Do any other Fibromyalgia patients feel too much pain from a mamogram to actually have one completed?

Question

I had the first two views taken, but when the 45 dergee angle was required, or the 90 dregree angle, it was too painful.
I couldn't even let them get the whole chest muscle in the first views.

Has anyone else had this problem?

Answer 1

I have fibromyalgia and I've also had two mammograms (the most recent one done yesterday because I have a family history of breast cancer) and I was actually able to complete the test. It only took less than 5 minutes. Yes, it did hurt for about a minute but she was then able to get all the views in.

My problem came afterward yesterday where I had a bit of pain in the chest wall area when it came to residual pain. But it wasn't anything like the first mammogram I had at age 26 when I had some problems with my breasts. And at that time they were using a much different technology where the pain was really something when it came to the test, and I also had not only pain after the test but a burning sensation that lasted several hours after I had the test. I didn't have any burning this time, just a bit of pain at the chest muscle area.

A lot of hospitals and imaging places are now using digital mammography which isn't as bad as the old ones that were used.

I would definitely let your gynecologist know what happened as well as your dr that treats your fibromyalgia to see what they recommend for the future.

Answer 2

yes, I have went through the exact same problem as you. So I know how terrible you feel and probably you hurt quite a bit today. Let the gynecologist know what happened and see if you can get a digital mammogram. Dealing with Fibromyalgia makes everything harder to do.

For now Take a hot bath with 2c. of dissolved Epsom salts. Soak for 30 minutes. The Epsom salts will help eliminate the lactic acid that forms on the muscles from over exertion.

Massage an analgesic cream into the sore muscles. I find the best cream for people with Fibromyalgia is “Blue Emu,” You can read more about this cream at http://www.blue-emu.com/

500mg of calcium and magnesium, taken twice daily, can help with diminishing the pain.

Answer 3

My mom and I both have Fibromyalgia and we have never had problems getting a mammogram. I have severe pain in my chest almost everyday caused by my muscles not my heart or anything. But no....neither one of us have had any troubles with that. Though the disorder can cause many different pains for different people. I would say ask a doctor but they aren't going to tell you much I'm sure. I would suggest just going on one of your "good" days and just go through with it. Best of luck!