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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Be honest with me! Thyroid biopsy

33 replies

Cupofteaandbiscuits · 14/12/2024 19:55

I have a thyroid biopsy next week and im terrified. If you’ve had this please be honest with me, how bad is this? Is it really painful? How does it feel after?

OP posts:
Orangesandlemons82 · 14/12/2024 19:57

It was actually completely fine! I ended up having it twice, and each time I was able to drive myself home after. I honestly think the thought of a needle going in my neck was worse than the actual procedure. I don't remember it being painful at all and after I just had a tiny plaster on my neck.

Orangesandlemons82 · 14/12/2024 19:58

It wasn't painful at all after, and when I took the plaster off you couldn't actually see anything.

Wherehaveallthepopchipsgone · 14/12/2024 20:22

Following as I have one on Saturday and I can't say I'm looking forward to it! I have an ultrasound at the same time, have you had an ultrasound yet? I was only referred a couple of weeks ago for a lump that appeared overnight on my upper right thyroid so am pretty nervous!

SauvignonBlonk · 14/12/2024 20:24

I had a couple of these this year; both were absolutely fine and really quick. Please don’t worry about having it done.

Original poster
Cupofteaandbiscuits · 14/12/2024 21:15

Thank you. I think it’s the thought of it that’s the worst bit. I’m terrified! For those of you that have had it, will I be ok to go back to work after?
@Wherehaveallthepopchipsgone I’ve had one ultrasound and they found some nodules. One of which has some suspicious features so that’s being biopsied. X

OP posts:
Wherehaveallthepopchipsgone · 14/12/2024 21:43

@Cupofteaandbiscuits hoping everything goes well for you.

Orangesandlemons82 · 14/12/2024 21:54

@Cupofteaandbiscuits I didn't need to go back to work, but would have been absolutely fine to do so.

nocoolnamesleft · 14/12/2024 21:58

I was back at work 15 minutes later (work in the same building). It was a bit uncomfortable positioning, but not actually painful. Because of the funny head position, definitely needed to sit up for a minute afterwards, before actually standing up. But to be honest, I feel like that after a thyroid ultrasound even without the biopsy.

CFOfTheHighestOrder · 14/12/2024 22:05

Slightly painful, but nothing unbearable! I would be prepared to not swallow while the needle is in though, as it can move the biopsy needle out of where it needs to be- I know that’s hard to do though! I’d advise breathing through your nose, not your mouth so your mouth doesn’t get dry and give you the urge to swallow. But yes, absolutely fine ❤️

Eyesopenwideawake · 14/12/2024 22:05

I've had a few. The first was both lobes and very painful but suspect that was due to the person doing it, waggling the needles around 😠Took painkillers and I was OK in an hour.

I last one I had, the doctor was a bit of a joker. He said, very seriously, not to drink water for an hour afterwards in case it spouted out of the hole and for a second I believed him!!

GenerationXr · 14/12/2024 22:12

I've had several thyroid biopsies (and ultrasounds too). Not painful, just a slight discomfort, but was able to drive myself home 20 minutes after and get home to cook my DC's dinner. During one biopsy, the doctor actually drained a thyroid cyst (as he wanted to check it out) and it felt great to have movement back in my neck again. Eventually, I did have a partial thyroidectomy as I have Hashimotos and had a massive benign nodule growing which my doctor thought should be best removed. Even that (done under a general and with an overnight stay in hospital) was ok, just felt a bit bruised for a few days but coped with paracetamol afterwards...Good luck OP

Original poster
Cupofteaandbiscuits · 15/12/2024 18:59

Can I ask did you all have local anaesthetic?
can you tell I’m panicking?!

OP posts:
Berga · 15/12/2024 19:05

It really is fine, the biopsy is uncomfy at the time, but quick recovery. Like @GenerationXr I have also had a partial thyroidectomy for a benign nodule and had a very similar experience and recovery time. Good luck!

Emmadaily · 15/12/2024 19:18

Good luck

Hope all goes well.
X

Jasmine222 · 15/12/2024 19:20

It really is fine, I barely felt it. Was just a bit uncomfortable afterwards. You'll be fine xx

Orangesandlemons82 · 15/12/2024 19:23

I wasn't offered local anaesthetic, but I think that having an injection of that first wouldn't have helped, I find those injections sting quite a lot and then you have to wait for it to work.

AbigailsPartyFrock · 15/12/2024 19:27

I’ve had two. They were fine. No anesthesia. Small pinch from the needle and it was over fairly quickly.

I will say, like any medical procedure, the more you can keep still and just let them get on with it, the faster and easier it will be.

GluggleJuggle · 15/12/2024 19:30

With my DH they told him it was cancer (almost certainly) during the biopsy- he was admitted straight away and operated on within 24 hours.

Eyesopenwideawake · 15/12/2024 19:43

The more you panic the worse it will be. So instead of concentrating on (what is) a very, very minor and simple medical procedure think instead of what you're going to that night, once it's done and in the following days - getting ready for Christmas, etc.

What you're doing at the moment is imaging the very worst part of a horror movie when the hero is about to die a grisly death - and then you walk out of the cinema with that exact frame in your head and scare yourself silly for days afterwards. But instead if you project forward to the end of the film when everyone survives and walks off into the sunset you'll see that there was absolutely nothing to worry about.

VerityUnreasonble · 15/12/2024 20:02

I had one (quite a lot of years ago now). It wasn't painful, just uncomfortable in the same way an ultrasound is, keeping your head / neck still in a slightly odd position and as soon as I start thinking I should try not to swallow I really need to swallow! No anesthetic but I might have taken a couple of paracetamol?

Best thing is just to try and think about something else, try and get yourself immersed in a thought - plan the timing for Christmas dinner or put together a January sales shopping list and it will be over before you know it.

Original poster
Cupofteaandbiscuits · 15/12/2024 21:23

Thank you for such lovely replies. I do really appreciate it xxx

OP posts:
Nicewarmslippers2 · 15/12/2024 22:29

My journey started in the summer. Needle biopsy fine. Core biopsy was rather horrid to be honest but in big scheme of things not a massive deal. Was back at work 20mins later chairing a meeting

newyeardelurker · 15/12/2024 23:00

I’ve had an FNA and a core biopsy. Both had some local anaesthetic, and were uncomfortable but not painful. Straight back at work after both, and a cyst was drained at the first one after which my neck looked normal again, so on balance all good.

Saz12 · 15/12/2024 23:07

I had one. Am frightened of needles.

i had local anaesthetic. Was warned I might feel a dull acheyness, but actually felt nothing at all. Was an ultrasound guided fine needle biopsy. Totally painless.

Saz12 · 15/12/2024 23:08

I had one. Am frightened of needles.

i had local anaesthetic. Was warned I might feel a dull acheyness, but actually felt nothing at all. Was an ultrasound guided fine needle biopsy. Totally painless.

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