Mammograms . . .

**frugalfriend** · 10-26-2008, 06:15 PM

I'm having my first one tomorrow morning. Are they really as bad as I've heard? Painful or not bad? I'm a little nervous . . .

**jas** · 10-26-2008, 06:46 PM

I have had three so far. I did not think they were all that bad. Some people don't tolerate them as well. The more they can compress you the better though. The first one I had was a regular one, the next two were digital. If you are having a digital one don't be too alarmed if they call you back for additional views. The machines are set to sensitive and alert on many things that are not anything to worry about.

If you feel like you are sensitive to pain usually, take a pain releaver before you go. Also don't forget NOT to put on any deoderant or lotion. (I used to be a mammography tech assisant and had to give the spiel about deoderant and lotions a ton of times a day) You will be fine.

**madhen** · 10-26-2008, 06:49 PM

I've had a couple and they weren't bad at all. A lot of pressure, and it feels a bit odd to be standing there while a nurse treats your breast like a piece of bread dough being kneaded (as they try to sort of shove as much of it as they can on that plate), but I never felt anything akin to pain.

**Katybird** · 10-26-2008, 06:53 PM

Mine were not bad at all. The only uncomfortable part was the compression of the muscles that run along the side of the breast and under the arm, that sort of smarted but not bad. My last one I had a regular mammo and then went back for a spot compression to check out an irregularity but it turned out to be nothing. The spot compression was virtually painless.

**mom21ofeach** · 10-26-2008, 06:56 PM

Very timely question! I had my first one yesterday. I was a little nervous, but it wasn't a big deal at all. The side view pictures did hurt a little, but it was nothing I couldn't deal with. I won't think twice about going next year.

I was surprised at how much they SMASH them!

**3tomboys** · 10-26-2008, 07:37 PM

I started having them several years ago. I don't find them painful as much as awkward. I just remind myselt how important they are.

**Darlene** · 10-26-2008, 07:52 PM

I have one every year (bc in my family). Smoosh, smoosh then your done. The ladies situating you are great and very nice, let them know this is your first time. Worst part for me was having someone manipulate my boob into where she wanted it for a good pic. She sees many boobs a day and it's nothing to be embarassed about. I guess it's like I look at most things, sure it may a bit uncomfortable but it could be worse & it just may save my life. My sis & I do have our appt's together every year & then do lunch. It's just one of those things and you make the best of it.
Glad you are going & know that it's worth being a bit uncomfortable. It really isn't that bad if you ask me & I'm not well endowed, lol.

**frugalfriend** · 10-27-2008, 09:41 AM

Wow, thanks for all the feedback! I really appreciate it!

Originally Posted by Darlene

My sis & I do have our appt's together every year & then do lunch. It's just one of those things and you make the best of it.

Love that idea, Darlene! Too bad my sis won't be needing them for about 7 more years, lol! I'll be waiting!

Off to my appointment . . .

**IntlMom** · 10-27-2008, 09:45 AM

I wanted to jump in and say not to worry either, they aren't nearly as bad you thnk they will be (I've had several cause of family history)

**DAAC3DEC** · 10-27-2008, 10:11 AM

No pain, mostly pressure...............ask for the mammo pad, helps A LOT!!!!

**MRAHoffman** · 10-27-2008, 10:46 AM

I have been debating on weather or not I should reply as I don't want to "scare" you, but I also want to show you why it is SO important. I got my "baseline" mammo at 37 (I had to wait a year as I had my son and nursed for 1 year). I was scheduled to get my first "official" one 10/04 @ 39, but the week I was scheduled my father was hospitalized and I had to reschedule for 1/05. January, he was hospitalized for the last time and the day after I had to put him in a nursing home I had my 1st mammogram 1/17/05. They found something and sent me for an ultrasound 1/26/05 (the nurse said 9 out of 10 biopsies are normal...my gut told me I was the 10). I was scheduled to meet with a surgeon and after looking at the mammogram/ultrasound didn't think it was anything (he has performed over 4k breast surgeries), but wanted to do a biopsy and told me he could do an excisional (to take whatever it was out...I told him to do this as I didn't want to deal with it.) or just a sample. I was dx w/ Stage 1 bc on 2/1/05. 2/7/05 I had a lumpectomy. 3/3/08 began 6 rounds of chemo. 6/13/05 began radiation.8/18/05 began 1 year of Herceptin (Lifetime just had a movie on the making of this by Dr. Slamon with Harry Connick Jr... Living Proof). and I am now a 3 year survivor. I am NOT telling you to scare you, I AM telling you this to show you the importance of mammograms. I was under GREAT stress with my fathers illness and feel that "part" of my dx was caused by this (many of my bc survivor friends experienced a live changing event prior to dx, divorce, death of spouse/parent, caretaker etc.) DO NOT be afraid of them (but who am I to talk as I am waiting for the results of my latest) , be afraid of NOT getting them...it will save your life, it did mine. I like the idea of doing it with a friend/family and lunch after...maybe I'll start that with my mom. Take care and God bless.

Rhonda

**frugalfriend** · 10-27-2008, 03:38 PM

Originally Posted by MRAHoffman

I am now a 3 year survivor.

Congratulations!

Thank you so much for sharing your story! Maybe we will help to remind someone else who needs to go in and have it done. I have put off going for 2 years (I'm 42) and I'm very glad that I finally went today. It wasn't bad at all! It was uncomfortable, but only briefly. I was also in and out of there quickly. I will get the results in about a week.

**zakity** · 10-27-2008, 05:40 PM

I have fibrocystic breasts and it was uncomfortable. Basically, it just means I have lumpy breasts. I have large cysts on the outsides of my breasts. That was the most uncomfortable part.

Now, mentally, I was rather traumatized. No one told me that the tech would touch me. I have an issue with being touched, like a major issue (it makes me want to sit in a corner and rock with my hand curled up and sitting over my ears). I have to be forewarned about that stuff. I asked tons of women and they were "it's not that bad." No one said a thing about them touching me. The doc didn't either. I probably won't go back and have another one done because I was traumatized so badly. I also avoid anything where people will touch me.

Side note:
Cysts are bilateral (you will have one on both sides). So, if you have lumpy breasts, when you are doing a self-check,make sure you have a lump that "matches" it on the other side.

**Megareader** · 10-27-2008, 11:50 PM

Your first mammogram is the worst because you don't really know what to expect. But after that it's ok. The ladies who have done mine have all been really nice.