excessive breast pain after mammogram

It is so horrifying to read all these accounts of women's experiences with mammograms.I too had my first mammogram yesterday, I don't even know why , I am 37. That was the worst experience of my life, and I had 2 children naturally. I felt violated, rough handled , nobody even explained to me what it might feel like. THe technician just said: Oh, I didn't know it was your first mammogram! really?! what the heck did I fill out that questionnaire  she was holding for?! Now a day later I still shudder at the  thought of yesterday's procedure and at the pain in one of my breast from it. I couldn't even recount the experience to my husband without crying. I started sobbing right there in the office in the middle of the procedure. Is it how it is supposed to be? And they want us to go back for it every year??? How can something that is claimed to save lives  feel like a method of torture? There must be another way, a better, kinder, more humane way to detect cancer early!!!

For all women who dread to go back for another yearly mammogram maybe we should start a petition targeting FDA to force them to approve some procedures that are already in use in other parts of the world that are claimed to be better and painlessly detecting breast cancer, what do you think??

Would you please specify what those procedures are. I know of none, save for ultrasound, which, of course, has its limitations, and its own concerns with thermal heating. Writing to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Qualty, (AHRQ), and the FDA en masse demanding standardized protcols, requirements that the American College of Radiology require facilities to state clearly and in all publications for which aspects of imaging they are "approved," and whether or not the technologists are also certified in breast imaging. amd not permit radiologists to state things like, "30 years of combined experience" - in diagnosing - -what? There should be easy public access, and regular disclosure reports about facilities and the number of complaints made against them. To get anything changed, it's going to take money and publicity, yes? There is, perhaps, one lawyer in the country who would start a class action lawsuit against all facilities where damaging during procedures occurs. But, that would take all of us initially filing formal complaints with State Boards, et al. Certainly, this cannot go on. Neither can the dismissal of environmental factors, including chemicals in foods, water, etc. as probable causal factors. But, beyond that, there are far too many women who are thankful for their "early diagnosis," and who would fight tooth and nail against naysayers. We are so often our own worst enemies it seems. More women need to see this webpage, however. It's :"numbers" and media that motivate people. I have written to AHRQ recommending that the appropriate personnel read the comments on this website. They never responded. That one was request. If thousands of women wrote to request - demand - that they set up a special board to receive and review complaints such as are within this forum - that might have some impact. Meanwhile, I would sign a petition of any sort to get a significant public dialogue going. (I suppose I would have to sign up for Facebook or some such).

I just read this whole thread.  I'm sorry so many of you have gone through such hell with mammograms.  I thought I was the only one!  Actually my experience was mild compared to the horrific experiences so many of you have had.  I had a mammogram five years ago, and it was agonizing.  I couldn't help myself, literally screamed in pain with the compression.  

Then I was in pain for days, called the doctor about it, and she said it was all in my head!  Fortunately I had some pain medication from the dentist that I hadn't used, but even with that, I was in severe pain for days.  It took about two weeks for it to disappear.

No one told me that mammograms aren't even effective for small, dense, breasts (I'm a 34A).  Turned out it was a false positive, too.  I have fibrocystic breasts, and they wanted me to go back for another one.  I refused.  So the doctor sent it to another radiologist, who said there was nothing wrong.I will never, ever get another mammogram (I have no risk factors for breast cancer).  Now that I'm starting to go through a horrible menopause, I'll have to shop around for a doctor who will give me HRT with thermography or ultrasound, or else just find a way to order the hormones over the internet.   That experience with the mammogram was so awful that I haven't been to an ob/gyn since, because they all say get mammograms.  

This should be talked about more.  Why can't the providers acknowledge that mammograms are damaging?  Just wait, in a few years there will be a study that the danger from cumulative exposure to radiation from mammograms outweighs any benefit from early detection.  

 

 

You had the horror of a false positive report. The damage of being told of positive results, while mitigated somewhat by getting the second opinion, cannot be denied. It is important for women to know that while imaging can give radiologists information that leans more to characteristics of benign conditions, or malignant tumors, a biopsy is the key diagnostic test. If a women has the sense that there is a problem with a breast, a biopsy is the defining factor, and not any radiologic opinion. It is also important to do self-breast examinations. You do understand that mammography and ultrasound yield different types of images. It is unclear why your menopause is "horrible" at the onset. And, if you are concerned about damaging effects, then you might well review pluses and minuses of HRT. For an alternative viewpoint, Susun Weed's book Menopausal Years might be an interesting read for you - or, too far from what you are familiar with. I'm concerned that you find menopause "horrible." It's not a disease. It's pretty wild stuff, for certain, for many women. Other women, hardly notice. But it is not a disease. If you are only avoiding seeing a gynecologist because she or he will recommend having a mammogram, that does not seem a good reason. You can refuse. You can ask for an ultrasound. What I'm tired of, in additionl, is there not being a women's specialty in either breast health and benign conditions, as well as gynecologists who have practices that are not primarily focused on women in reproductive years and babies.

