excessive breast pain after mammogram

I had a mammogram and when they read it, saw something that they wanted to view closer. I went back for another, much more painful mammogram that viewed mostly the nipple area. The "squeeze" pressure was incredibly painful, and they explained it away as saying they wanted to get the best view possible. Turned out to be nothing. I, however, was left with considerable pain in my breast for over a month. Surely this can't be good for breast health....? Comments/answers appreciated.

I'm disappointed to see no reply to your post. I too had a lot of pain in both breasts after a mammogram, and for that reason I'm not ever getting another one. I interpreted this as being evidence of damage to my breast tissue, not to mention the radiation. I've since also wondered what good it does to find out if you have breast cancer, as even women who get the 'standard' treatment seem to die anyway. I'd rather not know.

I had mammograms in July 2006, Sept. 2006, and March 2007, most of which focused on my right breast. I have had zings of pain on my right breast ever since, and I can't figure out how to get rid of it. It hurts to turn up the volume on the radio, blow dry my hair, and other basic things. It's not ALL the time, but it's usually at least a couple of times per day for about one to ten minutes. I just thank God I didn't do the stupid biopsy they wanted me to do. I'd be in God knows what kind of pain if I had.

Hi,

I had a mammogram yesterday. The technician herself was brisk and the clinic is set up to process the women through like cattle and at a fast pace. I have large breasts but I get the feeling she sets the pressure weight at the same number for everyone. I asked her a question about the newer low radiation CT breast scans and she dismissed it at once. She said nothing takes a better clearer picture than the traditional mammogram, used since the 60's. I usually don't speak up for myself, but at one point I said, "hey, that really hurts." She didn't apologize, but said, "where?" She re-did the picture because my interruption must have messed up the shot. A few minutes later she asked if I was okay and I couldn't even look at her. There was nothing nurturing about her and I knew she was going to get the best films at any cost. I still hurt today, but I also feel violated. I've never felt this way, not even after a pap smear. I'm pretty tough, but after yesterday I'm not going back - at least not yearly.

Ballerina wrote:

I had mammograms in July 2006, Sept. 2006, and March 2007, most of which focused on my right breast. I have had zings of pain on my right breast ever since, and I can't figure out how to get rid of it. It hurts to turn up the volume on the radio, blow dry my hair, and other basic things. It's not ALL the time, but it's usually at least a couple of times per day for about one to ten minutes. I just thank God I didn't do the stupid biopsy they wanted me to do. I'd be in God knows what kind of pain if I had.

First of all, there had to be a reason if you've had 3 mammograms, especially if thety wanted to do a biopsy.
Mammograms aren't fun and may be painful for some and i'm sure biopsies are painful.
You really need to voice your concerns and problems with your Dr. especially if you are still having pain.
What if the lump they want to do the biopsy on is what's causing the pain?
If they remove it, it may help relieve the pain.
If it is cancerous and you don't do the biopsy you'll be in a lot more pain.
Believe me when I say this, I have taken care of women who let it go because they didn't want a mammogram, they were afraid to talk to their Dr., they didn't want to go through the pain, and they were needlessly suffering for it.
There may be something that they can give you for your pain.
Also, a heating pad may help some.
PLEASE get that biopsy done!
I am very disappointed in the previous posts, what they said could deter someone from having things checked out that seriously need it.

Guest wrote:

I'm disappointed to see no reply to your post. I too had a lot of pain in both breasts after a mammogram, and for that reason I'm not ever getting another one. I interpreted this as being evidence of damage to my breast tissue, not to mention the radiation. I've since also wondered what good it does to find out if you have breast cancer, as even women who get the 'standard' treatment seem to die anyway. I'd rather not know.

It happened to me too- a wierd light throbbing-and also a sick feeling-almost like i have inhaled ammonia or clorox--i feel damaged and unhealthy.I wish they would have just ultrasounded me instead of the 2nd mammogram. I dont trust medical stuff anymore

I have been in pain since I had a mammogram on May 19, 2008. It hurts to lift things that I never thought twice about lifting. At the end of the day under my arms and my chest feels like it is on fire. The first two nights after the mammogram I was in bed with ice packs on my chest and under my arms. On the third night when 600 mg ibuprofen wasn't enough I took pain medication that I had been prescribed after dental surgery and hadn't used. When I called my NP after the first week of pain I felt like I wasn't taken seriously. I was given the usual line about how mammograms are uncomfortable but they save lives.

Before the mammogram, when I got home from work the first thing I usually did was take off my bra. Now it hurts to not have a bra on and I'm sleeping with a support tank top on.

My breasts were also disfigured. I noticed that they seemed lower on my chest and to have started sagging but thought I must be imagining it. Then my husband told me that he noticed it (and I hadn't mentioned it to him). Even though I am dreading it, because 1) I don't expect to be taken seriously, and 2) what am I seeking as satisfactory resolution of my complaint - reconstructive surgery? (I'm 41 and it's not like I have "before" and "after" pictures to prove that my breasts are not the same!) I feel I have to at least make the complaint to the hospital to document what happened in order to support other women who are hurt by this procedure. Maybe if there are enough of us we can be heard and taken seriously.

Thank you to all who took the time to post what happened to them. My mother and my husband have been supportive about this but no one else that I have told about it believed me when I tried to explain that I am in pain. Now I know I'm not alone.

I have been in pain since I had a mammogram on May 19, 2008. It hurts to lift things that I never thought twice about lifting. At the end of the day under my arms and my chest feels like it is on fire. The first two nights after the mammogram I was in bed with ice packs on my chest and under my arms. On the third night when 600 mg ibuprofen wasn't enough I took pain medication that I had been prescribed after dental surgery and hadn't used. When I called my NP after the first week of pain I felt like I wasn't taken seriously. I was given the usual line about how mammograms are uncomfortable but they save lives.

My breasts were also disfigured. I noticed that they seemed lower on my chest and to have started sagging but thought I must be imagining it. Then my husband told me that he noticed it (and I hadn't mentioned it to him). Before the mammogram, when I got home from work the first thing I usually did was take off my bra. Now it hurts to not have a bra on and I'm sleeping with a support tank top on.

I intend to file a complaint to document what happened in order to support other women who are hurt by this procedure. I am dreading going through this, because 1) I don't expect to be taken seriously, and 2) what am I seeking as satisfactory resolution of my complaint, reconstructive surgery? 3) It is our word against theirs. It's not like I have "before" and "after" pictures to prove that my breasts are not the same!

But I feel that I have to make the complaint to the hospital to document what happened in order to support other women who are hurt by this procedure. Maybe if enough of us speak up we will be heard.

Thank you to all who posted what happened to them. My mother and my husband have been supportive but no one else that I have told about it believed me when I tried to explain that I am in pain. Now I know I'm not alone.

I'm with you on this. I have been having pain since my mammo a week ago. I felt a little twinge during the mammo and have had pain there ever since. It's kind of a scary thought...

ME TOO. SAME THING. PAIN IN RIGHT BREAST AFTER MAMMOGRAM. DIDN'T HAVE THE PAIN BEFORE.