A real pain in the boob

Post date: 2020-03-29 21:12:59

In the past week or so, I've developed breast pain/tenderness. Is this worth seeing a doctor about given the current situation?

YANMYD, but for obvious reasons I'm not too eager to make a visit to see my doctor unless truly necessary/an emergency. In recent days, I've noticed a tenderness in the area of my outer left breast and armpit.

I first noticed it about two weeks ago, seemed to go away, but has popped up and been persistent for the past three-four days. It's somewhere between tenderness and pain. From charts I've seen online, the location appears to fall into "musculoskeletal" rather than "true breast pain." Wearing a bra helps but doesn't solve it entirely. I'm now feeling a tiny bit of referral... awareness in my upper arm. I don't feel any lumps. It is definitely more tender in an area in line with my nipple and down from the center of my armpit and emanates out from that spot, which is maybe 2 inches or so in diameter. I can mash on it pretty hard and experience tenderness but not excruciating pain. Maybe a 2-3 if we're using the 10 scale, and a constant 1 when not manipulated.

It may be a little swollen but really hard to tell as the fatty tissue is wrapped around beyond that point. The best way I can describe it is that it feels like a tender bruise, but there are no visible changes or discolorations to the skin I can see. Maybe a bit more stretch marks than on my right side in same spot.

Other factors: I'm a cis woman in her early 40s. Significantly overweight with Dish cup breasts. I had a hysterectomy about 5 years ago; kept my ovaries. I think this started after I started working from home but can't be positive. Working from home is a new factor, sitting at different desk in different, less ergonomic chair, hunched over a bit more than usual. I also went for quite a long stretch, at least a week, without wearing a bra because, well, not going anywhere. I have not taken anything/been avoiding NSAIDs because of granted very mixed reports that they are contraindicated for COVID-19 (don't have, just acting like I do).

Is this cause for immediate concern and getting seen, or can it wait until there is less strain on health systems/it is safer to go out? How long is too long to let it go on? A week? A month? Should I take NSAIDs and see if that helps before freaking out? I am aware of the spot but not in acute pain, just some discomfort. I have three other people in my household, including two around 60, one of whom has respiratory issues.

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