Lump And Bruising On Breast

[Eve]

I felt some pain in one of my breasts this morning, I've just had a look and there is a large raised red area (a few inches across) and quite a bit of bruising, it's down around the lower right side of my left breast. I can't think of anything that I would have done to damage it, let along cause that much bruising. I'm large chested but have been for some time.

It's really tender too. Could it be some kind of abscess or something like that? I've tried to get a picture which shows some of it, though not an easy place to get a picture of.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/513/aqeo.jpg

Grateful for any ideas. Apologies if I don't reply right away as got to go out, will be looking in on my phone though.

[WELSHYORKIE]

By the time I get up there (if I ever do), I would have won the pools , the lottery, the euromillions and a quid on a scratchcard!

Going back to the point on the nurses, where I live on Anglesey we only have the doctors in our surgery, none of these NPs but we are out in the sticks and not in the bigger towns and cities. I would be happy enough to see a NP for most ailments I have/get

[Sqad]

Oops! Again.........2000.

[WELSHYORKIE]

Sqad - cast your eye over this

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Phrases-and-Sayings/Jokes/Question1306697.html

Got an answer for Pixie?

[EcclesCake]

Thank you Sqad.

I have to say that does surprise me, I thought you were closer to the Jurassic age than that ;-)

[Prudie]

I'd be OK seeing a NP for everyday mundane things but I certainly wouldn't feel confident seing one for Eve's breast problem.

[Sqad]

All of these " minor ailments" were dealt with by your mother, your grandma, auntie..........?one didn't need or want a nurse with a degree.......iodine, tallow and goose fat treated most conditions.

[EcclesCake]

LOL, I was right!!!!!

[Sqad]

Prudie...EXACTLY....SPOT ON.

[Sqad]

Welshy.......LOL......I didn't see that thread.

[Eve]

Oooh a debate!

Well, I spoke to my GP earlier who made an appointment for swabbing. Saw another GP this afternoon and he (and a female chaperone GP, I wasn't bothered about having one but seems like they have to these days) had a good look, did a proper breast exam and under my armpits.

They are good with the abscess diagnosis so that's my mind at rest a lot (google-itis!). He said they couldn't swab it as the infection is still contained. There is a big firm lump so I hate to imagine what is lurking in there! So back next week for a check-up and we have a plan.

Been having a nightmare trying to find a dressing to cover it all to keep it clean and sterile for when it hopefully sorts itself - it's quite a big area and don't want any tape near the sore swollen area.

So, two doctors and a nurse should hopefully make everyone happy? :)

[slaney]

Thanks for the update Eve - your second picture did look more like an abscess.
As you've started antibiotic treatment early, let's just hope it settles quickly.

[Mamyalynne]

A full team on your case, hope it sorts soon.

[Eve]

Yes, I'm very lucky Mamya, my GP surgery is great.

Fingers crossed Slaney (I think I was trying to be too modest for a proper picture in the first one :)). I'm due to go back on arthritis meds next week so hoping this isn't a big spanner in the works! I'm guessing probably so for the methotrexate, wondering if I will get away with Plaquenil at least though (combination planned).

It's another pain as it doesn't help my cause for biologics as I keep getting so many infections.

[Sqad]

Thanks for the feedback Eve.

[Sqad]

slaney...you was right in your diagnosis and i was wrong.

Perhaps those 30 yrs of experience were well spent.

I am down........but not out ;-)

[Eve]

Could have been either way though gentlemen and I value all input.

I was wondering whether to sneak your diagnosis in as a query Sqad though I thought it might be a bit odd a lay person like me coming up with something like that mid consultation (all the sites I looked at were medical journals and such) and explaining it was suggested by a doctor from an internet forum might be difficult :) I am still impressed with the name though.

I did get a bit worried as the raised skin was looking a bit orange peel like (dotty) skin and with the bruising (I was looking up breast abscesses and it came up in a site on that) but my mind is at rest now and Eve is telling herself off for google-itis :)

[slaney]

In no way are you out Sqad!

As to those 35 years - I've been very lucky to have had one of the best jobs in the world.

Yep Eve drop in that into the conversation and see how it goes...
Not sure about the gentlemen though (Sqad excepted). :)

[anneasquith]

nurse practitioner made the right diagnosis. :)

[Eve]

Oh, Slaney, so sorry, just seen this. I actually have no idea what I thought you might be male, I'm so sorry, foot firmly in mouth! :)