Mammogram

[Guest]

Hi,
I have a health condition, chronic intercostal myalgia.I am terrified about having a mammogram, because I feel I would never tolerate the right amount of pressure, due to my chronic condition. I am wondering if there is any possible way of having a mammogram, without aggrevating my condition? I am so scared about having my breasts squeezed, squashed,flattened, any tight feeling or discomfort. I can not tolerate pain. I already have aggrevated inflamation and swollen muscle pain due to carpal tunnel syndrome, and chronic intercostal myalgia. I am extremely sensitive to pressure and pain, and also my tolerance levels are extremely low. I have had a breast ultra sound, which was normal.
I have already proven that I cannot tolerate a abdomen ultra sound, I did not cope with the pressure, hence I was humiliated and embarrassed. I am wondering if you have any suggestions that could help me please? Looking forward to hearing from you soon. I am 50 and have been going through menopause for over 13 yrs. Thankyou
Sandra.

[Guest]

Unfortunately there is no substitute for mammography and mammography does require some compression of the breasts. Some may choose ultrasound as an alternative, but that test requires pressure of the transducer.
What you need to find is a place with mammography techs who are understanding and who could get a decent test without too much compression. This is always a negotiation between technologist and patient.
Find someone like the person who was interviewed for this clip:
http://209.10.193.68/videos/010717ContMamComf_h.ram
Hope you can view it. Good luck!

[quote] Hi,
I have a health condition, chronic intercostal myalgia. I am terrified about having a mammogram, because I feel I would never tolerate the right amount of pressure, due to my chronic condition... [/quote]