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Unilateral spontaneous discharge nipple

Donmk profile image
13 Replies

Hello ladies.... I am unfortunately in a slight state of panic this weekend, which I'm trying to fight until I can get to see the doctor. I'm already a member in other forums because I have a few diagnosis sadly.

This weekend I have had some breast symptoms I have never had before. For a couple of days before the weekend, I was having very sharp stabbling pains in my nipples. It might have just been on one side I'm not quite sure. Anyway, I had the same thing on Friday evening as I was getting into bed. When I was getting ready the next morning, I noticed there was discharge coming out of a single duct on my left nipple. It was painful to the touch and very dark.

The discharge remained in situ until the next day, where it was washed away in the shower.

This was only in one breast, one single duct, I did not squeeze or manipulate the breast/nipple in any way... it was completely by itself. I am in early menopause due to surgery for endometriosis and borderline ovarian cancer.

I have asked Dr Google and it was pretty worrying to say the least....

Has anyone had a similar experience?

I plan to call the GP tomorrow but it's so hard to get an appointment at my surgery... how urgent is this do you think?

Any help/advice would be gladly received x

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Donmk
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13 Replies
Epinto profile image
Epinto

Please get the appt as soon as possible! My problems started with nipple discharge and took off from there. Try to breathe but get that appt ASAP!

Donmk profile image
Donmk in reply to Epinto

Hi... may I ask what your discharge looked like? Did it happen regularly before it was checked out? It has only happened to me this weekend.... perhaps it will be a random one off thing.... I'll have to keep monitoring I guess. Did you have pain also?

Epinto profile image
Epinto in reply to Donmk

My discharge was tea colored and was sporadic. I had no pain though. But that is where my cancer started. Please go to the doctor and check it out!

Donmk profile image
Donmk in reply to Epinto

Hi thank you. I did go to the doctor today. There was no discharge present but I showed her a photo. She was not concerned because it has only been the once. She said if it happens again however she will refer me for tests. I do not have any lumps which is obviously positive. I do know they can come later if this is really an issue after all.

She suggested it is more likely to be a blocked duct....

I will just have to hope it doesn't happen again.

Thank you so much for replying. X

BklynCatwoman profile image
BklynCatwoman

I hope you were able to relax over the weekend. The discharge could be nothing--i.e. a side effect of your endometriosis--or it could be something else. I would definitely check in with your doctor and have them take a quick look. Good luck!

Donmk profile image
Donmk

Thank you for your replies ladies. I did call the doctor first thing this morning and I got a cancellation. She examined me but could find nothing suspicious. The discharge was not present at the appointment but as I had taken a photograph, I was able to show her what it looked like.

She said that as it has only happened once so far, I shouldn't worry too much as it could have been just a clogged duct.... she said if it happens again however, I am to call up immediately and she will arrange for further tests.

Would you be happy with this?

PJBinMI profile image
PJBinMI

You have seen your doctor who was reassuring. Is there a reason you are not confident in that advise? You mention borderline ovarian cancer. I don't know what that means. IF you have seen an oncologist, you might want to see them again about this. If the doctor you saw is an oncologist, if I were in your shoes I would be more reassured than if it is a family practitioner or gynecologist. Did you test positive for one of the BRCA mutations? It's always okay to ask for a second opinion. Make sure the doctor knows your entire medical history. And sometimes something like this is just a minor thing that won't cause problems but your peace of mind is important, too. And alot of us here have cancer and that has an impact on how we look at symptoms...... Good luck to you!

Donmk profile image
Donmk in reply to PJBinMI

Hi there, thank you for your reply. Yes there is a reason why I don't entirely trust the 'don't worry' approach to abnormal symptoms. It's too long a story to put in a message but basically I have been misdiagnosed several times because I simply do not for the 'stereotype' for the diseases I have got.

I do have an oncologist but have not told them about my breast symptoms this weekend. I was diagnosed with borderline ovarian cancer after surgery for endometriosis. 'BOTS' are non invasive so not 'frankly' malignant but have the potential to be so... my tumor was openly drained as they thought it was a cyst. It is not a benign tumor. My oncologist describes my tumor as the beginning of the cancer spectrum. Some people find it difficult to grasp as they are a bit confusing... not least for me.

The doctor I saw today is just my GP. (General practitioner)... they are in no way specialist.

I view any abnormal symptoms from a knowing position also... this is why I have ended up here asking you guys.

I have accepted it may be nothing... but I'm not 'relaxed '... don't think I can ever be so to be honest..

I hope you're well... I appreciate your response x

Epinto profile image
Epinto

I would go to a breast oncologist and have an exam. Please go for another opinion. Sounds like u have been through a lot already! Please follow up! I hate the wait and see attitude of the doctors!

Donmk profile image
Donmk in reply to Epinto

Thank you.... I think from what you ladies have said, this may warrant further investigation. I think I will call my CNS at my oncology department and see what they say.

My doctor said it was fairly common to have random nipple discharge and it usually is nothing concerning.... unless it's persistent.

I have never had this before or even had friends with this, well not to my knowledge anyway.

I'm a bit calmer now it's stopped....

missa13 profile image
missa13 in reply to Donmk

Hi Donmk, glad you were feeling a bit better. Did your CNS have anything to say? xo

Donmk profile image
Donmk in reply to missa13

Hi.... I did call my CNS last Friday. She said it's not really her speciality as I'm under oncology for ovarian. She did say she will speak with my oncologist about it anyway and see what she says.

I am having surgery soon due to changes on my recent transvaginal ultrasound so I'm hoping to be called in soon for an appointment to discuss the surgery. I can ask my oncologist directly then perhaps.

There's been no further discharge so far.... what are your thoughts on this? X

Donmk profile image
Donmk

Hi ladies..... it's been 3 weeks since I had the dark nipple discharge. It hasn't happened again at present..

In your opinion, do you think I can let it go? Those of you that started with this symptom, how long between episodes?

I see my oncologist on the 10th July regarding my next ovarian surgery for abnormalities.

I am not asking for you to tell me definitively I'm okay, I know you're not breast surgeons..... just Looking for advise x

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