First follow up mammogram - worried about pain

I had surgery in August 2019 and finished radiation in November 2019. I had my first mammogram (3-D) after treatment in May 2020. I put myself in a lot of stress thinking about how painful it was going to be. It was a pain-free procedure for me. When I was told that I was done, I was like "really". I cant explain it why it wasn't what I envisaged but I think after radiation and surgery, there's some loss of sensation due to effects of both on the nerves. So, put your mind at rest, it won't be discomforting.

Dragon - not to be the doom and gloom on this, but mine hurt like hell and I had tears in my eyes. It was a 3D mamo, and you don't even have to hold your breath for it because it goes SLOW, painfully slow.

Afterwards the tech said, didn't anyone tell me I had to massage my breast? Well no, not that I recall, possibly - but I don't remember hearing anything about massaging my breast. It breaks down the scar tissue.

I'm also very small breasted so maybe that had a play in it. My recommendation is to start massaging your breast, 2-3x a day up to your appointment. And take Advil, can't hurt. I don't know what elma is, numbing cream? I'd stick w massage & Advil.

I survived it, we've truthfully been through so much worse, so will you. Best of luck.

Mine have not hurt any more than they used to--possibly even less. If I remember I take some Advil before I head out, but they're over with so quickly.

My first after lumpectomy and radiation was not painful with the BC breast. However, the tech managed to catch the edge of my port and almost ripped it out of my chest. I know she did not mean to do it and felt bad but oh boy did that hurt.

Im another one who expected it to hurt and it didn't, at all. I think if you have it done at a full-service breast center, the mammographers are trained how to work with post-op breasts.

y follow up mammogram will be in November 2020 six months after my radiation treatment. I am concerned about pain because my breast hurts all the time. The numbness and tingling down my arm gets worse by the end of the day. The slight amount of lymphedema makes my arm shoulder hurts every time I move my arm. I feel like the scar tissue is grabbing the lymphedema and is causing the pain. I see the oncologist tomorrow; got any advice?

Can you still break up scar tissue with massage, years later? No one told me to do that. I'm 4 years out from surgery, and I'm sorry but mammograms are agonizingly painful now. The scar area feels like it's going to rip away from my body. I wish someone would give me some lidocaine. I have to get my next one in October and I'm dreading it. I would take an Ativan if I had someone who could drive me home, but I'm on my own that day unfortunately.

Massage tissue - I too was never told, or quite possibly being overwhelmed I didn't hear it. My first 3D mammo after LX and rads brought tears to my eyes. I don't know about 4 years out, but it can't hurt to ask your MO or BS.

Aspercream has an OTC product with 4% lidocaine.

Too soon I would think! I have healing issues so they wouldn't even touch my scar area until 2 1/2 months... I think you'll want to wait some weeks- meaning several. From what I was told even if you have a scar vs. healing incision the tissues underneath are still healing. At a week out yours is still a healing incision.... Moving things around too soon could cause damage/issues. I would ask your surgeon about this. Also there is such a thing as massage therapy for scars, myofascial release a good PT or certainly a lymphedema therapist could do.... just an FYI....