Holy Cow Biopsies Hurt

pamela_preib
pamela_preib Member Posts: 55
in Anal Cancer #1

Just had my 9 month follow up with the usual sigmoidoscopy. I have a new doctor as my old one relocated. My first woman doc on my team. She is very thorough and ended up taking a biopsy of a spot. OMG that hurt.  They should warn patients first. I can't believe they do nothing to numb you. Excuse me but that was much more than a pinch I felt.  Anyway, she wants me to have a ct scan whereas my old doc wasn't really pushing it due to my early stage diagnoses. Biopsy results come in next week. Trying to not freak out,as I think she's just being cautious.

Comments

  • Marynb
    Marynb Member Posts: 1,118
    #2
    Pam
    I have my appointment for scope tomorrow. Ugh. Ct scan later in the month. Can i ask what prep they had you do? I just ate beets for dinner, now thinking I shouldn't have done that.

    I hope everything is ok for you!
  • pamela_preib
    pamela_preib Member Posts: 55
    #3
    Marynb said:

    Pam
    I have my appointment for scope tomorrow. Ugh. Ct scan later in the month. Can i ask what prep they had you do? I just ate beets for dinner, now thinking I shouldn't have done that.

    I hope everything is ok for you!

    Not a dang thing. You will be

    Not a dang thing. You will be fine. It's just not the most comfortable of tests to have done. That was my 3rd. Good luck. I will be thinking of you.

  • qv62
    qv62 Member Posts: 434 Member
    #4
    Pamela

    First off wishing you good results with your biopsy and hoping all goes well, as for an in office biopsy I can relate to your pain. I have had countless biopsies in the OR however at one of my office visits my doctor (colorectal surgeon/oncologist) said she saw a little something she would like to biopsy while I was there, there was no prep and no numbing, nor any warning as to how painful it would be. It was a first and a last for me, I never felt so much pain in my life, I felt as if my heart stopped, felt as if breathing had ceased and could actually hear my sweat drops hitting the floor like a puddle. I was then packed and had to lay in position for 20 minutes until the bleeding stopped. It was a very tough walk back to the parking garage and an uncomfortable next day. I still can't get over the fact that there is no numbing, or pain medication administered. Hope you are feeling better

  • qv62
    qv62 Member Posts: 434 Member
    #5
    Marynb said:

    Pam
    I have my appointment for scope tomorrow. Ugh. Ct scan later in the month. Can i ask what prep they had you do? I just ate beets for dinner, now thinking I shouldn't have done that.

    I hope everything is ok for you!

    Marynb

    Mary thinking of you tomorrow, hope all goes well with your scope, if they want to do a biopsy don't go cold turkey, if I had to do it again on the spot I would request a pre and post drug and or topical. Hope you are just scoped, keep us posted

  • pamela_preib
    pamela_preib Member Posts: 55
    #6
    qv62 said:

    Pamela

    First off wishing you good results with your biopsy and hoping all goes well, as for an in office biopsy I can relate to your pain. I have had countless biopsies in the OR however at one of my office visits my doctor (colorectal surgeon/oncologist) said she saw a little something she would like to biopsy while I was there, there was no prep and no numbing, nor any warning as to how painful it would be. It was a first and a last for me, I never felt so much pain in my life, I felt as if my heart stopped, felt as if breathing had ceased and could actually hear my sweat drops hitting the floor like a puddle. I was then packed and had to lay in position for 20 minutes until the bleeding stopped. It was a very tough walk back to the parking garage and an uncomfortable next day. I still can't get over the fact that there is no numbing, or pain medication administered. Hope you are feeling better

    Thank you for your thoughts.

    Thank you for your thoughts. And yes I was shocked. That biopsy experience was awful.

  • pamela_preib
    pamela_preib Member Posts: 55
    #7
    pamela_preib said:

    Thank you for your thoughts.

    Thank you for your thoughts. And yes I was shocked. That biopsy experience was awful.

