Mammograms

[MiniGirl]

My Mom and I have this fight all the time. She claims to barely feel anything at all so I must just be overreacting.

Pain reception is kind of an individual thing. Just because one woman doesn't feel the procedure as more than "mild discomfort" doesn't mean that it isn't extremely painful for somebody else

I think there are still alot of things in medicine that are "blown off" as ridiculous complaining based on gender.

Rita, I hope I didn't make it seem as I think women who say this is painful are overreacting. I don't think they are at all. That's why I mentioned the MammoPad in my post. This is such an important screening that I think anything that will make it more comfortable is worth looking into.

For me... it is getting my teeth cleaned. I know for many it is no big deal. For me, it is extremely painful; so I really do understand what you are saying.

 

[Magix]

The first one I had was very painful and they took a ton of different views, so they just keep squishing those suckers over and over again. It's not so bad when they give you the first bit of squish, but then they always go just that tiny bit further to make sure it really hurts. I had painful bruises for 2 weeks after that first one.

Now, I'm with a different HMO and had my second mammogram. This one was much better, much quicker with only a couple of views of each. No bruising and not nearly so much pain. I think it greatly depends on how many views they do and whether a sadist is operating the machine.

 

[Just Jan]

We have to deal with prostrate exams!

All you get is a little smooshy ****. We get a one finger salute!

Plus we have to deal with our wives during the whole childbirth thing! My wife was in labor for almost 20 hours and I sit in that uncomfortable chair and eat hospital food while waiting!!

(I am going to run and hide now)

ooo you poor thing, LOL. Maybe men should have a testicular exam similar to mammograms.....that would change the tune of many

 

[Nancy]

You need to find a new mammo place. I'm 5'2" and have never had to stand on tippy toes, the machine adjusts up or down to the proper height. I've also never had extreme pain or bruises. I've had at least 10 of them.

I don't think ultrasound takes the place of mammograms. It is used for futher diagnosis if some suspicious or inconclusive is seen on the x-ray.

Mine too....I was expecting it to be horrible and it wasn't. I had very little pain, the machine adjusted and it was over very quick. It's no something I look forward to but I don't dread it.

As for ultrasounds....make sure insurance covers it. Mine does the regular screening as preventive and pays at 100%...not so with the ultrasound...that is considered diagnostic and applies to my deductible and co-insurance.

 

[m&m's mom]

I would say mild discomfort at best. I have always had the same lady and she is so good.
I was going to say too- I am 5'4 and she moves that thing all up and down. I will say that I have to tilt a little way so maybe they need it that way.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

I always have to refrain from posting on the "going for my first mammogram - what's it like?" threads. Mine was HORRIBLE and I dread going for another one. The tech had me stand up on my very tippy-toes - I asked if she had a stepstool or anything and she curtly replied, "No." I'm 5'2", not like I'm overly short. I pretty much had to balance like that, bending partially backward, and "don't breathe." The plates pinched and pulled to the point where I actually ended up with bruises afterward!

And then she came back 10 minutes later..."Your tissue is way too dense, we have to do it again."

Wait & see what it's like if your ever called back for suspicious areas.....

There is far worse testing, try looking at the big picture...mammography or breast cancer, I say squish away.

 

[aprilgail2]

You need to find a new mammo place. I'm 5'2" and have never had to stand on tippy toes, the machine adjusts up or down to the proper height. I've also never had extreme pain or bruises. I've had at least 10 of them.

.

I agree- you should try someplace else if you had to stand on tiptoes! The machines adjust all the way down for people in wheelchairs so you should not have had to do that.

Wow... I guess I've just always been very fortunate. I've had 2 this week alone. Yes, the first one showed a very dense area, so I had a second one AND and ultrasound to get a closer look at things.

I have never experienced pain during a mammogram. Maybe a little discomfort for a second or 2 but not really pain. In fact, I thought the u/s was worse than the mammogram.

]

I'm been getting them since I was 25 (family history) and I really don't find them bad at all.

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I have had more than I can count from the time I was in my 20's - some years two a year some years once a year and never have they hurt- some pulling and squishing but nothing I would bruise from or need to take tylenol for or anything. As soon as they release the machine the pressure is gone and its like it never happened.

 

[MichelleVW]

You need to find a new mammo place. I'm 5'2" and have never had to stand on tippy toes, the machine adjusts up or down to the proper height. I've also never had extreme pain or bruises. I've had at least 10 of them.

