Is It Safe to Wait for Urgent Care Tomorrow?
I'm a 26-year-old woman with no notable health issues. Recently, there have been a couple of significant events that might be pertinent to my current situation: I experienced a miscarriage in March, followed by an ectopic pregnancy in early May that required a methotrexate injection in late May. Two weeks ago, I had my hCG levels tested, which came back at 4. The miscarriage occurred at about five weeks, and the treatment for the ectopic was administered during the sixth week. I mention these experiences because I've noticed my breasts have been quite sensitive during both incidents, and currently, I'm having my first menstrual cycle since the ectopic pregnancy. I'm wondering if this could be linked to hormonal changes. A couple of nights ago while showering, I accidentally spotted a vivid red mark on the outer edge of my left areola. I'm fairly sure it's not a bug bite. It's been three years since I last breastfed, and to my knowledge, I haven't produced any milk since then. The bright red mark was still visible last night, but without any accompanying symptoms. Today, it has turned a lighter pink, and I’ve noticed a prominent vein in that area. I’ve also begun to feel discomfort under my left armpit, and my breast feels tender to the touch. This issue is localized to my left breast, chest, and armpit region. Specifically, my armpit feels unusually pressured, a sensation that has gradually intensified throughout the day. I would rate the pain at about a three; it feels less like sharp pain and more like persistent pressure that radiates from the armpit to the breast. Despite the discomfort in my left side, I’m not experiencing any breathing difficulties, though I do feel a bit lightheaded, which I suspect might be a consequence of having slept poorly last night. There is no family history of breast cancer or related issues in my family. Conversely, my right breast, armpit, and chest area feel completely normal. I've never performed a self-examination for lumps, but during a physical check-up last December, my primary care physician examined me and confirmed that everything was normal. Upon comparison, both breasts feel similar, with the discolored skin area lacking any significant bump, appearing more as an unusual patch of reddish-pink skin. The left breast might seem very slightly larger than the right due to possible swelling, but I could be mistaken. I’m scheduled for an urgent care appointment tomorrow at 4 PM, since my primary doctor was unavailable until next week and suggested urgent care instead. Is it reasonable to wait until tomorrow for this appointment, or should I consider heading to the emergency room tonight?
Answers (1)
7/3/2025, 2:10:40 AM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to be concerned about your symptoms, especially given your recent medical history. Based on your description, you have breast tenderness, localized skin changes, and some discomfort in your armpit, which could be linked to hormonal fluctuations or other benign issues. However, there are also instances where prompt evaluation is advisable.
Main Points
- Your upcoming urgent care appointment is reasonable, but certain symptoms may warrant more immediate attention.
- Hormonal changes following a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy can cause breast tenderness and discomfort.
- The appearance of a bright red mark and ongoing discomfort in your left breast and armpit are concerning and should be evaluated further.
Explanation
Given that you have a history of recent pregnancies, some breast tenderness and sensitivity can certainly be related to hormonal shifts as your body recovers. However, a bright red area on the skin, combined with tenderness and discomfort in the surrounding region, is something that should ideally be evaluated to rule out infections, inflammation, or other conditions. The sensation of pressure in your armpit, paired with changes in the breast, also deserves attention.
Next Steps
-
Monitor Symptoms: Continue to observe for any changes in the red mark, tenderness, or discomfort. If they worsen or if you develop new symptoms (like fever or increased pain), this may necessitate more immediate medical attention.
-
Pain Management: If you're experiencing discomfort, consider using over-the-counter pain relievers (like ibuprofen or acetaminophen) as directed to alleviate your symptoms until your appointment tomorrow.
-
Urgent Care Tomorrow: Proceed with your scheduled urgent care appointment. Mention all symptoms in detail, especially the recent significant events in your medical history and the pressing sensations in your breast and armpit.
-
Emergency Care if Worsening: Should you experience increased pain, fever, or any new concerning symptoms (such as swelling, severe lightheadedness, or any discharge from the breast), consider going to the emergency room for an immediate evaluation.
It's reassuring that you have an appointment scheduled, but be vigilant about your symptoms, and never hesitate to seek immediate help if you feel it’s necessary. Remember, your health is a priority, and it’s okay to advocate for yourself.
Related Questions
Strange Stomach Sensation Leading to Waking Up
Greetings. I'm a 36-year-old male, standing at 172 centimeters and weighing 90 kilograms. I don't take any medications, nor do I smoke. I've been living with diastasis recti for several years now, and I may also have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Additionally, I deal with fatty liver and kidney stones, though I assume these last two conditions are not related to my current concern. Occasionally, I experience a peculiar sensation that jolts me awake; it feels like a quick pulsing in my stomach. I’ve noticed it tends to affect the left side when I’m lying on my left side and the right side when on my right. Remarkably, it can occur even when I’m on my back. This strange feeling often escalates into a surge that fully rouses me. Alongside this, I sometimes feel prickling sensations throughout my body and fleeting lightheadedness. When this sensation disturbs my sleep while I’m turned to my side, shifting onto my back or the opposite side might alleviate it, but not always. In instances where I awaken while lying on my back, I discovered that gently pressing my hands on either side of my stomach can help, as can rising to a sitting or standing position. However, during my last two episodes—one a couple of weeks ago and another tonight—those techniques weren’t effective right away, which made me feel a bit anxious, prompting me to seek advice. Does anyone have insight into what might be going on? By the way, I’ve undergone routine ultrasound examinations of my abdomen by two different physicians during check-ups, both of whom assured me that everything appears normal, including my abdominal aorta and internal organs. They didn’t identify any issues at that time.
