I was yelling in pain

Oh I sympathise YorkieGothGirl I put my last mammogram off a couple of times as I was so frightened due to the severe pain from the previous one ( similar to you) . There’s a thread about it somewhere it was only a few months back. Not sure how to find old threads though. Fortunately I was persuaded by the very sensible and kind Gransnetters that I should put the extremely painful one down to bad experience and go along which I did ( and I’m so glad ) . I hope someone can find the old thread for you . Good luck, I hope you can talk yourself into goingbalong and giving it another chance .

I have had 2 lots of breast cancer so have had about 20 mammograms in all, and they do vary in painfulness, depending on the radiographer I suspect. Madonna was reported as saying she always took painkillers before having her legs waxed, and I follow her example and take some before mammograms or at any time I anticipate a painful procedure. It helps.

Sorry to hear that you had a bad time Yorkie

Thank you gillybob and Sparklefizz for your feedback.

I was trying to search for previous posts to no avail so need to look into this further.

I was called back last time, so the tip about taking painkillers beforehand is very much appreciated.

I don't know how old you are, but the mammograms I had when I was in my 50s were very painful and the radiographer told me that my breast tissue was very dense, more like a younger woman, and that caused the pain. Now I am in my 60s they are just uncomfortable.

I truly have never found them painful in any serious way - a momentary pain while the radiographer goes off and does her bit, but nothing to write to Auntie Flo about. I wonder why my experience is so different - I don't think there is anything special about my boobs!

She hasn’t written to me as far as I know!!

I always find them painful, occasionally very painful. I suspect its down to the radiographer, similar to some blood tests being accomplished with minimal discomfort whilst others aren't.

Taking a pain killer before hand is a good idea. My podiatrist suggested I take pain killers half an hour before she continues her regular attempts to keep my ingrowing toe nails from needing removal.

I have found that radiographers vary considerably in how they jam down the metal plate. Most position you carefully and adjust a little at a time, but a few seem to think that they have to squash you down to an eightth of an inch. If this one was unusually heavyhanded, then a written comment to the hospital could remind them to ease off a bit in future.

www.gransnet.com/forums/health/1251426-Terrified-of-Mammogram

Not sure if this will work . Fingers crossed x

Just realised I incorrectly put 'radiologist' instead of 'mammographer'?

I think the machines must be devised by men. I found the sharp corners painful as they jammed into my armpit. Surely they could have rounded edges?

Our breast clinic have just put all new machines in, and they're much more comfortable, rounded corners, arm rests at better angles etc.
I've never suffered pain, which is a good thing as I have to have four 'shots' done of each breast, they're too big to fit everything in on one plate!
Apparently flatter chested women suffer more pain as the 'squishing' is closer to their chest wall.

I've never felt any pain at all just felt a bit squashed. Radiigrapher told me it often affects those with very large breasts.

If you were unhappy with the mammographer's treatment of you regardless of whether there was pain then yes you should give feed back. Make it constructive but let your feelings be known.

I was resigned to painful mammograms, thinking it was because I'm on the large size. I have them done in Belfast. However last time it wasn't painful. When I commented on it the nurse said they had a new machine and it was much more comfortable. So, maybe it's the older machines causing the pain.

Juggernaut - does this explain your username?!

Iam64 - I had my ingrowing toenails cut off and phenolised on either side - very successful indeed.

I used to dread mammograms, they were always so painful! I could still feel it the day after and worried that they had done more harm than good. The last time I was called there was an envelope full of information which I had never had before, pointing out the pros and cons of mammograms and it did give me a lot to think about. I declined to have it done and the relief was immense. I'm not advocating that it was the right thing and still check myself regularly. But I don't think the pain is taken seriously enough - even when you are in agony they just carry on.

I have done the same willow. My last mammogram was carried out in what I can only describe as a brutal fashion. There was no care for dignity. The mammographer just smiled when I said the pain was unbearable. I’m not a wimp, have had all sorts of procedures over the years. and live with a chronic pain condition. I did send feedback along the lines of ‘it would be better if’. My last invitation came just before my 70th birthday, I read the information, discussed it with Mr C and phoned to decline the appointment.

Luckygirl
Nope, my DF always said I was an unstoppable force, hence J'naut!
However, it strikes me as funny when folk shorten it to 'Jugs', for obvious reasons

I found mammograms became increasingly painful as I got into my 50s and 60s. I discussed this with the nurse and she was very helpful and my mammogram was much less painful, and has continued to be so.

I used to dread mammograms, they were always so painful! I could still feel it the day after and worried that they had done more harm than good

I feel the same Willow the one before last was so painful I cried. I then vowed I wouldn't go through it again but I was talked around......I knew it made sense really. I don't think squashing sensitive breast tissue until it is almost flat can really do you any good but I know for now its the only way. have always wondered if a man had to have his "meat and 2 veg" squashed flat they might have come up with something less painful by now.

I am sure it depends on the radiographer. Thankfully I don't have the same one operating the machine every time in the place my Doctor suggested I go to, if I did I would go elsewhere.

My daughter has just been diagnosed with breast cancer found on her very first mammogram. What's a little pain for a short time??? It didn't do any harm. The way I feel just now I want to say" Just man up and bear it".

I have never felt any pain whatsoever but I have a friend who said she screams with pain every time. I'm not sure about the smaller the breasts, the more discomfort. My friend's are enormous.