Confused!!

[1tit]

Hello to all  

I found a lump behind my right nipple about 6 months ago and made straight for my doctor, he told me not to worry and that I had to see a specialist. For the next 6 weeks all I did was worry and panic.
I saw the specialist and had a biopsy the results came back negative for cancer (phew) I had a follow up appointment just last Friday 01/09/06
I informed the doctor that the lump had grown to at least four times its original size, he assured me there was nothing to worry about and told me it was Gynecomastia..................fair enough I thought at least it has a name. (I had no idea what it was at the time) He then said he was giving me some tablets to see if it would shrink the lump he also said I may suffer one or two side effects, hot flushes being one of them.
The medication he prescribed is Tamoxifen I have since discovered this is used for breast cancer. (Back to the worrying) I was wondering if this is a normal drug to use for Gynecomastia and if any others are using it.

[jc71]

Do a Tamoxifen search...... you'll find at least 10 threads on the topic.

[usernameX]

Simply put, those things dont really work. :-/

[Paa_Paw]

It sound like the time has come to see another Doctor.

An Endocrinologist who has a special interest in reproductive issues would be your best bet. Be careful, some Endo's specialize in things like diabetes, liver disease, etc. and they would be of little use to you.

[merle]

It has been the treatment of choice for some time for early stage gynecomastia in me. As I recall it is an anti estrogen, just as they give men anti testosterone pills for prostate cancer they give anti estrogens to women.

There have been studies that show in early intervention that it can reduce or elimimante gynecomastia if men.

Did he check to see why it was growing in the first place? That is the question, what out of the blue is causing it.

Merle

[1tit]

They don't know why it has grown or why it has started, all the usual causes have been ruled out, and I think they are clutching at straws to be honest. The doctor at the hospital I saw specialises in breast cancer treatment, and I was unimpressed with the treatment I have had so far, he seemed rather uninterested in my condition. I felt as though I had been fobbed off.
He had no explanation as to why it happened, he says it just does, he had little or no interest, perhaps it’s because I am over 40, he may have had a little more sympathy if I was younger and single.

[Grandpa Bambu]

They don't know why it has grown or why it has started. He had no explanation as to why it happened, he says it just does

When the reason is unknown, it's called 'Idiopathic'.

He had little or no interest, perhaps it’s because I am over 40, he may have had a little more sympathy if I was younger and single.

Dude.... me thinks it's time you got a new Doc.... Someone who is takes 'some' interest in you.

John.

[jc71]

That's an odd response. Like Bambu says, go find another doctor.

I talked to a few PS's. One guy had his hand on the door knob the whole time, trying to get to his next patient.

He didn't want to take the time to talk with me.

I chose a different guy and so should you.

[1tit]

Thank for the response chaps, its much appreciated. As for finding another Doctor, its not that easy as I can't afford to go private and the NHS in the UK is hit and miss at the best of times in my experience. I will howerver be having words with my G.P regarding seeing another Doctor, or at the very least getting a second opinion. I am a little worried about the pain it gives me! Is this normal?