I don't think ultrasound takes the place of mammograms. It is used for futher diagnosis if some suspicious or inconclusive is seen on the x-ray.

Exactly....those machines are totally adjustable...no reason to stand on your toes.

I am a registered mammo tech who also had my first mammogram this year, complete with call back extra views. It wasn't fun, but it wasn't awful.

I did mammograms for over 10 years and I never heard from anyone that I bruised them and I was at a small place and saw the same patients over and over.

 

[lovesmurfs]

ooo you poor thing, LOL. Maybe men should have a testicular exam similar to mammograms.....that would change the tune of many

Just remember the words of the Apostle Paul: "We are hard-pressed on every side, but not crushed..." (1 Corinthians 4:8)

 

[Pixie Dust for Me!]

I'm glad so many have had no problems. This is my 2nd mammogram. My first wasn't comfortable...but this one was painful! I had a hysterectomy last year (kept the ovaries) so I don't know if that contributed to it or not. What I can tell you is that I have bruises on the top of my breasts and am still sore enough that I won't take off my bra at night...the extra "jiggling" just hurts too bad! Sleeping has been interesting since I'm a tummy sleeper and there's no way that I can right now. I called the doc and I have an appointment on Tuesday to show him the bruises (and get my annual pap smear). Maybe I had a bad "tech"....but squishing the living daylights out of my breasts to the point that I was in tears is ridiculous. My goodness....if I had implants I'd be sure that they would have popped...what do women with implants do?

I guess my biggest point is that there has to be another way. Yes, breast cancer is awful (I have 2 family members going through it now...related by marriage)...but dear lord in heaven....squishing them until a woman cries and leaving bruises is absurd!

K

 

[daisy2]

I just had one done on Monday the 28th. And I am rather large breasted. So for me it wasn't that bad. It was getting my ladies up on the platform and getting them situated that was bothersome to me. The initial squishing wasn't that bad. I am so sorry to the ladies that endure pain when having their mammograms. I came back with my test results being negative of any lumps or anything.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

I'm glad so many have had no problems. This is my 2nd mammogram. My first wasn't comfortable...but this one was painful! I had a hysterectomy last year (kept the ovaries) so I don't know if that contributed to it or not. What I can tell you is that I have bruises on the top of my breasts and am still sore enough that I won't take off my bra at night...the extra "jiggling" just hurts too bad! Sleeping has been interesting since I'm a tummy sleeper and there's no way that I can right now. I called the doc and I have an appointment on Tuesday to show him the bruises (and get my annual pap smear). Maybe I had a bad "tech"....but squishing the living daylights out of my breasts to the point that I was in tears is ridiculous. My goodness....if I had implants I'd be sure that they would have popped...what do women with implants do?

I guess my biggest point is that there has to be another way. Yes, breast cancer is awful (I have 2 family members going through it now...related by marriage)...but dear lord in heaven....squishing them until a woman cries and leaving bruises is absurd!

K

Do you take blood thinners or medication that causes your blood to thin?
That can cause extreme bruising.

 

[MichelleVW]

I'm glad so many have had no problems. This is my 2nd mammogram. My first wasn't comfortable...but this one was painful! I had a hysterectomy last year (kept the ovaries) so I don't know if that contributed to it or not. What I can tell you is that I have bruises on the top of my breasts and am still sore enough that I won't take off my bra at night...the extra "jiggling" just hurts too bad! Sleeping has been interesting since I'm a tummy sleeper and there's no way that I can right now. I called the doc and I have an appointment on Tuesday to show him the bruises (and get my annual pap smear). Maybe I had a bad "tech"....but squishing the living daylights out of my breasts to the point that I was in tears is ridiculous. My goodness....if I had implants I'd be sure that they would have popped...what do women with implants do?

I guess my biggest point is that there has to be another way. Yes, breast cancer is awful (I have 2 family members going through it now...related by marriage)...but dear lord in heaven....squishing them until a woman cries and leaving bruises is absurd!

K

Honestly, it sounds like you had a bad tech. I worked with a few girls that squished way too hard and there is no need for that.

Implants are a hole nother ball game and you have to take more and different pictures....so not fun for the tech or the patient.

 

[Pixie Dust for Me!]

Do you take blood thinners or medication that causes your blood to thin?
That can cause extreme bruising.

No, but thanks for asking.

 

[2bearsmom]

When my time comes I plan on having breast thermography done, no squishing, no squeezing and no radiation.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

It also depends on "what time of the month" you have it done. Do NOT go the week before or the week of. Just saying.