Should I take xanax before my biopsy?

I take Ativan before some of my tests and it really helps. If you want to take something call your doc and discuss. You can't drive yourself home safely on the doses they give for things like this.

I was not given enough lidocaine, and had horrible pain, to the point where I was screaming during the procedure. Anti-anxiety med would not have helped me. What I needed was better pain management. Since that time and during similar procedures, such as when I had the clip put in day before surgery, I went out of my way to emphasize how painful my biopsy had been. They made sure I didn't feel a thing. I have been told that this kind of pain is not the norm, though, and most doctors are careful to use enough pain killers during biopsies. Nevertheless, its important to let them know your concerns.

I would ABSOLUTELY take the xanax or ativan or whatever and have someone go with you to the biopsy. I don't want to scare you, but mine was a nightmare. Don't try to brave it. It might be a piece of cake, and if so, no harm done. You might talk to the radiology center and ask them to pre-medicate you. Many of them have protocols in place, but don't routinely let you know up front. Read about people's experiences with biopsy. What you might not know (sorry if you already know)--they put you on a very uncomfortable table with your head turned sharply to the side, and your breast hanging down in a hole through the table. The mammogram is under the table, and they raise you up and work under you like they're changing oil in a car. The dignity part was hard for me to take (which I didn't expect at all!). You have to stay still in that very uncomfortable position for at least an hour. Then, they actually shoot the needle into your breast with this gun, and it makes a noise and is really weird. All in all, I'll never do it again without premedication, and I've never taken a valium, xanax, ativan, or anything in my life.

I would also like to comment on the advice to make sure they give you enough pain medication--and I completely agree! However, because of the very small size of the lesion they could see on MRI (their "target" as it were), they had to use minimal pain meds on me so they could be accurate in their biopsy collection, so they can't always adequately treat the pain. Again, if I'm ever faced with a similar situation, I'm going to insist on a surgical biopsy with conscious sedation. I'll never again let them do it the way they did.

I had dense A cup sized. I had 2 biopsies, the first one with Xanax, and the second one without. The first one went so well that I didn't think I needed it for the second. The second one was by far much worse. Although I don't actually know, I suspect one reason the first one went so well as compared to the second was because the Xanax helped me chill out. I still have one breast left, and if I ever need it biopsied again, I will ask for Xanax. I think everyone is different, and it may or may not help you, but it did with me.

I've had a few stereotactic biopsies, but i don't member having terrible pain. If you think you might need some Xanax or Ativan, ask your doctor for a prescription NOW, so you can try it out at home first. Anti-anxiety meds make most people more relaxed, even drowsy, but a few will experience the opposite effect--agitation, increased anxiety. You'd want to know how your body reacts BEFORE your test.

Also, plan to take your pill AFTER you sign your consents. They may have to cancel your test if they perceive that your consent was given while you were under the influence. I took a Xanax immediately after i signed. It works pretty quickly. By the time i got undressed, got a gown on, got into the room, and got positioned exactly right the Xanax had kicked in. They numbed my breast very well, so the only real pain i felt was the initial shot (very small needle, btw.) There is a lot of clicking and some pressure that goes along with the test, but if you have pain speak up right away so they can give you more lidocaine.

hoppypoprocks, you should NOT take Ibuprofen prior to the biopsy. Much like aspirin, it can cause excess bleeding. No aspirin or nsaids or blood thinners.

Sounds like you're all set. Good luck!