Girls

[BikingNurse]

Afternoon ladies,
Well, I did it. I finally went to my Dr. a couple weeks ago and complained about one of the "Girls" (left) hurting. She sent me for a mamo and I did that today. Our hospital has gone to digital mamography. It was nothing like the horror stories I've heard. It definately wasn't "fun" but I would say it's better than a pap. So, there ya have it. I'm 29 and I had my first mamo. Yes, I have to say I was kinda emotional because I've been avoiding this pain for some number of months now, and well. yea.
But the actuall procedure wasn't bad at all. so go get the girls squished.

[Biciclista]

hm, i disagree, i'd rather have the pap.
This time (my 4th) was the first time the mammogram didn't make me cry.

[shootingstar]

Hmm yea..think how problematic it is to do a mammo on a small breasted women. Mine is coming up in a few wks.

Last Pap was done by medical intern resident, under supervision of my doc. In such situations, it does make a diff. to a have a woman doing it. Since she was new at procedure, she took longer time to take a sample properly...

[limewave]

Pap and Mammo are nothing compared to endometrial biopsy.

Hands down, I'd take the first two over the third.

[Tuckervill]

+1,000,000 to that, Limewave!!!

This last time, I made sure they sedated me, and they threw in a cervix softener just for good measure.

Karen

[Aquila]

I find that taking a couple Advil (or whatever you prefer) before my mammogram helps a bit with the soreness.

I've never had the pap part hurt, but I've had the bimanual exam shove my ovaries into the next county, and that hurt like heck.

I really hate that they tie my ability to get birth control to all sorts of screening stuff. Grrr.

[Pax]

hm, i disagree, i'd rather have the pap.
This time (my 4th) was the first time the mammogram didn't make me cry.

Ditto, I've had breast reduction surgery and having those scars smashed is truly horrific.

[tulip]

Wishing you the best for good results, BikingNurse.

[snapdragen]

Pap and Mammo are nothing compared to endometrial biopsy.

Hands down, I'd take the first two over the third.

Sounds almost as fun as a LEEP :(

I get the girls checked next week, I'm so excited. :rolleyes:

[Crankin]

I've never been bothered by either procedures. As the years have gone on, the mammos get less and less bothersome. Shootingstar, I think you are right. It seems harder for the techs to do a mammo on a small breasted person. I've had a few make comments about this... not recently, though.

[ny biker]

I find mammograms more painful every year. More than once I thought one of my nipples was going to pop off and go flying across the room. A couple of years ago the corner of the plate cut my skin.

But it's over pretty quickly, so you deal with it.

[Biciclista]

I like it when they say "Take a deep breath" and then they screw it down another turn and walk away.

[katluvr]

LOL @ Biciclista's reply.

My script to scheulde my mamo has been hanging up in my office for probably a couple of months. It doesn't really "hurt" me. I am small breasted and it is NOT pleasant, but I deal. I just hate making the time! I procrastinate. So bad! Especailly considering my mom had a mastectomy about 8 years ago and chemo AND has had reoccurance and this summer my sister had a mastectomy. Tempting fate..am I?

Maybe this thread is getting me ready for the big squeeze!

Goo luck on the results BikingNurse!

[indysteel]

LOL @ Biciclista's reply.

My script to scheulde my mamo has been hanging up in my office for probably a couple of months. It doesn't really "hurt" me. I am small breasted and it is NOT pleasant, but I deal. I just hate making the time! I procrastinate. So bad! Especailly considering my mom had a mastectomy about 8 years ago and chemo AND has had reoccurance and this summer my sister had a mastectomy. Tempting fate..am I?

Maybe this thread is getting me ready for the big squeeze!

Goo luck on the results BikingNurse!

Given your family history, please make the time to schedule and go to the appointment. Like right now. :)

My mom lost both breasts at the age of 34. Thankfully, she's been cancer free since. I've been screened yearly since I was 30. I'm small breasted. It's uncomfortable, but the digital mammo is much less painful IME. It's certainly less painful that surgery, chemo, radiation or, God forbid, death.

