Breast Problem

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Just a thought and maybe someone else already posted it.

You mentioned that the doctor put you on antibiotics.

Do you have a *Staph *infection?

Staph infections are becoming more and more common, even in children. Often they are MRSA (methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus), which is resistant to lots of antibiotics.

A lot of these MRSA infections are acquired from the family dog, BTW. If the dog is on the furniture, and you sit on the furniture, you may end up with a “spider bite” on your butt or thigh–only it’s not a spider bite. It’s an MRSA infection that your dog gave you.

I had a Staph infection two Christmases ago and it was awful. 😦

I work in a microbiology lab, so I was fairly certain what it was. Mine started in my armpit–probably the bacteria entered after shaving. By the end of a week, I had a lump under my armpit the size of a golf ball–very painful. Then the Staph moved into the breast, and I had a breast full of lumps, some as big as large marbles.

It took THREE courses of antibiotics, including a course of rifampin (one of the “big guns”) before the infection cleared up. Almost six months.

The terrible thing was that I had a mammogram scheduled after Christmas. My doctor told me to cancel it, and I did until I had finished the first course of antibiotics. But many of the lumps were still there and showed up on the mam, of course. And that meant diagnostic mam and ultrasound, which of course insurance doesn’t cover. Grr.

They didn’t see anything conclusive at the diagnostic mam/ultrasound and told me to come back in six months. By then, the infection was entirely gone (after the Rifampin), and the mam was fine.

It sounds icky to have a Staph infection, but it’s a whole lot better than some of the diagnoses that you’re agonizing about. Antibiotics should take care of it eventually. It’s just painful while it lasts.

I hope everything turns out OK for you.
 
Cat said:
Just a thought and maybe someone else already posted it.

You mentioned that the doctor put you on antibiotics.

Do you have a *Staph *infection?
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I don’t know. My doctor is running blood work and I should know something from that today or tomorrow.

What all did you do for the pain? I’m taking Advil and icing my boob when I can. Did you figure out anything that worked for you to help with the pain??
 
Keri - dear friend on CAF

We pray your medical team is constantly guided by His loving hands. They have made great progress so far and hopefully all will turn out well.

Prayers for your strength and courage to get through this anxious time and know we are praying for your comfort and peace.
 
Keri,

I had a clogged milk duct once and the pain was excruciating. Giving birth pales in comparison.

What helped was HEAT, not cold. I know you are still not sure of your Dx, but try a heating pad instead of the cold-- it could make a tremendous difference.

Praying for you…
 
Oh lord. I read this thread and getting flashbacks of everything I went through with my mom a couple of months ago. She started bleeding from her breast which was followed by months of what if’s. Thankfully every is normal. I’ll pray for you, and also there is a Patron saint for Breast problems and Breast cancer. St. Agatha.

catholic-forum.com/saints/sainta04.htm
 
keri6789, I’m on Celebrex for my ankle and have been for years, so that really helped my pain from my Staph infection.

But I don’t recommend Celebrex and I doubt your doctor will prescribe it.

I sure hope you’re feeling better soon and that everything’s OK.

Cat
 
I’m feeling worse. I think if this is an infection its a pretty bad one. I just took my last antibiotic and I feel worse. I think I’m alot more swollen than I was last week when I first started. I’m just so miserable and uncomfortable. It kinda feels like jello under my right arm pit…Its really weird. I don’t know how to even explain how I’m feeling to a doctor…I just know something is wrong. I can feel it. My doctors office doesn’t open til 9:00am so as soon as they open I’m going to call and see what they say. I go for my ultrasound appointment tomorrow morning…I think they will probably tell me I have to wait. I think I’m going to tell them I want a biopsy since this one boob has had so much stuff go worng with it. Please keep me in your prayers.
 
keri6789 said:
Please keep me in your prayers.
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:crossrc: Praying! Keep at the doctors until the figure out what’s wrong, don’t let them brush you off. You know if something is not right in your body. Make sure you get it taken care of.
 
