Like several of you, I too suffered from extreme breast pain after double mammograms, a week apart. I have dense breast tissue and the Doctor wanted to get another set of images of my left breast. The second mammogram was much more painful than the first. The mammograms were done last summer (2008) and the random shooting pains started immediately thereafter. But not just in the left breast, but in both. The pains continued to be excessive for the next 9 months. Sometimes so severe that it would cause a sharp intake of breath or weakness in my knees. It was always worse closer to my period when my breasts would swell. Here it is a year later and the pains have finally dissipated for the most part. I have fibrocystic breasts and there is always random pain associated with that, but nothing like what occurred after the mammograms. It hasn't made me excited to go back for another any time soon. I should have gone back after 6 months for another follow up mammogram. And I am aware of all the reasons why I should have done that, but the pain was more than I was willing to bear. The knowledge that mammograms are not extremely effective at finding cancer in dense breast tissue doesn't propel me to follow through either. I've tried to convince my GP that I would prefer a different course of action. Why have the mammogram done at all. Why not go straight to a sonogram or MRI. Both of which are used as secondary diagnostic tools and are particularly helpful when it comes to patients with dense breast tissue. Her response is that it most likely isn't covered on my health insurance. I'm currently looking into that.
In addition to the extreme breast pain, I also have noticed my breast have 'sagged' more since the mammogram. I have large breasts and at 48 they were already sagging somewhat, but now it is perceptively worse. Also to the point that my husband has noticed. And while most of the busted capillaries that occurred as a result of the trauma to the skin have healed on the surface of my breast, there are some that haven't.
I can't advise anyone on whether they should or shouldn't have a mammogram. I know I don't like them, but I can't say I'll never have another one. I will try to find other options and doctors who will include me in decisions about my health care. In the interim, I will continue to educate myself, continue to listen to my body and strive to stand up for my rights and privileges as a patient.
In addition to the extreme breast pain, I also have noticed my breast have 'sagged' more since the mammogram. I have large breasts and at 48 they were already sagging somewhat, but now it is perceptively worse. Also to the point that my husband has noticed. And while most of the busted capillaries that occurred as a result of the trauma to the skin have healed on the surface of my breast, there are some that haven't.
I can't advise anyone on whether they should or shouldn't have a mammogram. I know I don't like them, but I can't say I'll never have another one. I will try to find other options and doctors who will include me in decisions about my health care. In the interim, I will continue to educate myself, continue to listen to my body and strive to stand up for my rights and privileges as a patient.
I agree with all of you- I have had the same exact pain in the left side. My mammogram was at 1pm yesterday and the pain is horrible. I told the technician but she just kept going. I feel like my left breast was ruptured. My right breast is just a little sore, but the left one is throbbing. I couldn't work after the test, was sick to my stomach from the pain, and couldn't bear to take off my bra- It felt better with the left side fixed extra tight. I had chills all night from the pain and I did the best to relax and take it easy. I'm a single mom so I can't just have down time like this- I feel like the tissue has been destroyed on the left side. This morning it is still throbbing and sore- it continues to ache. I took ibuprohen last night without any relief and feel like I need to take something stronger. Thank goodness for these posts as I feel like I'm not the only one. I WILL NEVER GO BACK if this is what is going to happen- I'm afraid that there has been significant damage done. I never had any pain or unfortableness before this test. This sickens me and I'm angry that these tests have to be like this.
Hi honey! I feel so much for you, what I would like you to do is phone the clinic and make a complaint against the technician! For you to be in SO much pain is not right!!! And perhaps when they take it more seriously, they will be more inclined to help you right now! Unfortunately you are not alone with feeling like you don't want to go back, but you HAVE to! For your health!
Regarding the pain, I will tell you what has helped myself and MANY others! Get a cabbage - doesn't matter which kind! Peel off the leaves, and boil them till they are soft but NOT mushy! They need to be firm! When you can actually hold it - and it is still VERY warm - BUT not burning! I want you to lay on the bed with a towel under you, and cover your breasts ALL over and even double layer them! Lay back and relax, do deep breathing exercises and just close your eyes and concentrate on the warmth of the cabbage! You can do this whenever you are having pain! Cabbage has been used for thousands of years for it's inflammatory properties! You can also mash the leaves a little bit with a meat tenderizer! I SWEAR by this!! I had Mestisis when I was breast feeding my eldest and that pain was the exact same as what I had after a mammogram! The cabbage is a god send! Also take Ibuprofen for pain, and also eating cabbage - a new batch!!!!!! ;-) XD Can also help you heal internally!
When you are able, soft massage into your armpits and neck and shoulders is a wonderful way of getting the circulation going again and reducing the bruising. I wish you a quick recovery!!! Good luck and health!