So, please make the appointment already. If not for yourself, then for everyone who loves you.

That's my PSA of the day. Thank you!

P.S to BikingNurse: I sure hope the results come back just fine. Have you talked to your doc about having an ultrasound, too? While I'm a big believer in mammography, I do think other screening techniques are helpful/necessary if you're young, lumpy and/or you're experiencing issues that a mammogram doesn't explain. I had some water-filled cysts a few years ago that only showed up on an ultrasound.

[Pedal Wench]

Get squished. Really, it's much better than chemo or a mastectomy, right?


LOL @ Biciclista's reply.

My script to scheulde my mamo has been hanging up in my office for probably a couple of months. It doesn't really "hurt" me. I am small breasted and it is NOT pleasant, but I deal. I just hate making the time! I procrastinate. So bad! Especailly considering my mom had a mastectomy about 8 years ago and chemo AND has had reoccurance and this summer my sister had a mastectomy. Tempting fate..am I?

Maybe this thread is getting me ready for the big squeeze!

Goo luck on the results BikingNurse!

[OakLeaf]

Get squished. Really, it's much better than chemo or a mastectomy, right?

I'm doing my best to stay out of this thread, but I'm compelled to point out that mammograms don't prevent anything.

[ny biker]

I'm doing my best to stay out of this thread, but I'm compelled to point out that mammograms don't prevent anything.

Well, they don't prevent a disease. But they can prevent a more severe outcome as a result of detecting the disease early.

[sgtiger]

Yippee! More things to look forward to. How early should one get this done if there's no family history?

[indysteel]

I'm doing my best to stay out of this thread, but I'm compelled to point out that mammograms don't prevent anything.

That's true, so from that standpoint, my statement that a mammo is better than certain alternatives is misleading. The point is that mammo is one of the things that we can all do to hopefully prevent or delay a more tragic or painful outcome. Early detection does play a huge role in successful treatment. I am also aware that mammo doesn't catch everything, so it's not as definitive as we'd like it to be. I still get one every year and do regular self exams. If for no other reason, it gives me some small measure of comfort.

[indysteel]

Yippee! More things to look forward to. How early should one get this done if there's no family history?

It's often 40 with no family history, but take a look at your insurance coverage (if you have any) and talk to your doctor.

[lph]

LALALALAAAAAA.....All right already! :eek:

-jsut turned 40 and realizing what I'm in for :p

[Pedal Wench]

I'm doing my best to stay out of this thread, but I'm compelled to point out that mammograms don't prevent anything.

Not prevent cancer, obviously, but with early detection, chemo and major surgery can often be avoided.

[ny biker]

LALALALAAAAAA.....All right already! :eek:

-jsut turned 40 and realizing what I'm in for :p

Well, it hurts, but it really is over pretty quickly. Not the worst thing in the world.

[Sadie]

And then there's the colonoscopy....

[Aquila]

My personal plan is to repeat 49 and then skip right to 51 to avoid that. :/

[OakLeaf]

Just please everyone educate yourself before you consent to any medical procedure, screenings included. There's been a lot in the news lately; read the studies behind the news stories, talk to people who've had "positives."

I'm out...

[indysteel]

Just please everyone educate yourself before you consent to any medical procedure, screenings included. There's been a lot in the news lately; read the studies behind the news stories, talk to people who've had "positives."

I'm out...

Oakleaf, while it sounds like you don't want to be dragged into a debate about mammography--and I certainly appreciate that--I'd genuinely be interested to learn more. If you could direct me to the news stories and/or studies you're referring to, I'd like to read them. I believe in mammography, but at the end of the day, I just want to make informed decisions. My attempt to Google has brought up more information than I can wade through. Feel free to post here or PM me. Or, if you'd just rather not, I understand. :)

Thank you.

[indigoiis]

I get mine "pressed" each year on Halloween. If Halloween falls on a weekend day it's the Monday right after. That's how I remember to get it done.

I'm small to medium, and it hurts a little but whatever. And I've had two excisions, both testing benign, but I'd rather know than not.

