Question for BFers re: lumps

thatgirl85

Have you experienced a lump in your breast?  I found a lump a month ago, right around the time I lost my supply.  It wasn't a clogged duct- I've had those before.  They were painful, but I was still able to produce.  I still have the lump, but I've been unable to BF on either side. 

I spoke with my doula (who's a lactation consultant) 2 weeks ago.  She said not to worry, it's probably BF related.  Well, it's been a month, and I still have a lump.  I just called my OBGYN's office, and they referred me to an oncologist.  I'm sure it was just a precaution, but I didn't expect that and now I'm kind of freaking out.

Paul&Mel

I would be freaked out too. I'm sure they want to cover all the bases. GL

thatgirl85

stephyrey:

I'd be freaked out too! Did they say why they referred you? Is that their policy? Can the oncologist get you in right away?

They didn't say why.  I just told them what was going on, they asked a few questions, and then said to call then referred me to a specialist.  I called the oncologist, and the scheduler kept saying, "oh honey, I'll be prayin' for you."  Not helping put my mind at ease.  I'm going in Friday morning.

lulu3061

It was probably a precaution.  Since you've already found a lump it isn't like the OB can do anything, an Oncologist would be the one to biopsy it so it sounds like they're cutting out the middle man.  I'll keep my fingers crossed that it's NBD and totally BF related.

kat81

Same exact thing happened to me. They did an ultrasound and said it was a cyst. I probably only noticed it because of breastfeeding. Everything was (and is) ok. Just try not to worry; it is probably just that, and maybe even something you would not have noticed had you not been breastfeeding and thinking about/touching your breasts. Apparently these things come and go and they're benign. Not BF related by any means, but also nothing to worry about. Just assume it's nothing for now until proven otherwise!

ETA: I'm sorry, I did not lose my supply when this happened, which has happened to you, you said. But my supply did go down on the side with the cyst. It never came back up...the other side gets so much more. I'm not sure if the cyst went away yet. It might have been a coincidence that my supply went down comparatively, though. I just have no idea. 

beansie23

lulu3061:

It was probably a precaution.  Since you've already found a lump it isn't like the OB can do anything, an Oncologist would be the one to biopsy it so it sounds like they're cutting out the middle man.  I'll keep my fingers crossed that it's NBD and totally BF related.

This. Don't let your imagination get carried away these next few days.

MamaPajama2010

I had something really similar happen about a month ago. They did an ultrasound first and found the mass was solid with blood flow to it, so I had to have a core needle biopsy. It was aweful, and has caused a lot of problems with breastfeeding (like a milk fistula which had me spraying milk out the side of my boob). The pathology came back normal, and the radiologist said it was extremely common in lactating women. I'm still dealing with healing from the biopsy. They told me it might not totally heal until I wean the baby. Hopefully they won't have to do anything too invasive. Keep us posted!

 

jillybean800

I have the same thing!  It hasn't interfered with supply, but I was doing some research, and it sounds like it could be a "galactocele."  Look it up and see if it fits what you are feeling.  It's kind of marble sized, movable?  It's probably a cyst, but I was going to have mine checked out next month after I am all done weaning.

thatgirl85

This is why I love Dec 2010 momma's....I feel much better now, thank you!!  I'd usually call my mom for something like this, but this time I'd rather not call her until I know what's going on.  Thank you, ladies!

thatgirl85

MamaPajama2010:

I had something really similar happen about a month ago. They did an ultrasound first and found the mass was solid with blood flow to it, so I had to have a core needle biopsy. It was aweful, and has caused a lot of problems with breastfeeding (like a milk fistula which had me spraying milk out the side of my boob). The pathology came back normal, and the radiologist said it was extremely common in lactating women. I'm still dealing with healing from the biopsy. They told me it might not totally heal until I wean the baby. Hopefully they won't have to do anything too invasive. Keep us posted!

 

Oh wow, I'm so sorry you had to go through all of that!  I hope healing speeds up for you.

MamaPajama2010

thatgirl85:

MamaPajama2010:

I had something really similar happen about a month ago. They did an ultrasound first and found the mass was solid with blood flow to it, so I had to have a core needle biopsy. It was aweful, and has caused a lot of problems with breastfeeding (like a milk fistula which had me spraying milk out the side of my boob). The pathology came back normal, and the radiologist said it was extremely common in lactating women. I'm still dealing with healing from the biopsy. They told me it might not totally heal until I wean the baby. Hopefully they won't have to do anything too invasive. Keep us posted!

 

Oh wow, I'm so sorry you had to go through all of that!  I hope healing speeds up for you.

Thank you. Even going through all of that, it has been worth it just to have peace of mind that everything is normal and okay. I hope that they will be able to give you the same reassurance! It is definitely worth it to have it looked at.