Stereotactic biopsy questions
Getting anxious - biopsy in 2 days. Can someone please answer my concerns/questions?
How long does it take? What about the pain? My breast are dense. Not sure I can stay on my tummy without squirming around. Can you move your head from one side to the other after a little bit or do you have to remain in the same position the entire time? Any advice? Thanks in advance.
Comments
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My biopsy was lying on my back. When I've had procedures facing down, they set it up so there's room you to lie comfortably. You do have to lie basically still, but I think if you really needed to shift you'd just say so and they'd accommodate.
Most of the time is setting up and setting down. The actual biopsy is very fast - maybe 3-5 minutes? The staff was really nice. One tech held my hand. I was numbed up and did not have any pain during. It's like a dental procedure where they give you local anesthetic. Mild pain after but they sent me home with ice packs and recommended ibuprofen iirc. Everyone's pain thresholds are different but for me it really wasn't physically bad.
I found that the biopsy was really not a big deal. What it represented was much scarier and it really hit me the night before.
If you know you have anxiety for medical procedures, you might ask your doc for a couple of valium/ativan prescription.
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For mine they actually allowed my husband to be in the room and kind of rubbed on my feet" to help distract me and talked to me during it about something else. With COVID some places will not let anyone else be there but if is a spouse and you request it they may allow it. I was given ice packs as well when I went home.
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Mine took place while I way lying face down. If you have that position, no you cannot turn your head from side to side. They made sure I was as comfortable as I could be before they began. The radiologist injected the lidocaine, gave it time, then tested to be sure I was numb. He also told me what he was doing before doing it. He warned me I would hear some clicking which was when he was actually obtaining the tissue. At one point, as he was advancing his core needle, it hit a nerve that was not numb - it was shocking! He immediately was able inject lidocaine through the device and only proceeded when I was ok again.
I'd agree, the actual biopsy itself is very fast. The actual positioning took time. I tend to make light of as many situations as possible, which causes me to laugh = deep breaths. I would encourage you to try to get some deep breaths before, during & even after. I find I can cut my own anxiety a lot when I don't hold my breath.
Good luck,
Jane
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Thank you all so much for the information! I am so anxious to get it over with and get the results. I have been waiting 2 weeks for the biopsy. They have already told me the results will take another week. Whew. Deep breaths do help, jhl.
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my biopsy was quick and “easy." I was positioned on my back and was basically allowed to watch everything happening. The radiologist injected the lidocaine, and once I was numb, she advised me that I would hear a “clicking" sound, which was when the sample was being taken. I did bleed afterwards, so the nurse had to apply pressure for about 20 minutes. The bruising came two days later.. and it was ALOT of bruising. Bruising subsided about a week later. Results were in within 72 hours.
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I was on my back but more in a reclining position with the head of the bed partly raised. It was ultrasound guided, so the technician and the radiologist were there plus a nurse who was rubbing my legs, which annoyed the heck out of me but I didn't feel like getting into an argument just then. I barely felt any of it, and the radiologist explained everything she was doing. It didn't occur to me to ask if my husband could be there (pre-Covid) any more than if I was having dental work done.
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Ultrasound-guided biopsies are usually done with the patient lying on her back. I think that's what several responders are referring to. Having had several ultrasound-guided biopsies and several stereotactic biopsies, ultrasound-guided ones are certainly the easiest, from a positioning / comfort standpoint. Both types of biopsies use the same needle - the one that sounds like a staple gun.
Stereotactic biopsies are mammogram-guided, and are done with the patient either seated or lying on her stomach. Mine have all been seated, which can be awkward but isn't really comfortable. I was told to not move at all, and I assume that would be the case when the patient is prone. What's important is to get as comfortable as possible during the set up.
What does a stereotactic breast biopsy involve?
Bookpusher, good luck!
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I was told I will be facedown, they showed me the table. I just pray I can stay in position without moving long enough for the radiologist to get good samples. 24 hours and it should be over. Then another week of waiting. Sending my best to all the warriors on this site. I have been reading and learning. Head is still spinning, but trying to take it one step at a time. Thanks for all the replies.
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I've had 3 stereotactic biopsies.... The worst part for me was my neck and ribs... If you're concerned about your ribs (hard table) let them know in advance. The third one they put a small cushion under my ribs that helped some. That way I could just focus on my neck pain LOL They should have your breast numbed up enough so you don't feel breast pain. If you do then just let them know.... Wishing you the best with the procedure and results....
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Well, I was psyched to get this biopsy behind me but received a call that the air conditioning has gone out in the imaging center and they cancelled my appointment for tomorrow. They did not know when I would be rescheduled, they said they would call. I have waited 2 weeks already. I am beyond disappointed.
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That is unbelievable!!! I cannot imagine how you're feeling.... I hope they get you back in really soon... Honestly if you don't hear from them tomorrow I'd call - there are already people who have been scheduled in the upcoming spots and now they have a day of people to reschedule.... Be proactive.... wishing you good fortune with a near future spot!
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UGH, that's the worst!!! I hope they can get you rescheduled soon.
I've had every type biopsy they do, I think. US guided (easiest), stereotactic (sitting in chair-doable but more painful since you are mostly compressed. My MRI guided one was the hardest. Prone position they have to take pictures first, pull you out, back in, take the things off, that needle when thru the side of my breast and thru a past surgical seroma to about the 11:00 position. I moved but not enough to mess up the procedure. Surprising the one that hurt the most had ZERO bruise afterwards.
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I wanted to update - I was called back today and the biopsy is done. The AC was still not working, and it was 80 degrees in the room. Thank the good Lord, they were able to complete it! They had told me they weren't sure they could do it because the machine shuts down if it's too hot. I was so scared they would start and the machine would shut down. My anxiety was through the roof. Big sigh of relief when he finished up. He feels he got good samples, results in about a week - sooner if I am lucky.
For anyone facing this type of biopsy I wanted to let you know it was not bad. Slight stinging and pressure during the procedure. The pressure they applied to stop the bleeding hurt worse than the biopsy. Took time to get in position but the biopsy itself was over in about 10 minutes. About an hour from start to finish. (including the post biopsy mammogram) As you all know, I was worried about being in the prone position for that long. But I was able to lie still on the table despite the heat and having to wear a mask.
The radiologist looked at the lump on my arm and recommended an ultrasound. Hopefully that will get scheduled soon, he wanted me to get in touch with my PCP and have them put in the order for it. I sent them a message over mychart so hopefully they will move forward quickly in scheduling it.
The waiting is hard, but I am relieved to get this step of the process complete. Next will be the ultrasound and biopsy results. Then will have to wait on the ultrasound report. I can already see it's a process of starts and stops
Thanks to everyone for your replies. Sending prayers for all the ladies here!
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Soooo glad they got you in and you were able to get the biopsy completed!!! Glad too they recommended an ultrasound on your arm.... hopefully your PCP gets right on that order so you can get things figured out. Hope you hear soon on biopsy results!
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Thanks, Livin Life. Doc put the order in for the ultrasound- waiting to hear from the central scheduling department. Sweating bullets on the biopsy report, sure hope I hear resultsby Friday.
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