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Regular user gone anon

I had my Mirena removed just over a week ago. On Saturday morning in the shower I noticed a "thickening" in my breast, it was there before but due to a lot of family issues I'd put it to the back of my mind. I don't know how to describe it. I've heard of people describing pea-shaped lumps, it's not like that. Its like a clump of muscles.


ETA - went to the GP this morning, and he can feel something there too. He's sending off a referral letter to the breast clinic. The nurse was very nice & spoke through the different stages of what to expect from the breast clinic with me, which I promptly forgot when I walked out the door. She did say that there's no benefit in going private as no differentiation in waiting times.

Yes, I have the same thing. Thickening and a tiny bit of nipple discharge also. I posted about it here at the time. Only difference is I got the Mirena out after I discovered it as I felt it was messing with my hormones too much. I also has bad acne and an abnormal smear result around the same time. I went to the breast clinic and was given a thorough check, mammogram and ultrasound (I'm 31 btw). The doc called it duct ectasia. And also discovered another cyst. Overall though there was nothing to worry about. It's definitely hormonal though as it changes in size at various times during the month. I know how worried you are but it probably ok for you two. If you do get referred to the breast clinic I would suggest to go to one of the private breast clinics if you can afford it. I was waiting almost 6 weeks and it was torture. Hope that helps pet x x

Milly123, thank you for taking the time to reply. It's great to hear a positive outcome. At this stage I think my mind is going into overdrive, human nature I guess. So I'm trying to calm myself down & keep telling myself that it's due to the hormonal changes.

I would appreciate if you Would let me know how you get on, if you get a similar diagnosis. Good luck tomorrow x

Thanks Milly, I've updated my original post. I ended up having to wait to go to the GP until this morning due to a work issue yesterday.
Starting to panic now.

I am in a similiar boat but have had a breast clinic referral since December and still no appointment. I was back at my doctor the other day and have now got a letter to see Mr Gerarty in The Charlemont Clinic on the 2nd of April. I have no discharge just 'a change in the architecture of the breast and nipple retraction'

Best of luck to you all.
x

C

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Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover – Mark Twain

Oh feck Ciara, you've been waiting a fair while
The nurse was very adamant that I'd have an appointment within the next 6 weeks, maybe the waiting times are different in Waterford. If I don't hear anything within 2 weeks I'll get back on to her & see about going private for the initial appointment & take it from there.
I've no nipple discharge either, just this 'thickening' which is exactly how the GP described it as well.

The nurse did make me smile though - she's a very down to earth & pleasant woman & I get on great with her. She asked if I'd ever had a mammogram, I said no. She said to imagine my freezer door & placing my breast in it & closing the door. She was being very factual & trying to explain all but I told her that was one bit of info that I could have done without!

Hi there.

I was waiting 6 weeks for wrh. Try not to panic though. It's fairly standard to refer you to the breast clinic. There is a private breast clinic in cork. You will find it if you google. They will see you within days but it costs around €450 afaik. They do the triple assessment there

Hope that helps x

I can't be bothered chopping & changing between 2 usernames, I'm metoyou

TBH Millie, I can't afford the €450 at the moment, we're just after paying for a trip to Disneyland in May that we've been saving for since last year. I'll just have to hope that the appointment comes within the 6 weeks.

Did you have the mammogram & ultrasound on the 1st day you went in there? Or did you have to have an initial exam & go back?

I think why I was in shock on Friday was I'd been so busy convincing DH that I'd go to the GP & that he'd tell me I was imagining things, so when the GP said he could feel it too, I was floored. Guess my powers of persuasion even work on myself!

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Proud mammy of three beautiful girls



Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.

Hi there

Yes I had both mammogram and ultrasound done with a lovely consultant. Very nice man. Really put me at ease. Explained everything to me. He didn't see the need to do a biopsy as he wasn't concerned with my 'thickening'. On leaving the nurse suggested that I start a course if starflower oil. I think it's similar to evening primrose. She said it's very good for settling hormones etc. It might be worth your while trying it and see how you get on

Glad to hear that they're nice down there!
I've been taking starflower oil for the past few months, to help with mood swings on the mirerna. I hadn't stopped taking it since I got the Mirena out a few weeks ago. Nurse said to mention it to them that I've been taking it the past few months

Thanks for answering all the questions - it's just such an unknown to me and don't want to ask friends

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Proud mammy of three beautiful girls



Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.

After my first routine mammogram, the nurse looked a bit concerned, said she'd need to get someone more senior to look at it and then came back to say the senior person would be coming in to examine me there and then. All the worst case scenarios ran through my head while I was alone on that reclined bed thing waiting for the expert to land. I have never felt so totally alone.

The expert came in, poked and prodded a bit and then announced that I have "ducty" breasts. :lookaround:

Well, they're mine, I like them and I'm still here. Don't panic unless and until you have been told it's time to panic. Good luck!

