Excruciating pain during stereotactic biopsy

wray1959 · New User Joined: 13 Aug 2005 Posts: 5

I experienced extreme pain during stereotactic biospy. I know this is quite rare. My radiologists was responsive and gave extra lydocaine but it still hurt terribly. I was not nervous or apprehensive prior to procedure.

Question: If I have to have this done again is the procedure ever done with a epidural for the area or twilight sleep?

tdmesser · New User Joined: 10 Sep 2005 Posts: 6

FYI- I had similar experience. Surgeon kept giving more lidocaine injections, then tried different type of anesthetic, but still very painful. i started crying - couldn't help myself, but tried so hard not to because not suppose to move. Dr. said thought because I had such dense breast tissue that anesthetic couldn't get to deep tissues.
I have to have surgery in next 1-2 weeks, but am sure they put me totally under- still trying to decide between lumpectomy and mastectomy. But if I had to have another stereotactic biopsy I don't think I could do it unless they gave me some stronger anesthetic.

Muttsmom

I know nothing about those kinds of biopsies, I had the lump surgerically removed. Ask you surgeon about Versaid. It's the I don't give a S*** shot and you really don't....You have no idea what's going on but when you wake up unlike for general anesthesia, you are wide awake.
_________________
Nancy
2/14/02 ILC 43 - 5.5 cm 9+/16 nodes
Stage IIIA er/pr+ Her2-
2/02 MRM
FECx6 radsx33
Tamoxifen - Arimidex (chemo induced menopause)
4/03 SM w/bilat. recon.
9/03 expanders removed
5/04 repair reconst. disaster
10/04 Actonel for bone/joint pain from Arimidex
NED - 5 years
3/07 Diabetes
In memory of Kim 12/1/04

BFagan2067 · Experienced user Joined: 07 Oct 2004 Posts: 54

I had the same experience with a stereotactic biopsy as well. This after two valiums as well. I had had many ultra sound guided fine needle biopsies, the first of which resulted in my initial diagnosis of breast cancer. That stereotactic was very painful, they do manage to mark the spot though, so they do not have to keep going to the same place, if they do not have to. One of the advantages however is that if they do find something and have to go and remove or rebiopsy then they have marked the spot so they do not have to do a needle localization which was the most painful part of my lumpectomy... which I had prior to my mastectoy. They told me that would not hurt either but they were very very wrong, as they were to other women i know that had to have it done. I know of many women who have been told that neither process would be that painful, however we are all different. I hope that you do not need another biopsy and all is B-9!
Barbara

wray1959 · New User Joined: 13 Aug 2005 Posts: 5

Thank you all for your helpful and informative responsives. Due to your thoughtful feedback I know I have several options for pain avoidance, pain reduction if I have to have the procedure again.

I was very blessed. My sample turned out to be benign.

With much appreciation.

tdmesser · New User Joined: 10 Sep 2005 Posts: 6

You are blessed and I am happy for you. My biopsy report was not so good. But I guess I am lucky because it is DCIS w/ Microinvasion. Planning on a lumpectomy next week and they did leave a pin in to mark, but Dr. said have to go in for them to put in a wire right before i go for lumpectomy- Is that the needle localization you are talking about? I sure hope not - Now I am worried that that will hurt too. Still considering a mastectomy so I won't have to go through this again, unless it's my other breast. Wanted to talk to a plastic surgeon before had surgery just to know my options. @ were recommended. One doesn't take my insurance -and it's BCBS PPO, the other said they could get me in in DECEMBER. I explained that I had cancer, and needed a consultation before I had my surgery and certainly couldn't wait that long. the reply "Well that's the soonest we have" Also trying to get into radiology oncoloist sooner. Currently earliest they can get me in is next Tuesday, but the Surgeon wanted to surgery next Wednesday, so that won't work since the whole point of talking to radiology oncologist is to get better idea of my chance of recurrence given my specific path report, so I can make better decidion between lumpectomy and mastectomy. Anyone else out there who's having difficulty deciding on course of treatment?

wray1959 · New User Joined: 13 Aug 2005 Posts: 5

I'm so sorry your news is not as happy as mine. The pain I had was an exception to the rule. They didn't get to insert the pin because I moved. Honestly I think it's unusual. And, I have extremely dense breasts due to never having kids and being pre-menopausal. I believe that's why I the had such significant pain -- a learning from one of the replies I received.

