Digital Mammography IS much less painful

[IrishAyes]

As well as more accurate than the original kind, as most of us know. But after my last regular exam 5 years ago, our local hospital recently acquired a digital machine. I went for my first digital mammogram this morning and didn't even think swear words like I used to do.

Just wanted women to know that, in case I'm not the only lily-livered chicken out there. It's still highly uncomfortable but you won't start crying for your mommy either.

[Mnemosyne]

1. Thank you for this info, Irish! I have one scheduled Friday, with a sono. I am a

rather large breasted woman and the analog mamos make me cry, and think many swear words too! I have a couple of lumps and have had an ultra-sound guided needle biopsy. The biopsy hurt way less than the mammo.

I just skipped four years because the last one was sooo painful and I am also a lily-livered chicken! I do not advise avoiding these and need my ass kicked for waiting so long since the biopsy.

My mind has been eased a bit, thank you!

[IrishAyes]

3. Just be sure

that your technician knows to cover any moles you might have. Those have been known to cause false positives, requiring a do-over. I should've mentioned that in the OP.

Meanwhile, good for you. I used to laugh at the stories of cops and marines fainting at the sight of a needle, but I no longer have that luxury. At a much younger age admittedly, I used to train in full contact tae kwon do but still needed a cattle prod to get me to the doctor. Or dentist. Face it, I had noooo room to talk.

[Mnemosyne]

9. You were so right, it was much less painful! And I lucked out, no changes!

[IrishAyes]

10. Glad to hear that - all of it

I've since been reading up on ways to lessen the discomfort, and it seems that a good strong dose of painkiller - if not contraindicated by other meds - taken an hour or so before exam might take a little more of the edge off, too. One generally reliable medical website also said to rub a little ointment with 4% lidocane on the area a few hours ahead. I know the hospital says to wipe off any deodorant you may be wearing, so I'm not sure if the ointment would absorb in your skin and disperse enough to avoid similar problems.

As for the respondent who provoked me so and then self-righteously demanded to know why I'm 'such an angry person', I was feeling quite happy until she/he/it poked her/his/its snotty nose into the affair. Some people don't know when to leave well enough alone.

So yes, I'm very glad everything went well for you. But I can't deny your note came at a really nice moment, or at least made it so. Thank you too.

[Mnemosyne]

11. I'm glad my reply came along and helped.

[newfie11]

2. I am sorry to say this ladies

I am now retired but I was a registered mammographer for 20 years and reg. radiographer for 41 years.

Digital does not change compression at all. It maybe they used a soft pad for you or you got a tech that is good at doing mammos.

Digital does help prevent add views because you can manipulate the image.

Yes I have used digital.

[IrishAyes]

4. And it's so fine of you

... to do whatever you can to reassure us - all in the name of blunt science, of course. That's sure to get more of us into the office.

Bottom line, you might be right. But then again, you might not be. In more ways than one.

[newfie11]

5. A lot depends on the technologist

Last edited Thu May 30, 2013, 06:37 AM - Edit history (1)

Sorry just my observation as a registered mammography technologist for many years.

Didn't mean to offend, just wanted to clear up misinformation being spred.

The compression paddle and plate are used the very same way in digital and nondigital.
The part you come in contact with is built and used the same way.

I was doing 30 mammos a day for 15 years at the last place I worked so I do know more about the subject than you.

[IrishAyes]

6. When it comes to people, you don't know squat.

I'm glad you never had me trapped between your paddles because that brings out the Nurse Ratchet in some people. Whether you're right (or wrong! why should I take YOUR compassionate word?) about the technology, a patient's emotional state has a lot to do with the amount of perceived pain, and that's a psychological fact! Argue that away if you want to try. But at the very least you've done other women no favor at all. How did you treat your own patients? Tell them to shut up and be a good marine? Sheeesh!

[newfie11]

7. Why are you such an angry person?

I have NEVER had a woman leave angry, hurt, or afraid to return.

Many many times that asked for me. I am trying to tell if the technologist knows what their doing and can get a woman or man to relax there is little discomfort unless the breast are very painful to begin with.
Yes I have done mammos on men who had breast lumps.

You do no want to learn and frankly it is people like you that scare others away.

One more thing smarty just give you more paranoia, digital is higher in radiation.

Bye bye now.

[IrishAyes]

8. People who don't get angry when kicked in the shins are dead in spirit.

Throw all the insults you want; my self worth has nothing to do with your arrogant opinion. You just set out trying to prove you're smarter than someone else, someone you don't know squat about, especially not what kind of degree(s) I might hold. You started this, so you don't get to bawl "Mommy, she hit me back!"

No, you wanted to pee higher on the conversational tree and didn't like it when somebody called you on it. Boo hoo.