Today is the day - may God guide your medical team and all be well soon. Prayers for your health and peace of mind.
 
I know I’m a little late here, but I’m praying for you, and good luck, and God bless, and I hope everything goes over okay…please keep us updated.
 
I had my ultrasound yesterday morning. There were no weird lumps. I do have very defined milk ducts which could possibly be something else but she didn’t think that there was much need to be alarmed. That’s what she thought they were anyways. She couldn’t tell me what’s wrong which really really bothers me. She said “I don’t know what’s wrong Keri”. I about died! She is a doctor…isn’t she suppose to know what’s going on? I had mastitis about a year ago so I know what that is. She said I could have that again…I told her that mastitis isn’t what’s wrong! I know what mastitis feels like…This doesn’t feel like that. She then said it could be a bacterial infection…I told her over and over that I’ve been on antibiotics for a week and I feel worse. It really bothers me that she couldn’t figure anything out. She told me I should wait a week and if I’m not feeling better to call and they could give me MORE antibiotics. I kept telling her that something is very wrong. I know what’s normal for my body and this isn’t normal. Then it felt like she was turning it around on me…She said I should cut out caffeine and salt. I don’t drink a lot of coke and I don’t use salt. It was the way she said it to me that got me upset. She said the next step is an MRI but tried to discourage that by saying that it’s a very expensive procedure and sometime insurance doesn’t cover it. Right now, the money side isn’t what’s concerning me…What concerns me is that she wants me to wait a few weeks when I’ve already waited at least 6 or 7 weeks! My Mom was in the lobby talking to a lady that is battling cancer right now. She had ultrasounds, mammograms, exams and was told that (her problem which is very very similar to mine) it wasn’t anything. Well, she had an MRI and because she wouldn’t take no for an answer and now she is being treated for breast cancer. I’m going to try to get a second opinion. Her telling me she doesn’t know what’s wrong is really upsetting me. I know something is wrong.

I called my doctor yesterday afternoon to tell her what still going on and what happened that morning. I’m going to go to a specialist. My Mom read about IBC. I have all the symptoms except the inverted nipple or the nasty looking rash. I asked the doctor about that yesterday and she told me that I didn’t have it. I asked how she was so sure since she didn’t know what was wrong. She told me that I didn’t have it because I didn’t have the rash or the inverted nipple. I then said that from what I’ve heard and what my Mom has read that the only way to find it is an MRI. That’s when she started telling me the financial side. Well, if I’m dead it really isn’t going to matter is it?? I called my doctor yesterday and told them what happened and my doctor referred me to a good friend of hers who’s specialty is just breast problems. They might have a cancellation Thursday morning. If they do they can get me in tomorrow morning. If not, I can either wait until July 12 or she said that they could give me the name of another doctor that is in the same field. I’m going to tell them I want an MRI and if insurance doesn’t cover it then I’ll figure that out then. Its only money…I know that its probably expensive and there is probably nothing wrong with me, but I would rather be broke and know what’s wrong then have money and have the constant worry in my head. I kept telling the doctor that something is wrong and that this isn’t normal…she just wouldn’t listen to me. Anyone that looks at me can tell that my right boob is huge compared to my left one. It’s almost doubled in size. THAT ISN’T NORMAL! It looks like I had a boob job and could only afford to get one done. It’s getting embarrassing. I’m going on vacation with my family tomorrow. I didn’t go get a swimming suit because it’s to embarrassing letting anyone see it.
 