Re: finding a surgeon on your plan. How frustrating. Does your state have a coalition on cancer? Mine does (Georgia) and I found the names of excellent breast surgeons there. Just a thought.

Hang in there!

tdmesser · New User Joined: 10 Sep 2005 Posts: 6

Yes my breast are also extremely dense, the breast surgeron seemed or I believe actually said "impressive" about how dense my breasts were and this is a guy who all he does is breasts, he's on faculty and chir of national breasts associations, etc. anyway I hope the wire localization and lumpectomy are'nt so bad, that is if I don't end up just giving up and going for the mastectomy.

BFagan2067 · Experienced user Joined: 07 Oct 2004 Posts: 54

sorry to hear about your dx. One of my closest friends was dx. with dcis two years ago. She also had a lumpectomy along with radiation and now is on tomoxifen. This is also an example of how protocol has changed in regards to treatment. When I was dx. almost 7 years ago, the common treatment for DIS was mastectomy. No radiation just the mastectomy. When my friend was dx. she researched this alot as that her mom died of breast cancer when we were seniors in high school (34 yrs ago) and her sister died at age 32 from ovarian cancer. She is very hypervigilent based on her life experiences, as is her docs. Of course there are no easy ways to make decisions about any of this but sharing experiences all help in making choices. I also know that making the decisions we feel very rushed because I know that my first instinct was get this the heck out of me... I was diagnosed at the beginning of november and did not have my lumpectomy until dec. 17th, when my surgeon could not get clean margins I was told that I did need to have a mastectomy which i did not have till jan. 7th. I was assured by the surgeon, and my oncologist that the time delay would not make a difference. If I was going to have reconstruction then my mastectomy would have actually been at the end of january in order to get the plastic surgeon in the operating room at the same time. So I tell you this so that you do not rush into any decisions as that you feel comfortable with your decision. Ask to be put on the cancellation list, see if the rad. onc, whenyou go for your consultation, can get you a sooner apt. Now that wire localization... ask for your premeds for your surgery before they do it ( I did not get mine till after) ask for extra novcaine as well let them know that you have a very low threshold for pain (no time to be so brave, no need). They will put your breast in a mammo machine with lots and lots of pressure, I am sure that your radiologist will be better at it then mine was, he was a dunderhead. I have learned so much from all this journey and one of the things that I learned early on was that there is no use to be in pain speak up and let them know ahead of time that you want extra everything. Good luck to you, and let us know how things work out for you.... sorry this is so long.. I talk this much in real life too...LOL... hang in there!
_________________
Barbara
52, dx 11/98, stage IIIA
Lump 12/98 (5.2cm), MRM 1/99 (5+/28nodes)
A/C , RADS, Taxol
tomox. 2/99-6/00, arimidex 7/00-5/05

Muttsmom

I was real fortunate. When I had, what I thought was a biopsy, but ended up being a lumpectomy, came back that I had ILC, I called a surgeon in the city I've moved back to since. I was dx on Thur., Valentine's Day 2002, got an appt. with the surgeon (top notch...I think my freaking out is what got me in so soon...ugh) Monday and had a mastectomy and node disection Thur. So it was a week to the day that I was dx until I had my MRM. There was no doubt in my mind, I wanted the breast gone because I was afraid of what might be in other parts of the tissue since the mammogram missed a 5.5 cm tumor. My dx was totally different then yours and I've never regretted having the MRM or having a simple Mast. on the other breast.
I know you'll make the right decision for you. Listen to your gut.
Keep us posted.
_________________
Nancy
2/14/02 ILC 43 - 5.5 cm 9+/16 nodes
Stage IIIA er/pr+ Her2-
2/02 MRM
FECx6 radsx33
Tamoxifen - Arimidex (chemo induced menopause)
4/03 SM w/bilat. recon.
9/03 expanders removed
5/04 repair reconst. disaster
10/04 Actonel for bone/joint pain from Arimidex
NED - 5 years
3/07 Diabetes
In memory of Kim 12/1/04

