Fibromyalgia and Biopsy pain

maggs3
maggs3 Member Posts: 27
edited February 2018 in Pain

Hi!

So, I"m having my biopsy on my breast on Tuesday. I work everyday through the pain at a desk job, but was wondering, has anyone found the pain from a biopsy intensified because of their Fibro? Did you take time off because of this? I don't get paid leave off because I'm part-time so I would have to figure something out. I have a high threshold for pain; however right now my breast hurts so can only imagine what it will feel like following the biopsy! Any thoughts will be helpful!

Comments

  • Starlo
    Starlo Member Posts: 6
    edited February 2018

    My Fibro pain is much better than it used to be (was managed with only excercise/endorphins before I started treatment for cancer), so I may have been in less pain than you to start with, but I worked (desk job) through the pain of both a needle biopsy and a vacuum biopsy - with the aid of Vicodin. Make sure you get the thin boob ice that slips in your bra - it really helps.

  • maggs3
    maggs3 Member Posts: 27
    edited February 2018

    Thank you! Do you mean thin ice bags that fit right into your bra? That could work. I’m sorry you had treatment for cancer 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

  • VLH
    VLH Member Posts: 1,258
    edited February 2018

    I didn't find my biopsy extremely painful and I've had fibromyalgia for over 25 years. Bring careful to protect your skin, the ice packs are helpful. I should note that I had an ultrasound guided core needle biopsy where I was lying on my side. I've heard other women talk about MRI guided biopsies where the table on which they must lie is very uncomfortable. I can see where that would be especially problematic for those of us with Fibromyalgia. I know this is a scary time for you and the chronic pain is an added challenge.


  • Veeder14
    Veeder14 Member Posts: 880
    edited February 2018

    yes, they gave me these small, circular, flat ice packs. They worked great. You can re freeze them and use again if you need to.

  • maggs3
    maggs3 Member Posts: 27
    edited February 2018

    Thanks, should I mention my Fibro pain at the time of the biopsy? Just so happens that I've been in a major flare up and had to cancel my injections because they fell on the same day as the biopsy, didn't think I was up to both in one day!! I like the sounds of the small, circular flat ice little things, they sound perfect!

    You guys are great! So glad I found this site!! HUGS to you all, one more night and it's Tuesday! Can't get here fast enough!!

  • VLH
    VLH Member Posts: 1,258
    edited February 2018

    It can't hurt to mention the Fibromyalgia. It wouldn't help at work since you don't want to drive with pain meds on board, but perhaps the doctor ordering the test could prescribe a few strong pain pills for the evenings? I found them helpful after breast reduction surgery.

    Lyn

  • couragement
    couragement Member Posts: 114
    edited February 2018

    Hi. Any chance you have Ativan or Valium available? I have fibro and was in flares for several of my 6 biopsies. Having something to keep my nerves calm was helpful in not tensing more than was necessary during the procedures. I did not flare from a few procedures but I also took something for pain immediately afterwards to help (even though the pain was not too strong... just front loading to be cautious). I would have taken a pain killer before, but I was warned against it due to increasing bleeding. Keep up the icing and go slowly and gently with yourself, as you would for anything that could flare you. I never needed to take time off from the pain of biopsies as it was a very different pain than fibro. Knowing how to cope with pain due to having fibro was actually a big help for me, even though I was terrified of more pain. Interestingly throughout all my treatment I did not flare much at all. Also, I would definitely let them know your pain history. Let them do everything they can to be of help and have all the info they need to be kind and gentle. Best of luck tomorrow. We will be thinking of you.

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