keri6789 said:
I had my ultrasound yesterday morning. There were no weird lumps. I do have very defined milk ducts which could possibly be something else but she didn’t think that there was much need to be alarmed. That’s what she thought they were anyways. She couldn’t tell me what’s wrong which really really bothers me. She said “I don’t know what’s wrong Keri”. I about died! She is a doctor…isn’t she suppose to know what’s going on? I had mastitis about a year ago so I know what that is. She said I could have that again…I told her that mastitis isn’t what’s wrong! I know what mastitis feels like…This doesn’t feel like that. She then said it could be a bacterial infection…I told her over and over that I’ve been on antibiotics for a week and I feel worse. It really bothers me that she couldn’t figure anything out. She told me I should wait a week and if I’m not feeling better to call and they could give me MORE antibiotics. I kept telling her that something is very wrong. I know what’s normal for my body and this isn’t normal. Then it felt like she was turning it around on me…She said I should cut out caffeine and salt. I don’t drink a lot of coke and I don’t use salt. It was the way she said it to me that got me upset. She said the next step is an MRI but tried to discourage that by saying that it’s a very expensive procedure and sometime insurance doesn’t cover it. Right now, the money side isn’t what’s concerning me…What concerns me is that she wants me to wait a few weeks when I’ve already waited at least 6 or 7 weeks! My Mom was in the lobby talking to a lady that is battling cancer right now. She had ultrasounds, mammograms, exams and was told that (her problem which is very very similar to mine) it wasn’t anything. Well, she had an MRI and because she wouldn’t take no for an answer and now she is being treated for breast cancer. I’m going to try to get a second opinion. Her telling me she doesn’t know what’s wrong is really upsetting me. I know something is wrong.

I called my doctor yesterday afternoon to tell her what still going on and what happened that morning. I’m going to go to a specialist. My Mom read about IBC. I have all the symptoms except the inverted nipple or the nasty looking rash. I asked the doctor about that yesterday and she told me that I didn’t have it. I asked how she was so sure since she didn’t know what was wrong. She told me that I didn’t have it because I didn’t have the rash or the inverted nipple. I then said that from what I’ve heard and what my Mom has read that the only way to find it is an MRI. That’s when she started telling me the financial side. Well, if I’m dead it really isn’t going to matter is it?? I called my doctor yesterday and told them what happened and my doctor referred me to a good friend of hers who’s specialty is just breast problems. They might have a cancellation Thursday morning. If they do they can get me in tomorrow morning. If not, I can either wait until July 12 or she said that they could give me the name of another doctor that is in the same field. I’m going to tell them I want an MRI and if insurance doesn’t cover it then I’ll figure that out then. Its only money…I know that its probably expensive and there is probably nothing wrong with me, but I would rather be broke and know what’s wrong then have money and have the constant worry in my head. I kept telling the doctor that something is wrong and that this isn’t normal…she just wouldn’t listen to me. Anyone that looks at me can tell that my right boob is huge compared to my left one. It’s almost doubled in size. THAT ISN’T NORMAL! It looks like I had a boob job and could only afford to get one done. It’s getting embarrassing. I’m going on vacation with my family tomorrow. I didn’t go get a swimming suit because it’s to embarrassing letting anyone see it.
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Make that July 12 appt if they can’t get you in tomorrow just in case you can’t get an appt with someone else. As for the dr. you just saw, that relationship would be over in my opinion. Not only that but I would never recommend her to anyone else and tell her such (I once had a numb face and extremities (I’ve always had the numb hands and feet though) and went to a nuerologist and he could explain the reasoning to me, but still ordered the MRI (necessary test) to confirm that I was okay and to also ease my mind. Sometimes doctors know that they have to order tests to ease a patient’s mind (better to be safe than sorry). The doctor you saw the other day did not show any concern for you and wasn’t alarmed as she should have been, especially with your family’s history.
 
Keri - we are all so sorry to hear you are not getting the proper treatment from you medical folks which is adding to your frustration and worry. Prayers will continue for your health and for those entrusted to take care of you. Be well, be guided by God’s love and the love of family. Don’t give up. You are your best advocate when it comes to your health. Blessings - hope you can enjoy the vacation and relax for a few days.
 
keri6789 said:
I called my doctor yesterday afternoon to tell her what still going on and what happened that morning. I’m going to go to a specialist. My Mom read about IBC. I have all the symptoms except the inverted nipple or the nasty looking rash.
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I accidentally stumbled upon an article about IBC, and I was praying you didn’t have this. I told my DH about it, too, and I’ve been worried about you.