Understanding Tuberculosis Exposure Risk
A 26-year-old male, who neither drinks alcohol nor smokes, seeks to understand the implications of exposure to tuberculosis (TB). As an anesthesia technician, I became concerned after I encountered a TB-positive patient about a month ago. I had to enter the patient’s room several times to perform blood gas tests. On my first entry, I mistakenly wore my N95 mask incorrectly due to the hectic nature of attending to multiple rooms. From my research, it appears that TB is quite transmissible; direct exposure can pose a serious risk of infection. Transmission usually requires prolonged contact with an infected individual, particularly in a close or face-to-face setting. In this case, the patient was lying face down and appeared to be sleeping when I entered. I have already undergone testing for TB, but I am eager to deepen my understanding of the risks involved in these situations.
24M | Unexplained Fainting Incident
**Note:** I previously shared this story, but it was inexplicably removed. I’m a 24-year-old male without any medical diagnosis or prescription medications. While I do consume alcohol occasionally, I hadn’t been drinking before this happened. Around 3 a.m., I got up from bed to use the restroom. As soon as I began to urinate, I suddenly felt a wave of dizziness. The next moment I was aware of was regaining consciousness in the bathtub, startled awake by the sensation of something dripping on me—only to discover it was my own blood. This was my first experience with fainting. When I came to, confusion set in. I was disoriented and couldn’t comprehend why I was being dripped on while in what I thought was my “bed.” Strangely, I also imagined that I was lying on a collection of marbles (which I actually don’t own)—this turned out to be the shattered glass of my shower door lying around me. I’m uncertain whether I lost consciousness first and then fell, or if the fall caused my brief blackout. It took me a few moments to understand why I was in the bathroom at all. I’m not sure how long I was out; I only remember it was around 3 in the morning when I initially got up, and about the same time when I regained consciousness. I dialed 911, and the ambulance arrived promptly. They checked my vitals, performed an EKG and measured my blood sugar, finding nothing unusual. At the emergency room, they repeated the vital checks, conducted a CT scan, drew blood, and took x-rays—yet still no abnormalities were detected. I had several cuts on my face and left arm (curiously, this is the arm that would have been turned away from the door), along with bruising around my ribs. Since the incident, I’ve been suffering from headaches and pain in my ribs. I received stitches on both my face and arm. The nurse suggested I could have stronger pain relief, but I opted for just Toradol. They eventually discharged me, stating, "We’re unsure what caused this, but return if it happens again." What might have triggered such an incident? How can I safeguard against it reoccurring if they remain uncertain about the cause?
Challenges with Appetite and Discomfort While Eating — Difficulty in Gaining Weight
As an 18-year-old male, I find that I become satisfied after consuming rather minimal amounts of food. This situation presents a considerable challenge, particularly since I only need to have a standard breakfast, lunch, or dinner to feel completely satiated for the remainder of the day. My goal of increasing my weight has made this issue even more complicated. When I limit myself to one meal per day, I often face weight loss or an uncomfortable sensation of fullness that leaves me feeling sluggish. Opting for two meals makes me feel excessively bloated, distracting me from my daily responsibilities. Moreover, I suffer from an unusual issue with my throat, where almost any food I consume causes discomfort, as detailed in the list below. I have contemplated focusing on having just lunch while continuing my weightlifting regimen to maintain my current weight and gradually build muscle. What advice could you offer? Could there be an underlying cause for these symptoms? Lastly, would it be wise for me to consult a healthcare professional? Foods That Cause Discomfort: Bread, flour, pizza, fruits, sugary or starchy items, seed oils, chips, and essentially everything else. Foods That Are Tolerable: Rice, salads, chicken, fish, and vegetables. Overall Symptoms Include: * Quick satiety after normal meals * Challenges in gaining weight * Bloated and lethargic sensations when consuming more than one meal * Persistent throat sensitivity to a wide variety of foods
Seeking Insights: My Journey with Undiagnosed Neurological Symptoms
Hello everyone, I'm a 34-year-old female grappling with neurological symptoms that first appeared in October, and I’m eager to hear from anyone who might have faced similar challenges. My journey began with unexpected migraines, blurred vision, and an ongoing sensation of being off-balance or intoxicated. Gradually, I began experiencing mainly sensory-related symptoms, such as tingling and burning sensations, feelings of extreme heat and cold, sharp pains radiating in my arms and back, as well as discomfort in my hands and toes, alongside intermittent numbness. I also endure varying degrees of weakness and heaviness in my right side, specifically my arm and leg, although I haven’t suffered complete functional loss. The nature of my symptoms is erratic; they fluctuate rather than consistently deteriorate. An MRI revealed mild, scattered lesions in the white matter, which were deemed nonspecific. Further tests from a lumbar puncture returned normal results, showing no markers of inflammation, and the oligoclonal bands were not present. A thorough range of lab tests yielded no significant findings. After evaluating my case, the neurology team suggested a possible diagnosis of MS and administered a three-day course of intravenous steroids. While I noticed a slight improvement in some sensory pain, my symptoms persist and continue to vary day by day. I still experience headaches and pressure in my head along with episodes of blurred vision, but there have been no new deficits since treatment. I am reaching out to connect with others who have had similar experiences. I would like to learn about the insights or diagnoses you encountered and what treatments proved beneficial (such as those related to migraine disorders, dysautonomia, or sensory neuropathy, for example). If you have navigated a similar path, I would greatly appreciate your sharing your story. Thank you!