Okay I am due for my mamogram.. so with the PM how does one do this? I have been hearing ultra sound is a better choice? Please let me know what all of you gals have done with this and the PM
Thank you :)

 

 

First, I tell the tech I have a pacemaker, and that I am 100% pacer dependent. I tell the tech they cannot squeeze my wires 'cause they'll break. I tell them when to stop squeezing, or to reposition me.

I've only found one decent tech who got a good picture the first go-round.

I usually wind up having to have a follow up sonogram.

 

I just got my ICD in November, and due for a mammogram soon. My EP told me it was ok as long as they don't compress the ICD ... but how the heck can they avoid it? It sits right at the top of my boob! And since I am somewhat "less endowed" there isn't much there to squeeze anyway, so I just don't know how they'd work around it.

Mammograms are fully covered for me by my insurance, but I wonder if an ultrasound would be?

Melissa

 

Why do they position it in your breast if it is going to cause problems like this? Why do they not position it higher up like mine is positioned and many others on the photos I have seen on here?

 

Mine is submammary so it's smack in the middle of the mammo! No problems. They always do a gentle image first to see where the pm and wires are, then they get what they need.

I've had ultrasounds also, but mammo's show more.

 

Thanks everyone :)
I don't know what I will do... I have heard that too about the ultrasounds not showing like the normal mammo
trouble is... my PM is on the left side in the vicinity of my collarbone..down a little... I guess I will ask more questions
but I don't want them smashing it down like they usually do...like a pancake.....
thanks everyone :)

 

It won't hurt the pm, the leads are what you have to watch out for. You don't want to kink or yank out a lead. As long as the tech is aware of where the leads are, it'll be fine. My pm is under the breast and most definitely gets smashed every time! I have leads run all over the place, my xray looks like a bowl of spaghetti. It doesn't hurt and it's never damaged it. I feel it's extra important to be diligent- with all the scar tissue I've got (from the leads being so buried and from 4 replacements), I don't think I'd feel a lump.

Here's something scary.... I just had a replacement and we were planning to clean out the scar tissue at the same time. My gyn ordered both an u/s and mammo to rule out anything else going on and verify that what I was feeling was in fact only scar tissue. My pm DID NOT show up on the u/s!!!!!!! Don't depend on it to catch breast cancer.

 

I have had mammos each year for years. For some reason, I did not get one in May like I always do. They did the PM implant 10/09 and now I am wondering these same questions myself.

I have fibroid tissues and over the years, have had a couple of cysts removed/tested. I am very large breasted and I am as short in height as I am wide. LOL

I will remind my GP of the PM when he mentions my referral for a mammo. & see what he thinks. I don't dare ask the cardiologist, he sure the heck won't know.

Come back and "post" when you have your mammo.

The Best to Ya', Carolyn G. in TEXAS ( :

 

I'm not sure about the complications with having a pacemaker with your mammo however here's something to keep in mind that I learned from working in a breast centre...

Many people request an ultrasound instead of a mammogram because they don't want the pain of the squeezing. Ultrasounds are very good for detecting breastcancers that present as a lump, or are also good for detecting, measuring and aspirating cysts. There are several forms of breast cancers that don't show up on an ultrasound. They present as calcifications. On the mammogram, they literally look like a spec of dust or lint but can actually infact be a cancer.

MRI's are sometimes used for diagnosing breast cancer's but when MRI can not be used, CT scans can sometimes be used as well.

It is generally excepted that ultrasound does not replace mammography but instead supplements it. I know that it is possible to have a mammogram with a pm, i'm just not sure if you can in all cases.

Also, 90% of breast cancer's don't present with pain. If you have a painful lump it is most likely a cyst, although don't assume, always get it checked. White/yellow discharge is less worrisome than bloody discharge.

 

I had the same concern but talked to the tech before the procedure and it went well. Actually they had just changed to digital mammography and it was much more comfortable than the old style and images were better as she showed the comparison old to new to me! I had been concerned as the time before they had squeezed so hard that my breast was black and blue. This was good.

 

Hi :)
Well it sounds like maybe we do have some choices here...and this is good
I will call and find out... it just worries me a bit about
things popping out of place.... :)
so thank you all for your posts
good we have this site... so many good folks here to help with all kinds of questions
Blessings to all of you :)
breezy