficient calcium growing up.

The doctor said most physician's don't consider testing younger women for this disease, as its usually associated with women in their 60's and 70's (I developed in my mid-40's).

Have them consider a bone scan to rule this out. Best wishes.

Hello Y.!

I know breast cancer is a scary thought. I would just stay positive, BUT continue all follow-ups in getting to the bottom of the pain. I once had pains in my chest that would wake me from sleep. After a little exploring and x-rays, my doctor determined it was just the fact I had been working out my pecs! lol

I recently had to have a six month follow-up mammogram due to "salting". I put off the appointment because I was busy, but subconsciously it was probably b/c I didn't want bad news. That was a risky thing to do. Luckily it did not prove to be detrimental as they didn't see anything they were concerned about when I finally went six months late.

Just stay positive AND enlightened. Our prayers are with you!

MzT

Hello Y.,

Yes I had the same thing happen to me but after having a second test and a biopsy it was nothing more than a fiberloid. Pardon my spelling. I had it removed and have had no more problems from it. So don't become overly worried but concern enough to have further testing.