Comments on: All About Core Needle Breast Biopsies

By: Jennifer Douglas

Jennifer Douglas — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 19:27:49 +0000

In reply to Michele. I am so sorry you had such a terrible experience. That sounds awful. And the lingering nerve pain-ugh. Sending continued wishes for your recovery from the procedure.

By: Michele

Michele — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 03:47:34 +0000

On this day 2 years and 10 months ago I had a stereotactic large core needle biopsy. I love how doctors and others lie and lie and lie…The stinking procedure is always painful in some way or other. I was so terrified I told my PCP I wouldn’t go through with it unless I got some heavy-duty meds. They gave Xanax which caused me to sleep through not only the entire week before, but through most of the procedure. To start off, one of the techs clamped me so tight I thought my booby was gonna pop like a large grape. She lied about decreasing the pressure when I complained. She just did what she wanted to do. Even tho’ I was deeply asleep at some point during this torture session I awoke to even worse pressure and feeling like a lightening-bolt was shooting through my breast from the nipple to the wall of my chest. In short, I’ve had to put up with stinging, tingling, shooting pain. In another words, they caused me to experience nerve pain which lasted about 2 and one-half years. It’s only veery recently that the pain has abated. And all for nothing. The calcifications that were supposedly “suspicious” were normal signs of aging. I did NOT have cancer.

By: Jennifer Douglas

Jennifer Douglas — Sun, 21 May 2023 01:31:00 +0000

In reply to Rachael. Oh I'm so sorry. I totally relate, because I have passed out as well. I hope the second biopsy went more smoothly than the first. No fun!

By: Rachael

Rachael — Thu, 04 May 2023 13:34:16 +0000

Ugh, I just had a core needle yesterday and I also passed out right after the needle went in, and, they did not get the sample, so I have to do it again. Now of course I am really scared knowing what might happen. They are going to try to do this on a laying down table this time instead of me being sitting up and man. hope it works. I just fainted three weeks ago during an ER visit where I had to get a chest tube, and that was the most painful thing I have ever experienced, so the fainting made sense. This biopsy I was a little nervous, but I just dont know why I passed out.

By: Jennifer Douglas

Jennifer Douglas — Mon, 01 Nov 2021 13:41:00 +0000

In reply to Ellen. I agree with the idea of a mild sedative. I think it would make the entire process easier to deal with. My mammogram guided biopsy was not at all easy to deal with.

By: Ellen

Ellen — Sun, 31 Oct 2021 23:31:04 +0000

I recently had a mammogram-guided biopsy and afterwards really wished they had offered the option of a mild tranquilizer. It was with the usual mammogram machine but they had me lying down on the edge of a narrow gurney, and the first request from the nurse that I close my eyes so I wouldn’t see the needle contraption sent me well into anxiety and I could feel my entire body clenching up, and by the time they finished I was also feeling claustrophobic and trapped. Over 10 years ago I had a stereotactic one done lying on a table with a hole, and was mildly tranquilized and I have no bad memories of that one.

By: Jennifer Douglas

Jennifer Douglas — Tue, 24 Nov 2020 01:37:53 +0000

In reply to Nancy's Point. Nancy, I'm so glad that the ultrasound guided biopsy went well for you! I can't watch the screen during the process because I'm too busy trying not to faint. I will say that I got better at handling the biopsies after I had a few. It really helps to know what to expect. I think the newness of the procedure was a big reason I struggled with the mammogram guided biopsy. And I will agree, those pops are loud!!!

By: Nancy's Point

Nancy's Point — Mon, 16 Nov 2020 18:02:09 +0000

Hi Jennifer,

Thank you for this informative post. I had an ultra-sound guided biopsy. I don’t remember it being all that bad, so guess I was lucky. Nice to be luck about something! I did watch the screen. I wanted to see everything I could. Of course, not every does. Gotta admit, that popping noise startled me – every time. And I jumped every time even though I was told another “pop” was coming. Knowing what to expect before your biopsy is helpful, and I’m sure this post will help a lot of patients who are facing one.

By: Jennifer Douglas

Jennifer Douglas — Sun, 08 Nov 2020 15:35:59 +0000

In reply to Nancy L Seibel. Nancy, Thank you so much! Biopsies are really challenging and I don’t feel like I was adequately prepared going in. Sorry to hear you fainted as well.... I’m glad you were able to manage your second biopsy better with ear plugs and music. The noise the tool makes is disturbing isn’t it?

By: Nancy L Seibel

Nancy L Seibel — Sun, 08 Nov 2020 15:07:30 +0000

Jennifer, I appreciate your very realistic description of breast biopsies!I fainted for the first time in my life during my core biopsy. Unfortunately, I had one more to go in my lymph nodes. Before starting that one I asked for ear plugs to block the snipping sound, and relaxing music. Those things helped a lot. I wished I’d had someone drive me as I was woozy and out of sorts afterwards!