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Recurrent breast cysts

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Galaxy Supporter
March 18th, 2008
I am getting a little worried. Over the last two years or so, since hitting the menopause, I have had repeated bouts of cysts in my left breast. The first time, I had fluid drawn off by needle and because it was black and cloudy, I had to have a mammogram and a biopsy, which thankfully showed it to be nothing more than a cyst. Then I had another couple last year and had another mammogram but the breast specialist decided just to leave well alone for now but said that if they got worse, to come back and they would operate on the breast.

Well, I now have two large and very painful lumps and am awaiting a call from the breast clinic for assessment. I am worried about the possibility of an operation as I am not sure what this involves and how radical it needs to be. I am also a little worried that these cysts could be pre-cancerous. I suppose I am asking for anyone who has had this condition to give me some sort of prognosis.

I do not take hrt and have only very minimal caffeine intake. I wonder what else I could be doing to improve things. Any ideas?
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Galaxy
replied March 20th, 2008
Supporter
Just to update, the pain in my breast became pretty unbearable so my GP has now given me antibiotics and painkillers to keep things manageable till the appointment comes through. I asked her a little more about the excision thing - it seems pretty straightforward and can be done as day surgery. I have also been reassured that cysts are almost never pre-cancerous. I suppose that was my main worry! But would still welcome any reassurance and comment from fellow sufferers out there!
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PenguinsRus
replied March 20th, 2008
Extremely eHealthy
Unfortunately, sometimes the healthiest people run into problems and the people who do tons of harm to their body get away with nothing bad ever happening. I've never personally had this problem, but I would love it if you keep us updated on what the doctor says. When is your appointment? Good luck and I hope everything works out for you!!
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antigone
replied March 21st, 2008
Extremely eHealthy
My best friend had cysts in her breasts. She leaked clear, blood tinged, and black discharge from her nipples. Her doctor did the whole work up and they were benign. The cysts were painful at times but eventually they did recede on their own.

Let us know how you do.
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Georgia59
replied March 21st, 2008
Especially eHealthy
Did your doc say it would help if you did take hrt? Not saying that you should because I know that's a really complicated decision, but just a thought.
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Galaxy
replied March 21st, 2008
Supporter
No, the opposite really. I started getting the cysts while on hrt and after a couple of years he told me to come off it as there is a higher risk of BC with hrt and also more likelihood of recurrent cysts. I have been off hrt for about 6 months now and lo and behold, the cysts are back, so hrt does not seem to have made any difference, on or off it.

Incidentally, I tried Black Cohosh as an hrt substitute and within 2 months was having liver problems. My Gp advised staying away from pretty well all alternative medicines as they are not all, he said, properly researched for e.g potential liver failure etc - and a man died here a couple of weeks ago from liver failure after taking black cohosh. I know this might seem off topic but I would just like to warn other users to be very careful with alternatives to hrt!
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Georgia59
replied March 22nd, 2008
Especially eHealthy
Yikes! Thanks for the warning.
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Galaxy
replied March 22nd, 2008
Supporter
Correction
He was taking glucosamine:

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/woman /health/article880999.ece

but Black Cohosh is coming under scrutiny too. Certainly, my liver enzymes were more than tripled while I was on it, and that was only after two months! I came off it and they fell right back down to almost normal.

It is a shame that people believe they are taking a harmless alternative to pharmaceuticals and yet they are perhaps playing Russian Roulette with their health.
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