Excruciating pain during stereotactic biopsy

denn · New User Joined: 20 Apr 2006 Posts: 3

Thank you so much for the reply and I hope everything ends up well with you. I find out today at 3:10 the results and he is going to look at the area that is bothering me so I hope it is all good news. Again....thank you for responding.

birdd · New User Joined: 07 Mar 2006 Posts: 5

I hope you have good news. Apparently I had some internal bleeding and it settled in an area and that needs cleaned out. Please post you results.

AlaskaAngel

Here is a discussion at another breast cancer site online, this time in regard to wire localization. To me there is a clear need for professional RECOGNITION of the need for pain control, and then standardization of pain control measures to protect us all.

Each one of these people innocently went in to have the procedure done, believing that whatever might happen they would be provided with reasonable pain control. The experiences women are having with these procedures are not "rare". Even IF it only happens occasionally there is NO EXCUSE for not verifying adequate pain control in each situation prior to performing these procedures. And nothing will be done to "fix" this unless women DEMAND a change for the better.

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/BreastCancer/messages/3730.html

Please print out these discussions and take them to the doctor you trust.

Sincerely,

AlaskaAngel
_________________
Dx Dec 2001 at age 50
Lumpectomy Jan 2002, 1.6 cm IDC plus some DCIS
Node neg
ER+, PR+, HER2+++
CAF x 6, 35 rads+boost
NED
Tamoxfen 1 3/4 yrs
In 2 clinical trials
bc for mom and 1 sis and 1 aunt and 1 granny
ovarian cancer for 1 aunt

birdd · New User Joined: 07 Mar 2006 Posts: 5

It took me one month - after three phone calls to the Breast Center, one to my Gyne and a visit to the ER before someone would take my pain seriously. I was told by the Radiologist who eventually saw me fo a follow-up that it was disrupted nerve endings. Almost two months later, I demanded to be seen by my Gyne and am now being told there is actually a problem and need to have a nipple excision. I go to a Breast Surgeon in two weeks and will definitely go much better infomed . Thank you.

denn · New User Joined: 20 Apr 2006 Posts: 3

I got great news on Friday. The lump was benign but he is going to keep and eye on things and make sure everything remains okay and he is also thinking about prescribing evista or tamox....something or other in about six weeks. He also said the site of the biopsy looked great....easy for him to say....it doesn't feel so great. He said the brusing and redness was normal. I told him I never wanted to have another stereotactic biopsy done and he said he can't guarantee that. I know there has got to be a better way. The fear is already terrible when you find out you may have cancer and then you have to go through terrible pain to find out...something has to give. I hope you all are well and you all are great people...May God bless you all.

birdd · New User Joined: 07 Mar 2006 Posts: 5

Happy to Hear Good News! Now we all still have to keep after the doctors to be more understanding (mine said "they both look the same") to which I responded "one hurts"! - and find better, less painful ways to do cancer screening. I read the notes on the wire-guided and saw a woman who had just had one done. I have never heard of any procedures done on a penis without anesthesia.

Irene Konen

I can't imagine a stereotactic biopsy that isn't excruciating. Simple mammograms are rather painful, and this procedure compresses your breast for 45 minutes or more. I had my second stereotactic biopsy yesterday-- and they had to stop because I was shaking from the pain. It is as close to medieval torture as anything I've had since hemodialysis. The radiologist actually admitted that I would need valum to get through it-- but she refused to dispense any. The conclusion was that I should have brought it with me-- can you believe that? Doctors suggesting self-medication?? Altogether, I've had about 40 surgical procedures now, including two kidney transplants and a hysterectomy, and the stereotactic biopsy ranks among the most painful. Why will doctors use Versed for other procedures, but not this one? Colonoscopies and cystoscopies are a breeze compared to this.

anncape · New User Joined: 15 Oct 2009 Posts: 1 Location: Cape Cod

I had a stereotactic biopsy yesterday and it was so much easier than I thought it would be. The Techs and the Radiologist were so caring and nice to me. There really was not any pain - just discomfort. It was all over in less than 20 minutes!
If I can make any of you women feel less nervous by my story, I am glad.
_________________
ann on the cape

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