First Mammogram! I'm nervous! ** UPDATE POST #26

[minniecarousel]

It really does depend a lot on the technician doing the exam. I've had them done for years now and that's how I see it. (some have been uncomfortable, some very pinched feeling and some just a little pressure.)

As an X-ray Technician from many years ago, I was a student at a hosp and ended up doing most of the mammos that were ordered. We didn't have the compression apparatus that we do today, so our "compression" was 2 heavy-duty balloons (one inside the other). We always hoped that the balloons wouldn't get hung up on anything & pop! So mammograms have come a long way in 30 years! Let's remember to be grateful for the advances that have been made in the detection and treatment of this particular monster!

 

[golfgal]

I have had 2 mammograms. The first when I was 35 and a friend that was 28 at the time had breast cancer and I wanted to have mine checked just to be safe. That one wasn't too bad, a little uncomfortable. I had another last winter because I am now old enough to need them yearly. This one was AWFUL. I swear they squeezed them so they were about 1/2" high. I think it is true that the more endowed you are the less it hurts. For me most of it was that they had to pull them so far away from my body to get them on the platform THEN they squeezed them flat. It isn't fun but it also doesn't take that long either. I just kept telling myself "this is better then having cancer, this is better then having cancer".

 

[Pop Daddy]

I'm sorry, have we met? You seem to know me well enough to totally discredit my opinion

hey she post on an internet board, that means she knows all

 

[PaulaSue]

Get it done, knowing is so much better than not knowing and putting it off.

I had mine done a few weeks ago for the first time. I had put it off a while with babies, nursing, etc... But I am so glad I did it. It did hurt and they did find 2 small questionable things. After more tests and a biospy they said things are fine, TG but they do need to keep an eye on things in the future.

I feel such a relief knowing things are well it was heartbreaking waiting for the results. It really helps you put the important things in life in order. I have 3 little princesses and a wonderful Dh to live for.

BTW, there is a DIS support thread that was so helpful with all my questions and it was nice talking to those there before me.

Good Luck and Hope all is well!

 

[Mrs.Milo]

I've had several, nothing really painful, but I think for some that could depend on the time of the month. My chest was always very tender a few days before that time of month, and I'm sure a mammogram at that time would have been very painful! Good luck, try not to worry.

 

[SeeDisney]

relax and take a deep breath and DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT!!! I had several mammograms and it's harmless, just a wee bit discomforting but no pain.

Good luck.

 

[lovinwdw]

So...I went for my mammogram this morning and everything is a-ok! I'm very relieved!

BTW - It wasn't too bad

 

[suzannen]

Excellent news!!! I know you must be so relieved. And, now they will have a baseline mammogram for you.

Meanwhile, I have had 15 mammograms since I turned 35. Some didn't hurt at all, some were simply uncomfortable, but three were extremely painful. My last one in July, left me with huge bruises that did not go away for 3 weeks. And, I go to one of the top women's breast center's in the country, where they perform hundreds of mammograms each day. As others have said, the time of the month, the technician, and many other factors play into it. My technicians always tell me it's harder for smaller chested women (like me) because they do have to pull and stretch you more affecting all the muscles around the chest. So for those of you who have never felt pain, that's wonderful, you are very lucky so far, but please don't dismiss others' experience as not valid. But, no matter what - go get it done!

 

[goofy4tink]

Good for you!!!! Now, keep up the good work and go once a year! I've been going for over 15 years now...at one point for about 3 years I was going twice a year. Youch. But, I have to say that for the past 5 yrs or so, they have gotten much better. Well, except for one about 4 yrs ago... I swear I saw stars!!! Never had one that caused that amount of pain. But, evidently it was the technician. When I made a comment to the scheduler a few weeks later, I told her I didn't want that particular facility because the technician was so rough. She told me they had been having a lot of complaints about this one person, and she wouldn't be there much longer. And she was right.....when I went the next time, it was 'almost' painless. Since every single woman on my mother's side of the family...my grandmother, her sister, her sister's daughter, my mother...all got breast cancer at about 70, I figure I don't want to miss any appts!!!

 

[PaulaSue]

Great Update!!!

 

[Cantw8]

glad to hear it