Healing time after biopsy...before next biopsy

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englisht
englisht Member Posts: 2
edited August 2017 in Waiting for Test Results

2 calcifications seen on mammogram. An ultrasound and biopsies for the calcifications in each breast were performed on 7/26, should get results tuesday/wednesday. They didn't tell me what type of biopsy, but I was face down on the table with breasts sticking through a hole, and got local injection, then biopsy and then clip inserted. The ultrasound that was done an hour before these biopsies found a 6 mm solid mass that had grown from 4mm 2 years ago. The attending doctor wanted to biopsy that mass on same day, but there was no time slot available, so only the calcifications were biopsied. Now my breasts are tender/sore and hospital is going to call to schedule this solid mass biopsy.

QUESTION: how long did your breasts feel sore after biopsy? It seems unpleasant for me to get yet another biopsy while I am still sore, but I have to plan ahead and nab an appointment slot. Wish they could just do it all under light anesthesia! Thank you.

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  • slimslug
    slimslug Member Posts: 16
    edited July 2017

    I didn't have too much problem with my US core biopsy -- had it just before I headed out of the country, so used those ice paks that you break and they get cold, used them all night on the plane -- but THursday I had an MRI-guided biopsy that left me with a huge bruise that is at least 4 inches long by 2 inches wide and very dark purple, in addition to the entry site and a another blob or two. Pretty disgusting, but...I'm sure they didn't TRY to hit a blood vessel. As a matter of fact, I heard them talking with regret about how I was already bleeding while they were doing the biopsy, and it sounded pretty unusual in their minds. Oh well. Two days post, I hardly feel it, although it looks absolutely terrible. I would suggest you be diligent with the ice paks and with keeping whatever compression you are using. They put a wide ACE bandage on me before I left the imaging center, and I kept it on (obviously redoing it when needed) for 48 hours.

    I confess, I get claustrophobic, so I needed Xanax because of the MRI. Sadly, it leaves me feeling drugged for a couple of days afterwards.

    Good luck!

  • jjAriz
    jjAriz Member Posts: 28
    edited July 2017

    I think I'd prefer to undergo a 2nd biopsy immediately because the most uncomfortable part is the recovery. That would fold two recoveries into one. The biopsy itself doesn't hurt because of the Lidocaine.

    Blessings,

    Jamie

  • englisht
    englisht Member Posts: 2
    edited July 2017

    Thank you for your response. I appreciate your courage in going into an MRI! I'm okay with that -- I just close my eyes and I'm fine. Hope you never have to do that again. :)

  • slimslug
    slimslug Member Posts: 16
    edited August 2017

    Soreness post MRI guided-biopsy: it's been long enough that the really large bruise has mostly faded. But over the last two days, the site where the needle entered has gotten sore and there is a hard lump around it. Anyone have this? It is definitely sore if I press it, but it also is sore enough to get my attention when I'm not touching it at all, just moving in a normal way or even simply sitting around. I don't know if I should go back to using ice -- or maybe heat? Massage it, don't touch it? It isn't particularly hot or red, just sore and lumpy. I'll probably call the doctor tomorrow, but wondered if anyone else has had this.

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