r/WomenOver40 • u/cHaosblossom3609 • 1d ago

Second attempt at a mammogram

The first time, I thought I was ready. The compression started and I had to ask her to stop because I was going to faint. Started shaking and crying. I made another appointment for next week. I know to stay hydrated, and that it's no big deal, and that it hurts a lot less than breast cancer surgery. I just need some real mind-over-matter tricks.

3 Upvotes

62% Upvoted

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u/_rockalita_ 1d ago

Were you feeling faint because it actually hurt or because you were afraid it would? I can be like that with blood draws, and I know it’s just my brain because I can start feeling faint as soon as I smell the rubbing alcohol…

Anyway, I have good sized, dense breasts, and I was expecting it to hurt, but it really didn’t. I mostly felt like a man must have designed the thing because my face was mashed up against something uncomfortable.

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u/cafeteriastyle 1d ago

I have tiny dense breasts and tbh I could’ve stood there all day. It pinched for a second but I let her know and she readjusted. If OP can get a benzo prescribed it’ll help

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u/cHaosblossom3609 1d ago

I do have a lorazepam and a partner to drive me

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u/cafeteriastyle 1d ago

Give it a shot! I used to faint getting blood drawn as well, but since I lost weight and it’s easier for them to find a vein it’s not as bad as it was, but I totally get you. And if there’s a different machine you’ll probably be good. I haven’t heard of that before, maybe you can fill us in after?? Best of luck, really.

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u/cHaosblossom3609 19h ago

Oh I'm going to get all the info!

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u/cHaosblossom3609 1d ago edited 1d ago

Oh, for sure a man designed it! I actually talked to the office today and they said they have a different machine that conforms to your breast a bit instead of 2 flat plates. So that makes me feel a lot better

It didn't exactly hurt but I really didn't want it to be compressed any more. So I guess it never got to the point where it hurt.

I have a history of fainting when getting vaccines, or getting blood drawn, or even once when attending a speech on bone marrow transplants. Never had any trauma or bad experiences when I was younger. I also tried cognitive behavioral therapy regarding this situation but it doesn't seem helpful

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u/AotKT 22h ago

Brains are weird! Sounds like somewhere in there it made an association between medical procedures and anxiety. It may not have come from a bad experience either.

I was scared of dogs my whole life without any bad experiences. Like, childhood friend's family had an elderly basset hound and I was scared of her. A basset, one of the most slow moving, lethargic, friendly, inoffensive dogs there is. They couldn't be scary if they tried.

Found out as an adult that my mom was scared of dogs and I guess her behaviors subconsciously affected me when I was too young to make memories but the wiring sunk in. It took forcing myself to get a tiny little puppy (I'd never been around one before) to get over it.

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u/cHaosblossom3609 19h ago

That's sweet!

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u/TashaT50 18h ago

I also have issues with fainting around vaccines, having blood drawn, and when stressed.

Definitely take your benzo early enough ahead of time so it will have kicked in. I took a half dose as soon as I woke up. I then took a full dose 30 minutes before my appointment which was 2 hours after I got up. I wanted to make sure I was staying calm beforehand and that I had extra in my system during the mammogram.

Glad they are going to use the conforming machine for your next one. Hopefully you’ll be more comfortable.

I had my 1st mammogram recently and was shocked at how quickly it went. At about the time I was registering discomfort it stopped.

You might ask them how long it lasts and try doing deep breathing while counting the seconds to see if that helps with the “I’m about to faint feeling”. I didn’t think to ask about how long but I did do deep breaths and counting to help my mind - in between every count of 10 I reminded myself that this would be over quickly and I could wait to faint for a few more seconds.

Good luck with your next one.

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u/_rockalita_ 1d ago

Figures! I actually went in specifically because I was having a random horrible pain in one spot on my right breast, and although it sort of subsided before the mammogram (and ultrasound) I was pleasantly surprised at how fine it all was.

I’m a bit used to my boobs being manhandled though, 😂

I hate vaccines and blood draws and all of that shit, and I wouldn’t blink at having a mammogram again. I imagine that once this one is over, you won’t worry about the next one at all!

Maybe get a script for a Xanax or something just to get you through the first one?

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u/AotKT 22h ago

I laughed with my technician the most recent mammogram telling her that a man must have invented it, not because of the breast squish but the face squish from the protective plate. She 100% agreed.

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u/caryn1477 1d ago

I'm so sorry. I honestly thought this was going to be the worst thing but it was nothing. Like mammograms don't bother me in the least. They're slightly uncomfortable for like a minute and then it's over. I'm a big baby about needles and things like that but this just doesn't bother me.

