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Severe Fibrocystic Breast disease

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Posted 10/11/2009 6:09 AM (GMT 0)

confused  I am 40 but since I was 36 I have been diagnosed with Severe Fibrocystic Breast disease. On sept 30  I had a mammogram.  Although I had several in past years this one was different.

For about 6 months I have had non stop pain in both breast and lumps like you would not beleive.  So I got a letter today saying I had a need for additional evaluations.  In all the years I have never gotten a call or letter back and am just a little concerned.  Anybody have an idea of how breast disease may effect chances of getting breast cancer.  Hopefully I can get an appoinment next week because I need answers NOW.

Posted 10/11/2009 10:59 AM (GMT 0)
I had fibrocystic breast disease for years before I was diagnosed with breast cancer. At times, the pain was almost unbearable. When I found the cancerous lumps, they were different from the fcbd lumps. They were painless and unchanging. Even my husband could tell the difference. That was what sent me to the doctor. I will say, however, that some women do report pain in their breasts with breast cancer, but that is rare. I have never heard or read that there is a relationship between fcbd and breast cancer. Lots of women get call backs that turn out to be nothing. After my initial dx, I was called back for a "mass" in my remaining breast. I was thoroughly prepared for a cancer dx, and you could have knocked me over with a feather when they said there was nothing there. The "mass" was a result of the way the tissue was pushed together in the mammo. Compression views showed normal tissue and no mass. I was on cloud nine! So it could be nothing. Try not to worry too much about it. I had to wait 6 long weeks to get my follow-up views done.

Good luck with your follow-up. Hopefully, it will be nothing. And my sympathies with the fcbd. I know how absolutely miserable it can be, and none of the "remedies," such as avoid caffeine, etc.. helped at all. I had a friend who had elective mastectomies with reconstructive surgery, not because of cancer, but because of fcbd. She has never regretted that decision.

Take care, and good luck... Let us know how it goes!

Hugs...
BEV
Posted 10/11/2009 4:34 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Bev, Thanks for the insight. I have tried hearbal remedies, no caffiene, new bra's the works and it's good to hear others know what I am going through. I try not to say anything half the time so my family will not think I'm a chronic complainer BUT the pain is ridiculous. It's ironic that you said your friend had her breast removed because I was going to my next appointment with that question. I'll stay connected and hopefully with good news.

Smooches
Nivenn
Posted 12/9/2012 4:20 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Nivenn

I am 32 years old and will be having double mastectomy due to this problem. I have had to have 6 fibrocystic tumors ranging from the size of a golf ball to the size of a thumb removed from my breasts over the last five years. I am tired of the pain and the worry and both my Primary Care Doc and my Surgeon have recommened the procedure. I saw your post above and I was wondering if you went through the surgery as well. I'm pretty scared of the surgery so any words of advice, wisdom, encouragement, etc. would we welcomed and greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Brandy
Posted 4/26/2014 2:25 PM (GMT 0)
I have been diagnosed with "extensive fibrocystic changes" and right now am having pain in my chest, armpit, and down my arm and even into my back shoulder blade. I am concerned b/c the pain is pretty severe, but I've had CBEs by both an integrative practitioner (my regular doc) and a breast surgeon, as well as ultrasound and thermography. I am 30 years old, and have just finished a very rigorous grad degree while also teaching full time, and I believe stress and overconsumption of caffeine for 5-10 years have done this to me. Starting a no-caffeine phase (on day 12 currently), and continuing to clean up my diet and exercise more, as well as on progesterone theraphy, iodine, vit. D., other supplements, and a Chinese med. combo called "Resolve Internal Fire." My doc wants another thermography in 2 months to follow up--hoping for the best. I have a "hot spot" shaped like a 'C' in the upper-outer portion of my left breast, where the pain is most severe, but I have other "hot spots" and painful spots in both breasts, and my doc. thinks that it's approximately symmetrical, so she is not currently concerned that it is BC. However, if others have had such extensive changes and pain (esp. around my age), it would help me to know that. I am considering requesting MRI if next thermography does not show improvement and if I don't feel less pain in 2 months. They won't do mammography on me b/c my breasts are far too dense and I'm 30.
Posted 4/27/2014 3:20 PM (GMT 0)
Mary,

Your age shouldn't be any type of barrier with regards to a mammo, and I've had fibrocystic, dense breasts since I was 14. I am now 51.

To be honest, I've never heard of thermography being done before for this, but I find it quite a fascinating concept.

They were still able to mammos on me and yes, it's a super tight squeeze, but it is extremely more comfortable than they were 20 years ago. I also had ultrasounds performed, as well as a breast MRI.

The MRI will be, I believe, the most help, but there are channels you have to go through to get that done. I think it's worth bringing up with your doctor.








M.
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