I have a strong family history of Breast Cancer, my mother and both her sisters had premenopausal breast cancer. Doctors are recommending my sisters and I get early mammograms done to establish a baseline. I am only 33 years old so my breasts are still too dense to get a quality image and I know they are going to want an ultrasound and/or MRI anyway. My question is how likely is it that my CRPS will spread as a result of the mammogram? I am trying to decide if it is worth the risk or if I should just ask for an US or MRI instead. I already take Vit C daily. I welcome any advice and thank you in advance.

Great question....as we all know most of us respond very differently even though we have the same monster inside us....would you believe the MRI was what helped spread my CRPS....you have to continue to way your pros and cons; know we are here for whatever you decide....

I had no idea an MRI could cause it to spread. My mother and one sister had breast cancer so I have been getting breast MRIs for 4 years.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Maybe mine was going to spread? Dunno, but I do know that after having to be still for two hours for the MRI, my CRPS spread like wild fire.....

When I had an MRI when my nerve injury was fresh it was distinctly uncomfortable at the injury and really jazzed things up all around for a few days. I know they aren't supposed to be painful but....we're special.

I had a Mammogram when I turned 30 and another this year at age 32 and there was no discomfort. The most recent one I had done the first day of my period when my breasts are most tender and it was fine, but my RSD is in my leg. If yours is shoulder, I would guess that's a little close for comfort?

For both of them, they didn't see anything, but I'm glad we have a baseline. I have a lump that is about an inch and a half diameter and they FINALLY saw it on US this time around. I don't THINK they saw it on the Mammogram. I know they didn't see it on either the first time around, but everyone could feel it, so I don't know how useful the tests are. You'll want it just to watch the changes in your breasts.

Hi NurseKris, IMO go get your mamo, MRI and any other test they suggest you have and don't worry about spread.. really. I've had CRPS for 11 years and I've dealt with spread, but never from any of these types or procedures and I've had my fair share of them. Like you I have a strong history of breast cancer in my family. My mother passed with it, and other direct family members. I started testing early in my life too. Baselines are ALWAYS a good idea, but your right that if you have dense tissue you will likely be ask, at some point anyway, to have an MRI with contrast, and with your first MRI they do not have a baseline so don't be freaked out if the think they see something (false positive) and call you in for an ultrasound. Time of month with your cycle and doing the MRI is SO important as not to create a false positive. Follow instructions to the T.

As for me, I decided I wanted to know if I have the gene. So this year I did the BRACA test. It was negative (thankfully) but my risks are still high. BTW, insurance will pay for most if not all of the BRACA testing for gals like us. They figure it's cheaper in the long run. I wanted to know because I wanted to be pro rather than re-active. I would like to try and avoid fighting cancer AND CRPS.. ugh!

I hope that helps.

Thank you so much for your reply. My mother and one of my aunts tested negative for the BRACA gene (the other aunt didn't get it done). My older sister had a small mass show up and after biopsied was ruled to be a fibrous cyst. Her physician recommended a different test that is done for multiple genes however, I cannot remember the name of it right now.

It helps to have the opinion of someone who is both at an increased risk for breast cancer and has CRPS.

The benefit of having a mammogram given your history far outweighs the risks of a CRPS spread from a mammogram.

I have CRPS in my right arm from fingertips to my ear. I found my most recent mammogram slightly more uncomfortable than pre-CRPS, but it was brief and manageable. My suggestions would be to schedule your mammo for mid-cycle and when your CRPS is not in a flare. For me I had to reschedule my appointment once because I woke up that day in a terrible flare. When I had the mammo a few weeks later I was having an average pain day and I had no issues.

I'm not sure where your CRPS is located, but there is another option. I'm never having another mammogram again. I know breast health is so very important & don't get me wrong, it's at the TOP of my list, but mammograms only tell you something is wrong after a lump has formed. We've been taught that this is the standard in care.

A thermography can detect a tumor forming. Forming! If you think about it, a tumor needs additional blood supply to form. A thermography detects abnormalities I blood flow. I'm not a doctor, so I'm explaining in laymen's terms, sorry. BUT, I've been reading & researching a lot about it lately. It's completely non invasive. Didn't hurt a bit, in fact, you may have had it done for your crps (I know I did & it was fascinating). It shows minute differences in temperature. Studies have shown that tumors start forming up to 10 years prior to being detectable in a mammogram.... 10 years! Yet, at that stage, they can be detected in a thermography. Utterly fascinating. I'm not saying to "brainwash" you, but just to let you know there is another option, imo, a better option without any risk. Here's a good article about: