Getting My First Mammogram

[Christine]

If I came out bruised I would definately be talking to someone about it, that can't be normal.

It's not normal at all.

 

[Cindyluwho]

WOW!! I stand corrected. I just went and read several medical websites regarding mammograms and mild bruising can and does occur sometimes. I have never had anyone in my circle of friends experience it, but there you go! Learned something today!!

 

[Disneyaunt4]

Well I fell flat on my face and kissed the pavement on my way into my first mammogram. So compared to the bleeding hands and knees,the mammogram was nothing

 

[Chattyaholic]

My mother is small breasted and she said it was quite painful. I was nervous about having my first one (when I was 40) but it was not painful in the slightest (I'm 38C) and none of them that I've had since have been at all painful, or even uncomfortable.

They say it helps to have a good technician too, and I go to one where that is all she does is mammograms so she's good.

Just try to relax and let the technician move you to where she needs you to be, put your shoulders/arms the way she tells you, etc.

Hope your mammogram goes well tomorrow!

 

[Mickey527]

First off, if your mother died of Breast Cancer, have you asked your Dr about getting the blood test that tells if you have the gene for Breast Cancer? You should have that done, I believe it is a BRC or BAC. I should know it but I can't think right now. then if the test is positive you know that your chances of BC are high and you can have preventative surgery if you decide. Please discuss this with your Dr.
Now on to the mammogram. I have to say I have never walked in looking forward to it and never walked out feeling glad that I had it. They hurt, there is no other way to say it.
It is a temporary hurt, sometimes I have pain into that night. I do bruise mainly because I have fair skin.
I have yearly mammograms and do monthly tests. I had a mammogram in May, my birth month in 2004. In August I had some breast pain and they did another mammogram. Both were negative. The Dr felt that something was wrong even though the mammo was negative and she couldn't feel a lump so she did an ultrasound. I had a huge tumor very close to my chest wall so when they did the squeeze it didn't squeeze back far enough for the tumor to be seen.
I was stage 3, grade 3 so the tumor was around for a while before it was found. I am thankful that I had pain because otherwise I would not be here today. I still feel it was my dad who died of cancer two months before my diagnosis that sent me the pain to let me know I had cancer.
Most insurances won't pay for an ultrasound UNLESS it is ordered by a Dr. They prefer to pay for a mammogram but it is not a perfect diagnostic tool. I always request an ultrasound now and my Dr always complies because of my history. I try to recommend to everyone that they ask for an ultrasound too.

 

[jbmom]

Mickey527, My dr. did indicate on the order to do an ultrasound immediately if they couldn't see what they needed to with the mammogram. So I should be covered. I may have the test done to check for the gene I talked about it with my dr. Thank goodness they found yours with the ultrasound. My family has lots of history of cancer. I have a cousin with stage 4 pancreatic and lung cancer. I've lost lots of family members to this disease way too early and I don't want it to happen to me.

Thanks for all the encouraging words from everyone. I will let you know how it goes.

 

[BabyTigger99]

I had my first last year, at age 29 (begnin tumor on my back at age 12 and 13, and lymphoma tumor in my leg at age 27, so Doc said, get those girls in the squisher!). Had to have a bresticle ultrasound right afterwards. Now I get mammos every 6 months, for at least a little while. No biggie to me. My tech have always been great, and I find if I am joking around wtih them, it takes my mind off everything.

 

[ReggieB]

I had my first last week. I was expecting it to be more painful than it was (however I have to say I don't think I have much feeling in those saggy puppies anyway!!) The worse thing was the fact that I think my technician was more uncomfortable than I was!! After 5 mins of wise cracking, she started to warm up to me!! I also was surprised that I wasn't more embarrassed by the fiddling and place setting than I was. I did think at one point think that I really needed to get them put back to where they started out at.

