Okay, my breast sonogram was moved up to today (somebody cancelled?) so I did some shifting in my testing schedules and went for it.

Of course, it was negative.

I'm wondering if I could have shingles?

Or is it possible to have neuropathy of the breast? One breast?

My issue is: right breast, 1.5-2 months, burning, tingling, extreme sensitivity to fabric (clothing, bed sheets), and occasional sharp shooting pains. A sense of swelling or perhaps inflammation? There is no blistering or other mark. No discharge.

On Sat night the pain was intolerable, I took 3 Advil, two Darvocet (4 hours apart) and applied a Lidoderm patch directly to my breast (I googled to determine if the Lidoderm was a bad idea, but got no hits so just ... went with it). About 3 AM, exhausted, I finally fell asleep.

I googled and found that it is possible to have shingles without blistering and to have blistering without shingles pain.

Without the fluid from the blisters, I don't know how such a dx can be made?

Is it possible to have neuropathy in the breast? Has anyone ever heard of this or experienced it?

I was told simply that: breast pain is very common, follow-up with your GYN.

Any thoughts or comments appreciated, including if you need to laugh at me for even thinking either of these 2 diagnoses are possible, I can take it.

But ... I'm on my own here with a clear sonogram and a "you'll just have to learn to live with it" comment.

Best, Dottye

Hi dottye
It almost sounds a bit like RSD to me ??{also called CRPS}
but I could be wrong too. just sounds like what I've heard it described as.
You might look at the RSD forum
http://forums.braintalk2.org/forumdisplay.php?f=21

Well I have had on and off breast pain for the last 10 years or so, very much like what you describe. I beleive it is very common and benign. Sometimes I am unable to wear certain fabrics at all, as not aggravate things more.

But it always seems to resolve on it's own.

When I googled "breast pain" the other day I came up with "Noncyclic mastalgia."

But what I'm experiencing is very specific (to me) in terms of symptoms and feels a lot like the PN in my feet, or the sort of prodromal sensations that one might have with a fever sore (Herpes Simplex I). Sans the blisters, of course.

Common and benign it may be but ... 10 years?

I am not going to be happy with a prognosis like that!

This is really interfering with my activities of daily living (typing, reaching for things in the cabinet, walking down the street comfortably), not to mention interfering with my *night life.* Touch is not an option!

I'm going to be looking for some kind of answer for this, and I'm going to be really unhappy if I end up with the "learn to live with it" comment I got from the radiologist earlier today.

Best, Dottye

Have you seen your neurologist or internist? What do they say?

I've only met the neuro once, and I'm supposed to see him after all testing is done. I'm not there yet, lots of stuff to schedule/have done.

I sent my PCP a fax yesterday, letting him know I've seen the GYN, was going for the sonagram yesterday.

I called this AM to make sure he'd gotten the fax, let him know the sonagram was fine -- and his secy said he's "written me a note" and it had gone out in the mail (snail mail????) yesterday.

Note not received today.

So ... I'm waiting to hear what he suggests the course of action should be. He likes to be the point guy.

Thanks, I took a look at that and at the stickies/links -- although the sxs are similar, it seems to me that those diagnoses relate to extremities and also follow injury or trauma (surgery, for example).

No injury or trauma here and this seems restricted to the trunk/breast area.

I'll keep googling around.

Thanks for responding.

Best, Dottye

I have very tender breasts. I was having shooting pains through them but my GYN said to stop caffeine intake. It really helped on that part. But they are too tender to touch. No one seems to want to talk to me about it. I believe it hurts on my back too. I am diabetic and asked if my breast could have neuropathy and the doctor actually laughed. She also said pain is not associated with breast cancer and my mammogram is always normal. I have a very hard time finding a bra that doesn't hurt. Any suggestions?

Hi SoCal,

You might also want post your question In the Women's Health forum
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum41.html
or the General Health
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum2.html
- to get more replies.

You can also make a hello /intro post in the New Members forum if you would like
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum88.html

I have to admit, that your post has been the only one that I've read that exactly described what I am going through right now. The only reason that I have not gone to the doctor is for the fact that I don't have health insurance at the moment because I'm self-employed. Yet, up to this point, I haven't found any answers as to why I'm feeling such annoying sensations in my left breast. I have no "severe" pain and I have no lumps or inflammation whatsoever so I know that it's not cancer. So far its been nothing short of being down right ANNOYING!!! I don't know how old this post is, but if you've been diagnosed yet or whatever, please let me know your progress. I'm definitely interested in hearing what your doctor is saying! Thank you!!

Hannah Biffel
Fort Worth, TX
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