How much pain can I expect from 1st mammogram after radiation?
 

I am scheduled to have a mammogram on March 12. This will be my first since having radiation. My onc said that it will be "very painful" because I've had radiation treatments.

Is it much worse than the usual?

I didn't have anything but the momentary discomfort as usual. Not sure what he meant!

I also had my first mammo since having my lumpectomy and rads. I was really afraid it would hurt since that breast is so tender, but I was surprised. I told the tech that if it hurt, I going to stop it and have an MRI instead, and she was very nice and went slowly and said she'd stop if it hurt at all.
It didn't hurt near like I thought it would.

It hurt just like any other mammogram did, slight discomfort but it was quick and over just like that.

Woo hoo! I'm so happy to hear that it's not any worse than usual!

Thanks, ladies!

I think it depends on how much residual discomfort you are experiencing following radiation. I was very tender for almost a full year after rads (my surgeon told me it would take the breast about a year to "settle down.") I was very apprehensive about my first mammogram, which happened 6 months after I finished rads. My surgeon suggested I take Motrin an hour before the mammo. I did, and it worked beautifully. The discomfort was not any worse than normal. I think I may have taken a second Motrin after the first wore off, but that was all I needed.

Best of luck to you,

Hopeful

I went a couple of months after rads. The usual discomfort for me. Since BC they tend to want to take more photos and really stuff you into the plates, to make sure they don't miss anything. It's worth it though. They usually give me the preliminary results while I'm there. I walk on air the rest of the day, so far, after hearing all is well. Bev