mammogram vs mri

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Anonymous
Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
edited December 2015 in Surgery - Before, During, and After
mammogram vs mri
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  • BrooksideVT
    BrooksideVT Member Posts: 2,211
    edited November 2015

    The MRI is completely painless. I found it pretty uncomfortable in that you lie on your stomach with your breasts hanging down, and all your upper body weight pressing on your sternum for 40 minutes or so.

    Could you have an ultrasound exam?

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2015

    Don't they also do it with a contrast dye? JO-5, I could not tolerate the contrast dye (immediate vomiting when it was injected and I was face-down so the vomit exploded out below me - yeah, TMI). So I know that with your ultra-sensitivity you may have a problem. Please discuss with your med team. (yes, there was no pain so don't know why you were told that).

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  • WinningSoFar
    WinningSoFar Member Posts: 951
    edited November 2015

    There's no pain to your breast from an MRI, but it's uncomfortable on your chest (but not painful). I take a valium and that makes me less edgy. Next time, I think I'm going to insist that the techs do something to make it less uncomfortable, as I suspect they have other tricks up their sleeves. BTW, the contrast doesn't make me sick so I don't have that to deal with. That WOULD be a pain.

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  • ShetlandPony
    ShetlandPony Member Posts: 4,924
    edited December 2015

    Are the BS and LE therapist just dismissing your concerns? What do they say about the thin skin? Could you take something for pain/anxiety? Do they think a mammogram is the only appropriate test for you? I don't understand why they say work it out with the tech; the tech has to do whatever test is ordered. Or did they just mean, ask the tech to use minimal pressure? What does your medical oncologist say? Maybe he/she would order an ultrasound if appropriate.

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  • ShetlandPony
    ShetlandPony Member Posts: 4,924
    edited December 2015

    Yes, your PS should definitely be in on this discussion. I'm surprised the BS didn't ask for that. And in my opinion the PS should instruct the tech and not leave it all up to you, although you should find out what he says, have him write it down, and check to be sure the tech is remembering and following any special instructions.

    (I thought you would have an MO overseeing the arimidex. An MO might have something to contribute about risk vs. benefit for you with regards to the mammogram or possibly substituting ultrasound for your particular case.)

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  • ChiSandy
    ChiSandy Member Posts: 12,133
    edited December 2015

    My MO is overseeing my endocrine therapy and osteopenia management (in consultation with my primary). I didn’t get chemo either.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2015

    I'm also surprised you never had MO. My BS referred me to MO immed after surgery. I saw BS for one follow-up after surgery and then never again. MO ordered Oncotype test which was low so he and I decided on no chemo. He then followed me for 6 years (until I moved) ordering my mammos, arimidex (deciding on length of use, 7-10 years), doing my breast exams. Here in new location I also have MO who will follow me on arimidex (anastrozole), to monitor my bones and cholesterol, something I think she is much more up-to-date with on current standards than a BS would be for endocrine therapy. But I understand that you may have been with your current med team for many years and so your trust may be there and you probably don't want another med opinion added into the mix!

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  • 3timesthbattle
    3timesthbattle Member Posts: 16
    edited December 2015

    I just had an MRI last week. I will take that over a mammogram every day. Your breast bone may hurt because of the hard plastic but it's definitely less painful than a mammo and it's more informative.

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  • 3timesthbattle
    3timesthbattle Member Posts: 16
    edited December 2015

    I completed ACT about 2 weeks ago. I'm about to start Taxol tomorrow. My MRI came back that the size of the lump didn't shrink but that the Lymph nodes looked like they are smaller when compared to the MRI from September. I'm just feeling nervous that I'm being advised to finish the Chemo before surgery that even though the lump hasn't shrunk the cancer could be gone. I don't have it anywhere else. Has anyone else experienced this? I am triple negative. Lump 1.5.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2015

    JO-5, I'm sure you are correct that back in 2004 they would have told you to do chemo. You have had a great relationship with your BS so that has worked well for you. Good luck with your new BS/MO. My new MO looks like '16 years old (and I told her so) but I really like her.

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