Mammogram tips?

[TidyMouse]

Hi, I have my first mammogram tomorrow and while I've read the advice on the NHS website I just wondered whether there's anything else I should bear in mind? I've been referred early because of a lump that's been found so not sure if that affects the way they do it or whether I should be doing anything differently.

Take pain killers 30 mins before to take the edge off.
The staff are, in my experience, very lovely and gentle.
I hope everything goes well for you.

I'm glad I saw this thread. I have my first mammogram and ultrasound tomorrow due to a lump and breast thickening, and I'm not sure what to expect

I was advised not to wear deodorant to get a clearer picture, with less chance then of having to do it again.
The squishy bit is just a few seconds per side.

I’ve had two mammograms now.
First one was because of a problem I had (all fine in the end) and the second was a routine one due to age.

I'd read and heard so many things about how painful they were and I was dreading it the first time but it was honestly fine. Obviously not an experience I’d choose to do for fun, but definitely not anywhere near as bad as I had been led to believe.

I’m fairly well endowed, so maybe that makes a difference to how it
feels…

The nurses have been lovely. I got the top half undressed behind a curtain and then she called me over to the machine.
There’s a bit of handling as she got everything in the right position and a definite pressure as the plates
squeeze together but nothing that ‘hurt’. dreadfully.

No deodorant if I remember rightly or jewellery.

I hope it goes well for you and the other poster who’s having one tomorrow too.

I had my first one a couple of months ago, at 40. Starting ten years early due to family history. I was nervous because my mum said it's horrible. I have quite big boobs.

The lady who did mine was amazing. She warned me that it would be quite hands on because she'd need to pull me into the right position to ensure she got as much breast tissue as possible in the images, so they wouldn't need to be retaken. It was absolutely fine! It was, as she said, very hands on, but not painful in the slightest. She did two images on each side. The last one was a little bit uncomfortable but she kept me in the machine for as little time as possible, only a few seconds. I definitely won't be as nervous next time. Hope you have a similar experience.

I had my first one last year. As others have said, I found it a bit uncomfortable but not painful. The staff were lovely, kind and professional. Definitely nowhere near as bad as I was expecting.
Discussing with female colleagues at work in the following few days, consensus seems to be that having larger breasts is less painful as it's easier to get them in the right position!
Just try to relax @TidyMouse(easier said, I know). You'll be fine.

I’ve just had my second, and it was pain-free. My first one hurt a great deal, I was honestly sore for the next couple of days and very shaken afterwards. The difference? I think it was the time of the month, or just before I was due, and I didn’t know about the painkillers. This time, no period, 2 ibuprofen, one hour before, and it was fine. Good luck!

Definitely take ibuprofen before hand. I found the first one I had painful and I hadn’t been worried about it beforehand. I think if you are before menopausal age it can be more painful at certain times of the month. My subsequent ones have always been fine.

How do they do it for us ladies with (very) small breasts? I’ve always wondered

My first one was really painful, and I've got very big boobs.

I wasn't prepared for the amount of manhandling involved. The last doing my new was very offhand, explained nothing and grabbed my boobs quite forcefully. I found the whole experience quite upsetting to be honest.
I hope you have a lovely nurse.

I was very nervous about mine but it wasn't as bad as I feared. There was a bit of manhandling to get everything in the right position, which was slightly awkward because (a) I have very tiny boobs, and (b) the person doing it turned out to be the lady from the allotment next to me, but she was lovely and very professional. I took a painkiller beforehand but I don't think I actually needed it. The actual squishing bit was over very quickly. I hope it goes well for you and the lump is nothing to worry about.

I've had several and they've only ever been slightly uncomfortable - definitely not painful for me (I have big boobs). Each part only lasts for seconds and the whole appointment just takes a few minutes.

Make sure you haven't applied any talc beforehand, and if you have long hair, tie it back so it doesn't appear in the pictures. Otherwise they'll have to do it again!

In my experience, everyone involved has always been very pleasant.

I’ve had 2 now. My local provision is one of those trailer style units. Super efficient, in and out within 5 minutes. The staff are lovely and very matter of fact. As others said it’s uncomfortable but not painful and the staff are great at explaining and very respectful.

Thanks everyone for replying and sharing your wisdom! It was all fine, and done in about 5 mins too which was good.

@TidyMouse
Glad it was all over fairly quickly and was ok. Hope you have reassuring news soon.

I am post menopause so no pmt etc but I always find mammograms a bit uncomfortable and slightly painful.

I would definitely not call the nurses 'lovely and gentle" at all!

I had one only the other week. I am 38E if that is relevant.

I think there are different parts of the machine they can use.

They used a smaller plate on the machine for my micro-boobs and I had to stand on tiptoes at quite an awkward angle, and even then I was recalled because they hadn't been able to get enough of the pectoral muscle in one of them. It wasn't too bad though.