Lately my left breast is sore and the nipple is inverted. Is it from weightloss?

**I'M A GIRL** · 12-20-2009 01:20 PM

I'm 22 years old. Never had kids, so never breastfed. I've noticed for a couple months now that my left nipple has become inverted when it wasn't before, and my entire left breast is tender and sore. What made me decide to ask about more info on what it could be was that just now, my nipple started feeling really sore and when I looked, it appears to be very dimpled in and won't really pull out at all. I started noticing physical changes in my breasts awhile before the left one started feeling sore; both breasts have become much more saggy and sort of lumpy at the top. I think the left is slightly larger than the right too, which might have something to do with it being sore (but I'm no medical professional, so I don't know). When I started noticing these physical changes, it was recommended that I have a mammogram since breast cancer is in the family, my mom died with it. So I did that but they saw nothing abnormal and said for my age, it's highly unlikely I would get breast cancer anyway. This was all before I started feeling the soreness though. After that, I saw a regular doctor, and she told me that my breasts were misshapen because I had lost a significant amount of weight in a short period of time. Through mostly strict dieting, I did lose over 50 pounds from January til now. My initial weight was slightly under 210; I'm still heavy chested but dropped from a 42D to a 38D bra size. I don't always wear bras because I'm around the house alot but I try to when I think of it because I figure maybe the support will help somehow. I don't know how to make this soreness go away though, and I'm pretty sure it's not cancer now, so what could it be and how should I fix it? And will my nipple ever go normal again?

**I'M A GIRL** · 12-21-2009 03:42 PM

Does anyone know what's wrong? Cuz if no one's gonna answer, I'll go find another forum to post on, this is really bothering me and I don't wanna wait around. Sorry if the name I signed up with makes anyone wary or anything, I didn't want to use any usual nicknames of mine for anonymity reasons.

**justjumpit** · 12-21-2009 04:44 PM

I really can't say anything for sure, but I think that wearing a supportive bra would atleast help with your soreness issue. I'm only between a B and a C and I can't stand not wearing a bra. The only time I don't is to sleep. So I'm not sure about your nipple, but I would think that wearing a bra regularly would help with your soreness.
If all else fails, go to your doctor specifically for this reason? (I'm sorry if you said you did in your first post, I couldn't quite make it out if you did or not)

**I'M A GIRL** · 12-24-2009 08:45 AM

Yeah I wrote that a doctor told me that my breasts looked different because I lost alot of weight. This was after the mammogram, she said I didn't really need a mammogram at all due to my age but they had just let me walk in and do it because of my family history. I am still seemingly losing weight but that's because I haven't had much of an appetite lately because I've been kind of too stressed to want to eat much. It's not so much as I want to anymore, because I've lost my target weight and beyond; actually I kind of wouldn't mind gaining a couple of pounds back. The breast is still sore, but it does feel somewhat more relieved when wearing a bra. Even when wearing one though, my nipple feels like it's pulling inward and pinches. My right breast doesn't have any painful symptoms, but looks about equally misshapen; other than the nipple still looks normal. Also, I haven't thought of this as possibly relating just yet, but it kind of makes sense... for months now, I've been getting progressively worse back pain, and the major area that it happens is my left shoulderblade. Doing alot of bending over, standing, or sitting up when I have nothing to lean back on while sitting really kills my back. This pain sometimes forces me to stop in the middle of doing simple daily chores around the house. A doctor gave me lidocaine patches to put on my back for temporary relief that I use from time to time though, but doesn't always help completely. I just didn't know if it was possible for my left breast to affect the left side of my back.

**Explorer44** · 12-27-2009 10:06 AM

It sounds like you have some good medical care and I'm glad you are seeking help for this.
As women, we are always cautioned to be alert to any changes in our breasts, and you have done this.
I don't have any medical advice, and it seems you have some treatments in process..my only offering would be that you might want to get a second opinion from a different physician-to ease your mind.
Best Wishes

**WildChild** · 12-27-2009 10:27 AM

Exersize may help with a lot of this. There isn't much muscle in the breast area but strengthening and tightening all around will give more support and probably help. That isn't really a terribly rapid weight loss - 50 pounds in 11 months is less than 5 pounds a month. Don't let this deter you from continuing to lose.

Why not talk with a le leche league coach? They deal with breast feeding and inverted nipples can be part of that. I bet they have information and ideas on correcting that. I did read once that in some cases using a type of breast pump can help, I guess the suction would be helpful. Really doctors deal mostly with situations considered medical risks so this may be outside their normal training.

**I'M A GIRL** · 01-06-2010 11:38 AM

I decided to check back again in hopes for more answers about relieving the pains I'm having.

Explorer44
I actually hadn't mentioned it to a doctor in awhile, since a couple months ago when I got the lidocaine patches. And like I said, those don't always tend to completely relieve the pain either... which is pretty bad considering it's an anesthetic. I have alot of other issues going on right now, including having to see an optometrist for vision issues soon, so getting too many appointments set at once would be abit much.

I am continuing to lose weight, and while my appetite is definately a little messed up (don't want to eat or makes me feel sick to eat alot usually), I think it's just normal for me. I was overweight for about 4 years, and during that period of time, my thyroid tested out to be abnormal... then the last time I had my thyroid checked, it was normal again. Before then though, I was so thin that doctors worried whether or not I might be getting the proper nutrition.

The last I checked my weight, the other day, I'm at 144 pounds. This time last year I was getting close to 210. The back pain with my breast problems does make alot of sense now. As far as my breasts are concerned, the right one still seems somewhat normal around the nipple, but it might start pulling inward soon too. The left nipple definately is, it's dimpled in. It really pinches me... could it be because my skin's so heavy around it and pulling at the milk ducts? My breasts are definately not as perky as they were quite a few pounds ago. I also might have to go to a smaller bra size again soon...

My back is especially painful now, and my shoulders too. It's really affecting my daily life; like I said, doing even the simplest of household chores is very straining on me if it involves alot of bending over or standing up. I'm hurting around the back/shoulders at least a little bit constantly anymore. Isn't there anything that can relieve this pain? And is there something that can be done about my breasts pulling and pinching? Tightening my bra straps doesn't seem to do much other than make the straps dig into my shoulders.