It was always going to happen and today it did. I received a letter from the hospital asking me to go for a mammogram as, being a lady of a certain age, I am entitled to free check-ups. I would be daft not to go, but immediately wondered if it was safe.
I called the Cardio-respiratory department at the hospital to ask the question and the receptionist went off to find out. A few minutes later she returned and told me the process is completely safe to have but because of the way they have to manipulate me on to the scanner plate it may cause some discomfort.
Somehow, that didn't surprise me as it seems the placing of the unit, being quite high, means I am prone to discomfort anyway, but I may be pleasantly surprised... maybe sitting high it may take the unit out of the way more and be ok.
I was advised to discuss the fact I have a pacemaker and any issues this may cause with the technician when I get there.
So, in a couple of weeks I will know how much discomfort the pacemaker will add to the process.
Little by little I learn more as the weeks go by.
I wonder, too. I had breast cancer and it was very high in my breast. Now I have a pacemaker and wonder how the mammogram can be done to see that part of my breast.
ReplyDeleteI discussed my concerns with the technician when I went in for the scan and found them very helpful. She was more gentle on the side with the pacemaker but I found I could cope with almost the full pressure before asking her to stop and that was due to it pulling on my scar. I think if there had been longer between having the implant and having the mammogram I would have been fine. I would suggest you speak to the mammogram dept about your concerns as the will have had other patients with similar issues but depending how long after your implant you may find you can cope with the full scan as before.
ReplyDeleteMy SJM pacemaker was implanted on 23 July 2013. On 20 February 2014, I went in to have my first mammogram since the implant. I informed the technician about my implant, showed it to her, and even let her feel exactly where the device was located. I was fine during the shot where you face the squeezing device. However, when she attempted to do the squeezing from the side, I experienced such pain that I yelled for her to stop. Shortly after this, I told her I felt kind of "fuzzy", so she had me sit down. Without thinking, I lowered my head down towards my knees. Quickly, I felt nausea, sweating, and rather "shaky". I threw up a few times. It was decided that I had a Vasovagal response to the procedure. After resting for fifteen minutes and drinking some orange juice, I felt well enough to go sit out in the lobby until such time I decided I could go to my next appointment.
DeletePlease be careful if you have a mammogram. It felt as though the bottom of the device was being tugged down by the squeezing and the pain was more located near the top of my pacemaker. UGH! Good luck to all of those women with pacemakers!
Hi Elaine, thank you for your post. It is always good to have other peoples experiences. My pacemaker sits very high which causes issues with some situations but maybe helped in the mammogram by being a little further out of the way. Interestingly, our mammograms were both done about the same number of months after implant.
ReplyDeleteI hope others reading this post will see that it is so important to speak to the technician throughout the process and stop them as soon as anything feels uncomfortable.
Thank you for your comment.
I had my implant July 5 2016 and am set to have My bi-annual mammogram Oct 23rd.
ReplyDeleteI'm nervous about it which is why I'm reading up.
I'll let you know how it goes.
ValerieRose
Canada
Hi Valerie, fingers crossed it goes ok. I think the main thing is that you discuss your concerns with the technicians, I found mine very understanding and listened to how I was feeling the whole way through. Please let me know how you get on.
ReplyDeleteThank you all for sharing your experience... My mom got her pacemaker on her left side first, that got infected in less than a month Had surgery again and had it removed and placed on her right side , now she has a mammogram tomorrow and shes freaking out on how it will be done since shes still sore and doesnt want no more surgeries done 🙏
ReplyDeleteHi, thank you for visiting - I'm pleased you found this helpful. It is so important for your mum to speak with the staff about her concerns and to let them know if she feels too much discomfort or pain of feels anything is wrong. It's not an easy process but I had lovely radiographers, which certainly made it easier. If they can't get a clear enough image, they will re-schedule for another mammogram, by which time your mum's healing will be further on. Wish her well from me and any questions, just let me know and I'll try to help. I'm more than 4 years on and I can't believe how little I think about my pacemaker now.
DeleteI have a pacemaker, and the pain I had during my most recent mammogram was bad. It hurt during the procedure, and even more the few days following. It's been over a week now and the pain at the site of the PM is just begging to feel better. I informed the tech, and was told that she wouldn't be anywhere near the devise. I left there feeling bruised and sore. I will not be having another.
ReplyDelete