tips for better mammogram?

[snapdragen]

I stopped looking at the breast forum for now. I got spooked last night reading some horror stories. I took today off and didn't worry. At this point, there's no reason to worry. There's just discover and repair. I'm lucky to have these options.
.

I found that the people that frequent the illness/physical problem forums are usually the ones that are not doing well, having issues, etc. Those that have recovered and are doing great drift away. At least that's how it was on the spine forum I was on.

[Crankin]

Yes! When I had my medical saga a few years ago, I made myself sicker by reading stuff on line. The people who write on these forums are the ones that are not doing well, or have some ax to grind with the medical community. I only allow myself to look at stuff from the Mayo Clinic now!
Way back in the day, I used a diaphragm, after it became clear the pill was causing the horrible side effects you read about (pains in the legs, chest, etc). I didn't like it, because I could always feel it after sex, and it made me feel like I had to pee every second. I had lots of UTIs during this time. We switched to condoms because of this, which lasted until after I had kid #2 and then DH had his tubes snipped.

[Catrin]

I found that the people that frequent the illness/physical problem forums are usually the ones that are not doing well, having issues, etc. Those that have recovered and are doing great drift away. At least that's how it was on the spine forum I was on.

I agree, I was like this when I had the ovarian cancer scare in 2008, and also drifted away from HysterSisters as I recovered from my surgery.

For me at least, I've learned the hard way that the more time I spend researching and visiting forums that focus on a problem I am having the worse I feel. This is just me, I do have OCD issues (which probably isn't a surprise) so I really focus on things that get my attention. I do still research things on the internet, but am very careful about where I go and stick with sites like the Mayo Clinic, or the Arthritis Foundation.

[OakLeaf]

Honestly I try to stick to medical journals, or at least summaries aimed at doctors, as much as possible. Although you certainly don't escape the corporate influence that way, it's slightly less pervasive than it is in the consumer-oriented sites, and at least you get to analyze the numbers for youself.

If you do use consumer sites, stick to the ones that are HON code certified and preferably screened by a neutral organization like the National Women's Health Network. IMVHO, user forums are great when you have a problem and need support or a place to vent - not so much for when you're looking for unemotional information.

When I was going through this stuff, DH was absolutely useless to me - I later found out it was because I was reading medical journals and asking him to help me sift the data, while he was reading user forums and completely freaking out. I still don't think he gets it....

[redrhodie]

I found that the people that frequent the illness/physical problem forums are usually the ones that are not doing well, having issues, etc. Those that have recovered and are doing great drift away. At least that's how it was on the spine forum I was on.

That's so good to know, and not something I realized. It makes sense.

Cervical cap 2+, diaphragm 1-

[margo49]

I think those forums are good if you have a really specific question eg Did you gain weight on Aromasin, Do you have joint pain?
Better than wading thru technical and medical stuff. Which is what you are "employing" your oncologist to do (or have done) actually.
But you can freak yourself out if you read just for general info and women's stories. The latter you can get waiting for appointments and as the chemo drips () and people are friendlier when face-to-face than when online too.

[redrhodie]

Just had the MRI. I held still very well for the whole time. The noise was not that different from some of my bf's pieces of music (he'd consider that a compliment). He plays electronic music. I felt right at home. I couldn't hear much of the actual music I was listening to (I chose The Shins, which was too soft), but I could hear the song changes so I had a good idea of how much time had passed. That really helped. I kept telling myself to relax, which also helped. I went back to my childhood, when I'd "dead-man's float" in the swimming pool, holding my breath for as long as I could to freak out my parents. Funny what you think about in those things.

It took a half hour, not including set up time. You lie face down with your breasts in 2 holes in the table, with an IV in your arm, and headphones for the music. It's like a massage table. Just one tech, and she was excellent. For anyone who has to have one of these, it's not bad. The half hour didn't feel as long as the crit race I did last summer. That was way worse.

Next appt next week, and I probably won't know more until then.

[szsz]

Just had the MRI. I held still very well for the whole time. The noise was not that different from some of my bf's pieces of music (he'd consider that a compliment).

That's how I felt too, like I was at a rave. I actually didn't mind it but I was ready for it to be over when they put the cold dye in. One issue with MRIs is false positives; I got two which were proven as such in a followup ultrasound / biopsy. So don't freak, the false positives are common, wait till you know definitively what is going on before you freak

I haven't chimed in till now, but feel free to PM. I had stage 2 er+ pr+ diagnosed in Feb 2010. I had a mastectomy followed by a tram flap reconstruction. Am now on Tamoxifen. A couple minor things going on here and there but I am doing great.

I've been keeping you in my good thoughts (I've been lurking here.)

[Blueberry]

Continuing to think of you, red - and send positive vibes.

I'm impressed with how calm, cool and collected you seem to be. You certainly don't have to be/aren't expected to be - but it's nevertheless impressive.

[redrhodie]

Thanks so much szsz. How long until you could ride again after that surgery? Does the tummy part have a big impact on cycling? I understand a little what you've been though, mentally, with making tough and scary decisions. I can't imagine the physical part. So glad you're here and doing well!

Blueberry, I'm handling it okay. Anger comes out on the bike, the rest of the time, I'm not angry or even especially sad about my diagnosis. I'm scared of things being painful and my body looking bad. I know it shouldn't matter as long as I'm healthy, but it matters.