Does an MRI core biopsy hurt?

I didn't have any pain meds. I wish I had. I won't lie. That hurt like a SOB. And I've done a lot in my life. But you need to take a few things into account. My lump was on the chest wall and it was almost on my side so they had to really yank the skin. But even with all that, I was perfectly fine the second they stopped. It will hurt but you will be ok

Melissadallas....never heard of not being able to take a little something! Who cares if you can't drive and have to take someone with you. That's the worse excuse I ever heard of. I took something and it really took the edge off. Maybe your PCP would prescribe something. Good luck

I am always bothered by how many people I see here urging others to try to get their doctors to give them potentially addicting drugs to cope with the brief anxiety of waiting on a biopsy for a most-likely benign condition. The vast majority of women come back and say the biopsy itself turned out to be no big deal and the vast majority of the biopsy results come back benign. We should be reassuring them and trying to help them put the process in perspective. I personally saw no point in getting someone to spend hours sitting in a waiting room while I had a procedure that is little more invasive than a blood draw

Honestly for me it was by far the most painful experience I've ever had, so much that I fainted during the procedure and it took me 45mins to come round. But it wasn't because of the contrast agent but because the lump was deep in the breast, the lidocaine local anesthetic didn't work and I could feel absolutely everything. I'm not saying that to scare you but more to recommend a couple of things to avoid what I went through. Don't let them put earplugs in you. I couldn't hear what they were saying so I couldn't communicate with them when I was in trouble. When they do the biopsy part, they take a number of samples. Ask them to stop immediately if you feel any pain, and inject some more lidocaine before they continue. They will explain the procedure before they start, and you can ask them what to do if you feel pain (but don't try to move because they use the MRI to locate the lump, so you need to stay still so they get the right place). For me even a strong painkiller wouldn't have helped because the pain was so sudden and strong. And once it's over your breast will be bruised but it doesn't hurt. Sedation on the other hand, I would welcome if I had to do it again just because my last one was so terrifying, but for the majority of people that's not the case.

Hi cuddly,

I had an ultrasound assisted core biopsy. It ended up being a double biopsy as they found a second area. The first was uncomfortable, but not painful. The second was close to my chest wall and very small. That one hurt pretty badly. They gave more local to numb it, which helped. I guess it depends on where it is, and each persons situation is different. I hope you don't feel much or any pain!

The dye is simple contrast, the same as they use for the original MRI. It's not radioactive.

MRI biopsies are a bit harder than ultrasound ones because you're lying face down and strapped in so you can't see what's happening around you. When I subsequently asked my imaging center about taking anti anxiety meds before biopsies, they said it was fine and encouraged it.