what is goin on with me (NYC)?

[GmanNYC]

Please bare with me because i'm knew here and this is my 1st time speaking about this issue. I've been researching doctors in NYC and stumbled upon this forum.

a couple of years ago i realized that I developed a growth under my left nipple. I freaked out not knowing what this was and spoke to a doctor. I was advised that it wasn't life threatening and that it seemed to be gyno.

being that it wasn't visible, I just lived with it for the next few years. fastforward to 3 weeks ago...i'm not sure what has caused this but this little growth has not turned into a serious issue. it has grown a lot over the last 3 weeks just out of nowhere.

it hurts so much i cannot sleep on my stomach and my 2 year old the other day came flying down on me with an elbow to the same area and i was almost in tears.

I have a fairly fatty chest and my bf% has probably gone up in the last year. would this have something to do with it? either way, i'm in serious pain. i'm going to speak with my general practitioner this week

i'm not really sure what i'm look for by posting here but it just seemed like it was the correct 1st step. any comments/replies are greatly appreciated.

[Dr. Elliot Jacobs]

I have seen cases such as yours.  Sometimes doctors can do some tests and ascertain the cause -- and other times we term it "idiopathic" (which means we just don't know what turned on the growth.)

Suggest you see your family doc first and request a referral to an endocrinologist for a further workup.  If the endocrine workup is negative, then you can opt to "observe" for possible spontaneous regression, though I suspect this is highly doubtful.  IF not, then surgery would be your best option.

Dr Jacobs

[GmanNYC]

Thanks Dr Jacobs. Why am i thinking that spontaneous regression is going to just be a waste of time. I'm not sure how long I can deal with it. It's that uncomfortable.

Like I said in my 1st post, it hurts a lot and as of right now it is interfering with my life. i'm scared to play with my 2 year old because i'm not sure if I'm going to get a kick to the chest besides the fact that every time i roll over in my sleep it kills me

i have to speak with my doctor and also with my insurance carrier. Being that this isn't cosmetic for me how would my condition be handled by insurance?

[Dr. Elliot Jacobs]

Many insurance companies consider gyne surgery to be cosmetic.  They have very strict criteria for you to fulfill.  Once your diagnosis is confirmed and if you wish to proceed with surgery, you would be best advised to speak with your insurance company as regards their particular criteria for gyne surgery.  Then make sure you fulfill those criteria. 

But beware -- sometimes insurance companies will provide a conditional letter of pre-approval, and then once the surgery is done, they can refuse to cover it.  How can they do this, you may ask?  Simply, because they can.

Dr Jacobs