I'm getting squished today. | Arthritis Information

 

Please think of me today as I go under the squish machine. I'm not looking forward to this mammogram. I just wish they would invent a way to do this without having to be so rough. I found a lump a few days ago so I'm having a mammo and ultrasound. I'm already sick to my stomach thinking about it. oh Lori sorry about finding a lump..i did too but it was nothing so i hope that this is just nothing too... I hate mammograms, but im willing to have one if its to save my life....close your eys and think of something nice,, let us know how it goes

Our local hospital had a mammo-party a few weeks ago.   Wine, snacks, etc and then mammo.     I'm sure they had chocolate as well, not sure about roses though.

A year ago, I had a breast reduction. I have had chronic pain in the left breast since. It cannot be touched, kind of a hypersensitivity and then deep pain as well. I saw the plastic surgeon yesterday who feels it is fat necrosis which can happen after this surgery. He wants to remove it. Just not sure I want to have another surgery. He says it is most likely the cause of the chronic pain and it may fix that so it is really worth considering. But he also wants to rule out anything else. I have been on antibiotics for a few days as it developed an abscess over the weekend but is better now. I just am not real sure I will survive the mammo with the neuropathy pain that I have. So, that is why I'm more nervous. The plastic surgeon told me not to have the mammo(because of the pain), just the ultrasound and when I called the imaging center, they informed me that they would not do the ultrasound without a mammo first. I told them the breast is way too sore and they said I needed to suck it up. Maybe they just do not understand. But, this breast has developed a personality all her own over the past year and she hisses and bites when people get near her so maybe that is what needs to happen, lol. Anyway we will see what happens. I'll let you know how it goes. If I don't check in tonight, you will know what happened.


Anyone considering a breast reduction, please do not let this scare you away. This is not a common outcome, maybe 16 percent if not less. If I knew I would have to endure this, I would still have it done. It was way worth it and I'm thrilled with the results. The pain is only there when it is touched and this may be fixable so I found out yesterday. Oh, and did I mention, insurance pays for most all breast reductions these days so I say, go for it especially if it is causing you neck and back pain.

Oh, Lori,

That pain sounds so bad

Hope all goes well today. I think they suggest taking a pain reliever before going.Good Luck and hope results are good. Oh Lori, I was going to suggest the ultrasound, but that's crazy that they won't do it without a mammogram first.  Good luck, and I hope it goes quickly.Well, even the ultrasound is painful so I'm not looking forward to it, actually sort of stressed out right now about it. But you know, people have endured much worse than this and I really do need to suck it up and just do it. It will provide valuable information for my doctor and I really need to know before I decide to have the surgery. I will be thinking good thoughts for you, I went through this in May and they only did the mammogram after they aspirated the abcess and even then it hurt a little and the tehnician was real gentle.   I think they are mean to make you have the mammogram.  An ultrasound can be done without it.  Ok girls.....if I can do it....so can you. I want all your mammos scheduled soon. OMG, that was not the most fun I have ever had but I'm glad it is over. We have a great system here. Before I ever left, I had a diagnosis. Radiologist came in and spoke with me and assured me that no cancer was present and what I have is a resolving abscess as well as possibly the fatty necrosis. I got to see the whole thing. I lived through it. I also had the ultrasound which actually confirmed the abscess so I'm relieved. Yay!!  Glad to hear it Lorster.Great news!!

 

I wonder why they don't squish a mans testicles to check for prostate cancer? Do you think a man would tolerate that the way us women have to?Oh--I know your pain.  I see stars from the pain of the squish and break into a sweat and almost pass out.   The last time, I had bruises for weeks.  Then they do the ultra sound afterward or ask for more x-rays.  I have mine booked for a couple of weeks from now.  My mum, aunt and cousin were all diagnosed about 2 years ago, so I had one then.  Mammograms are free if you are over 50 and they call you up every 2 years for another one.  Not looking forward to it that much, but looking forward to my ultrasound guided cortisone injection into my shoulder the week before the mammogram.Glad all turned out well.

Great news. its too late for you today  but I recently read about applying EMLA  to the breast about 2 hours before getting a mamogram.

It was very kewl. They had my old digitized images up on the screen. They let me look at each image as they took them and explained to me what different things were in the image, calcifications, vessels, etc. Was interesting. Also saw a big mass which originally scared me but turned out to be the abscess. They didn't have any images of a breast cancer so I honestly do not know what that looks like. You might want to check out this video:

http://www.theonion.com/content/video/12_year_old_boy_scouts_volunteer

Sorry, I couldn't resist.  In all seriousness, I hope that everything turns out just fine. JasmineRain2008-11-08 20:34:21OMG Jas, how funny. Thanks for the laugh to lighten it up a bit. [QUOTE=kathy_in_wlsv] its too late for you today  but I recently read about applying EMLA  to the breast about 2 hours before getting a mamogram.


[/QUOTE]

yeah, emla may work well. i just wish there was a pain free test out there. even the ultrasounds hurt.It would take a lot of EMLA to numb up a breast and it only numbs the skin.  I had a reduction in 1994.  Got my mammo this Tuesday : )[QUOTE=lorster]Ok girls.....if I can do it....so can you. I want all your mammos scheduled soon. OMG, that was not the most fun I have ever had but I'm glad it is over. We have a great system here. Before I ever left, I had a diagnosis. Radiologist came in and spoke with me and assured me that no cancer was present and what I have is a resolving abscess as well as possibly the fatty necrosis. I got to see the whole thing. I lived through it. I also had the ultrasound which actually confirmed the abscess so I'm relieved. [/QUOTE] Best of luck to you Babs- that date is right around the corner I get free mammos once a year between 40 and 50, then once every two years. They send the results to my doctor but they also tell you on-the-spot if you're clear. The Cancer Agency is always really nice and prompt because they don't want to discourage women from coming in. I've been really lucky the last few years because I get this really gentle tech who tries to make it as least uncomfortable as possible so it's not too bad. I've had some in the past where they almost made me stop going back.

Good news, Lorster', about no cancer. Sorry about the abscess and scar tissue, but at ;east now you know what you're dealing with. I have never met a woman who had a breast reduction and regretted it.

Makes me think of squishing the head to see if you have a brain tumor.  The breast is not supposed to be squished like that!  They need to come up with a way not to squish the breast and not an x-ray. 

Shame on you and this forum!

AchingAudrey2008-11-30 11:02:27
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