Gynecomastia Symptoms

[Vjpickles]

I have been taking Invega for years as a mood stabilizer and when I was in elementary school and Junior High and High School I took Risperdal. As a result, I developed gynecomastia. In the past year, I've had some new symptoms arise and I've looked everywhere online and can't find any information on if these symptoms are caused by gynecomastia so I wanted to ask others who suffer from it for their opinion. I do have an appointment to see a breast specialist in late December. I have seen her before and she ordered a mammogram and determined I did in fact have gynecomastia.
The symptoms I'm having are, itchy nipple/areola, slightly dry areola, and sometimes my breast actually aches or even has a burning sensation. Occasionally they are tender and sensitive especially if I've been poking or messing with them. I have no leakage or discharge. This is happening to my right breast which has always been a bit bigger than my left breast. My left breast rarely bothers me if ever. Any idea why it affects one side more than the other? I feel the flat masses in my breasts, they are smooth and not painful. My right areola is a little bigger than my left areola. The skin is smooth on both breasts, just a little itchy sometimes on the right breast.
I have severe anxiety issues and I worry so much, so of course I'm assuming the worst and that would be cancer. I do see a psychiatrist for my anxiety issues and I also see a therapist.
Any thoughts or info would be greatly appreciated.

[George Pope, M.D.]

Well I think you are wise to have this checked out by a breast surgeon.  It may be merely gynecomastia, but evaluation with a mammogram is certainly reasonable.  Both Risperdal and Invega can lead to milk production in women, due to increase in production of a brain hormone called prolactin.  This can also create gynecomastia in men.  Your current use of Invega could possibly be causing your new symptoms.  You should discuss the risk vs. benefit of this drug with your prescribing doctor.
Good luck!

Dr. Pope, MD