Mammograms?
- by Fatty
- 2016-11-14 08:57:51
- General Posting
- 1214 views
- 11 comments
I am scheduled for my annual mammogram. This is my first since I got my Pacemaker four months ago. Could the ladies out there tell me how their annual exam with a pacemaker? I am imagining the machine flattening by breast and smashing my Pacemaker!!! Thoughts? Advice? Thanks so much!!
11 Comments
timing
by Tracey_E - 2016-11-14 11:48:08
Recommended time to wait is 4-6 months so it's up to you if you want to do it now or wait a bit longer. If you have any residual soreness at all, I'd wait. It won't do any damage but depending how it's placed you could be a little sore after. If it's high like Artist's, no problem. Mine is considerably lower, under the breast. Just make sure they know about it first. If they seem at all hesitant or too blase, ask for someone else. I go to the same place every time so they can pull it up from the last time, but the first time I went they did a very gentle scan first to see where the device and wires are, then did the full scan once they knew what they were dealing with.
Sore...?
by NickyH - 2016-11-15 14:11:16
I would also wait until you are completely healed. I have had a pacemaker for 10 years and have small breasts. When I have a mammagram done the technician although careful, has to grab and really press down hard to make sure she gets as much breast tissue as possible, which seems to move the device around somewhat. Afterwards, although the device was fine, I was sore on that side for a few minutes.
Just tell them!
by Bean19 - 2016-11-15 15:09:04
just be upfront with the tech and there should be no further discomfort than usual. I have had two since my pm and the techs have been wonderful and understanding! Good luck!
Thank you NickyH and Bean19
by Fatty - 2016-11-16 22:26:52
Thank you both! I have sent a private message too.
Thanks
by Jacque - 2016-11-17 07:48:35
I need to get my mammo too. Thanks for asking the question and for the honest answers.
3D mammograms
by heartu - 2016-11-17 16:05:04
I had my mammogram about 8 months after my pm implant and no problems. Just let the technician know and they will be extra careful. Also wanted to add that a couple of years ago I began getting 3D mammograms which I found that my breast did not have to compressed as much and they need fewer views. To me, the less smushing, the better! Good luck!
Mammo
by FaithGrace - 2016-11-17 23:38:32
Thank you for asking this, and for the replies. (you all are a bunch of goofs!... I love it!) I am due for one too and was wondering about it. I'm 3 1/2 months post op and thanks to this discussion I think I'll wait a couple more months before I go get squished!
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My pacemaker is intact and working great.
No Problem
by Artist - 2016-11-14 09:50:21
Having a recent mammogram was no problem for me. The technician explained that there is no breast tissue near my PM. My PM is placed about an inch below my left collar bone. The technician could see the PM bump and was careful to avoid that area. It might be possible to have a problem if the PM is located lower down and embedded in breast tissue, but then I understand there are other methods for examining breast tissue that don't involve the old mash and squeeze procedure. Just make the doctor that orders the procedure aware of your concern so so they can check things out prior to your appointment.