Best of luck. I don't have a family history (well not blood relatives anyhow) so it was a pretty routine thing. I cannot imagine how tough it must be if you have even the slightest concern that there might be something wrong. I'm hoping that if I am ever confronted with something so awful, my sense of humor will dig me out, so I hope you don't think I have been too flippant in my remarks, just how I deal.

 

[jbmom]

It's over and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. The hospital gave met the option of a mammopad to cushion it a little. It was a bit uncomfortable because I have a lot of scar tissue from a previous breast reduction. Nothing horrible though. I felt better after hearing all your stories and experiances, I had a fear of the unknown. They did have to do a more detailed shot, I hope that isn't bad news. The tech wouldn't really tell me much.

Thanks again for the support.

 

[mommasita]

It's over and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. The hospital gave met the option of a mammopad to cushion it a little. It was a bit uncomfortable because I have a lot of scar tissue from a previous breast reduction. Nothing horrible though. I felt better after hearing all your stories and experiances, I had a fear of the unknown. They did have to do a more detailed shot, I hope that isn't bad news. The tech wouldn't really tell me much.

Thanks again for the support.

Glad you had a good experience the first time, as did I. It will make the next one easier.

 

[Trish Bessette]

Hope everything turns out fine for you!

I will get my first one this year as I will turn 40!. I'm not worried at all about it. Something I know I have to do.

 

[Ride Junkie]

For me, it was the worst pain ever. I had my first one at about age 33 (I had a lump), and it was horrible. My breasts are very dense (not much fatty tissue), and they aren't very big, so it felt like they were trying to squish my entire chest, including the pectorals above the breast, between the plates.

I put off having another one until this year, since my doctor kept bugging me about it. I took some ibuprofen beforehand, hoping it would help with the pain, but it didn't. This time, it actually brought tears to my eyes.

I heard that there is a better, less painful procedure that has been developed, and it gives a better image of the breast. But guess what -- the companies who make the mammogram machines are fighting it because it would put them out of business.

I'm not a wimp when it comes to other stuff (I once let my dentist drill on my tooth without novocaine because I didn't think I needed it), but I totally hate mammograms!! I hope yours goes better than mine did.

 

[sameyeyam]

Yes, mammograms are uncomfortable; but then again so are pap smears and most of us make it through them ok; although we usually dread them.

What I can tell you is that I am currently a breast cancer patient. I had a mastectomy in August, chemo Oct-January and just started radiation. Having your **** squished is nothing in comparison to having to go through even one day of chemo!

I would like to add however that mammograms are not perfect, especially in younger women with dense breasts. I had a normal mamm. last January and 7months later developed a huge tumor in my left breast. Because you have a family history of cancer you should also do a breast self exam at least once a month and not entirely rely upon mammograms to detect cancer - they aren't perfect, just a tool to help!

 

[Ride Junkie]

Yes, mammograms are uncomfortable; but then again so are pap smears and most of us make it through them ok; although we usually dread them.

What I can tell you is that I am currently a breast cancer patient. I had a mastectomy in August, chemo Oct-January and just started radiation. Having your **** squished is nothing in comparison to having to go through even one day of chemo!

I would like to add however that mammograms are not perfect, especially in younger women with dense breasts. I had a normal mamm. last January and 7months later developed a huge tumor in my left breast. Because you have a family history of cancer you should also do a breast self exam at least once a month and not entirely rely upon mammograms to detect cancer - they aren't perfect, just a tool to help!

Wow...I feel like a total choad! Good point, a mammogram wouldn't be nearly as painful as chemo. I solemnly swear to suck it up next time.

 

[HOGFAN]

your friendly mammographer here.

glad to hear mostly positive comments here.

sorry to hear about bruising. yes it happens, especially to folks that are prone to bruising anyway or on blood thinners.

we get asked about "the new,painless machines" all the time. Trust me, there is nothing out there yet. Alot of people think the digital machines are painless but that is a falacy.

