suzyQ724

[suzyQ724]

After 2 previous stereotactic biopsies -- which I found extremely painful -- I have been told after my latest routine mammo that I need another -- isn't there another way to test these???  Past results were benign

[Cherokeemaiden]

I also had a biopsy done very recently, last Tues. this was my 2nd biopsy in 3 years. The first one, I was told because of my implants, I would have to have an open biopsy. Bring it! At least I will be asleep! This time my doctor wanted to do a Mammotome stereotactic. The new biopsy site was only 2 inches to the right of my first site. Why is it now ok to do a stereotactic ? Well, I went home and watched the youtube videos and FREAKED OUT! I knew I couldn't do it. Mentally, I could not do this thing, " most women feel no pain or very minimal discomfort" or not. I got my self so worked up I couldn't sleep. Then I found this wonderful site with great advice from people going through what I am. I asked for an open biopsy and my doc was great with that. I don't want to be awake when there is the potential for unknown amounts of pain. And maybe I am just weird, but I found the positioning of the whole stereotactic thing undignifying to me. I also told my doctor that when my implants were displaced in a hanging to the ground position, my flattened breast is only about 1 1/2 inches thick. He said they needed more tissue than that to punch through. Yeah! Now I have to have open. One good thing at last for little breasts!
  Can you ask for an open biopsy? It was very easy for me and I am a HUGE baby when it comes to pain. You will have to have a wire placed if it is microcalcifications because the lesion is too small to see. That isn't bad. Well, the first time was bad for me. I had 3 wires placed that time and didn't know what was coming so I got myself worked up. I nearly passed out but was told that 1/2 the women having it feel the same. Mine was done sitting in a chair, pushed up to a mammogram machine. The radiologist numbed the site, little sting, then she placed the wire, injected some dye, and I was done. I woke up from surgery and had no pain. I think I took one pain pill that night, that was it. You have to wear a supportive bra for 2 weeks night and day following, stitches out, then life as usual. Ask him or her if you can do an open biopsy. And I wish you the very best. Try not to worry. That is my best advice. That is what I was told. The odds really are in your favor. This is the advice I was given by others here. Anyway, if the biopsy was painful last time, speak up! Even if you go the stereotactic route. Make him stop and give you more Lidocaine. You don't have to feel pain. Not these days. You have the right as a patient, as a person, to tell the doctor what is going on, what you are feeling, and how you want things to go.

[zouzi]

Hi,
Good to know that your previous biopsies resulted in benign findings.:)
I presume that clustered calcification showed on your recent Mammogram? If so, it's standard procedure to always biopsy calcifications that look suspicious.Most of the time they are benign,but we have to make sure of that.
I am really sorry you experienced much pain during your previous biopsies.Everyone's experience is different,some women do feel pain,depending on where the calcifications is located,and others just feel uncomfortable,mostly due to the position lying face down on the table.The type of biopsy is usually determined by the breast surgeon,but you could discuss with him/her about the pain you experienced before and see what other options could be available..Many women who experience pain during these procedures have asked their doctor to administer more numbing medication and it usually works.
Hoping that your upcoming biopsy will also result in benign findings and I wish you all the best...