Getting My First Mammogram

[jbmom]

Tomorrow I'm having my first mammogram. Can someone tell me what to expect. I've been putting it off for a few years. I was supposed to have one when I turned 30 since my mom died of breast cancer. Is it no big deal or is it as bad as I've heard?

 

[Christine]

Tomorrow I'm having my first mammogram. Can someone tell me what to expect. I've been putting it off for a few years. I was supposed to have one when I turned 30 since my mom died of breast cancer. Is it no big deal or is it as bad as I've heard?

I think it's no big deal (I've had several).

To me, the worst part is when they pull the machine down your chest. My chest is pretty bony and that part kind of hurts and it pulls the skin. But it really doesn't hurt my breast at all.

 

[pperfectmom]

I just had my first one last Friday and it was not that big of a deal. It was slightly uncomfortable and strange but not too bad. The lady that did mine did say it was worse for those women less endowed than me(I'm a 36B-C) because they have to actually maneuver you a little more. Don't stress too much over it.

 

[Dakota_Lynn]

I'm interested in hearing people's reactions to this as well. I'm 36 and about to have my first one. I know two people near my age who have recently found they had breast cancer, so I have decided to not put it off any longer. But I have to admit, I'm scared! I can take a certain amount if discomfort (I have fibromyalgia so I know pain well) but I guess it's a fear of the unknown.

Good luck tomorrow! Please post again and let us know how it goes!

 

[mommasita]

I am considered a wimp by my family I think i am not. I had one last year, and DREADED IT, as I am fairly heavy chested, and was told this is worse.

Honestly it hurt, but not more than that. Your breasts are squished, but for all of 5 minutes. Childbirth was MUCH worse than this..

A little hug for you, it won't hurt. Especially with your history. You are doing A VERY intelligent thing.

 

[Cantw8]

We have been through this fight before It's different for everyone. If yours is anything like mine was, take a handful of Advil and wash them down with a shot of bourbon I was bruised afterwards

 

[horseshowmom]

I just had my first one last Friday and it was not that big of a deal. It was slightly uncomfortable and strange but not too bad. The lady that did mine did say it was worse for those women less endowed than me(I'm a 36B-C) because they have to actually maneuver you a little more. Don't stress too much over it.

That was my experience too. I really dreaded it, and it just wasn't that bad - just being smooshed is all.

 

[Mom2Ashli]

I have had several of them done. As the others have posted it is more uncomfortable than anything. The the arranging and than holding still. It goes by very quickly and than they release the press.

Good luck.

 

[kimmikayb]

Well it feels better then a hot poker in your eye. Really....it is uncomfortable but not extremely painful. Imagine taking two books and making your breasts as flat as they'll go.

 

[oxfordcircus]

Here's one woman's experience:

Due to the fact that I have yet to find an effective method of halting the aging process, I was recently left with no alternative but to have my first mammogram.

I entered my doctor’s office in my usual cheerful-yet-suspicious mood and was ushered swiftly to the back. As instructed, I doffed my clothing in a ridiculously cold room, and donned an extremely large, unflattering mint-green tent (shown here). So amused was I at my reflection in the mirror that I could not resist the urge to dig my cell phone out of my purse and snap a photo for old time’s sake. I succumbed to my childlike impulse as though I were getting away with some mischief, envisioning one of the Mean Nurses coming in to chastise me for taking pictures of myself in their Gown, confiscating my cell phone, and writing something on my chart in red such as, “Patient was caught taking pictures of herself in the mirror with her cellphone and generally acting silly.”

After a few minutes, a very short, stoic, grey-haired woman ushered me into the (even colder) x-ray room and asked me to expose my chestal region. With the sternness of a drill sergeant she pressed a generic bandaid onto each frigid nipple. Call me a prude, but I seem to be stricken with an irrational difficulty in accepting the notion of conducting business wearing only my pants.

When the Short Stoic X-ray Lady asked me to insert my left breast into the appropriate area (I like to call it “The Squeezing Zone”), I attempted to comply; however, being a Bear of Very Little Breast(s), it was more like I was just standing close to a very large x-ray machine.

As the procedure began, I noticed that there were (ahem) elliptical graduations on the plexiglass breast-smashing thingy. As the machine wrenched my tissue completely flat, I failed to measure even a “1″. Notably, the graduations, however, continued up to 10!

In an attempt to instill humor into an otherwise uncomfortable situation, I asked the Short Stoic X-ray Lady (in my most sophisticated voice, of course), “Hey Lady, do you ever see any ****ies that go all the way out to the 10?”

She didn’t answer me, and I’m pretty sure she scowled.

 

[crz4mm2]

Nothing to it. don't worry at all. I have mine every year. If I had known how easy it was would have done it long before I did
Good luck- you will do fine.

 

[KadysMom]

i was so scared before mine. I heard horror stories. I felt nothing! I guess because i have double D's.... I have to go for another one, and i am not scared at all and you should not have to be either

 

[apirateslifeforme]

We have been through this fight before It's different for everyone. If yours is anything like mine was, take a handful of Advil and wash them down with a shot of bourbon I was bruised afterwards

So was I! I had 2 in one day - apparently they couldn't see anything on the first and I had to have it redone. I think the tech was rather incompetent to begin with. I'm fairly well-endowed, but first I had to stand on tiptoe because she couldn't seem to get the machine down to my height (I'm 5'2"). Then I had to contort my upper body in ways that made my muscles cramp up. Then she told me not to breathe. I was in a lot of pain and I had many bruises afterward!

Yet my mother has never had a problem. So yes, it's different for everyone.

 

[linda0706]

I agree with everyone else...not a big deal at all. I'm fairly small so the hardest part for me is hugging the machine at a funny angle & being still. Kind of cool, actually to see myself all spread out--it looks like I really have something!

It is a little weird, though, to have another woman messing with my ****ies. I had a biopsy a few years ago & at my last appointment I couldn't remember which side. So she just grabbed hold of one to look for the scar on the underside.

 

[EdiePA]

It's not bad, but I do end up bruised. Some Motrin or Advil and I'm good to go afterwards, though.

Don't wear deodorant, though. It can show up on the x-ray (the aluminum, I believe does it.) My tech usually gives me a deodorant wipe afterwards, but I usually just carry my deodorant with me.

Good luck.

Edie

 

[aprilgail2]

Its not to bad. Some pressure when the machine is pressed down but nothing terrible. I have had them at least once a year since I was 26 (and twice a year for 4 years when they found something when I was 27) and I have never had one that was painful.

 

[mickeyfan2]

I had my first at 35 then yearly since 40 for a total of 7 now. It is not that bad. The newer machines are better than the old. Just follow the techs instructions and relax.

 

[ToriLammy]

I don't find it to be that bad (I've been having them yearly since I was 35) follow the tech's instructions, relax and it'll be over before you know it. Any discomfort is worth it for the peace of mind that follows.

 

[Luv'sTink]

Relax, that is what makes it worse is when you tense up. I had my first a month or so ago and it only hurt (a little) when I was tense as soon as I relaxed it wasn't painful at all.

 

[Cindyluwho]

It makes a HUGE difference if you're close to "that time of month". I've had one every year for about 15 years and there is NO pain, ever. But I do make sure I time it to be about 1 1/2 - 2 weeks after my period. It's uncomfortable but not painful. If I came out bruised I would definately be talking to someone about it, that can't be normal.