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What Causes Swelling Below Breast, Extreme Fatigue And Headaches?

Posted on Mon, 18 May 2015

Question: Hi there; I have had issues with swelling on my left side just below the breast. Also there is a strange ridge along the upper rib cage on that same side. Almost looks like a swollen bruise but has been there over a year now. Extreme fatigue and headaches as well, muscle and joint pain wide spread, weakness in arms

Answered by Dr. Dr. Shruti Rijhwani (51 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Need to see the reports.

Detailed Answer:
Dear Madam,

Thank you for posting your query on HCM.

Well looking into your problem I would like to tell you that I would like to see your test reports for guiding you further as it will provide a clue to the cause . Since the swelling is persisting and hasnt increased in size for 1 year it is less likely that it could be nasty but still cant say. Also I would like to know if your mammogram had been done or not .

So please upload the reports and any other history that you think is significant and related to this please let us know .

Take care.

Dr. Shruti

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Shruti Rijhwani (6 minutes later)

I do not have copies of my reports,(In Canada and family Dr does not provide reports) but I can tell you that the ultrasound was done on kidneys, bladder, spleen, liver, pancreas...All came back normal. Chest x-ray was done as well and was told that was also normal. I had a mammogram done in February as there was a lump found in the lower part of my left breast. At that time the Tech also did an ultrasound of the area where the lump was found..While the tech said there WAS something there, he did not feel it was cancerous. It was advised that I should go back in six months for a repeat mammogram to ensure there were no changes. The lump on the breast is not in the same place as the swelling under the left breast.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Shruti Rijhwani (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Follows.

Detailed Answer:
Dear Madam,

Thanks for reverting back.

Well did you get that mammogram repeated , also if there was a mass FNAC of the mass should have been done . Sometimes the radiological appearances dont correlate with the behaviour of mass like it can be malignant also until and unless proved otherwise.

Plus it would be difficult to comment on bony swelling without any investigation . CXR PA would have shown some abnormality of bone if the swelling arose from bone but you say that was normal. So it seems to be related to breast mass only.

Dr. Shruti

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Shruti Rijhwani (8 hours later)

The lump on the breast was determined to be fatty tissue, not even fibroid. My Family Dr has said that the swelling under my left breast is a pulled muscle. (I didn't do anything to pull a muscle) Before that he said an infection in my rib cage. It swells up, and then goes down again. When it swells up it is really hard and tender to the touch and the pain radiates around my side. The last set of blood work was done to rule out all other issues. I get those results tomorrow. The Dr I am seeing now thinks fibromyalgia, but I don't think that explains the mark and swelling below the breast on the rib cage. I feel like I am running in circles and losing the battle of finding out what it wrong.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Shruti Rijhwani (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Follows.

Detailed Answer:
Dear Madam,

Thanks for reverting back.

Firstly dont panic ,if your treating doctor feels there is nothing to worry just relax and believe him as he has examined you and remains the best judge of your situation.

I also agree with you tat this is not the symptoms of Fibromyalgia , when you receive your latest set of reports please send them to me . Sometime it can be costochondritis that can result in hard painful swelling that subsides with time but need to see the reports first before commenting .

Dr. Shruti

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Shruti Rijhwani (33 hours later)

I had my appointment tonight and all my blood work came back normal. The Dr is 99% sure it is Fibromyalgia. He did a pressure test and said that I showed signs in most of the pressure points. Started me on meds for fibro and also blood pressure medication because my Lower number was 100. Thanks for your input. I appreciate it.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Shruti Rijhwani (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Follows.

Detailed Answer:
Dear Madam,

Thank you for reverting back.

If your treating doctor feels its Fibromyalgia then I would go by what he says as he is the best judge for the entire situation . And its a pleasure for us if I would have been of any help to you.

Take care.

Dr. Shruti

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar