Mammogram question

This question is chiefly for the women who have a pacemaker.

Soon it will be time for my annual mammogram--the first one since my PM implant. Recalling how much of the chest tissue gets grabbed, I'm starting to wonder if it could unsettle the leads on my left side...or, worse, if it could actually grab at my device. I am built on the thin side.

10 Comments

tell them first

by Tracey_E - 2015-09-14 01:09:41

It's not a big deal! Just tell them first. If the tech seems at all hesitant, ask for someone else. When I had my first one after, they did a very gentle scan first to see where the device and wires are, then did the regular scan. Nothing to it.

If you've had your device less than 6 months, you might want to put it off a bit until the last residual soreness is gone.

Mammos

by Grateful Heart - 2015-09-14 03:09:01


Like Tracey said, tell them first. Sometimes if they cannot see behind my device at certain angles they will also do a breast ultrasound.

Grateful Heart


mamogram

by rlybolt - 2015-09-14 04:09:46

I had a momogram done and they knew I had a pacemaker. When the left breast was done as you said it grabs a lot well it also grabed wher the pacemaker was, it hurt like hell but it did not hurt the functioning of the pacemaker.

thanks, all

by knb123 - 2015-09-14 08:09:18

Thanks, ladies, for weighing in. Having a mammogram is always uncomfortable for me because of how little tissue the technician has to work with! Not looking forward to it, though I know it's one of those "necessities."

knb

by Grateful Heart - 2015-09-14 09:09:59


It's uncomfortable no matter what your size. :-/

Grateful Heart

Me too!

by BetsyQ - 2015-09-14 11:09:23

I'm supposed to have a mammogram the end of September, but having just received my pacemaker in July I think I'll wait until my physical next September. I can't even imagine getting one right now. The area is still rather tender to the touch. Thanks for the information everyone.

For Alma Addie

by 0300hours - 2015-09-15 03:09:13

What a horrible experience for you! Does that mean that they will not replace your unit after your 75th birthday?

0300hours

NO! 75 yr. extension is for mammogram!

by carol76 - 2015-09-15 11:09:56

--Not the pacemaker replacement! Wow, what an awful thought: physician-assisted death, of a sort. No, I think Alma Annie meant that the government doesn't make us have mammograms after age 74.

To Have or not to Have?

by Alma Annie - 2015-09-15 12:09:37

I had one of the new digital mammograms 4 years ago. When she got to the left breast she pushed hard, more like shoved pm over to the side. I yelped. She asked whether it hurt so I replied I would not have yelped if she had not hurt. My leads were moved in the process and are very uncomfortable now, too near my underarm, and protruding out of skin. They were not like this when I first had pm. I am also very thin, like under weight. EP says nothing to be done until battery change, about 5 years!.

I keep having reminders for another one as our government has extended them until 74 years old. I am 72. When I phoned and explained my last experience I was told that I should tell them I have pm. DRR! I did, but it made no difference. As for having an ultra sound if they cannot see behind, that has never been suggested.

Alma Annie.

Mammo

by Alma Annie - 2015-09-16 01:09:10

Yes it is the mammogram that the government won't pay for after 74. PM will be replaced when necessary.
I am still reluctant to have another mammogram though
Alma Annie

You know you're wired when...

Your license plate reads “Pacer4Life”.

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