breast biopsy - 8mm micro calcifications - how unpleasant will it be?

[soberdovered]

I am a total scaredy cat, hate doctors and injections. Have managed to avoid anything too unpleasant so far, am 47!

I am booked in for a stereo core biopsy soon. What can I expect and what can I say to get across my fear without being too annoying for the drs?

For my biopsy I had several injections of local anaesthetic in my breast before the biopsy itself which was uncomfortable but not painful. Rather tender afterwards but manageable.

I was also worried when I had to have this done. I had several injections around the site and can say it wasn't painful at all. It was very awkward with having huge breasts and where my calcifications are and I was propped at the strangest positions to get access for the machine. They staff were very reassuring, I had to go back to have it down again as they had no success first time but it's not painful.

thanks both !

Ok so I am just going to ask for max anaesthetic and hope for the best.

I hope your calcifications were both OK.

I had two punch biopsies of a fibroadenoma and a cyst drained recently. I found it painless, other than the local anaesthetic injection pain, which wasn’t too bad at all.

Have some distraction ideas ready for if you feel anxious. I usually opt for controlled breathing, and thinking of things for every letter of the alphabet!

Just let them know that you’ll be focussing on that, so they don’t distract you from it.

Some ideas here!
www.lscft.nhs.uk/media/Site%20Images/Perinatal/Covid-19/Grounding%20Cards.pdf

The doctor also demonstrated the punch biopsy tool, so I could hear how loud it was. It meant I didn’t jump, I’m not sure if it will be the same with you.
I hope it goes well for you.

I needed several breast biopsies and two cysts draining at the same time. I had some injections of local anaesthetic, I’m a complete wimp but coped surprisingly well with it all. Nowhere near as bad as you think honestly.

Thanks for the link - that is great. And the reassurance. I'll tell them I am nervous and try to listen to music once I am in the right position.

Thanks all

I had a stereo core biopsy as they saw micro calcifications. It's basically a mammogram machine which takes biopsies at the same time. The needle isn't bad and they numb the area first. I think they took about 8 biopsies on my breast, I could see the mammogram scans and the calcifications myself on the screen. Be prepared to be uncomfortable, and when they are done there will be blood on your boob, the table it has been squashed on and this will run down your front. This was a surprise to me. Mine turned out to be DCIS, hopefully yours will not need any treatment, Good luck and try not to worry too much, just tell them you are nervous and they will understand.

Thanks ! It was damn unpleasant but over with thank god. The nurses were fab, I am just a total wuss.

Fingers crossed for the results

Great that it's over. Nurses are generally always fab too. Thinking of you while you wait - this bit can be tough - distract yourself. Good luck.