Pain After Core Needle Biopsy..?!

Momto3Teens

I had a CNB on Wednesday 4/4 (I posted my story in another thread yesterday, but it won't let me post the link). How much pain is normal four days later? Generally speaking, I have a pretty high pain tolerance. But I just tried to really touch it for the first time since the procedure, and it actually made me nauseous it hurt so much. I have a good sized circular bruise from the procedure that is about 3 inches wide by 3 inches tall, but it hurts like heck even beyond the bruising, no matter where I try to press on it. Is this normal?!

Kirstin

Ingerp

Not sure I have much to offer other than one biopsy Ihad about nine years ago was about the most painful thing I’ve had throughout my journey. I think it had something to do with the fact that it was on the bottom of my breast—I think all of the weight being on it made it painful. Lying down helped. Are you taking any OTC pain meds? Also I’d leave it alone if I were you. No reason to be poking it.

Right before my last biopsy my BS said, “Sorry—I can tell by where I have to go that this is going to bruise pretty badly.” My guess is your biopsy was in an area with a lot of blood vessels.

You do need to watch for signs of infection but other than that these things heal in their own time.

Momto3Teens

I've been taking Tylenol. I was only poking it because the nurse told me to watch for hematomas, and it's so blasted sore. In my case, they biopsied two spots; he used the same incision for both, but he really had to yank on me to get to the second spot. It felt like he took my breast into the other room and jumped up and down on it to get that second biopsy. He said it would likely bruise pretty bad. I just didn't think it would be this sore still. I will leave it alone. Thank you for responding!!!

MelissaDallas

Momto3, if you keep all your questions in the first thread you started you won't have to link or re-explain. It "bunps" your thread up when you add a new post to the thread. That way you also don't end up having to update multiple threads as you get results or things change.

I'm sorry you are still so uncomfortable. Are you still using ice packs? If it has bee a few days you might try heat too

Momto3Teens

Thank you, I didn't realize that.

I've used the ice pack they gave me faithfully since Wednesday. Probably a good thing I did, otherwise it might be even worse? They said I could shower, but it hurts even for the water to touch it. I explained in my original thread that I was having pain prior to the biopsy, so I'm guessing the biopsy just aggravated whatever was causing the pain prior. Maybe if I hadn't already been having pain, it wouldn't hurt like this post-biopsy? I don't know. I hurt worse all day after the 2nd mammo and US last Monday.

Momto3Teens

Ack, now I don't know if I should post here or in my original thread.

MelissaDallas

Try a heating pad. Usually on injuries you ice first, then switch to heat.

Go back to your first one. It helps people answer you thoughtfully when they understand the entirety of what is going on with you in context. You could copy & paste your first post in this thread into your other one, and then note in this one that you will be updating the other thread from now on.

Momto3Teens

Melissa, thank you! I will do that!

Momto3Teens

Okay, I posted this question in my original thread and will update there from now on! Thank you, everyone!