    Mary is this your first

    Mary is this your first sigmoidoscopy? I have them every 3 months since the end of treatment since last January.

  • Marynb
    Marynb Member Posts: 1,118
    #8
    pamela_preib said:

    Mary is this your first

    Mary is this your first sigmoidoscopy? I have them every 3 months since the end of treatment since last January.

    Pam
    Hi. No, I have had several scopes...I just have had so many different scopes and scans I can't remember the prep for this one and I lost the instructions. I know I have to do 2 edemas at least 2 hrs before and no food tomorrow. Just can't remember if I have any food exclusions for this one. With 2 separate cancers, it is hard to keep all the tests straight. Honestly, I don't know whether I am coming or going these days!
  • Marynb
    Marynb Member Posts: 1,118
    #9
    qv62 said:

    Pamela

    First off wishing you good results with your biopsy and hoping all goes well, as for an in office biopsy I can relate to your pain. I have had countless biopsies in the OR however at one of my office visits my doctor (colorectal surgeon/oncologist) said she saw a little something she would like to biopsy while I was there, there was no prep and no numbing, nor any warning as to how painful it would be. It was a first and a last for me, I never felt so much pain in my life, I felt as if my heart stopped, felt as if breathing had ceased and could actually hear my sweat drops hitting the floor like a puddle. I was then packed and had to lay in position for 20 minutes until the bleeding stopped. It was a very tough walk back to the parking garage and an uncomfortable next day. I still can't get over the fact that there is no numbing, or pain medication administered. Hope you are feeling better

    Qv and Pam
    Ouch! So sorry to hear of your pain and I am dreading going tomorrow. Ugh.
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #10
    Marynb said:

    Qv and Pam
    Ouch! So sorry to hear of your pain and I am dreading going tomorrow. Ugh.

    Pam and Marynb

    Pam, I'm so sorry you had to experience that!  My first biopsy was done while I was under for a colonoscopy.  The second one was during a surgery and, again, I was out.  I can't imagine going through that with nothing to at least numb the area.  I hope you'll get the all clear and don't have to wait too long for the results.  In defense of your new doctor, I'm sure she is just trying to be very thorough and wants to have a clear picture, so to speak, of your current status, since she has not been involved in your care prior to this.  It's a good thing, as I see it.

    Marynb, I hope your scope goes well tomorrow and that you will also get the all clear.  I certainly understand the dread, but the good news will make it all worth it! 

  • jcruz
    jcruz Member Posts: 379 Member
    #11
    Wow
    I've had 2 biopsies

    Wow

    I've had 2 biopsies post-treatment but both were done outpatient.  My surgeon is very cautious about doing even a DRE in the office and won't yet do an anoscopy in the office because of the possible pain inflicted.  So I've had 2 scopes and biopsies in the OR with pain meds needed for a few days after.  Can not imagine an office biopsy.  I am so sorry to hear what your doc did to you.  I hope for good results for you.

  • pamela_preib
    pamela_preib Member Posts: 55
    #12
    jcruz said:

    Wow
    I've had 2 biopsies

    Wow

    I've had 2 biopsies post-treatment but both were done outpatient.  My surgeon is very cautious about doing even a DRE in the office and won't yet do an anoscopy in the office because of the possible pain inflicted.  So I've had 2 scopes and biopsies in the OR with pain meds needed for a few days after.  Can not imagine an office biopsy.  I am so sorry to hear what your doc did to you.  I hope for good results for you.

