To ease the pain during your mammogram, apply over-the-counter lidocaine on breasts before the exam. It works better than aspirin or any other pain reliever.
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If a mammogram hurts THAT badly, it's time to go to a new X-ray lab. I've got fibromyalgia, and I've only had some residual aches and pains after a mammogram.
The others who commented about not using lotions, and being cautious about lidocaine toxicity are correct. Between hurting your breasts badly enough to need an anesthetic, and the fact that they did a mammo on you after you had used a cream/gel on your skin tells me that this is a lab that leaves a lot to be desired.
If they can't get that much right, imagine how bad of a job they'll do in reading and interpreting your mammo....
Get thee to another lab, and fast!
I hate to be a spoil sport, but I was told not to use lotions before mammograms, because sometimes you would have to have more and more images made! My advice is to just grin and "bare" it!
How far in advance do you apply the lidocaine? I have always been told not to use any lotion, deodorant, or powder when going for a mammogram.
yes the lotions can distort the film somehow
You had better be very careful doing this, there have been deaths associated with using lidocaine, the victims never suspected a thing, and they did so because of advice like this. Google lidocaine toxicity and make an informed decision before doing this. Lidocaine was not meant to be used on large portions of the body.
This information was given by Science Today. One hour prior to mammogram you apply lidocaine. When you arrive you wash lidocaine off. Look at Science Today website for more information.
IN response to the Science journal article, read below to see what the FDA advises.
February 6, 2007 FDA is issuing this advisory to alert you to the potential hazards of using skin numbing products, also known as topical anesthetics, for cosmetic procedures. These topical anesthetics contain anesthetic drugs such as lidocaine, tetracaine, benzocaine, and prilocaine in a cream, ointment, or gel. Topical anesthetics are widely used to numb the skin for medical and cosmetic procedures, and to relieve pain and burning and itching due to a variety of medical conditions.
FDA has approved many products for these uses. Some must be prescribed by a doctor; others may be purchased without a prescription. Applying topical anesthetics for a medical procedure is usually done in a doctor's office by a trained medical professional. However, FDA is aware that use of these products before a cosmetic procedure may not be supervised by trained health professionals. Without this supervision, a patient may apply large amounts of topical anesthetics to their skin. This application can result in high levels of these products in the blood causing life-threatening side effects, such as an irregular heartbeat, seizures, and death.
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