tips for better mammogram?

[redrhodie]

Not worse than climbing a very steep hill.

Oh man, it sounds worse and worse.

[Triskeliongirl]

Don't be scared about the pain remarks. Its just for a moment, but the OTC pain killer does make it easier. The important thing is getting it checked out. Hope all goes well for you!

[Crankin]

Hey, I said it's not worse!
I don't know, I just expect certain things might hurt and then it's over.

[redrhodie]

I will remember to take an Ibuprofen before. My NP also suggested avoiding caffeine for a few days before, but that might kill me. <3 my coffee. I think caffeine withdrawal is worse than hills. That kind of puts it in perspective.

[margo49]

Veteran speaking here....shut your eyes and breathe out.
Mine are small so it "hurts like billy-o" as my grandmother would say
Keep in mind that 8 out of 10 lumps are not cancer so you do have to be a bit clever to get that result.
Keep us posted.
In my prayers...

[redrhodie]

Thanks, Margo! As the NP looked at it, she said "cancer doesn't get smaller, like this has, it isn't perfectly round, like this is, and this moves easily and is not hard, also signs it's not cancer." So, I'm not going to worry. If anything, I've been avoiding the test because I was afraid they'd find something, but now I've come to my senses. This was the kick in the a$$ I needed.

[pll]

Best of luck!

The test is not a big deal, unless you are sensitive due to ovulation, but the discomfort is just a matter of seconds. Personally, I don't take any pain killers. From the second I'm in the correct position, I don't breathe (it never fails to make me laugh when they say 'hold your breath'... ) until the image is captured.

[KnottedYet]

Imagine lying on your stomach (nekkid) on a cold tile floor.

Imagine rolling onto your left boob and squishing it for about 15 seconds, then rolling onto your right boob and squishing it for about 15 seconds. Then do it again.

If that sounds like agony just before your period because your boobs always hurt then, don't schedule the mammo for that week.

If the thought of a mammo utterly freaks you out, don't be shy about asking your doctor to prescribe you a valium to take beforehand. (one of my coworkers used to be a mammo tech, and the freak-out stories she tells.... whoa!)

It's not the most pleasant experience in the universe, but if you've ever struggled into a sports bra that was too small and then gotten stuck with the band halfway across your boobs and survived, you'll do fine.