Thank you so much for keeping us updated. I cannot believe your doctor treated you like that. Continue to do what you’re doing – Push, push, push, until a doctor HELPS you.

I don’t think I’ve ever been so concerned for someone I’ve never met before. You have touched a lot of hearts, Keri. God bless you and Mary keep you.
 
I think that any woman should always consult and ask for second opinions when it comes to breast health. The stakes are too high. Go with your instincts.

But I still think it’s possible that you might have a Staph infection, possibly MRSA (methicillin resistant Staph aureus). Forgive me for dwelling on it, but I’ve seen these puppies.

With a bacterial infection, you will feel like absolute DOO DOO! Think of how awful you feel with a Strep throat! And Staphylococcus is even more yucky. It is designed to destroy tissue in your body.

If the bacteria is seeding into your bloodstream, you could have intermittent bacteremia which makes you feel just awful at intervals throughout the day. You may be feverish and headachey.

You will have nausea and vomiting, and of course, antibiotics just make you feel even worse in the stomach.

You’ll be dead tired and have no energy and hurt all over sometimes and just want to sleep, but you can’t sleep because you hurt.

And I think it’s entirely possible that a boob could swell up to twice it’s size in a bacterial infection. When I had my Staph infection, I had golf ball sized-lumps under my armpit and in my breast. It was pretty gross-looking.

I work in microbiology lab. I’ve seen strains of this organism that are resistant to virtually every antibiotic. Because of globalization and also because of antibiotic misuses, we are seeing dreadful, horrible, frightening strains of bacteria that are extremely difficult to treat!

A lot of doctors have never seen these bacteria and don’t realize what bacteria are doing in human bodies these days. If their last microbiology class was in college, they are still thinking in terms of Staphylococcus, sensitive to everything except penicillin. Wrong.

And even though a Staph infection is less scary-sounding than the “C” word, DON’T be fooled! These infections can maim and KILL. They are not just an annoyance. If you do have a Staph infection, it needs to be treated correctly. I don’t want to scare you, but I want to impress upon you that even though infections are less scary than cancer, they’re still serious. Don’t let a doctor miss it.

The doctor has to try the less-powerful antibiotics FIRST. It has to do with creating resistance in bacteria. You want to use the least powerful antibiotic if it works. (I could go into tech explanation if you want, but it’s kind of boring.)

So when your doctor says to finish up the course of antibiotics, she’s correct.

I hope I don’t make any doctors mad saying this–a lot of doctors know NOTHING about bacterial infections. We get the stupidest calls from doctors in our lab. It’s obvious these people slept through Microbiology 101!

So don’t assume that your doctor knows what she is looking at.

My suggestion is to ask for a consult with an infectious disease specialist, a speciality of medicine. These doctors are almost always hospital-based, not in clinics, because they are hired to keep tract of infectious disease issues throughout the hospital system… They’ve seen all the infections and are very well-informed about what Staph infections look and feel like. There is a good chance they will prescribe a more powerful antibiotic for you if they think you have MRSA.

I had to go on Rifampin, a “big gun antibiotic,” to get rid of my Staph infection and it took several months.

I really pray that you’ll receive some relief soon, and that a correct diagnosis will be made.
 
Thanks everyone for all your concern and prayers. It really means alot to me. I spoke with the doctor and they are waiting for a call back to see if the appointment is canceled. I will ask about the staph infection. It just bothers me that I don’t know whats wrong. I would just like to know something good or bad…its so aggervating not knowing anything. Thanks again everone for praying for me. Right now, thats about all that can be done. I just have to keep reminding myself that God knows what wrong and He will get me to the right person that can help me.
 
keri, I wish we were all there right now to give you hugs, clean your house (if it needs it), cook you some dinner or take you out, cry a little, hopefully laugh a lot, and just take care of you for awhile! We are with you in spirit, anyway, praying for you and thinking about you.
 
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