US needle core biopsy

lizziew, if the lidocaine injection is slow, it numbs the area in advance of the needle and can be fairly painless. The whole process should be fairly quick. You could numb the skin area with a lidocaine patch in advance or ask the practitioner to to numb the surface before the draw. I hope it's benign and painless.

Thank you for replying to my post. I know I am being a big baby, but I have never had a biopsy before. I had uterine cancer years ago, and to confirm diagnosis, they wanted to do a biopsy. My niece had it done, and she said it was excruciating. I told my doctor, to do an ultrasound. That was highly suspicious for cancer, so I had the hysterectomy. I saved myself an unnecessary step, an extremely painful one at that.
I will message my doctor on Monday, and ask if I can just be on active surveillance for a while.
I just don’t understand why they haven’t come up sedation for this procedure.

@lizziew I may be one of the ones that said the lidocaine was the worst of it. I too am afraid of needles! I can never look! I don’t look when i have blood draws or vaccines. I was so afraid of the procedure that i lost sleep and just kept turning it over and over in my head.

I had heard a few horror stories before my biopsy and I told the radiologist i was afraid. She was very helpful.
I did not see the needle at all. She told me what she was doing - which was helpful to me. She took it very slow, doing the lidocaine very slow, so the area she was working on was numb before she moved.

I found out i was hearing horror stories about different kinds of biopsies. There are different types, different needles, procedures, and location, location, location. If you hear a horror story, try to find out details, because it may not apply at all to your procedure.

Thank you for replying.
I am such a scaredy-cat that I just cancelled the procedure online.
I had just finished doing further reading, and the research says that almost all Microcysts, circumscribed, and oval shaped are benign. Don’t want to undergo a painful procedure if, in all likelihood, the mass is benign.
I will message my PCP ON Monday, and talk with her. If she can prescribe a heavy duty Valium and strong lidocaine patch or creme, I will reconsider the procedure. [That core needle is huge!!)I just want another doctor’s take on my ultrasound and mammogram result.

For me, it was similar to getting a shot in the arm. I just felt a tiny sting for a couple of seconds. Not a big deal.

Hello

I can imagine that any procedure is anxiety provoking and especially a biopsy when you have fear about pain.

Ask to speak with a MSW or a MD or RN MS Pain Specialist and they should arrange for lidocaine and possibly MSW therapeutic support for your pain concerns.

However, cancelling a biopsy without a second opinion from another MD dues not seem like a good option. PLEASE schedule a second opinion. Cells may be pre- cancerous or cancer and the biopsy would determine surgery or treatment.

The local pain treatment ( injection or numbing) is very quick and should be effective.

I hope this is helpful. Again, PLEASE schedule a Second Opinion about the biopsy. Cancelling the biopsy does not seem like a good option.

Best

Susan

Hi
Your pain concerns should be taken seriously. I can imagine how the fear of pain is a very difficult experience.

I believe the local injection needle for pain is small.

Please ask for the PAIN team and they should be helpful in supporting you.

Cancelling a biopsy without a Second Opinion is not a good option.

Best

Susan

@jmab I’m so glad your biopsy experience was not a terrible one. I know I’m being a big baby, but I am just so nervous.

Thank you for sharing you experience with me.

@smith777

Thank you for your reply, Susan.
I am going to message my PCP tomorrow and ask her for her opinion on my mammogram/US results. See if she agrees with the recommendation, or if I am good to go on active surveillance for a few months.

The needle biopsy is uncomfortable and painful for some. I think a lot of these procedures can be done with a little TLC. I had an MRI with a needle biopsy and the bead placed. There was nothing to make your lying on your tummy comfortable at all. Not to move for almost an hour or more with that metal bar pressing on your chest. Your breasts are in metal baskets.
I've addressed this situation a few times. The results are extremely important for a proper diagnosis. I'm certain a mild sedative would alleviate fear, discomfort and pain.
Does anyone care enough to help? Why the torture? Hearing that you may be embarking on a cancer journey is scary enough. AND don't think yourselves babies, not tough enough,etc. You're human beings not a science project!!!