Biopsy Question

I know that you all will think I'm a real baby with  my question, especially after what you have endured.   However, I  want to know what would have helped you get through a stereotactic biopsy without a lot of discomfort.  They won't put me out.  I've read all the "medical" info on what they do, but I want words from those who have been through it.  I don't expect it to be comfortable since I won't be out, but I'm not into pain.  LOL

Thanks for taking time from all your problems for me.

Jacqueline 

On 12/8/2008 southerner15 wrote:

I know that you all will think I'm a real baby with  my question, especially after what you have endured.   However, I  want to know what would have helped you get through a stereotactic biopsy without a lot of discomfort.  They won't put me out.  I've read all the "medical" info on what they do, but I want words from those who have been through it.  I don't expect it to be comfortable since I won't be out, but I'm not into pain.  LOL

Thanks for taking time from all your problems for me.

Jacqueline 

Hi Jacqueline, I have had a stereotactic biopsy and, at least in my case, there was absolutely no pain involved.  You lay on your stomach, arms over your head, with your breast down through a hole in the table.  The table is then raised up, and the technicians are working beneath the table.  I didn't feel a thing.  The only pain involved for me was laying in that position for so long and getting up off of the table when it was finished.  It's much simpler than an excisional biopsy, where anesthesia and IV's are involved.  Go for it!  Unless you have arthritis, as I do, it's the way to go.  Good luck!

Carolyn 

Carolyn,

Thanks for your encouragement.  Yep, I have Mr. Arthritis as part of my life.  May have to pry me off the table.  LOL

Jacqueline 

Well it wasn't painless to me! They run a hollow needle  into my breast and extracted tissue from the lump,then shot a metal pellet into my breast,so that the surgeon could find the lump. All this while they had my breast mashed in a mamogram machine! I thought my breast would explode when they shot the metal pellet into it. They didn't give me nothing. Insist that they do something to ease the pain before hand; I wouldn't have another one!

I would just tell them to remove the breast! I am not telling you this to scare you but to warn you that you need something to ease the pain before having it done. I wish someone would have told me before I had it done then I could have told them,to either give me something or forget it.

Never again for me!!!

Hugs Shirley

On 12/8/2008 ShirleyM wrote:

Well it wasn't painless to me! They run a hollow needle  into my breast and extracted tissue from the lump,then shot a metal pellet into my breast,so that the surgeon could find the lump. All this while they had my breast mashed in a mamogram machine! I thought my breast would explode when they shot the metal pellet into it. They didn't give me nothing. Insist that they do something to ease the pain before hand; I wouldn't have another one!

I would just tell them to remove the breast! I am not telling you this to scare you but to warn you that you need something to ease the pain before having it done. I wish someone would have told me before I had it done then I could have told them,to either give me something or forget it.

Never again for me!!!

Hugs Shirley

Hi Shirley, pardon my saying so, but what you had doesn't sound like a stereotactic biopsy, but sounds like a core needle biopsy, which I also had.  That one stung a little.  Really, I can truly say that the stereotactic biopsy didn't hurt at all.  My back and shoulders were killing me while laying on my stomach with my breast down in the hole, but the actual procedure didn't hurt at all.  I remember telling the technicians that.

Best wishes,

Carolyn 

On 12/8/2008 Scrunch wrote:

 

On 12/8/2008 ShirleyM wrote:

Well it wasn't painless to me! They run a hollow needle  into my breast and extracted tissue from the lump,then shot a metal pellet into my breast,so that the surgeon could find the lump. All this while they had my breast mashed in a mamogram machine! I thought my breast would explode when they shot the metal pellet into it. They didn't give me nothing. Insist that they do something to ease the pain before hand; I wouldn't have another one!

I would just tell them to remove the breast! I am not telling you this to scare you but to warn you that you need something to ease the pain before having it done. I wish someone would have told me before I had it done then I could have told them,to either give me something or forget it.

Never again for me!!!

Hugs Shirley

Hi Shirley, pardon my saying so, but what you had doesn't sound like a stereotactic biopsy, but sounds like a core needle biopsy, which I also had.  That one stung a little.  Really, I can truly say that the stereotactic biopsy didn't hurt at all.  My back and shoulders were killing me while laying on my stomach with my breast down in the hole, but the actual procedure didn't hurt at all.  I remember telling the technicians that.

Best wishes,

Carolyn 

 

 

 

Yes you may be right about the type of biopsy,not sure what kind BUT too,  Like you I laid on that table and my arthritis was really hurting too. I must have been on there 2 hours or more.To have a long needle stuck in my breast and then the pellet shot in, was horrible. They didn't numb mine !

I had another procedure done with dye injected all around my nipple and that was just as painful and again they gave me nothing! I will be sure that they will not do that again.

My daughter-in-law had the biopsy with the hollow needle and they hurt her so bad, Jim said that she almost passed out when she came out of the room and he caught her! SOOO I know that it wasn't just me!

 Hugs Shirley

Hi Jacqueline,

You can take some extra-strength tylenol about 30 minutes before the biopsy - that will help.  You might also ask if the Dr will give you a prescription for several valium - you could take a dose the night before, and then one at the same time as the tylenol right before the biopsy.

Also, ask if they will be using local anesthesia - that will help too.

Practice imaging something pleasant in your mind, such as a warm and peaceful place (like a tropical beach with soothing waves splashing on shore) - then when you have your biopsy, send your mind to that place rather than focusing on what they are doing to your body.

Tre 

Hi Jacqueline,     Have you had your stereotactic biopsy yet?  I will be interested to know what you thought of it.  I certainly don't want anyone to think that, just because It didn't bother me at all (except for having to lay still on the table in an uncomfortable position), that others might find it painful.  That's just it; we all have different tolerances for pain.  I, however, didn't feel any pain from the procedure at all, so maybe I have a high tolerance for pain.  I can honestly say that it was the least painful biopsy that I have had so far.  Please let me know how it went.  I've been thinking about you going through this and how frightened you must be about the whole thing.  Many of us have been there and know exactly how you feel, so your're not alone in the feelings you are having.  Take care, and know that we're hoping for the best for you.

Carolyn

Carolyn,

Tomorrow is the day (Thurs).  I'll let you know what I think.  I'm going to take a hydrocodone tonight and tomorrow--not that it will do any good since I take it periodically for my shoulder and except for when I took two (script said one or two) and I ended up sitting at my desk with my eyes rolling around.  I had a conversation with self that went like this:  I need to go home, but I can't drive (still obviously rational though).  Ended up vomiting and then was okay and went home.  LOL  Never have taken two at the same time since.

The things we have to endure to make sure we are okay sometimes is not fun.

Get back with you later.

Jacqueline 

On 12/8/2008 southerner15 wrote:

I know that you all will think I'm a real baby with  my question, especially after what you have endured.   However, I  want to know what would have helped you get through a stereotactic biopsy without a lot of discomfort.  They won't put me out.  I've read all the "medical" info on what they do, but I want words from those who have been through it.  I don't expect it to be comfortable since I won't be out, but I'm not into pain.  LOL

Thanks for taking time from all your problems for me.

Jacqueline