According to my doc, I have lumpy breasts. Which means my mammos look like camoflauge. Self exams are like trail running. But I know where everything is, and what it is, and more importantly, what it's not.

[BikingNurse]

I sure didn't realize I was opening up a can of worms. but I agree. Early detection is much better than chemo, or radiation. No, it's not comfortable but its over with and if you have a good tech, I think that really makes the differance. Oh yea, technology. Like I said with digital, they don't have to squash them as bad as with older technology. But anyway, Snap, you crack me up!!:D No WAY on a leep if I can avoid it. and colonoscopy? UM NO I am still way too young for that.
Indysteel, Yea, we have talked about it and right after we were done with the mamo the radiologist said to not be suprised if he called me in this week for an ultrasound just to make sure because I was able to show the tech exactly on the mamo where my pain was comming from... thanks for the thought. but I will keep ya updated when I find out.

[Cataboo]

Oakleaf, while it sounds like you don't want to be dragged into a debate about mammography--and I certainly appreciate that--I'd genuinely be interested to learn more. If you could direct me to the news stories and/or studies you're referring to, I'd like to read them. I believe in mammography, but at the end of the day, I just want to make informed decisions. My attempt to Google has brought up more information than I can wade through. Feel free to post here or PM me. Or, if you'd just rather not, I understand. :)

Thank you.

I remember another thread about this maybe about 6 months ago on here. Where the benefits of mammography vs. the damage caused by false positives were discussed. I think if you search, you may be able to find it.

Biking nurse, I hope they find the cause of your pain and it's not anything serious.

[OakLeaf]

I'm sorry for the drift. :o

(((((((BikingNurse))))))) I'm sending you my best wishes that everything turns out fine and that they can find an explanation, and a cure, for your pain.




Indy, I'll PM you tonight or tomorrow.

[indysteel]

I'm sorry for the drift. :o

(((((((BikingNurse))))))) I'm sending you my best wishes that everything turns out fine and that they can find an explanation, and a cure, for your pain.




Indy, I'll PM you tonight or tomorrow.

Thanks. I see, too, that there's a prior thread. I must have missed that the first time around, but I'll do a search for it.

I'm sorry about the thread drift, too. This is obviously an important subject, but the most immediate concern is about BikingNurse for sure. I'm sending you positive vibes.

Hugs to all!

[spazzdog]

I decided long ago that if men had to have weenie exams using the same technology (i.e. squish 'em and stretch 'em) the technology would have been much more comfy.

As much as we all don't look forward to mammograms, as you're getting squished just think about all the crying that would be going on if, instead, it was your significant male's prized part getting flattened.

If nothing else, you might giggle...

(i mean this as no disrespect to the boys... but they can be such babies 'bout those weenies)

spazz-of-the-goofy-humor

P.s. There was an old sitcom called "Love and War" where the guy was scheduled for a mammo. He asked one of the women what it was like and the woman (using "weenie" instead of "breast" described the process. It was one of the funniest monologues I've ever heard. "Love and War" was a spin-off of "Murphy Brown".

[BikingNurse]

Spazzdog
thanks for the laugh! OHH just the thought. got me gigglin at my desk.

** Thanks for the vibes everyone. I do appreciate it. The one thing that bugs me about the whole thing is when they say "Don't worry" COME ON! no, it's not consuming my everythought, but yea, I'm worried. So, again I thank you. and I will let you know whats going on.

[spazzdog]

Always available for a giggle BikigNurse... just keep that image firmly in your head during the mammo. Just try not to shake the machine with the laughter :D

spazz

[Blueberry]

spazz - you just made me spew tea:o

BikingNurse - Here's hoping that you get a definitive answer, that it's nothing serious, and that the pain can be resolved.

CA (who, thankfully, has a few more years before delving too far into this topic)

[kmehrzad]

Pap and Mammo are nothing compared to endometrial biopsy.

Hands down, I'd take the first two over the third.

Oh Yeah!! I agree with you on this one. I've had several and they're no fun! You walk into the dr's office one day for a visit unsuspecting and then wham! They perform the procedure right then and there with nothing to ease the discomfort. OUCH!