Regarding the pain, I will tell you what has helped myself and MANY others! Get a cabbage - doesn't matter which kind! Peel off the leaves, and boil them till they are soft but NOT mushy! They need to be firm! When you can actually hold it - and it is still VERY warm - BUT not burning! I want you to lay on the bed with a towel under you, and cover your breasts ALL over and even double layer them! Lay back and relax, do deep breathing exercises and just close your eyes and concentrate on the warmth of the cabbage! You can do this whenever you are having pain! Cabbage has been used for thousands of years for it's inflammatory properties! You can also mash the leaves a little bit with a meat tenderizer! I SWEAR by this!! I had Mestisis when I was breast feeding my eldest and that pain was the exact same as what I had after a mammogram! The cabbage is a god send! Also take Ibuprofen for pain, and also eating cabbage - a new batch!!!!!! ;-) XD Can also help you heal internally!
When you are able, soft massage into your armpits and neck and shoulders is a wonderful way of getting the circulation going again and reducing the bruising. I wish you a quick recovery!!! Good luck and health!
Saving lives is number 1. The issue arises however, if there is a better way. If not, what can be done about this? Mamograms were invented by Patrick Penetta and Jack Wennet and patented in 1986. I'm sure there are women who are very happy that this detection procedure saved their lives. Would they have been happier if there were a better way of detection that did not damage them? Why wouldn't they be. It's interesting that this procedure was invented by men. If women invented a detection device that detected prostate cancer by crushing the testicles, how many men would sign up...even if it saved their life? What if the procedure was only preventative and only a fraction of the time cancer was detected?
What about the people who have cancers on other parts of their bodies or who want to take measures to insure they don't have cancer on other parts of their body? Detection does not involve crushing other parts of the body.
The woman who get mammograms that damage them...who feel violated...who suffer from pain for years afterward because a part of their bodies were crushed and feel disfigured are not against life saving procedures. They are against procedures that didn't save their life but wounded them. They want to live just as much as anyone else...healthy and intact. The problem is the method. Maybe it will take a woman to come up with a better way.
By the way, the fact that the machines are patented tells you that income was at least part of the motivation for inventing these torture devices. What a marketing wonder. Your customers are not only the sick but the healthy...1/2 the population. And natural fears can be played upon to make the customer buy your service.
I had a mammogram in February 2006 and another one in March 2006. I thought I felt a lump and I was scared. So I had it done. The pain was so bad during the crushing I almost past out, even though I have a high tolerance for pain. That was 3 1/2 years ago. I still have pain, felt violated and disfigured also. I looked into alternatives and found that there is a painless procedure involving temperature called Thermography. It maps that temperature on breast. The theory is that abnormal growth is warmer. Does it work? I don't know but if it was necessary to go through the detection process again I would look into it. By the way...no cancer.
What about the people who have cancers on other parts of their bodies or who want to take measures to insure they don't have cancer on other parts of their body? Detection does not involve crushing other parts of the body.
The woman who get mammograms that damage them...who feel violated...who suffer from pain for years afterward because a part of their bodies were crushed and feel disfigured are not against life saving procedures. They are against procedures that didn't save their life but wounded them. They want to live just as much as anyone else...healthy and intact. The problem is the method. Maybe it will take a woman to come up with a better way.
By the way, the fact that the machines are patented tells you that income was at least part of the motivation for inventing these torture devices. What a marketing wonder. Your customers are not only the sick but the healthy...1/2 the population. And natural fears can be played upon to make the customer buy your service.
I had a mammogram in February 2006 and another one in March 2006. I thought I felt a lump and I was scared. So I had it done. The pain was so bad during the crushing I almost past out, even though I have a high tolerance for pain. That was 3 1/2 years ago. I still have pain, felt violated and disfigured also. I looked into alternatives and found that there is a painless procedure involving temperature called Thermography. It maps that temperature on breast. The theory is that abnormal growth is warmer. Does it work? I don't know but if it was necessary to go through the detection process again I would look into it. By the way...no cancer.
I have been for a mammogram very recently. The last two I had were extremely painful and although I have had several ultrasounds since I refused to have further mammograms. Following problem cysts and needle biopsy I allowed myself to be persuaded to have another mammogram after the breast had settled and this is one I have just had. But as before, one side hurt like hell as the mammorgram was being done (digital mammogram) and it still hurts.
The woman who did the mammograms was very nice and she knew that I had bad experiences before so tried to be gentle (is that possible with such barbaric tests?). Anyway once again I wish I had not had it done. I am in pain and if it is like the last time it will take some weeks to subside then this is not something to look forward to. The result of the mammogram - they picked up something on the screen and I had to have another ultrasound but this was ok. They say it is fine but I now find myself wondering.
