Breast MRI 2 days after port placement

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Anonymous
Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
edited September 2017 in Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results
Breast MRI 2 days after port placement
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  • FarAwayToo
    FarAwayToo Member Posts: 255
    edited September 2017

    Not sure which forum to post this, and not sure what I'm looking for. Advice? Pity?

    I'm in a screening phase for a clinical trial before I begin my neoadjuvant chemo. (More details here: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/73/topics...)

    I had an MRI for the trial 10 days ago, but radiology tech didn't do all the sequences needed for the trial and now I need it redone. It wouldn't be so bad, but I had my port installed just yesterday, and the only day I can do the MRI is tomorrow. Areas around both neck and chest incisions are very sore. I mean, I'm doing pretty well, I didn't even take Tylenol yesterday when numbness from local anesthetic wore off and I slept well. It's tender, but if I don't stretch too much or move too quickly, I don't even feel the pain. But lying on that MRI table for 30 minutes?! I don't know if I can do it tomorrow.

    Any ideas of how to make this somewhat comfortable aka not excruciatingly painful? I still want to do this trial, but if I can't do an MRI tomorrow, I'm out. And what's driving me mad - it's not even my fault.

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  • MTwoman
    MTwoman Member Posts: 2,704
    edited September 2017

    FarAway, I am so sorry you're having to go through an additional mri right after port placement! Could you ask them to put a blanket on the mri table for you? I've read that some facilities automatically do this to increase comfort, but If they don't you could ask.

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  • kcat2013
    kcat2013 Member Posts: 391
    edited September 2017

    Faraway, talk to the tech or even the radiologist. I have rheumatoid arthritis and laying in certain positions can be painful so when I had to have a MRI biopsy done I talked to the radiologist. She was very understanding and switched my positioning so that I would have less pain and she could still get the imaging she needed.


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  • ElaineTherese
    ElaineTherese Member Posts: 3,328
    edited September 2017

    Lidocaine??? Can you have the area numbed so you don't feel the pain of lying on your newly-installed port? Best wishes; I'm not a big fan of breast MRIs myself.

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  • FarAwayToo
    FarAwayToo Member Posts: 255
    edited September 2017

    Thank you all! I kinda like the idea of lidocaine, if push comes to shove and I can't handle it. Both of my incisions are still covered by tegaderm bandages, and I'm not supposed to take them off or shower until about 5 pm tomorrow (MRI is at noon). Will have to do some sponge bathing, I guess. I understand they can probably inject next to the bandage and it would still numb the area pretty well. Is there any risk of the incision "breaking"?

    I was told they could make me comfortable with pillows etc., I just don't see how I can be comfortable in any way being on the stomach. But I decided I would go and see if this can work. I still want to be on the trial, if I can. Although it would suck to be assigned to a control arm after all this hassle (chances of that are 33%).

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  • ShetlandPony
    ShetlandPony Member Posts: 4,924
    edited September 2017

    Talk to a doctor about pain meds and other ways to cope now. Once you get to your appointment, the techs can't do anything without a doctor's order. They owe you for messing up the trial MRI protocol the first time.

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  • _ipcoder17
    _ipcoder17 Member Posts: 7
    edited September 2017

    I'm sorry for your pain. I had my port placed Thursday, and had a PET scan Friday last week. I took pain meds about 5 minutes before the nurse positioned me on the table. She was very caring and helpful getting me on/off the table.

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  • FarAwayToo
    FarAwayToo Member Posts: 255
    edited September 2017

    So I did MRI and it wasn't at all painful! My port site was tender all day yesterday, but I woke up this morning feeling much better. I could turn to both sides, even slept on my right side most of the night.

    They gave me an extra pillow under my stomach, and it helped. I felt a little tagging about 20 minutes in, but the whole procedure is 30 minutes, so I knew I was almost done.


    Received bad news while driving there (my "good' breast has DCIS), but this is irrelevant.

    Thank you for everyone's support. Now, seeing he my "luck" is going, I may still end up in the control arm.

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  • Denise-G
    Denise-G Member Posts: 1,777
    edited September 2017

    FarAway - so glad you were able to tolerate it. And SO SORRY about the DCIS in your good breast.

    Sending all my best wishes!

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  • exercise_guru
    exercise_guru Member Posts: 716
    edited September 2017

    I had something similiar happen as well. I actually found out that my originial cancer on my left side required chemo because it was her2+ and there were some suspicious areas in my right breast so I insisted they either biopsy or MRI so I could know. The DCIS Was all through my right breast so I ended up having a mastectomy.

    Its tough to deal with all of this but you are doing well and getting all the information you need.

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