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"...weigh books on a scale and award letter grades for reading done by the pound."
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See: http://www.trelease-on-reading.com/rah- ... #parentjob

Tang just quick post as in smartphone.

U should get an appt within set period of time. Make sure Gps referral got to breast unit as sometimes they can go missing. Do u know where u referred to? If u do ring the unit & explain how worried u r & enquire when appt will b?

Dont feel u have to go private if funds tight, if & more than likely it wont b, anything comes from tests u will b treated as fairly & the same in public system.

A mammogram is a breeze, uncomfortable yes but needed to rule out anything sinister. The nurses & doctors in breast units r amazing & will put your mind at ease explaining anything they need to do.

Its totally understandable to be worried & nervous. Nothing anyone says will ease this. Try to remember most lumps, bumps etc are benign. If u want chat give me a call. If u dont still have my phone no Pm me & ill get it to u.

Take care x

Thanks girls for the replies & for taking the time to type out the info. It's nice to be able to hear from people who've been through it & who can say what to expect.doing lots of positive thinking & trying to stay positive. It'll probably turn out to be nothing & then big sighs of relief all round!

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Proud mammy of three beautiful girls



Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.

Any news of appt yet? Def positive thoughts all round, sometimes to write stuff down & face fears can ease mind somewhat.

Do come back & update post when u have appt.

I have had this in both breasts - but mainly the right - pretty much since I got my Mirena after dd.
It wasn't too bad at first - but it became increasingly sore, so was referred for ultrasound & mammogram.
Was told it was fibrous/cystic tissue - not to worry, nothing they can do. They said limit/cut out caffeine & take large doses of evening primrose oil.
I had Hodgekinson's when I was 19 - so have history so have to be very careful.

Basically it has continued - big, swollen, red, sore boobs. And they have gone up at least 1 size. (I have big boobs as it is - so not a fan of anything that makes them bigger).

Anyway, it got to the point that I was so fed up I went & got Mirena removed & got huge tub of 1,000mg evening primrose oil tabs, of which I am taking 3 or 4 a day.
There is a huge difference.

The thickening/lumpy tissue is gone.
I suppose time will tell, i.e. when it's my time of the month, etc....

Hope the info helps a bit.

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I rang the breast clinic in WRH, she found me on the system & while she didn't have a definite date yet, she said I should be seen by the end of the 2nd week in April. I told her we're away that week, so she put the note on the file, which means it might be the following week. She also said that their day for the clinic is Thursdays, so I'm telling myself that it'll probably be the 19th April, and if an appointment comes for a date before that, all the better.

TomTom, thanks for your post too, yours sounds very painful Glad the EP oil has helped, hope it continues to improve for you.

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Proud mammy of three beautiful girls



Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.

Thanks Tang. Was bloody sore - but has improved alot with the EP oil.

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Hi ya. I went back to the Gp after I posted and she resent the referrals. James street gave me and appointment in May. Then Vincents sent me an appointment that was sooner.

I will update when I have been.

Ciara

_________________
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover – Mark Twain

Will keep the fingers crossed for you Ciara.
I rang the breast clinic a few weeks ago & while I was on phone i told them we'd be away this week, to get a note put on my file as this is week 6 since they got my letter, and they did say i'd get a date in 6 weeks. My appointment letter duly arrived last week with my apt date - yesterday! So I had to ring them again & got new date for 2 weeks time. She was very apologetic but I was annoyed to be honest.
I'll let you know how I get on.

_________________
Proud mammy of three beautiful girls



Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.

Do. I was there yesterday. Seen by doctor who had a good feel and told me he is sending me for a mammogram and ultrasound next week. They said I am to ring on Monday if I don't here from them. He was very nice. I am not overly concerned as he said it could be scar tissue from mastitis when feeding Fionn.
x
C

_________________
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover – Mark Twain

Girls, can I join in? I found something last night, except it's not a pea like lump, it seems broad and flatter and it's sore. I got my period today, so courtesy of Dr Google ( ) I am hoping it's hormonal, but I will try to get to the GP on Monday or Tues at latest. Tbh I was so tempted to go to the out-of-hours G.P. today, but dh is keeping me calm and we'd dh's relatives for dinner, which was a fabulous distraction today.

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Our first angel always remembered, m/c 6th July 2004.





The most important things we give our children are roots and wings.

It's good that he thinks it could be scar tissue Ciara, fingers crossed that your mammogram shows the same. Let us know how you get on.



Hi Bookworm, sorry to hear that you've found something. Is it still there today? The 'thickening' in my breast sounds like yours, except mine isn't sore. Try to get to your GP tomorrow to see what they say, you'll be worrying about it constantly till you do.

_________________
Proud mammy of three beautiful girls



Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.

Yes, it's still there today. Def going to get it checked tomorrow if I can get an appointment as I'll go mad otherwise, especially if I am hearing there's a 6 week waiting period for the clinic...

_________________
Our first angel always remembered, m/c 6th July 2004.





The most important things we give our children are roots and wings.