Hi Ladies As most of you know I have done the chemo, radio and herceptin and have to go for yet another biopsy. Gee where is my head? My visit to the surgeon is tomorrow at ten to four EST, not the 7th as I had foolishly implanted into my otherwise confused noggin. Can any one tell me what a 'needle biopsy' is like, that is on a scale of one to three 1: Uncomfortable 2: Very Uncomfortable 3: Do I need a large shot of a strong substance such as Scotch because it will be 'not-at-all-nice' and teeth gritting? (NOT that I would do that! The last thing I want to do is roll up staggering and pointing a finger into the chest of my surgeon and blubbering "Let's get it on dude!"...... Please let me know, x x x

Is it a fine needle biopsy? If it's that then you won't need any preparation fluids. I had that the first time - my surgeon just jabbed me a few times with a very fine needle into the sus area to withdraw some blood.It was similar to having blood taken. Now if you are having a core biopsy,it's a MUCH bigger needle -it feels like being hit with a nail gun.However,my doc was terrific and it wasn't too bad at all - think I had abit of local beforehand.Ring and find out which one Josie cos if it's the core one then definitely some panadol or grog before AND after! luv Tonya xx p.s will email soon.

Good morning Josie, I had both a fine needle biopsy very close to the nipple and a core biopsy on the side of my breast on the same day. Neither were too painful, and I think I managed because the staff were shockingly bad jokesters and I laughed at their silliness and cried for fear for myself during tha whole thing. I anticipated feeling great pain with both procedures but it was really not too bad. Best of luck with your procedures, and I guess I'm grateful that we have such skilled staff and great first world technology in Australia to help us manage what we are going through.

Don't worry yourself too much - in most cases it isn't too bad. My Doctor in Radiology gave me a local anaesthetic shot, then took 3 core biopsies a few minutes later. It honestly wasn't bad - a bit like a rubber band flick - and they told me when it was coming (so I could pinch my thumb with a fingernail.) My thumb hurt more than the core biopsy did! (It works for me!) Good luck and let us know how you go. Thinking of you, Michelle x

Hi Jose, I had a core biopsy and I don't remember it being paticularly painful (although mine wasn't close to the nipple). I find with most of these medical procedures that often the anticipation beforehand is much worse than the actual event. I hope that is the case for you. But why not have a couple of wines just in case :) Good luck Jose. I hope the results are good. Janet.

Hi Josie I've had core biopsy recently and it didn't hurt, they give youa local first so it is nice and numb. Just makes a bang like a nail gun (well, not so loud). They took 3 cores with me, I think that's normal. The fine needle biopsy was more uncomfortable because no local anaesthetic, but still not unbearable. As others have said, the anticipation is far worse than the actual procedure! Best of luck Mary

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11 Replies

JJoy
Member
13 years ago
Yep, I will do the Panadol thing I think - but my oncologist who is really pedantic might end up bringing it forward, I know what he's like - a real stikler for perfection! I will let you know when I see him on the 20th x x x Josie
JJoy
Member
13 years ago
Yep, I will do the Panadol thing I think - but my oncologist who is really pedantic might end up bringing it forward, I know what he's like - a real stikler for perfection! I will let you know when I see him on the 20th x x x Josie
pisces_tas
Member
13 years ago
Josie,

So, you will be waiting until January now, for a biopsy?

I had a fine needle. and/ or core biopsy.. twice, I think I remember. I took a couple of panadol before the procedure. They give you a local , and I just kept saying..to myself.." Well, I hope they get what they want and need, to work out what it is." It was not too bad, and recovered ok.

Love Kathy. ooxx
JJoy
Member
13 years ago
Check out the blog 'Phew'..................and I am still grinning! Thank you lovely ladies! x x x
JJoy
Member
13 years ago
OK ladies this is it = thanks to your amazing response I feel a bit better now (just read all these) and am heading up to the surgery. Honestly your replies helped a lot - ok, will get back to you when I get back home, x x x x x Josie
Anonymous
13 years ago
Hi Josie,

A little late in wishing you luck but sending my thoughts with you and I hope all went well with the surgeon today.

Cheers, Daina
Mary993
Member
13 years ago
Hi Josie I've had core biopsy recently and it didn't hurt, they give youa local first so it is nice and numb. Just makes a bang like a nail gun (well, not so loud). They took 3 cores with me, I think that's normal. The fine needle biopsy was more uncomfortable because no local anaesthetic, but still not unbearable. As others have said, the anticipation is far worse than the actual procedure! Best of luck Mary
Janet_Plummer
Member
13 years ago
Hi Jose, I had a core biopsy and I don't remember it being paticularly painful (although mine wasn't close to the nipple). I find with most of these medical procedures that often the anticipation beforehand is much worse than the actual event. I hope that is the case for you. But why not have a couple of wines just in case :) Good luck Jose. I hope the results are good. Janet.
Michelle_R
Member
13 years ago
Don't worry yourself too much - in most cases it isn't too bad. My Doctor in Radiology gave me a local anaesthetic shot, then took 3 core biopsies a few minutes later. It honestly wasn't bad - a bit like a rubber band flick - and they told me when it was coming (so I could pinch my thumb with a fingernail.) My thumb hurt more than the core biopsy did! (It works for me!) Good luck and let us know how you go. Thinking of you, Michelle x
bmc
Member
13 years ago
Good morning Josie,

I had both a fine needle biopsy very close to the nipple and a core biopsy on the side of my breast on the same day. Neither were too painful, and I think I managed because the staff were shockingly bad jokesters and I laughed at their silliness and cried for fear for myself during tha whole thing. I anticipated feeling great pain with both procedures but it was really not too bad. Best of luck with your procedures, and I guess I'm grateful that we have such skilled staff and great first world technology in Australia to help us manage what we are going through.