how much does a mamogram really hurt?

[nskjerven]

I just had mine today and I'm fine tonight. It did hurt a bit during, but the cost of not knowing if you are at risk is way worse.

 

[Pigeon]

Having a mammo is degrading and it hurts. I hate it when people aren't upfront about this stuff.

However, having BTDT, let me tell you, it's a whole lot more degrading and painful to miss a mammo and find out you have a cancer that would have been much smaller if you'd had your test done on time.

The mammos are done in a minute or two. Chemo drags on for months.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I have had 2 mammograms and 2 breast ultrasounds. The ultrasounds were worse than the mammos.

My mom is currently battling Stage III breast cancer. She had surgery in June, she has been in chemo since July. In January she will start radiation. If she had gone for a mammogram on a regular basis her treatment would have been MUCH, MUCH easier. Her chances of surviving another 5 years would be MUCH, MUCH higher than 65%.

If the mammogram is a little uncomfortable, just think about the alternative and I bet you will feel better.

 

[Alex2kMommy]

DH had some lumps and had to go in for a mammogram. He wants you all to know that it's not so bad. He claims the worst part was the ribbing from all the technologists and ladies in the waiting room.

 

[MerryPoppins]

If I had not had a mammogram many years ago, I would not be here today responding to this thread.

I agree. My first mammogram found my breast cancer. It was a fast-growing type and because of my mammogram, we found it early. That was 7 years ago and today I am healthy and happy and cancer-free.

I've had more than my share of mammograms. Some really pinch and some aren't nearly as uncomfortable. Take some Tylenol before and know that in the time that you hold your breath it'll all be over. It's certainly worth it.
A mammogram can save your life.

 

[quasar4legs]

You are being very brave. Congrats to you for taking good care of your body.
It's not the most fun I've ever had but consider taking a girlfriend with you and then go out for lunch afterwards.
I always take a pain killer before I go but I have a low tolerance to pain.

Good luck
Trish

 

[disykat]

I've had several and none have been a big deal. I hate the positioning and the pinch, but it's over so quickly it's not a big deal. Sometimes I'm mildly - really very mildly sore - afterwards. Nothing a tylenol doesn't take care of.

My sister was TERRIFIED because of stories she heard. Honestly it's not a big deal. If I had to rank physical pain I've experienced in my life, my mammograms wouldn't even be on the list.

I'm due for one right now and I've been putting it off. This thread is reminding me to make my appointment. For me, it's not about pain or discomfort at all - it's just laziness.

 

[MomofCKJ]

I'm a 34A, small girls. I had my 2nd one last week. It was uncomfortable like biting your lip because it hurts uncomfortable but it was relatively quick and over fast. I would rather have a mammogram than go to the dentist, it really isn't a big deal.

Allyson

 

[js]

i have to go get my first mamogram sometime soon... I'm SO scared!! Am I being silly??? (I'm only a small B cup, but VERY sensitive, as in I have to wear a bra to bed or they hurt/bother me).

any tips to help me deal?

I am very small too A/B. All I can say it hurts a lot less than God Forbid surgery or chemo if you didn't get them done.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

I have had 2 mammograms and 2 breast ultrasounds. The ultrasounds were worse than the mammos.

My mom is currently battling Stage III breast cancer. She had surgery in June, she has been in chemo since July. In January she will start radiation. If she had gone for a mammogram on a regular basis her treatment would have been MUCH, MUCH easier. Her chances of surviving another 5 years would be MUCH, MUCH higher than 65%.

If the mammogram is a little uncomfortable, just think about the alternative and I bet you will feel better.

Sorry to hear about what your mom is going through. I'll keep you both in my prayers.

 

[ozarkmom]

I'm curious about the women with implants. Can you girls with implants tell me about mammograms?

 

[Camicar]

I have a high tolerance for pain. I did a pitocin-induced childbirth with no drugs, for example. I have broken bones and not cried.

I had women tell me a mammogram was no big deal and I had women tell me it was horrible.

Here is my experience. It was BOTH.

I have different tissue density -- one side is 'regular' and one side is 'dense.' When they did the regular side it was painful. Yes, painful. Not uncomfortable. Painful. But once the plate was off, the pain went away. So, okay, fine.

THEN the other side. Whole different story. Serious pain. Within seconds, tears came into my eyes, then flooded over. I was covered in sweat and wanted to vomit from the pain. When it was done, I had to sit down and put my head between my legs.

Then they decided to do an ultrasound of the denser side. The tech was fine, but the doctor who decided to redo it was like Attila the Hun. It hurt a LOT. I went out to my car and sat there for a long time trying to get control before driving back to work. Afterwards I had bruises all over my breast. That breast also hurt for two months afterwards. I had general soreness and random shooting pains that were so bad I would gasp.

My second mammo was slightly better bec I complained to the (different) tech beforehand and she allowed me to control the plate squeeze. She told me that it did have to hurt but that I shouldn't be made to be in such pain I almost faint. So she had me tell her when to stop. And lo and behold my scans were just fine -- so there was no need for that brutal bashing my breast took the last time. I also appreciated that she put one of her hands on my shoulder and having that little bit of human contact really helped emotionally. It still hurt for weeks afterward, though. And the skin tissue under my breast tore and took weeks to heal as well (and made wearing a bra a joy and pleasure too.)

So, while the different techs make a difference, the biggest determining factor of pain was the differing breast tissue density.

While I understand that going thru this was better than breast cancer, they really need to find a better way to do this. I can pretty much tell you that if the only known way to test testicular cancer was to mash a guy's testicles between two plates, they'd have already found a better way.