I have needed to get a mammogram done since February but had been putting it off for fear of how bad it was supposed to hurt :'(. I heard it's excruciating. I was terrified.
Well, after realizing my aunt had a double mastectomy (and so did a close friend of mine), I thought I really should just bite the bullet and get it done, especially with a family history of breast cancer. So I went today.
Boy was I surprised! It not only didn't hurt at all, but they didn't do it at all like they used to. Two pictures each side and they just compress the tissue a little. Not even enough for you to say "It's getting a little tight"!!!!
So if any of you are putting off a mammogram due to fear of pain, go ahead and get it done. It doesn't hurt or even cause any discomfort whatsoever.
Wish someone would have told me this back in February. I'd have had it done back then :P
You're lucky.. They must use better equipment to do yours because the one they used on me hurt so bad I thought I would pass out.. But what can you do, you have to have them anyway..
People either say they are easy or very painful. Wonder if it is the different equipment, the tech, breast quality, or individual pain tolerance.
Either way get out there girl....... or get your girls out there lololol
I have an appointment in a few weeks.
Our imaginations always focus on the worse case scenario.
I always schedule my mammo for the week right after my period, when breasts are LEAST sensitive. I can't take NSAIDs anymore because of Mtx, but I used to always take a large dose of Ibuprofen about an hour before the mammo - that helps, too.
I've had some uncomfortable ones, but never really PAINful.
Please do not put them off...the last thing you need is one more worry. If you get it done, then it's done (only takes a few minutes) and you don't have to worry about "the girls" for a couple of years. :-)
I have been bruised badly by mammograms and had others that were just a little uncomfortable. Glad you had a good experience, and thank you for reminding the ladies to take care of our bodies.
Cdbhappy
Yes, mammograms have gotten a bad rap over the years.
I had a very determined tech one time and she was so thorough. She even grabbed and dragged skin from my back and shoulders and tried to get it in the frame. Sounds bad but even that wasn't painful.
eye2dry
It occurred to me when reading PieBird's post... maybe it's the boobs that are different? I'm guessing size and general plumpness ;) could have an impact. I dunno. I was supposed to get a mammogram a year ago and I haven't been able to overcome the red tape. They sent me a letter but I don't understand the instructions. And even though there is no scheduled appt apparently some how it times out if you don't do everything right when applying?
Sometimes I just can't think and all the time it is hard for me to follow instructions if they aren't mapped out very simply one item at a time. I finally asked my VA Caseworker to help me decipher the process. It's not the only issue. They want me to go do some kind of Imaging for my neck too and basically anything that sends me outside of the VA for care I mess up and so it never gets done.
I guess they wanted me to start getting them at 35 because my mother had a history and now I'm 41 and still haven't gotten it together. Plus something is going on with me too. Hormonally I mean. I randomly get breast milk and I've had a hysterectomy several years ago. That's kind of odd. GG
Please, everyone get your mammograms. You know when you are scheduled to have them (age-wise) or ask your doctor. "Forgetting" is no excuse. This can mean the difference between stage 0 breast cancer or stage 4 breast cancer. I'd way much rather have 0 or stage 1 and that's usually what you get with yearly mammograms.
Just because you are "sick with SJS, Lupus, etc." does not make a difference and is not an excuse. I've had a mammogram every year since I was 40 and a few extra ones at times. I also know that I was diagnosed with Sjogrens in 2007 and diagnosed with breast cancer 6 months later. I am ok 5 years later, although I just had a biopsy and it was negative. If I had just skipped the mammogram after I was so sick with SJS, I likely would have had a stage 3 or 4. As it was, it turned out to be stage 2 and no lymph nodes involved. I had a lumpectomy and weeks of radiation.
I have a niece (not blood related) who is 45 and she just went through chemo and radiation, lost all her hair etc. She was stage 0 and that is a good thing because she has 7 children. Please don't try to wiggle out of your mammograms. They feel differently for each person I think. I know I always hold my breath and sometimes say "hurry up", but it's nothing that will kill me. Lucy
I am way overdue for my mammo. Mine are usually getting my boobs squished as I call it. I wish they did it the other way here. I will have to check into that. I usually get them every year, but we haven't had insurance for about a year and a half so that falls at the end of my finance column. I do well to get the medications I need. We fall in the category of earning too much to qualify for assistance, but not high enough to afford all the things we need! Go figure, that is the government for you.