    The doctor I saw took over

    The doctor I saw took over for my colorectal surgeon as he left the state. I'm being treated at Huntsman and just got a survey emailed to me. I think I will make a comment that some type of pain management is necessary .  I can't wait until this is all years behind me(pardon the pun). I feel so violated all the time.  I haven't felt remotely sexy in a long time. I just want to be left alone. :/

  • Marynb
    Marynb Member Posts: 1,118
    #13
    pamela_preib said:

    The doctor I saw took over

    The doctor I saw took over for my colorectal surgeon as he left the state. I'm being treated at Huntsman and just got a survey emailed to me. I think I will make a comment that some type of pain management is necessary .  I can't wait until this is all years behind me(pardon the pun). I feel so violated all the time.  I haven't felt remotely sexy in a long time. I just want to be left alone. :/

    Pam
    I think you should send that suggestion. Patients should have an option.
    As far as feeling sexy, I hope that feeling goes away soon. Life is way too short to be left alone! I do understand it, but I am an old lady! Stay well!
  • horsepad
    horsepad Member Posts: 146 Member
    #14
    I have a sigmoidoscopy

    I have a sigmoidoscopy scheduled for the end of the month.  I have never had one and dr. told me I will be put out and she will be taking various tissue samples for biopisies (I have been bleeding during bowl movements).  It will be done in her office building.  I was told to eat a light breakfast.  I was also told I will need someone to drive me home.  I am nervous.  Can anyone tell me the difference between the sigmoidoscopy and a colonoscopy.  I thought a sigmoidoscopy didn't look at the entire colon and a colonoscopy did.  My sister, a nurse, said a sigmoidoscopy looks at the entire colon, a colonoscopy only looks at a portion of the colon.

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #15
    horsepad said:

    I have a sigmoidoscopy

    I have a sigmoidoscopy scheduled for the end of the month.  I have never had one and dr. told me I will be put out and she will be taking various tissue samples for biopisies (I have been bleeding during bowl movements).  It will be done in her office building.  I was told to eat a light breakfast.  I was also told I will need someone to drive me home.  I am nervous.  Can anyone tell me the difference between the sigmoidoscopy and a colonoscopy.  I thought a sigmoidoscopy didn't look at the entire colon and a colonoscopy did.  My sister, a nurse, said a sigmoidoscopy looks at the entire colon, a colonoscopy only looks at a portion of the colon.

    horsepad

    A sigmoidoscopy if different from a colonoscopy.  The sigmoid colon is in the lowest part of the colon, just above the rectum, and the sigmoidoscopy only examines this part of the intestinal tract.  A colonoscopy goes the entire length of the large intestine and also the distal part (end) of the small intestine, which is probably why more prep is required for this exam.  Do you have to do any prep at all for the sigmoidoscopy?

    Bleeding is quite common after pelvic radiaton to the intestinal tract and I hope yours will found to be completely benign.  Radiation proctitis is common among us and one of the issues it can cause is rectal bleeding, due to thinning of the intestinal wall, bringing the blood vessels closer to the surface.  Bleeding can easily happen with any type of irritation or inflammation.  I hope all of your biopsies will come back clean.  Please let us know what you find out and I hope your exam will go well. 

  • jcruz
    jcruz Member Posts: 379 Member
    #16
    horsepad said:

    I have a sigmoidoscopy

    I have a sigmoidoscopy scheduled for the end of the month.  I have never had one and dr. told me I will be put out and she will be taking various tissue samples for biopisies (I have been bleeding during bowl movements).  It will be done in her office building.  I was told to eat a light breakfast.  I was also told I will need someone to drive me home.  I am nervous.  Can anyone tell me the difference between the sigmoidoscopy and a colonoscopy.  I thought a sigmoidoscopy didn't look at the entire colon and a colonoscopy did.  My sister, a nurse, said a sigmoidoscopy looks at the entire colon, a colonoscopy only looks at a portion of the colon.

    I had a sigmoidoscopy at the

    I had a sigmoidoscopy at the very beginning of my journey.  It was done by my gastroenterologist in outpatient surgery.  I heard her tell a nurse that she preferred that equipment to what was in her office.  The prep I did was the day before I drank magnesium citrate (which had the awful side effect of excruciating cystitis) and then in the morning I did an enema.  We discussed anesthesia and she felt I could handle the procedure without it so I opted for no anesthesia and was able to get myself home after.

    good luch

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