Keep in mind that most insurance companies will not pay for a diagnostic exam unless you have a new lump or discharge. If your doctor sends you in for a routine mammogram with an ultrasound if needed, most ins. companies will not pay to do both on the same day. we get lots of patients that have their doctor order a diagnostic exam(so they can get immediate results) even tho they are not having any problems. We have to document that we told them their insurance will probably not cover it. Most ins. companies will also not pay for a diagnostic exam for 'fibrocystic condition' either as 60% of women have it and it is not considered unusual.

Dont panic if you get called back for additional views or ultrasound. Radiologists get sued for mammography more than any other exam(it is also one of the lowest reimbursed). Therefore, many times, films are overread. Its survival instinct. Also there are a few bad egg technologists out there, but not many. We are so highly regulated, most of the bad ones dont last long.

Anyway, keep getting those mammograms!!!

 

[jbmom]

Yes, mammograms are uncomfortable; but then again so are pap smears and most of us make it through them ok; although we usually dread them.

What I can tell you is that I am currently a breast cancer patient. I had a mastectomy in August, chemo Oct-January and just started radiation. Having your **** squished is nothing in comparison to having to go through even one day of chemo!

I would like to add however that mammograms are not perfect, especially in younger women with dense breasts. I had a normal mamm. last January and 7months later developed a huge tumor in my left breast. Because you have a family history of cancer you should also do a breast self exam at least once a month and not entirely rely upon mammograms to detect cancer - they aren't perfect, just a tool to help!

Yes, I would rather have them squished than to have to have chemo. I watched so many of my family members go through that. The worst was my mom, to see her miserable after her masectomy and chemo was heartbreaking. And I was really too young to completely understand when she was first diagnosed, I knew she had cancer but not to what extent. They had a nurse go over self breast exams with me too, I was already doing them but was not going up high enough to be thorough.

I wish you the best with your health.

 

[Cindyluwho]

your friendly mammographer here.

glad to hear mostly positive comments here.

sorry to hear about bruising. yes it happens, especially to folks that are prone to bruising anyway or on blood thinners.

we get asked about "the new,painless machines" all the time. Trust me, there is nothing out there yet. Alot of people think the digital machines are painless but that is a falacy.

Keep in mind that most insurance companies will not pay for a diagnostic exam unless you have a new lump or discharge. If your doctor sends you in for a routine mammogram with an ultrasound if needed, most ins. companies will not pay to do both on the same day. we get lots of patients that have their doctor order a diagnostic exam(so they can get immediate results) even tho they are not having any problems. We have to document that we told them their insurance will probably not cover it. Most ins. companies will also not pay for a diagnostic exam for 'fibrocystic condition' either as 60% of women have it and it is not considered unusual.

Dont panic if you get called back for additional views or ultrasound. Radiologists get sued for mammography more than any other exam(it is also one of the lowest reimbursed). Therefore, many times, films are overread. Its survival instinct. Also there are a few bad egg technologists out there, but not many. We are so highly regulated, most of the bad ones dont last long.

Anyway, keep getting those mammograms!!!

Vicki
How do you feel about MRIs in place of mammograms? I had one of my implant scar tissue capsules rupture during my last mammogram after 17 years of having implants. With my new implants (behind the muscle) they suggest an MRI every 2 or 3 years, in addition to self-exams. I've had a mammogram every year since I was in my mid-30's and no family history of cancer.

 

[HOGFAN]

Cindylu,
Breast MRIs are WONDERFUL. probably the best tool out there. Unfortunately
you may have to fight your insurance company to get it covered. They dont like to shell out the big bucks(in the thousands) for it.
the best facilities have software that 'looks' at the images and flags problem areas.
BTW, implant ruptures during mammography is VERY rare. Ive been doing them over 20 years and have never had it happen, dont know of any tech that it happened to, or even read about it happening. Since yours were pretty old, maybe that played into it?

good luck!

 

[JunieJay]

I've never had anything more than very minor discomfort with mammograms. The mamagropher (is that a word? the person who administers the mamogram) told me I was like Goldilocks in that I have the perfect size breasts for a mamogram, not too big, and not too small.