Mammogram

[jan4466]

I had a mammogram a week and a half ago.  Had a gotten a call to come back for more pictures on my left breast. They did a spot compression on me, which was this past Thursday.  Thank God everything turned out okay.  I was told that the skin was folded over near my nipple and that was why they thought that they had seen something and wanted me to come in for more pictures.  This mammogram I had a week and a half ago really hurt, espiecally the left breast.  Usually a mammogram does not bother me at all. I am still after almost two weeks from the original mammogram very sore on the left side where I was pulled in at.   Since this is the first time this is bothering me like this, I just want to know if this is normal. I have had plenty of mammograms before, but none bothered me like this one does.  

[madgeOwens]

You can only find out so much from mammography and ultrasound.....they have to do biopsy to know for sure and 80% of those come back not cancer....I am waiting for my pathology report since Tuesday, and I can tell you the wait it terrible, even knowing the odds are on my side you still worry!

[rockchalk76]

Jan - I am hoping the a similar problem would explain by call back.  I received a call from the nurse practitioner on Aug. 8th, telling me that the radiologist is recommending a biopsy.  I have a B.S. in Medical Technology, several hours towards a Master's in Veterinary Pathology, and a Master's in Health Infomatics.  The nurse asked who I wanted to see for the biopsy.  I was speechless as I've never had anything abnormal show up and have a mammogram every year.  I turned 54 the day after I received this news!  I know that lab error is always a possibility, and this same xray department lost some hip and knees xrays that were done here about 6 months ago.  The tech said that they are having to call back a lot more people since they went to digital mammography.  I keep hoping this is a false positive because they are not yet experienced with the technique or something.  I wasn't able to get into to see the surgeon my doctor suggested until Aug. 26th, so I have yet another week of waiting and trying not to worry.  Easier said than done! - Kay

[madgeOwens]

I have fibrocystic breast disease, and if they squeeze too tight (and many do) I hurt for over  a week.

[japdip]

The second mammogram certainly could cause more pain than the others you've had. In a spot compression the breast is compressed more than usual. Very frequently the tissue will fold over on itself and appear as a shadow.

[jan4466]

Will call on Monday to get an appoinment with the doctor. Thanks for such a quick response.

[PaulMD]

Hi there.

Mammograms can really cause discomfort in the breast.  However this discomfort usually lasts for only a few days and should resolve completely.  In your situation, there can be some more underlying problems such as muscular strain or the possibility of infection.  Other common causes for this would include hormonal responses of the breast tissue.

I suggest that you have your breasts re-examined by your doctor just to make sure there is nothing wrong.  For now, avoid trauma to the area and have adequate rest.

Regards and God bless.