confused after 2 biopsies why im in pain

zupda

i underwent first biopsy a left stereotatic core after the mammogram showed micro calcifications. few weeks later had vacuum assisted biopsy 29 April. thankfully was benign. however remained very sore after biopsy and gp thought I had abscess or nerve dmage and prescribed antibiotics.

referred back tot he hospital who gave me ultra sound scan and said the breast was painful due to a cystic solid area consistent with bruising from previous VAB biopsy and no lesions.

three months after the biopsy and the pain is still there and my breast feels very heavy as if there is a constant weight inside and throbs sometimes the pain in the nipple is so overwhelming I have to stop and zone out. sometimes the pain comes from nowehere. I was advised by the hospital to initially wear a sports bra for support but this made it worse as if my breast was in a clamp. i am due t go back in a week for a follow up what should i be asking or saying any advice much appreciated. i am grateful that everything was benign and feel bit pathetic complaining about this

Ariom

Don't be feeling pathetic, pain is pain. Have you tried heat or cold compresses, or massage?

I have read of others having extended pain or discomfort after having biopsies. When you think about it, it is a reasonably invasive procedure, quite able to cause damage to nerves in its path and also causing scar tissue. I had a dull ache after my Stereotactic biopsy, but I had a Mx a month later so I don't know if it would have continued if I hadn't had that surgery.

It's a good thing that you are going back next week. You can tell them exactly what has been happening. If it were me, I'd write it down so you can tell them exactly what is going on. It may just be that it is taking a while for the internal pathway the instruments took, to heal. Nevertheless, asking your Doctor to take a look at it is the best thing to do.

Take it easy, I hope it is resolved for you!

zupda

thank you for your kind response I went along tot he consultant who said that it could be that a small tear was made during the biopsy( but at least it was not cancer). I am so grateful that my biopsy was benign but felt this was inappropriate to say anyway she gave me a letter for my GP for medication to be prescribed for nerve damage and pain. she suggested that I take them for six weeks till my next check up. if I didn't like taking the tablets I was not to stop taking them abruptly but to ease off them. alarm bells went off as I asked her if they where addictive she said that they are not as addictive as some that she could prescribe. this scares me I am waiting to see what the tablets actually are. does nayone know if this will clear up of its own accord or can it go worse the pain is quite overwhelming . thank you

 

Ariom

Zupda, I am sorry you are still experiencing the pain. I am exactly like you and don't want to take any drugs if I can possibly avoid them, but there are times when medication is required if you are really suffering.

The nerve pain is something that most women here understand, it is very common after most of the breast surgeries that we have. As I mentioned above,massage can be a help, that's the main thing I did for my nerve pain after my Mx and then for the revision I had.

It is early days for you, certainly many of these nerve issues clear up on their own, but some can be longer lasting. I would suggest you play it by ear, if it is continuous and it is spoiling your daily life, you may need to medicate for it, but if it is bearable, you may find it just runs its own course and disappears.  

I do hope you get some relief soon!