I just had my 6 month follow up mammo. today.. First I insisted with my GYN to just give me the script... if she wanted me to get a follow up mammo why did I need to see her first? (office appt) My insurance would not cover the mammo at their office and she knew that. I did get the script and went to the Radiologist that I was told to go to. They took three pictures.. had me wait outside.. the doctor told the tech to take 3 more.... The pain was EXCRUCIATING!! I felt fine before. I have NO cancer in my family at all. I am a vegetarian.. I have NO reason to believe I am in risk of Cancer. WHY didn't they just take an Ultrasound? I AM IN SUCH PAIN still. All this radiation exposure MUST be bad.. How COULD this exposure be ok? I am scared. I am extremely cynical when it comes to doctors anyway these days. I avoid them as much as possible and take care of myself!

Thanks for your reply! Why menopause is horrible for me is that it is happening all at once. I have night sweats that leave me drenched and chilled, and I can't get more than a few hours sleep at night. Plus the hot flashes make me literally turn red and drench me in sweat - and I have to work! Fortunately a friend is letting me use some of her estrogen until I can arrange to get some. If I were one of those who hardly notice, I wouldn't seek HRT.

I've researched the pros and cons of HRT. Since I have no risk factors for breast cancer, and every risk factor for osteoporosis except smoking, I'll go with the risks of HRT. We have to die of something, and I'd much much rather die of breast cancer than rot in a nursing home after a hip fracture. I've also looked into the effects of drugs like Fosmax and since I have gum disease, Im at high risk of osteonecrosis. So for me the benefits of HRT far outweigh the risks, and I'll order them from a Mexican pharmacy if it comes to that. Others will reach a different decision, and that will be thr right one for them.

You are so right that there needs to be a specialty in gynecology that is not focused on obstetrics. Unfortunately I don't have insurance so can't afford to look around for a doctor who will give me HRT without a mammogram. So looks like I'll try to find a GP and hope to find one that respects my decision.

I'm sorry. I don't know why you were to have the follow-up mammography. I'm sorry you are scared. Too many of us are frightened. The mammogram and the ultrasound show different things, so, maybe, by their protocol, that's the reason. Here's the thing - it is usually left up to us to decide to refuse the tests. But also, did you get t speak with the radiologist - it was a radiologist right then and there?

If you are left in limbo regarding the results of the re-imagng, call their blasted office and get the radiologist to call you.

had my first one yesterday found this forum by looking up pain after mammogram.
didnt think it was so common im so sore in side of breast and arm
and the mammogram itself god i was close to tears prodding and pushing and not even saying what was happening or how it was going to feel
totally agree with you first and last got sent by own gp as got lump in right breast lump shown up but consultant said all fine didnt explain what it was just said nothing to worry about .
hope it starts feeling better soon sat ere with water bottle against it ouchhhhhh..
glad i found this forum least i know its normal what im feeling x

1) Condescending and inappropriate, and dismissive of women's actual experiences.
2) Demonstrates significant lack of knowledge.
3) @#$@!!@#$!! !@#!
4) Along with thesevere pain, and actual scarring, some women are reporting here, technologists are often ill-trained, and ill-supervised, as is the equipment they utilize. Perhaps the problems with one of the GE machines delivering dangerous doses of radiation escaped your notice. This was reported by the FDA.
5) After this 'life-saving' imaging is done, how many women undergo needless surgery, with resultant complications, with false-positive mammography readings? Fact is, more women's lives are not "saved".

Hi there, I am an ardent anti-mammogram individual after an extremely painful mammogram about five years ago. I now have thermoscans only. Please everyone, have a look at this website so you can determine for yourself whether mammograms are effecive or not;
http://healthland.time.com/2012/11/30/the-mammogram-mess-the-most-difficult-decision-for-women-in-their-40s/

It explains a lot!

Good luck in determining your own future.

I had the stretch marks and sagging caused by years of mammograms.  I saved up my money and got a breast lift that attached some tissue to either side of the sternum and removed the stretch marks.  My next mammo, about 2 years after the surgery, the doctor told me that I could tell the tech when to stop the compression.  I told her about the surgery and asked her to stop when I felt pulling, but she refused.  Now I have stretch marks bilaterally and the tissue tore off at the sternum and my breasts sag and shoot off in weird directions.  I have pain for several days on either side of the sternum where the tissue tore.  I haven't been back for a mammo since.  They really need to find another method.  I have dense breast like some of the other bloggers and it is painful and practically useless, since I always need a followup ultrasound and bio that finds dense tissue and nothing else.  Like one person said, why don't men have to have their testicles squeezed between plates?

I had my LAST mammogram today---TOO much pain and I am still hurting in my left breast 12 hours after the exam! Smashing breast tissue is NOT a good thing. I read once that breast crush injuries can contribute to breast cancer. Are breast cancer patients being created?

I had my yearly mammogram done in Nov on 2012. A week later i had to go back for the diagnostic mammograms.  I was in so much pain.  After 2.5 months of being in pain and swelling I went and saw my PCP.  She put my on steriods however now that I am off the sterioids the pain is coming back.  i am supposed to go and get the diagnostic mammogram workup done again in May but I am really debating on going now.  Does anyone have any clue as to whether the diagnostic mammograms may have damaged my beasts?

I had a mammo done two days ago and my left breast is tender although I do have a titanium marker in ther to mark a suspicious point, but my actually pain is in my upper neck by thr base of skull. very terrible and cant turn head . wht is that all about? can not work like this. excuse my writing error as i am on a muscle relaxer that I have never taken in order to help with the pain.