NS67
09-25-2008, 03:28 PM
A little background:
I’m a 41 year old woman, who has been experiencing breast pain in my left breast for 18 months now. The onset of the breast pain started about 1 month after I delivered our son (born 2 months premature due to severe preeclampsia). He was in the NICU for 3 weeks and unable to breast feed for the first 2 months (not strong enough), so I pumped the first 2 months after he was born. The breast pain started about 1 month after he was born while pumping. I thought it might be thrush. I was treated with no relief, this continued throughout our breastfeeding relationship. It was very painful to feed him on the left side, he would refuse, pull, bite, etc… I should mention that the left nipple would sometimes turn alarmingly purple and then regain color. I mentioned to my doctor that I thought it might be ductal thrush, and my concerns were dismissed and breast pain has continued with no relief….
Fast forward (present):
5 months post-breastfeed (April 2008) I had my first mammogram. The mammogram revealed that the ducts in my left breast were significantly dilated and a “suspicious mass.” My OB scheduled an ultra sound 1.5 weeks later so they could get a better look at the “suspicious mass.” The results from the first U/S revealed the same as the mammogram and I was referred to a surgeon to have it biopsied; scheduled for 2 weeks later. When I went in for the Ultrasound guided biopsy they noticed that this “suspicious mass” moved as they pressed down with the U/S wand, and decided that it was not necessary to biopsy, because most likely it was just residual fluid and debris from breastfeeding, and to follow up with another U/S in three months. I was very relieved but still experiencing constant breast pain daily… 3 months later (July 2008) I had the follow up U/S that revealed no change in the ducts, and to recheck in 6 months. In the meantime my OB has left her practice for a new practice out of state, so I’ve since switched OB’s. I met with him about 2 weeks ago w/Ultrasounds and Mammogram in hand with the doctors notes and findings and explained the situation. He ordered an MRI just to be certain it wasn’t breast cancer (September 16th, 2008). I called today and the results came back normal, I asked the nurse who I spoke with over the phone if the ducts were still dilated because I still have the breast pain and she said she didn’t know and would have the doctor call me… so I’m sitting here waiting for a call back, ugh!
Question:
So my question… could this be ductal thrush that has gone untreated for 18 months? Can ductal thrush cause your ducts to dilate? I’m very relieved that it’s not cancer, but I’m still in constant pain and I would love some relief and welcome any advice that you might have to help alleviate the pain. I just want to feel “normal” again. My left breast is in constant pain, it feels like it weighs about 10 pounds heavier than the right, it constantly aches under my armpit, and chest wall and the nipple feels like its burning all the time…. I’m so frustrated, help….
Thanks in advance!
I’m a 41 year old woman, who has been experiencing breast pain in my left breast for 18 months now. The onset of the breast pain started about 1 month after I delivered our son (born 2 months premature due to severe preeclampsia). He was in the NICU for 3 weeks and unable to breast feed for the first 2 months (not strong enough), so I pumped the first 2 months after he was born. The breast pain started about 1 month after he was born while pumping. I thought it might be thrush. I was treated with no relief, this continued throughout our breastfeeding relationship. It was very painful to feed him on the left side, he would refuse, pull, bite, etc… I should mention that the left nipple would sometimes turn alarmingly purple and then regain color. I mentioned to my doctor that I thought it might be ductal thrush, and my concerns were dismissed and breast pain has continued with no relief….
Fast forward (present):
5 months post-breastfeed (April 2008) I had my first mammogram. The mammogram revealed that the ducts in my left breast were significantly dilated and a “suspicious mass.” My OB scheduled an ultra sound 1.5 weeks later so they could get a better look at the “suspicious mass.” The results from the first U/S revealed the same as the mammogram and I was referred to a surgeon to have it biopsied; scheduled for 2 weeks later. When I went in for the Ultrasound guided biopsy they noticed that this “suspicious mass” moved as they pressed down with the U/S wand, and decided that it was not necessary to biopsy, because most likely it was just residual fluid and debris from breastfeeding, and to follow up with another U/S in three months. I was very relieved but still experiencing constant breast pain daily… 3 months later (July 2008) I had the follow up U/S that revealed no change in the ducts, and to recheck in 6 months. In the meantime my OB has left her practice for a new practice out of state, so I’ve since switched OB’s. I met with him about 2 weeks ago w/Ultrasounds and Mammogram in hand with the doctors notes and findings and explained the situation. He ordered an MRI just to be certain it wasn’t breast cancer (September 16th, 2008). I called today and the results came back normal, I asked the nurse who I spoke with over the phone if the ducts were still dilated because I still have the breast pain and she said she didn’t know and would have the doctor call me… so I’m sitting here waiting for a call back, ugh!
Question:
So my question… could this be ductal thrush that has gone untreated for 18 months? Can ductal thrush cause your ducts to dilate? I’m very relieved that it’s not cancer, but I’m still in constant pain and I would love some relief and welcome any advice that you might have to help alleviate the pain. I just want to feel “normal” again. My left breast is in constant pain, it feels like it weighs about 10 pounds heavier than the right, it constantly aches under my armpit, and chest wall and the nipple feels like its burning all the time…. I’m so frustrated, help….
Thanks in advance!