I thought before that if it hurts like hell it can't be doing you any good (especially if they are squashing a breast that has a large cyst as they did before) and having tried it again I find that I am left in the same situation. I too can relate to the feeling of violation and I also thought my breasts seemed to sag lower than before but put it down to my imagination so interesting that others find this too. Will I allow myself to be persuaded to have another mammogram - no. I really don't see that being in so much pain following these tests can be acceptable. As this is the third time that I have experienced this pain on the same side during and following mammography I feel that the test is doing damage to my breast and as the medics cannot reassure me that it is not then I must go with my own instincts.
The woman who did the mammograms was very nice and she knew that I had bad experiences before so tried to be gentle (is that possible with such barbaric tests?). Anyway once again I wish I had not had it done. I am in pain and if it is like the last time it will take some weeks to subside then this is not something to look forward to. The result of the mammogram - they picked up something on the screen and I had to have another ultrasound but this was ok. They say it is fine but I now find myself wondering.
I thought before that if it hurts like hell it can't be doing you any good (especially if they are squashing a breast that has a large cyst as they did before) and having tried it again I find that I am left in the same situation. I too can relate to the feeling of violation and I also thought my breasts seemed to sag lower than before but put it down to my imagination so interesting that others find this too. Will I allow myself to be persuaded to have another mammogram - no. I really don't see that being in so much pain following these tests can be acceptable. As this is the third time that I have experienced this pain on the same side during and following mammography I feel that the test is doing damage to my breast and as the medics cannot reassure me that it is not then I must go with my own instincts.
I have experienced intermittent pain in my left breast ever since having my first mammogram at 35. The tissue was bruised for months afterward and now my breast appears to be deformed. The nipple is not centered, but veers to the left. I know it was caused by the mammogram, because it never looked that way before.
I just had a mammogram and it was torture. Horrrible experience. My doctor ordered it because of my age 45, I did not have any problems before. I regreat it so much. I still have pain eventhough I am taking Advil. I cannot sleep at night from the pain. My cup size went down, I used to wear 36D, now this size is too big! My breast have stretch marks everywere and are sagging, I am very upset because I was not like this before the mammo.
I am worried she damaged my breast. I wish someone could have warned me before. I think this technicians are messing up people's lifes and nobody is doing something about it.
Can someone please tell me what kind of damaged she did to my breasts.
I am worried she damaged my breast. I wish someone could have warned me before. I think this technicians are messing up people's lifes and nobody is doing something about it.
Can someone please tell me what kind of damaged she did to my breasts.
I am sending a complaint to the American College of Radiology - Mammography Dept. Anyone that had a bad experience should do the same.
I had my first mammogram at 40 and I think this was too early for me. I have no history of breast cancer in my family and I always do self-checks. My doctor sent me to the mammogram and i wanted to be a good patient so I listened. I had a very bad experience It was painful and my breasts were pressed very hard. I didn't tell the tech because I thought pain was just part of having a mammogram. Anyhow, my breasts were sore for MONTHS. they felt like they were somewhat engorged or some weird kind of pain. Also, I could not let my husband touch them for a long time after he mammogram. He tried to kiss my breasts and I just freaked out because they hurt me. I always wanted my husband to kiss my breasts before the mammogram but for months after the mammogram. This was really hard to deal with. Well it is over a year now and I think I'm almost back to normal. I still have mild pain in my nipples area before my period and I never had these symptoms before my mammogram.. So i just want to let women know that these are some of the bad side=effects that i had to deal with and I honestly don't think I'm getting another mammogram unless I feel something when I' doing a self-exam. Did anyone else have these side-effects after a mammogram??? I wish I would've waited till around 45 or so. Thank you and I hope there are brochures given out before mammograms that let women know what might happen because I didn't do my homework but want all women to know what to expect. Thank you!!
%-)
Topical Thermomgraphy is the way to go. I have been reading more articles on it. It is safer, non-painful and no radiation.
I refuse to subject myself to another painful mammo. Drs./clinics don't want to switch to other types of test as they have too much money invested in these painful mammo machines. It isn't about what is better for the patient or more comfortable, it's about $$$, just like everything else in the medical industry. See, medicine is an "industry" now (like building cars or making toys) not a health CARE field.
It's all about money, money, money. Drs. get kickbacks from drug companies to promote their dangerous drugs.
We need to go back to using common sense and get smart and say NO to some of these drugs and procedures!
Topical Thermomgraphy is the way to go. I have been reading more articles on it. It is safer, non-painful and no radiation.
I refuse to subject myself to another painful mammo. Drs./clinics don't want to switch to other types of test as they have too much money invested in these painful mammo machines. It isn't about what is better for the patient or more comfortable, it's about $$$, just like everything else in the medical industry. See, medicine is an "industry" now (like building cars or making toys) not a health CARE field.
