Pacemaker and Mammogram

[Jennywren2953]

I had a pacemaker fitted last year and AV node ablation in May. I have just had a reminder that I am due for a mammogram. I mentioned to my GP that I was concerned it or the wires may get damaged, as I’ve had the AV node ablated, I didn’t like the prospect of something going wrong. She didn’t seem to think it was a problem. I suggested maybe an ultra sound but she said they aren’t as thorough at the mammogram. I did get a call back some years ago and was sent for an ultrasound and then told all was fine. I was wondering if anyone else had had this problem.

[CaroleF]

I haven't personally had this problem, though I do have an implanted reveal device and that wasn't a problem when having a mammogram. However I appreciate that a pace maker is a different matter.

I suggest you phone the number on your mammogram invitation and ask their advice since they are the ones who should know these things for sure. I expect it would be helpful for them to know the make and model of your pacemaker as well.

[Jennywren2953 in reply to CaroleF]

Thanks CaroleF, yes I was thinking they would be the best to ask, will do.

[Mickey16]

Hi Jennywren

Technician assured me everything would be fine and that they were used to performing this for people with a pacemaker, and it was for me :))

Obviously inform them on the day, as with my pacemaker, it was a new addition to my medical records....

[Jennywren2953 in reply to Mickey16]

Thanks Mickey 16, I’m booked in for an ultra sound so I will mention it to them when I go. I read on the pacemaker club site that a lady had a wire broken during her mammogram and she had to have surgery to fix it, it’s possibly the person doing the job that makes all the difference😀

[Jennywren2953]

Thanks HappyJo for your reply, good to know.

[Sunny-fl]

Jennywren, I had my first mammo and ultrasound post pacemaker one year ago. I told them I had a pacemaker and protruding leads and was given a tech with 17 years experience. There were no problems or discomfort. The report did state that positioning was limited on the right side due to the pacemaker. I am due for another mammo in two weeks and will request the same tech.

[Jennywren2953]

Thank you, great to hear😀

[dragonflyjan]

Hi Jennywren

I had a pacemaker and an node ablation earlier this year and a mammogram 3 months later. No problems at all just tell the technician they had to do another X-ray to get a full picture but no drama at all.iwas concerned too and contacted my specialist who said as long as I was healed from the op no problem. The technician I had seemed very used to pacemakers.

[Jennywren2953 in reply to dragonflyjan]

Thank you dragonfly Jan, it’s reassuring to hear so many people on this forum have all gone ok 😀

[opal11uk]

Good morning Jenny, I would like to reassure you that you and your pacemaker will be absolutely fine, I had the same misgivings and all was well, the machine itself does not interfere with the pacemaker nor does it come up high enough to be a problem so don't worry, its important you have your Mammogram. Good luck

[Jennywren2953 in reply to opal11uk]

Thank you 😀😀

[Harfly]

Hi I have had 2 mammograms whilst having a pacemaker insitu it was absolutely no problem. I just let the radiographers know and they just took a little more care. 😊

[Jennywren2953]

Thank you 😀😀

[Gain]

Jenny, if I was you I would refer to the doctor who fitted your pacemaker and did the ablation for advice. In my opinion GPS seldom have the breadth of knowledge required to offer sound advice in such technical matters.

I hope you get the best advice and all works out for you. Best wushes

[Jennywren2953 in reply to Gain]

Thanks Gain, sometimes things that seem common sence to me don’t seem obvious to other people, even doctors. I have had a lot of reassurance on this Forum which is great, I have a booking for an ultrasound so see how that goes, many thanks 😀

[jananie4]

Hi Jennywren, I too had a pacemaker last year and an AF ablation a few months after. I was nervous as well and when I told the tech she said she already knew and told me they do them all the time with no issues. My went fine as well as it always does with no issues. I do think that is a good idea to remind the tech though...just in case.

[Jennywren2953 in reply to jananie4]

Thanks Jananie😀

[CALady95747]

I have the same concern. To add to the mix I have Lymphedema from having a Lumpectomy in the left breast and a pacemaker on my right side. (two wks ago). Reading the replies you have received have helped to ease my mind. I hope your mammo went well.

[Jennywren2953 in reply to CALady95747]

Thank you CClady good luck.

[Babyr1996]

Hi I’ve had pacemaker 12 years had ablation April this year I’m due in feb for my mammogram. I’ve had a few mammograms now since PM in situ had no real problems a little more uncomfortable and they took extra care with the positioning of the left breast took a bit longer but other than that no problems at all with PM!! Good luck hope all goes well xx

[Jennywren2953 in reply to Babyr1996]

Thankyou Babyr

[jbertotti]

Hi I just had and ablation in August and a mammogram last week. It was in comfortable but they worked around it

[Jennywren2953 in reply to jbertotti]

Thank you jbertotti.

[Hidden]

I just had a mammogram the other day and my Reveal Linq was rather impressive looking in the results. The technician and I had a good laugh. "What did she swallow?" she wondered.

Of course, this is different from a pacemaker, but I thought I'd add that when I had something suspicious appear in a mammogram a couple of years ago, they then did an ultrasound, which I understood to be actually a more detailed look at the area than the mammo rather than less. But it seems that others have chimed in their reassurance from their own experiences, so you've probably got all the info you need.

In the end, I was lucky; the radiologist wanted to do a biopsy on this little blip (for $3000!!). When I arrived, the ultra sound technician couldn't find the blip and they figured it had disappeared. I got a second opinion; the technician hadn't had good skills, so it was still there, but then disappeared after many months. Her bad skills ended up saving me $3000, so I'm grateful!

Best wishes to you!

[Jennywren2953]

Thanks Nella, a good outcome for you😀