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Hello,
Regular forum user here- but I wanted to remain anonymous about this so I decided I would start a new account.
In the last couple of years I've started to have an issue with this- it's after a course of medication my GP prescribed for another issue. I've since been off that medication for 18 months, but these are getting worse!
I've read that if you get a bit of gland development it can continue to proliferate. This is definitely not pseudogynocomastia (just fat) as I can feel the glandular lumps, and I'm also not overweight at all.
I'm considering surgery- obviously this is costly and has potential for complications.
No doubt some people will come on this thread and take the mick- it is however having a huge emotional and psychological impact on my daily life.
Anyone been through similar and happy to share? Would love to hear of a surgical recommendation.
I'd really appreciate a lack of piss taking!
The NHS can perform surgery for this. Gynecomastia is actually fairly common, as a result of hormones during puberty. (I forget the exact details but it's the result of something like excess testosterone getting converted to estrogen). Using certain steroids can cause it too for similar reasons.
But you need to see your GP and they will check all your hormone levels etc first.
What is your GP saying about it?
I've been to the GP- she checked hormone levels, they're within normal ranges.
She performed what I can only describe as a test she would have done on a female whilst checking for breast cancer.
Says it's just fat.  It really isn't! I can feel multiple lumps ranging from the size of a marble down to a pea on the outerside of my nipples running up and near my armpit. From the side there is a clear little boob!
I never carried any fat on my chest at all until 2 years ago and these have just grown out of nowhere (I'm pushing 40 now).
Never touched any steroids (as per above post). This started after a course of Lanzoprezole and then Omeprazole.
It's listed as a rare side effect. From what I've read once you get a bit of development it can continue to grow despite the initial environmental factor being removed, I'll probably go and make an appointment to see a different GP, but from what I've read, unless this is life threatening the chance of NHS surgery is next to zero.
Definitely get a second opinion, it's a positive move on your part
Also keep getting out riding your bike, cardiovascular fitness will help from a mental health positivity point
good luck mate
Definitely get a second opinion, it’s a positive move on your part
Yeah, if you can feel lumps under there, then it sounds like gyne.
PS. **** you OP for getting that song stuck in my head with your username DO BE DO BE DOBEDO BABY SHARK
If it was just fat, you would be able to reduce it in the normal way. Gynecomastia is, as you say, different and does not respond to weight loss in the same way.
Did your doc actually refer to it by that name?
This page gives you an idea of the best practice when it comes to examining and checking for other issues.
https://www.gponline.com/gp-management-gynaecomastia/cancer/womens/article/1118276
As far as surgery is concerned, there is obviously a private option, but NHS surgery is much harder to come by. The key phrase in the link above is 'profound psychological distress'. You describe something similar to this, and it is important not to downplay this at all when talking about the impact this is having on your life.
Let us know how you're getting on.
My impression is that you should be prepared to push against a lot of people telling you surgery is unavailable. Get a second opinion and a firm diagnosis of gynecomastia if you haven't already.
EDIT:
Your local clinical commissioning group may well have a guideline for the management of gynecomastia. This may set down a number of conditions before surgery is considered - eg BMI in the normal range, no smoking, trying everything else for a year. Getting cracking on anything you can on that list may help you get where you want more quickly.