Scared of Ultrasound Guided Breast Biopsy

Hi there. I understand. I had a core biopsy and it can create anxiety.

The staff will make sure you are feeling okay before they start, and I believe you can be sedated, but that means you will need to have someone with you to drive and watch you afterwards.

What happened to me: the technician explained the procedure, I lay on the bed and she found the area to biopsy. The radiologist came in and gave me a local anaesthetic and made sure I couldn't feel any pain at all before they started. Using the ultrasound they took two samples (but they can take more). With a core biopsy, it just sounds like a click when they take the sample and you will feel some pulling. Afterwards they cleaned me up (I'm a good bleeder) and let me go home. The whole thing probably took half an hour. I had some minor pain afterwards and couldn't shower and remove the dressing until the following day. I had my results after about a week.

Best of luck to you!

All of the shared comments are accurate.

I’m not afraid of needles, and thanks to the topical anesthetic I didn’t feel anything. As it started I asked if I could watch the monitor, and even when I saw the needle going in, I could not feel anything that I saw happening. The “click” was my only other clue that anything was happening. I had five different areas biopsied, took about an hour. The doctor and the technican were most professional. They made no “editorial” comments and would just confirm as they moved from one area to another. They would frequently ask if I were ok, etc., so I felt comfortable with them.

I received a phone call a couple of days later, quickly followed by a written copy of the report. So I had time to read it and note questions I wanted to ask the surgeon.

Looking back at it, the waiting time for the procedure was the most anxiety-producing, because time went by between making the appointment and the procedure day itself.

If it helps, have someone you trust go with you for the ride home. This way, if you need a sedative, you’ve brought your driver. Even if you don’t need a driver, just sharing your thoughts in the car on the way home is helpful.

Know that everyone here has likely experienced it. We’re supporting you.

Mine was difficult. When he took the tissue samples, just a snip and a pinch. However, the local anesthetic injections were so painful that I yodeled. That tissue was exquisitely sensitive, in a bad way.

My first core biopsy hurt quite a bit so when I needed a sterotactic recently I complained a lot before to my lovely doctor who promised not to hurt me and said if I feel ANY pain at all to let her know and she would give me more numbing. Apart from a tiny prick for the numbing it was completely painless, just a little pressure, with hardly any bruising at all. I went window shopping afterwards, no carrying of anything more than 5 pounds, then caught the train home. Would definitely recommend something for anxiety beforehand if you feel you need it and best of luck. This is such a great place for support..