Mammogram, frozen shoulder and displaced device

Mammogram, position of device and shoulder pain

by Gemita - 2022-03-08 05:36:08

Hello Jill,

Any advice?  About your mammogram, position of device or frozen shoulder or all three?   I am assuming because you will be having a mammogram on Friday, your immediate concern and priority is about the safety as well as the potential discomfort a mammogram might cause you and you want to hear from other members who might have been in a similar position.

Since you have read posts here on mammograms you will be aware that it is important to let the technician know that you have a device in a location where it might cause difficulties during imaging both in terms of discomfort to you and getting adequate views.  It may also be prudent to comfirm with your doctors whether it will be perfectly safe for you to get a "routine?" mammogram at this time, or whether you should delay this procedure until around 6 months post implant?

I recently had a mammogram with my dual chamber pacemaker and the technician was very careful to avoid causing any discomfort.  With careful placement, she was able to get adequate views.  I also have shoulder pain but since there was no stretching upwards required and the technician helped me to carefully place my body into position, it made all the difference and kept the discomfort to an absolute minimum.  It is not comfortable but it is over in no time and I got an immediate confirmation of benign breast tissue from the breast cancer consultant which was so reassuring after some worrying symptoms, 

All you can do Jill is to explain that you are concerned about having a mammogram with your device when you attend on Friday.  If this is a routine mammogram you may be able to delay getting it until you feel more comfortable but I would attend on Friday if your doctors agree and see how it goes.  Most of us worry unnecessarily.  

With regard to your device position, if you are unable to tolerate the discomfort or placement location, you will need to discuss this with your doctors to see what can be done?  Your shoulder pain, if indeed it is frozen shoulder, needs aggressive treatment with physiotherapy and other treatments to keep it moving.  Delay in getting treatment will prolong this condition.  I would see your general doctor and perhaps ask for an orthopaedic referral to establish a firm diagnosis.  Good luck Jill and please try not to worry.

instead of mammogram

by new to pace.... - 2022-03-08 06:28:20

their are other options out there you could have a ultrasound.

 or Thermogram  which is where you stand or sit  in front of a heat sensitve camera.  this would need to be with someone who specilizes in this. type.  Look online for this.  you do not need a prescription or work order.  This is an out of pocket cost to you, screen.

I have used this before and certainly after the pacemaker.  painless.

new to pace

new to pace

by Gemita - 2022-03-08 07:33:39

Mammography I believe still remains a gold standard breast screening technique.  I in fact asked for ultrasound imaging which they carried out, but was told a mammogram would still be necessary, to help exclude malignancy.  Jill might wish to consult her doctors for all her possible screening options before Friday?

For anyone wishing to read about the various screening options, I attach a link below which discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each method and how one or more of the screening tests might be used together, to optimise results

https://ejrnm.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s43055-020-00175-5

Mammogram/ shoulder

by JillG - 2022-03-08 10:46:11

Thank you for sharing your experience and advice. 
My doctor says mammogram is fine to get at this time. However, he did not view the position of it when I suggested it has dislodged from its original placement. I plan on attempting the mammogram in hopes that the technician would not proceed if they felt there were concerns about the device. My insurance does not cover other imaging. I did check my options. As for my shoulder, I was not concerned about it with the mammogram until you mentioned and i realized they do manipulate your shoulder to get the images. Considering my limited range of motion that could be additional discomfort. My doctor did not refer me to be evaluated for a frozen shoulder, I'm in the process of getting a referral for therapy. I'm losing muscle strength at this point. 

options

by new to pace.... - 2022-03-08 12:47:46

Knew that insurances do not cover Thermogram

new to pace

substitute

by new to pace.... - 2022-03-10 13:10:16

I understand this,  but Ar_Vin unless you have had a mammogram.  I know for me the Thermogram is my solution.

new to pace