Two Years Had Passed Since My Last Mammogram

[VickySGV]

I had gotten a letter from my HMO giving me that information a day or two ago, and with it a doctor's order to come in for a new one before my birthday next month.  I had needed a prescription refill for my Insulin and had to go within 150 feet of the special X-ray wing for the booby-grams, so, since it is walk-in without appointment, I went in and got it over with.  This makes number 7 that I have had.  My chin is more sore than my breasts since I did not duck out of the way when the clamps came off.  The X-ray tech gave a small apology to me, but really both of us were laughing about it.  She saw my little souvenir in my right breast from a biopsy that was done back in 2013 right after my GCS, and said that she could not see anything else that looked unusual, but an actual MD will review it in the next day or so and I will get a letter telling me how it looks.  The time I had the biopsy, they had gotten it going the day of the mammogram.  The things we do during pandemic for entertainment and health.

[Susan R]

2 hours ago, VickySGV said:

This makes number 7 that I have had.

I have to eventually get one of these mammograms. I get a quarterly message via email and med portal from my provider telling me I’m past due for mine. We don’t have any walk-in mammograms at my provider so it’s easy to keep putting it off. I do the self checks regularly though so I’m pretty sure I’ll be just fine but my wife says, “You need to get that set up soon, Susan.” Yeah, Yeah, I know. She always follows up with a cute smile and tells me how much I’m going to love it..lol

[VickySGV]

@gina-nicole-t, @Susan RIt is a rite of passage for those of us who have had the 'grams to kid prospective boob owners into how bad they are.  Other than forgetting to move my chin, note chin and not breast, out of the way of of a moving mount on the machine as It released my left boob, it was not really uncomfortable, about like rolling over on your face and squishing them at night.  The major problem for me was getting my arm out of the way (there was a place on the machine for me to put my hand) since my tissue has a wad under my armpit.  It sounds worse than it is really, but you do feel vulnerable and there is just always a bit of worry that it might find something, as it did on my first 'gram back in 2013.  That is a story I have told a number of times here but it had a happy ending.  Do the 'grams, don't be shy, or worried.  As one of my T-shirts says, "Be aware, Save a Pair".

[KayC]

@Susan R and @VickySGV when do you have to first start doing mammograms?  Is it based on a certain amount of time/years on HRT? or based on size/growth?  Just wondering.

[Willow]

I’ve just started growing but I supposed that is a good question.

 

[Jani]

I've had one and it really wasn't that bad.  My wife doesn't enjoy them but with new technology its better she says.  

[Audrey]

Question for those of you who've had mammograms: I've heard that it's necessary to have your gender marker changed to female on record with health insurance companies to get mammography as a (fully) covered preventative care benefit. If the gender marker is male, there's a high risk of denied claims. Can anyone confirm this? Thanks!

 

Love,

~Audrey.

[Jani]

I once worked for a director who had them regularly.  He wasn't what I considered large but he's had lumps and his doctor ordered regular testing.  He told me he wasn't the only guy he knew that had them.  So I guess its not unusual for males to have them.  

[Charlize]

I'm about due for another.  The first time wasn't too bad.  I actually had some lovely chats with other women there.  It is an important procedure for us.  Dr McGinn's staff made sure i knew how to do self exams before starting HRT.  Even so both she and my primary make the argument that Mammograms are necessary.

I'm not sure if insurance would cover the procedure for a male but i would think so.  

 

Hugs,

 

Charlize

[VickySGV]

4 hours ago, KayC said:

Is it based on a certain amount of time/years on HRT? or based on size/growth?  Just wondering.

 

Speak to your doctor about the schedule they follow in their practice, or consult your HMO directly. 

 

@Audrey Getting your gender changed on your medical records will trigger things, but also as said above,  men do have needs for them as well.  The doctor will decide on the timing.  I had been on HRT 3 years when I had GCS which triggered things, although my Endocrinologist had been going to do it about the same time.

[Susan R]

7 hours ago, KayC said:

Is it based on a certain amount of time/years on HRT? or based on size/growth?

I was told from my PCP early on that I would need to start getting annual mammograms after one year. Sure enough, after one year the quarterly reminders started.

 

I think if I would’ve had it done at the one year mark, I wouldn’t be receiving these incremental reminders any longer. 

[VickySGV]

2 hours ago, Susan R said:

I think if I would’ve had it done at the one year mark, I wouldn’t be receiving these incremental reminders any longer. 

 

By Jove I think she's got it!!

 

[KayC]

Thank you @Susan R❣️

[Emily michelle]

My endocrinologist wanted me to get one 2.5 months into hrt. I went and got one done and scheduled one for next year. It wasn’t bad. My insurance did cover it. I hadn’t changed my name and gender marker with my insurance company yet 

[Willow]

@Emily michelle since men are subject to getting breast cancer, I don’t think it’s unusual to be covered regardless of gender marker.  Now other exams without changing markers might raise some eyebrows if not be denied all together.

 

my endocrinologist has not said anything about breast exams of any type yet.  But I’ve only had virtual exams for slightly over a year now. I’m supposed to see him in his office this spring.  

[VickySGV]

3 hours ago, Willow said:

my endocrinologist has not said anything about breast exams of any type yet.  But I’ve only had virtual exams for slightly over a year now.

 

It is still a good idea to learn how to do self exams for lumps or changes in the texture of the breast.  Go to one of the Breast Cancer support sites, many have video tutorials for how to do them, how often and what to look for.  If you are suspicious or worried do not hesitate to get an urgent care exam.  Again, do not wait. 

 

Here is one site I would trust. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer.html

[Willow]

Actually I did ask my GP at my last appointment to check them which he did. They had just started growing and were hurting.  I told him I wanted to be sure everything was as it should be.  He confirmed they were normal.

 

I feel I have a very good care team who is pretty well connected with each other and if there is any disconnect, i can copy test results and physician notes from one patient portal to the other.  They all like having patients that use the portals and respond really quickly.

 

Willow

[VickySGV]

@Willow  Very happy to hear that for you, hopefully the link I posted above can help someone else who does not have a good care team.