stereotactic biopsy

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stressedmich123
stressedmich123 Member Posts: 5
edited January 2019 in Waiting for Test Results

hi all,

i just wanted to know as anybody had a stereotactic biopsy under sedation or general anesthetic. I went to have my biopsy a few weeks ago i could not tolerate the pain of the clamping of the breast while having mammogram as they do not numb the breast until about 20 mins in(the nurse told me as have to get pictures ect) also i had to lie on the edge of a hard rock table nearly hanging off i have scoliosis chronic pain all over my body and i also have ehlers danlos syndrome a connective tissue disease. when i went to see the consultant after the biopsy appointment he told me there is no alternative they do not sedate for this procedure they only can mammogram in a years time but the problem is i have intermidate calcifications which he said there is no way of telling if cancerous or not unless i have this biopsy. i am scheduled in for next week to try again but i cant see me doing it so just wondered if any of you have had it done a different way also if you are disabled did they offer you any alternatives and how did you get on? would be grateful for any replies worried sick

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  • Rosie24
    Rosie24 Member Posts: 1,046
    edited January 2019

    My stereotactic was done with me sitting on a cushioned office type of chair and they wheeled me up to the mammogram machine. I had just finished 2 biopsies with ultrasound and needed a third with mammogram as it wasn’t detectable on ultrasound. The first two were kind of rough/stressful because I needed heavy compression (due to bleeding) which was no fun. The nurse asked if I was ok to stand up for last one and I said not really so they had me sit in a chair. For me the machine compression was maybe 15 min total but with repositioning in between. Thankfully this one didnt bleed so just steri strips and big plastic covering. I’m not disabled but the whole three biopsy procedure was almost 3 hours total and I would no way have made it without that chair. Before the start of it all I did say to my husband that I wished I could sleep through it all. I don’t know if if sitting would be helpful to you but maybe you could ask if it’s an option. (Btw I was given a pamphlet about core biopsies and there was a picture of the table I think you’re referring to, but my location didn’t seem to use the table.). Good luck, I hope hope you can find a way to get through the biopsy.

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  • elindy
    elindy Member Posts: 25
    edited January 2019

    I also just had a stereotactic biopsy sitting in a chair, so much better than the hard table. They lock the chair in place after they get you positioned and compressedin the machine. I was given a shot first to numb the breast. The compression lasted about 30 minutes, and I was relieved the whole procedure was not as bad I thought it would be.

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  • stressedmich123
    stressedmich123 Member Posts: 5
    edited January 2019

    hi elindy,

    i did ask for a chair before the biopsy was scheduled but the nurse told me because they have to go in underneath the breast i would have to lay on the table but i will ring and ask again,when you say you were given a shot first to numb the breast was that at the beginning before you was compressed? as they told me they cant numb me until about after 20 mins of being compressed as have to take pictures ect are you in the uk?

    thanks michelle

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  • elindy
    elindy Member Posts: 25
    edited January 2019

    I guess it may depend where they need to biospy - I had calcifications behind the nipple (results today - benign!) . It took a couple of tries to get my breast compressed so she could biopsy the correct spot. Once in the proper position, which took about 10 minutes- that is when I got the the numbing shot- actually 3 shots- each time going a bit deeper. No discomfort after the first prick. Good luck!

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  • MDRR
    MDRR Member Posts: 133
    edited January 2019

    I would check again with them. I didn't have issues with the table, but when I made the appointment they asked me if I might need the alternative chair. I was also numbed prior to anything starting with the procedure.

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  • ucfknights
    ucfknights Member Posts: 102
    edited January 2019

    Hello ladies!!

    My mom had her annual mammo and they called her back in for a 3D mammo and indicated a biopsy was required to exclude DCIS... she has Birad 4 for calcifications She is comforting me to stay positive rather than me comforting her. I am a mess, i cannot focus, not hungry.. i am already on antidepressants for my depression and my depression and anxiety Are at an all time high. Ive been reading these forums but never made an account and it’s helped my anxiety. You ladies are awesome

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  • stressedmich123
    stressedmich123 Member Posts: 5
    edited January 2019

    hi ladies,

    just to let you know i finally went through with my biopsy on tuesday,went in the room and they had a different table seemed bit more padded, also pillows for me and this time she sprayed some freeze spray on me for the mammogram bit which helped, as soon as the numbing needle went in i couldnt feel much excepted pushing and prodding she went in with the biopsy needle but first one i do not think she was able to get the calcifications so went in again hopefully they have got enough( i find out my biopsy results on the 18th} i was laying on my right side the staff was wonderful one nurse chatted to me all the way through and the other nurse explained exactly what she was doing after i had a cup of tea then they sent me home. i was not feeling much pain at that point.

    come home started bleeding first was a bit of blood then the whole gauze was covered i panicked tried ringing the clinic no answer went to the walk in center who sent me to accident emergency there was a massive queue so i went to the breast clinic where i had the biopsy done earlier and they were doing a late clinic a lovely nurse tended to me straight away changed my dressing said looks ok by now the pain had set in the next day terrible bruising and some pain still massive bruise managed to have a shower now just waitin for the results xx















    .

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited January 2019

    Dear ucfknights,

    Welcome to the community. We are sorry for what brings you here and for your worry about your mom. Most here will say to not jump to too many conclusions before biopsy results are known. It is natural to worry when waiting for information but can be helpful to try to distract yourself so as to not get overwhelmed. Keep us posted on what you learn and let us know how we can support you through the wait.

    The Mods

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  • Rosie24
    Rosie24 Member Posts: 1,046
    edited January 2019

    stressedmich, Soglad you got through it, but sorry to hear about the bleeding. Apparently I was a “bleeder” after 2 biopsy sticks on my side/underarm area and the radiologist had to do some hard compression with an icepack. I was very bruised for about 4 days before it started fading a bit. My 3rd stick was in a different place and very little bleeding. I would have been panicked on my own too. Hoping you get your results soon.

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  • stressedmich123
    stressedmich123 Member Posts: 5
    edited January 2019

    hi ladies,

    just a update its now 6 days since i had my biopsy and now have a infection so on antibiotics just wondered how many of you got infected after and also been having shallow baths and shower but not really letting any water go on the site how did you manage?

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  • Rosie24
    Rosie24 Member Posts: 1,046
    edited January 2019

    stressedmich, I went home from my biopsy with a large waterproof bandage on the sites that bled, and just steri strips on the one that didn’t. My instructions were to leave the big bandage on for first shower, then take it off and let water run over but no aggressive washing (not that I was about to do that). I took the big bandage off the next morning and there were steristrips under it along with a big black and blue area. The steri strips were supposed to fall off by themselves, and showers were fine. I finally took them off at about 5 days since they were just barely on. I don’t think water is a problem but of course your doctor/nurse would know best

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