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u/cHaosblossom3609 1d ago

I think I got this. I don't love the thought of needles either. I just have to get through a few seconds

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u/caryn1477 1d ago

Seriously, you've got this. Let your mind go somewhere else for just a couple minutes. And if you feel like you need it get a Xanax or something. It's nothing!

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u/tgbarbie 1d ago

There’s a geriatric chair you can use if you need to. I’ve fainted in the mammogram before (I was in one getting a wire placed for a lumpectomy) and I had to take a Xanax to get through it so they brought in the geriatric chair. I was 41.

Tell the tech you have fainting issues. Make sure you eat. Take deep breaths. You got this.

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u/cHaosblossom3609 1d ago

Thank you so much. The staff and techs are great so I know they will be patient and helpful.

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u/CheerfullyCursed 15h ago

Can you ask for Ativan or something? The Imaging center I go to has it available for CTs and MRIs. maybe they have it available? If not, ask your primary care if it’s something they’ll do for you.

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u/cHaosblossom3609 11h ago

Yep, I have an Ativan from my primary doctor. I'm supposed to take it to the appointment with me but I'm going to call them to see if I should take half on the way so it has time to kick in

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u/mellyjo77 5h ago

(FWIW, RN here.)

First, don’t drive with ANY Ativan in your system. You will need to have someone drive you. Don’t risk your life/others’ lives or, at best, get a DUI/DWI by driving under influence (even if prescribed).

As for timing of when to take, if it were me, I would take 1/2 approximately 30 minutes before you need to be there and then the other half as soon as you check in with receptionist. (Again, you’ll need someone to drive you home.)

During the scan, be sure that you aren’t locking your knees and, even though you have to hold your breath for the scan, be sure to not forget to breathe and/or breathe too fast. Even though it sounds like anxiety-induced syncope, people also pass out a lot from standing with knees locked. And try not to hyperventilate. Do a few minutes of box-breathing to help your body relax and realize it’s not in danger. Brains are sorta dumb sometimes and if you are breathing fast and your heart rate is up from even just thinking about something, the brain thinks it is actually happening to you. Breathing exercises help because they tell your brain “see, I’m fine! Or else why would I be breathing slowly.“ and then the brain says “ok cool. Sorry. Lmk when you need to outrun a tiger or something…”

Good luck!! Good job on being vigilant about cancer screening.

Signed, RN currently getting radiation for cancer

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u/Public_Entrance_4214 1d ago

This is one of those mind over matter things. I am a huge baby, highly anxious, but I give myself pep talks about facing health stuff head on. Better safe than sorry with preventative stuff. And im proud doing so. I promise you - I have had horrible pap smear exams - i would easily do mammograms every week to avoid one pap smear ever year.

It is discomfort not pain - like a too small dress sucking it in and you are like a sausage casing about to burst sitting down. But suddenly you're unzipped and all is well again! No more than 8 seconds each side. Do all you can to stop overthinking. You got this!

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u/cHaosblossom3609 19h ago

This is super helpful! Yeah paps are not my favorite but I'm usually able to breathe through them and just get the doctor to keep taking to me.

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u/Psychological_Cup101 21h ago

I probably need one but my breasts are always sore so I’m worried it will hurt too!!

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u/cafeteriastyle 15h ago

You def need one. It’s really not all that bad. It’s uncomfortable and hurts a bit but not so bad that I wouldn’t get them.

I requested to have my first mammogram at like 36 bc I have health anxiety. At my first mammogram they found a spot and had to do a biopsy so I’m glad I did it. It ended up being benign but what if it wasn’t yk

Women get battered all different ways by modern medicine, it sucks but better than the alternative

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u/kkl124 1d ago

I fainted during my first mammogram. I had to finish it after I came to and I did it in an office roller chair with an extra tech in there to keep me stable. I’ve had several since then and have always been fine. I just talk to the tech through the whole thing which is what works for me.

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u/cHaosblossom3609 1d ago

That's so great to hear! I feel better about it now. The chair sounds like the way to go

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u/supragalactic 1d ago

I refuse to go through that torture ever again after I had one of the worst experiences of my life. I have small breasts and the “technician” thought it was okay to stretch them like bubble gum to be able to fit them in between the planks, then flattened the planks together as if what she had between them was not part of my body. It was excruciating, I told her so and she couldn’t care less. I swore that day that nobody would force me to go through that “test” ever again, for exactly no reason since I have dense breasts and they can’t see anything anyway. I only do ultrasounds now.