I'm a 59-year-old woman, post-menopausal and have never taken HRT. Last month (while on vacation) I noticed that my left breast areola appeared to be a different color than the right; more gold/yellowish instead of the usual pink. It gets more pronounced if I lift my left arm overhead for several seconds. I also noticed some faint redness on the left breast, on the underneath side and to the left and looks like it might be behind the nipple as well and tissue feels a little thick and uncomfortable to press on. The skin's texture looks the same and there are no open sores, no nipple discharge or crusting, no itching, no visible orange peel texture. Just redness and sensitivity, especially to pressure/compression, and an areola color change under certain conditions.
Some background: I've had fibrocystic breasts since my 20s and had to have a cyst aspirated years ago in the right breast. Medications for allergies & asthma resulted in some weight gain these past few years and last year I needed a new bra size but didn't have much luck finding one to fit with stores or fitting rooms closed! (Internet purchases resulted in getting the wrong size and several returns.) Fitness bras didn't fare any better. Due to some asymmetry, it's difficult to find one that's not too big for the right breast, so I stuck with what I had, and I don't like going braless. Well, THAT bra was too tight and eventually my breast started complaining, so took it off and just wore a larger one with cup wrinkles for the right breast since it just didn't fit right. That was a month ago.
I don't know whether wearing a tight bra for too long did some damage or if there's something else going on. I will see my doctor soon for an exam and ultrasound at least (maybe a mammo as well but I think that would hurt like hell right now), but meanwhile I'm worried and can't find much info about tight bras and breast changes. I've read about IBC and it scares the heck out of me. Ideas? ...help? (TIA.)