tdmesser · New User Joined: 10 Sep 2005 Posts: 6

Thank you all so much for all your kind words of wisdom. I do think I need to relax and take the time i need to to figure out what I want to do.

rachaelsmom · New User Joined: 03 Oct 2005 Posts: 1

I underwent a stereotactic biopsy in early 04. I had several areas of microcalcifications in both breasts. The surgeon thought this would be best because he would have to make so many incisions to remove the suspect tissue. I was on the table, which by the way was horribly uncomfortable, for four hours. They had to take approximately 8 samples from each breast. I was given nothing before the procedure. It was extremely painful. They "fire" the probe into the breast after they deaden it with lidocaine. On the second breast they misfired into an area that was not numb. When they fired it again blood shot up all over my face, which was just left there. I was so sore and horrified at the experience I couldn't talk about it without crying for a week. I can understand how this procedure would be good for someone who had one or two suspect areas. But, if they have to do more or more than one breast I really don't think it is a good option. Women are scared, nervous and worried when they have these done and that additional trauma is just too much. Thankfully all was OK then. But my last mammo last week is showing more of the same. I do know I am not doing that again. I'd rather be out cold and have a couple of scars. I went throught breast cancer with my Mother 12 years ago and then when it came back 7 years ago. Which may have been the reason I was more scared, worried etc... during my procedure.[/code] I'm glad I found this forum. The doctors had just about convinced me that I was the only one who had a problem with this procedure.

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

I had a stereotactic biopsy one month plus ago in which I felt a huge tug (I also had the same procedure last year with no problems) fortunately for me both were benign - However, I have been having pain ever since. It took me a full month to be seen to get some sort of answer - called Breast Center, was told no nerves in there, not their fault, call Gyne, called Gyne, told it was from biopsy; finally went to ER - told I had to go back to Breast Center. The Radiologist consulted with colleagues and I am told the nerve endings have been disrupted. The pain discomfort is something I cannot describe. I wrote a letter and sent to all involved letting them know this pain is real and when someone else has a pain that is different they need to address it. I still am not certain if that is truly all it is. I know my results are good news for me, but I know there are others who probably have had the same encounter and I want them to know the pain is real and they need to make their doctors understand that. Those of you who have had cancer results - you are in my prayers.

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

I can sympathize with the ones who has had a painful stereotactic biopsy. I had one yesterday and it hurt so bad that my surgeon stopped the process short of getting the samples he usually likes to get. He tried more lidocaine and it still hurt to the point I screamed out and was sobbing. He told the nurse he was done and he wasn't going to hurt me anymore. I have a caring surgeon and he went out and told my husband he had hurt me considerably and he felt terrible. He told my husband to take me out to breakfast. He also said if the samples come back with funny cells that he would have to get some more samples but would do it a different way since I didn't numb in that area. It is still sore this morning and I have alot of bruising and redness. Is that normal? I am new to all of this. I am 36 and my mother passed away from cancer 5 years ago.

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

I hope your results are well. I had two biopsys, both benign. The first one was fine. The second one was almost three months ago, it was painful - I just got back from my Gyne (the Radiologist told me to wait, the pain would go away). I fought for one month to see her. She said is was disrupted nerve endings. It was not - I now have an appointment with a Breast Surgeon to have a nipple excision. If the pain does not feel right, be persistent and get seen by someone who knows and can help you.

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