Posted by Lonely on September 1, 2007, at 0:26:06
After skipping mammograms for 4 years because (1) it was so painful for a week afterwards not to mention during the test (2) mammograms were all reported normal (3) the imaging place was filthy, had a dead plant in corner and rude staff I went for another screening study at a major reputable hospital about 3 weeks ago.
They found "mixed fatty and "fibroglandular tissue." What does that mean? It also showed nodular density in the left retroareolar region and in the left outer breast as well as several well circumscribed probably benign nodules measuring undering 5 mm in the right outer and central breast." They wanted films for comparison.
I got the films going back to 2001 and 2003. The addendum to the recent study read: "Nodular densities in the right upper breast unchanged ... however the central nodular densities in the right central breast and in the left retroareolar region are not evident on prior studies. Therefore spot compression/magnification view and sonography of these findings would be warranted."
Ok, after much hassling and delay on the part of the hospital and my doc, I am scheduled for ultrasound next week and I think they said compression studies although I was so freaked out I'm not sure. I also asked for an MRI and they agreed. I'm post menopausal and no history of breast cancer anywhere in my family. I'm also on HRT.
The problem - I would not let them do full compression on the left side as it hurt too much. I knew something was wrong because they took extra films. I told the doc repeatedly that they will have to knock me out for compression studies. I know ultrasound is supposed to be painless but I can tell you that echogradiography and carotid were NOT painless. They pressed so hard during those two tests that I was in pain for several days, headache, (from carotid) woosie, felt like the floor was moving, staggering and very upset. I do not trust ultrasound techs at all now. When a patient complains or they can't get the image they should stop.
This time I don't know what to do except to scream bloody murder and demand they stop the test. What can I/they do to relieve the pain both then and after? And please don't give the commercial about how mammography saves lives. Some of us just have different needs and structure. If that's not bad enough, I have to go out of town the next day and jockey some heavy suitcases around. I tend to doubt that there's cancer but would like to know more of what's going on.
As for any biopsy, well, they will have to guarantee me no constant pain over the next several months or they won't touch me. This seems absurd in this time of so-called advanced technologies and allegedly more sensitivity. Any one else dealt with this? Thx.
poster:Lonely
thread:780140
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/health/20070701/msgs/780140.html