Mammograms

You mean the squeeze-ogram

by Grateful Heart - 2018-01-29 21:23:10

Yes, many of us have had painful mammograms.  Some techs are gentle and some are not.  Make sure they know you have a PM.  Tell them which side it's on.  They should take care in lowering the boom. 

If you know a particular tech is rough from the past, request another.

Sometimes they can't see behind my device so they also do an ultrasound now. 

As I said in an earlier post....(whisper)....it's a man's world.  (Don't let Robo Pop hear). 

Grateful Heart

My experience just a month ago

by Carol - 2018-02-02 14:58:13

The tecnician was very careful on my left side- No discomfort because she knew I had the PM.  However, she threw all caution to the wind when it came to my right boob- thought it might just get left there on the Xray machine lol

Thank you for raising this question - Mammograms

by MatterOfTheHeart - 2018-02-05 13:38:25

Hi, I'm 46 and have only had my ICD since June, I have annual mammograms since age 30 as my Mom passed away from breast cancer.  Its time for me to schedule my annual and I was a bit nervous.  I also have breast MRI's which I understand I can't do as my device is still pending FDA approval on MRI's.  Perhaps they'll choose ultrasound or something as a back up option if needed.  I'll be sure to make them aware in advance of my ICD when scheduling though. 

take care all!

Mammos

by Pollypacer - 2018-02-12 11:48:57

I don't have any problems with a mammo....it's all digital now, and I can see my pacer on the screen!   Techie is very careful.

Mammogram

by Jenny365 - 2018-02-12 12:22:25

Digital, I wish it was, my clinic still uses the press   that was used to make wine in the old days! Lol

Just had a bad one

by MissAshleigh - 2024-09-13 16:09:17

Hi, 

I had my third mammogram this week; the first two were fine.

This time, however, she squished down on my pacemaker & all of a sudden it felt like I was being run through diagnostic pacing.    
 

I realized what was happening & my heart spiked to over 140 BPM's (Fitbit.) She stopped, got me water & let me sit; I was able to continue but still feel off.

Talked to EP, she said it sounds like my leads were squeezed & "hopefully, she didn't damage them." (Appt in 3 days.) 

I feel very frustrated because everywhere everyone seems to say "don't worry about it." But clearly, there's reason to worry. My tech ended up being rough despite me going an hour out of my way to go to the place that's deemed gentler.

I hope this doesn't happen to OP or anybody reading this, but I feel the need to comment, because the risk isn't zero! (I'll make my own post after my appointment.)

Best of luck OP.