tips for better mammogram?

[redrhodie]

I've scheduled my first mammo. Any ideas to make it more comfortable?

[indysteel]

Avoid scheduling it around your period--assuming your breasts are more tender during your period. You might aim for mid-cycle.

Beyond that, I don't generally find it to be that uncomfortable--at least not with digital equipment. I'm small breasted, so they really have to cram me in there to get an image. The discomfort isn't lasting and is over pretty quickly.

[ny biker]

Relax. Tense muscles can make it harder to get everything in the right position.

I find them painful, but the pain only lasts a couple of seconds. They loosen the plates as soon as they get the image.

[Triskeliongirl]

Take an OTC pain killer before you go in.

[Grits]

Take an OTC pain killer before you go in.

+1. 45 min. or so before mammogram.

[Jones]

Don't panic when they call you back. Almost everyone gets called back after their first Mammogram because there is no base line.

[withm]

Having been through all of this the hard way, all I can say is don't skip your mammograms. They may be a pain but they are a piece of cake compared to surgery, chemo, radiation, and the countless and permanent side effects.

[Helene2013]

That's why I go...even if I think every single woman hates them. The sooner something is detected (if there is something), the better your outcome will be. I'd hoped!

[Catrin]

I agree, don't skip mammograms. I WILL say, however, that I get diagnostic mammograms about every 3 years or so because I get cysts that come and go and periodically they want to take a closer look to make certain it isn't a baddie - and yes, sometimes ultrasounds are involved. Here one year, gone the next couple of years, etc. So far so good, but I make very certain to not miss and go to the same facility each year as they have all my records - and is the only place where they have NEVER hurt my boobies in the process. Mine are large and dense which makes false positives more likely.

Very glad it turned out this time, may it always be so!

[Pax]

Dang, Trek, that sucks. The whole "oops our bad" doesn't really make up for the gut clenching fear.

A couple of weeks after I had my reduction I got a phone message late on a Friday afternoon (of course), saying "they found something unusual in your biopsy, it's called focal ductal hyperplasia" give us a call back. This was late 90's, before I had internet access, so I got to be scared all weekend while trying to find what she was talking about in reference books at the library. I know they do this for a living and it's no big deal TO THEM, but it can be terrifying for us.

[Trek420]

Dang, Trek, that sucks. The whole "oops our bad" doesn't really make up for the gut clenching fear.

Yeah but I got chocolate, free parking and Starbucks.

Cancer sucks. My dad, grandpa and aunt died of it. Another aunt, grandma and KnottedYet survived. I will never miss another!

[Helene2013]

My mammo is done. No pain, no discomfort whatsover. I even told the tech she could squeeze even more if needed. I did take a Tylenol an hour before.

She did mention that my breasts were not dense at all. She showed me the pic from 2015 and she explained what it looked like. I could not see for 2017 as they were already sent (via system) to the lab. But she said that definitively, my breast is not dense but mostly fatty. Great...I'm fat. hahaaha

When I was dressing up, I told her "see you for the "spot" compression in a few days and she said it is not often people go back for more testing. Only if the radiologist wants to investigate more because he can't clearly see through something and he wants to make sure all is covered and avoid any doubts. Well...in my case I had to go up to ultrasounds both times, a different breast. But she said it is not often and this time, it may be just fine with a standard mammo and back in 2 years. We'll see! Crossing fingers it is the case. Why is it we rather go through other tougher things in life then wait for mammo results!!!

[redrhodie]

That's great!
That was a pretty long wait. You must be relieved,

Sent from my BLU LIFE ONE X using Tapatalk

[Crankin]

Nice news, Helene.
I have to call to register for mine in May.

[Catrin]

Congratulations Helene! I have my next one at the end of April.