As suggested, I told the technician that I'd had a pacemaker fitted last September and that while it had healed well, it was still tender when I pressed on the area and so it may be that the scanner machine may be uncomfortable. She said she would be guided by me and if it got too uncomfortable she would stop. We decided to start with the right breast as this would give me an indication of the pressure that would be felt and where the potential problems may be.
The process is not particularly painfully, more uncomfortable but as the plate presses down it pulls the skin from the shoulder downwards and the edge of the machine presses into the shoulder. The right hand side was done quite quickly and I explained where the discomfort had been relative to where the pacemaker is. We swapped sides and she was very careful as she fitted me into the machine, making sure I was in the correct place to get the best image. I managed to get comfortable and she said I was to tell her when it got too uncomfortable or if there was too much pain and that as soon as she took the image the machine would release the pressure.
I tried to keep as still as possible and let the pressure build but it did become too painful to continue and I asked her to stop, she took the image at that point and immediately released the pressure. The relief on the skin over the pacemaker was instantaneous and, I stood back while she checked the images.
She said she thought the image, while not as clear as the right side, was perfectly good for the check they needed to do, and so I got dressed.
It was uncomfortable at the time, but left no lasting pain or discomfort and has certainly not given me any concerns about having to go through it again.
All I have to do now is wait for the results and hope,as they were last time, they come back clear.
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