[azfiddle]

My spouse had to have a mammogram before I did, and had a cyst removed...not to mention all kinds of issues with his other parts related to testicular cancer. My best friend has been through both cervical and ovarian cancer (talk about lightning striking twice) so I think of how brave they have been and all they've been through and signing up for a mammogram every year just seems miniscule in comparison.

Hoping for the best possible test results for the original poster.

Sharon

[beccaB]

I had pain in one breast and after testing found out that I had actually pulled a pectoral muscle. Owie. But I do get tested regularly due to family history.

[emily_in_nc]

I'm sure there are exceptions, but one thing I remember reading several times is that breast cancer does not hurt. So, assuming that is the general rule, that fact, and youth, should keep the OP from worrying too much. Still, better to ease her mind!

I find mammos much less unpleasant if I schedule them for the first half of my cycle, when my breasts aren't sore. However, going through the "fun" of peri-menopause, they are now sore at times they shouldn't be, so there's really no good time to schedule a mammo. For me the pain is worst right along the top, where the plate digs into my pectoral muscles. Ouchie. But still, over pretty quickly.

[malkin]

And then there's the colonoscopy....

Also not a big deal; but schedule so you have someone to drive you home and you can spend the rest of the day lying around pretending to be a princess.

The prep is kinda yucky, but hey we're WOMEN we can survive yucky!

This thread reminds me that for last year's mammogram I was dressed in a Halloween costume, so it must be coming up again. The previous year I went to the "wrong" center and my health insurance covered exactly 0% of it.

[Zen]

The previous year I went to the "wrong" center and my health insurance covered exactly 0% of it.

Ooooh, don't get me started http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-angry021.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)on health insurance.

As for the pain of the procedure, it's fleeting.

[shootingstar]

Just had my mammo last week, lst one in um..over 12 yrs. Can't remember.

Pain ..is minor and so short the procedure. There are certain dental procedures I dislike even more...from pain threshold point of view.

The mammo technician was a good person. Not surprisingly there's a shortage of mammo technicians in B.C. Sort of job at a mammogram screening clinic (attached to a teaching hospital) would not be easy to find people who would be the right fit for the job, given patient reactions/fears.

[malkin]

Everything dental bothers me much much more because it is so "in your face."
Maybe that's why I was fine with my colonoscopy.;)

[Zen]

It just occurred to me that Mammo and Pap could be your grandparents :eek:

[BikingNurse]

First of all, thank you everyone for your support. And alot of you really made me laugh.
as far as my results...... DRUMROLL.......
Everything looks fine. It turns out that my pain was actally caused by my shoulder impingment. So, I will go ahead with my plans to get that fixed (surgically) I've tried injections and PT. I keep having flair ups. So, The girls are good and my shoulder was the culprit it's been on my bad list since this spring. (atleast it has not been bad with cycling).
I'll be joining a gym this year so I can spin and not use my arm!
Again, thanks!!

[jobob]

Great news, bikingnurse!!!

[indysteel]

First of all, thank you everyone for your support. And alot of you really made me laugh.
as far as my results...... DRUMROLL.......
Everything looks fine. It turns out that my pain was actally caused by my shoulder impingment. So, I will go ahead with my plans to get that fixed (surgically) I've tried injections and PT. I keep having flair ups. So, The girls are good and my shoulder was the culprit it's been on my bad list since this spring. (atleast it has not been bad with cycling).
I'll be joining a gym this year so I can spin and not use my arm!
Again, thanks!!

I'm happy to hear that it was your shoulder and not your girls. Not that your shoulder issues sound fun or anything, but you know what I mean!

[Aquila]

Yay for your good news. Thanks for letting us know.

I hope your shoulder heals as fast as it can!

[malkin]

*big sigh of relief for bikingnurse*

Now back to your regularly scheduled topic drift...



It just occurred to me that Mammo and Pap could be your grandparents :eek:

I am SO hoping I remember this for the far far distant future when my grandkidlets get around to getting here.