It's all about money, money, money. Drs. get kickbacks from drug companies to promote their dangerous drugs.
We need to go back to using common sense and get smart and say NO to some of these drugs and procedures!
I had my first mammogram last year at age 40. I was sore for a month. The Tech told me not to schedule it so close to my period the next time and to avoid caffeine for several days. I just came home from this years test and followed her advise. I am more sore than ever. I do believe I have stretch marks that I never had before. I took Motrin before and after the test. I told the Tech the pain was extreme and she said I have dense breast tissue and that she wasn't even using that much pressure!
That was the last test for me. I believe that trauma like that is more likely to cause cancer.
That was the last test for me. I believe that trauma like that is more likely to cause cancer.
The only thing I fear from this topic is that women will "Fear" going for a mammogram! I have just scheduled my bi decade one!!!! :$ I Know I know! It sounds crazy that I have waited so long to get a checkup, as they found something last time! I am the type of person that would rather stick her head in the sand and hope everything goes away then face the issue at hand! BUT like someone told me and I will share with ALL of you! "IF you stick your head in the sand, someone WILL come along and kick you in the bum!" Which is SO true isn't it!? So when I go for my test, I will tell the technician the following "Even though I know that this CAN be painful, I want you to be aware that I have VERY strong hands, and IF you hurt me I WILL grab a hold of your mammories and press just as firmly as you are pressing on me!!!!" ;-) XD Actually what I am going to say is this "Even though I know that this Can be painful, I have had a BAD experience in the past, and I want you to take as much care and tenderness with me as possible, and if you can't get a good shot, I want you to bring in someone else and give me a break!"
There is one thing I've learned from dealing with the health system that it is YOU that has to be your own advocate. IF they treat you poorly, you DEMAND better! IF they leave you asking questions, you DEMAND answers! And you NEVER take Mediocre Treatment! NEVER! If you nurse or doctor is in a foul mood, you ask for another! If they are incompetant, you ask to see their supervisor! You can't go home as a victim, you HAVE to put yourself in the powerful position as a "customer" And IF they don't give you the service you need and require, then "watch out!"
So to all of you who have suffered from poor techniques and lousy technicians I BEG you NOT to stop having a mammogram! You just have to DEMAND more and learn to NOT accept LESS!
Ibuprofen, and cabbage leaves - are the BEST! God Bless to all of you who have suffered, and I wish you ALL health and painfree mammograms!
There is one thing I've learned from dealing with the health system that it is YOU that has to be your own advocate. IF they treat you poorly, you DEMAND better! IF they leave you asking questions, you DEMAND answers! And you NEVER take Mediocre Treatment! NEVER! If you nurse or doctor is in a foul mood, you ask for another! If they are incompetant, you ask to see their supervisor! You can't go home as a victim, you HAVE to put yourself in the powerful position as a "customer" And IF they don't give you the service you need and require, then "watch out!"
So to all of you who have suffered from poor techniques and lousy technicians I BEG you NOT to stop having a mammogram! You just have to DEMAND more and learn to NOT accept LESS!
Ibuprofen, and cabbage leaves - are the BEST! God Bless to all of you who have suffered, and I wish you ALL health and painfree mammograms!
BUT we don't NEED to suffer this pain. Find a dr. that will request topical thermology (spell?).
Mommagrams are outdated and now in the US our own government is saying too many false positives, esp. for women under 50.
Too bad they didn't feel the same way about useless vaccines too!
Mommagrams are outdated and now in the US our own government is saying too many false positives, esp. for women under 50.
Too bad they didn't feel the same way about useless vaccines too!
While Thermology is a far more comfortable technique, it isn't as widely available as mammograms are, and even though there is false positives, does NOT mean that ALL these women have mastectomies or biopsies! As a doctor told me, the more technology advances the more they see! They see more and more things popping up - as they did with me, and many of them "LOOK" questionable! It does NOT mean that it is cancer! So the risks HAVE to outway not having one at all! Yes it CAN be painful, and YES sometimes there are mistakes made! BUT the alternative is FAR FAR WORSE!!! Like I have said before, we just have to demand more!
Yes, we must demand more....by making our voices heard and if this technology isn't accurate enough, then we need to demand the newer, safer, technology. just because all these labs have invested so much in the mammo machines, doesn't mean WE should have to suffer.
Also reading these posts, and similar sites, many women have had their breast DAMAGED by this machine that is supposed to be saving them. That is just wrong! I refuse to be flattened and squished anymore. I am going to demand my dr. find a lab that has the thermo-machine.
Also reading these posts, and similar sites, many women have had their breast DAMAGED by this machine that is supposed to be saving them. That is just wrong! I refuse to be flattened and squished anymore. I am going to demand my dr. find a lab that has the thermo-machine.