Scared (Mammograms)

[yellowcal]

Posted about a bump on my breast last night, went in to see my doctor today and immediately she said she wanted me to have a mammogram done because she felt a knot in my breast near the bump on the outside. So I go next week to have the mammogram done and I am freaking out. I am a high risk pregnancy already but my OB feels the risks of not having this done outweigh the risks of actually having it done so they scheduled it for Thursday. I am a basket case, I am so scared they are going to find something. I am also scared because I have heard so many horror stories of how mammograms are painful and all that and me being pregnant my boobs are already sensitive enough. Anyone who has had them done, how bad is it? What will they do? I know they are going to explain everything I just want to be prepared.

[caro33]

I had a breast scare while pregnant as well, and had the ultrasound and specialist checkup, with followup. A year after the baby was born I had another breast issue and had a mammogram and ultrasound.

 

I can understand your concern, and only you have a real knowledge for how out of the ordinary your lumpiness is. However, even you are not a good judge while pregnant because as you know everything changes...

 

Mammograms are not as bad as people make out - as least I found it was not so bad. Not even all that uncomfortable. I was expecting crushing pain, but nothing like that, not even remotely. I have big breasts as well, no issue. I was not pregnant at the time, so perhaps might be a little more uncomfortable if I was, but seriously, try not to worry about this.

 

In both cases of doctor concern (but not serious concern, just "hmm, I don't know, could be anything, we had better be sure though) there was nothing, absolutely nothing wrong. But the lumpiness was full on, especially while pregnant.

 

You know there is no point worrying, right? The chances are that you are fine. In the meantime, these are minutes of your life, and at a time that you should be looking after yourself and baby. I know it's hard but there is nothing more you can do, so tell yourself all will be well and try to put it out of your mind.

[caro33]

I missed your 'what will they do' question. I am not sure if things change when you are pregnant, but for my mammogram I had to take my top layers off, change into a gown, then stand before a machine with plates that moved at different angles. I then then peel off each side of the gown and place each breast in turn on the lower plate, while the girl manouvered the top plate to flatten my breast a little. It was not squished though, it was not a bad experience at all. At the most it was a little odd feeling because I had this stranger moving my boob around to get the best shot. So the plates are then set up, then the shot is taken. And same deal for the other side.

 

The whole thing was over extremely quickly.

[lavenderdove]

The thing that is most tender on the breast is your nipples, and they don't touch those at all.

 

It really hurts no more than if you took your hands and wrapped them around your breast and squeezed hard. No big deal at all. I find getting a pelvic or going to the dentist far more unpleasant than getting a mammogram. They are also quite fast, so your breast is only squeezed for a few seconds.

[yellowcal]

Thanks for the responses.. Guess I am just thinking of all of the bad 'what ifs' .. *sigh* Thursday can't get here quick enough.

[yellowcal]

I am so terrified, the more I read the worse it gets. I have nearly every symptom of IBC. This can't be happening!! *cry* I know I need to wait until I see a doctor before I worry but I am just so scared. I'm only 21, with a 4 year old child and 2 on the way I can't have cancer!!

[caro33]

Sorry I was offline or I would have responded to this.

 

The chances are that you do not have cancer. You are, however, pregnant, which can have a freaky effect on your breasts. Throw out all the internet diagnoses because you are pregnant. Seriously. The symptoms that I read about for IBC can also be a breast infection, or the usual stuff that happens when you are pregnant.

[Crazyaboutdogs]

I have had mammograms and didn't find them too bad. I thought menstrual cramps were worse. Many people have breast bump scares that turn out to be nothing much. It could just be a benign cyst.

[IphigeniaSaysHi]

I wish you the best, yellowcal! I will be thinking of ya. It will be ok.