Had my thyroid nodule biopsy

hopeful girl 1 · January 2011

Hi all,

The biopsy for me was not fun. I had lidocaine, but I still felt some of it, the nodule they were doing biopsy for was on back side of thyroid I guess.

Also, I had a scare because radiologist said she would ask me if I was numb and test me by poking me with needle and seeing if I felt it. She forgot and just started the biopsy and I didn't know at first and I spoke. They all panicked and told me not to speak or swallow until told. When I was given ok I asked if any damage was done by my speaking and they didn't answer I asked again and they seemed hesitant but said it was ok. Said when you speak or swallow nodule goes up and down and they lose sight of the needle on the ultrasound. Talk about scaring me.

Also I was supposed to have biopsy on 2 nodules as per thyroid surgeon and radiologist determined she was only going to do one. I have three: one is cystic, two are solid. He wanted the two solid done. She said other solid was too small and should just be monitored. I hope surgeon is ok with that.

And I sure hope is benign. I had been dx with uterine cancer in Feb 2010 and had surgery, chemo and radiation last year-last chemo in Nov 2010, so I sure hope there is nothing else going on here.

kristilynn · January 2011

Take one day at a time!
I too had a bad experience with my biopsy. It is a scary thing to be going through. Try to stay positive.

hopeful girl 1 · January 2011

kristilynn said:
Take one day at a time!
I too had a bad experience with my biopsy. It is a scary thing to be going through. Try to stay positive.

I I guess I was not alone
Kristilynn,

I guess I was not alone in my less than fun experience with thyroid nodule biopsy.
What was the scoop on yours? Did it hurt, or did you encounter some similiar experiences as mine?

I am still a bit freaked out that the radiologist forgot to tell me she was starting and so I spoke while the needle was in me. That is so routine that they should tell you ok we are starting now, don't talk or swallow-like she said she was going to do.

I am just grateful it is done, and hopefully no internal damage was done in the process.

lynn2318 · January 2011

hopeful girl 1 said:
I I guess I was not alone
Kristilynn,

I guess I was not alone in my less than fun experience with thyroid nodule biopsy.
What was the scoop on yours? Did it hurt, or did you encounter some similiar experiences as mine?

I am still a bit freaked out that the radiologist forgot to tell me she was starting and so I spoke while the needle was in me. That is so routine that they should tell you ok we are starting now, don't talk or swallow-like she said she was going to do.

I am just grateful it is done, and hopefully no internal damage was done in the process.

Certainly not alone
My thyroid biopsy was awful. The endocrinologist that did mine did not tell me it would be painful. It was so painful and I had swelling and terrible bruising. My biopsy was inconclusive and she wanted to repeat it. I said no way and went and saw a surgeon who told me the end result is the same, my thyroid needed to be removed. I did have papillary carcinoma of the thyroid, stage IV. I am sorry you had a bad experience and you may want to see a surgeon and see what they might have to say. Good luck. Keep us updated. Hang tough.

kristilynn · January 2011

hopeful girl 1 said:
I I guess I was not alone
Kristilynn,

I guess I was not alone in my less than fun experience with thyroid nodule biopsy.
What was the scoop on yours? Did it hurt, or did you encounter some similiar experiences as mine?

I am still a bit freaked out that the radiologist forgot to tell me she was starting and so I spoke while the needle was in me. That is so routine that they should tell you ok we are starting now, don't talk or swallow-like she said she was going to do.

I am just grateful it is done, and hopefully no internal damage was done in the process.

my biopsy
The radiologist was so rude. I was laying there waiting for them to set up the table. He had explained once they started that I would not be able to move. While they had their backs to me getting stuff ready I scratched my face. The radiologist turned around and bummed my hand while I was bringing it down. You would have thought that something horrible had happened, like knocking the whole table over. He yelled at me and told me what did I not understand about not moving. It was horrible, the tears just started pouring I couldn’t control it. It took a few minutes and then he patted my leg (with his new sterile gloves) and a said if that is the worst thing that happens we are ok. I didn’t say a word. I wanted to say I realize that you see this all the time but, this is first time for me, where is your compassion?? After the trauma from that I hardly remember the actual procedure but I will give him a little credit, I was not it that much pain.

I could imagine how scary that was for you. It is a scary situation without any added drama. I hope everything is ok.

Kristi

kristilynn · January 2011

hopeful girl 1 said:
I I guess I was not alone
Kristilynn,

I guess I was not alone in my less than fun experience with thyroid nodule biopsy.
What was the scoop on yours? Did it hurt, or did you encounter some similiar experiences as mine?

I am still a bit freaked out that the radiologist forgot to tell me she was starting and so I spoke while the needle was in me. That is so routine that they should tell you ok we are starting now, don't talk or swallow-like she said she was going to do.

I am just grateful it is done, and hopefully no internal damage was done in the process.

my biopsy
The radiologist was so rude. I was laying there waiting for them to set up the table. He had explained once they started that I would not be able to move. While they had their backs to me getting stuff ready I scratched my face. The radiologist turned around and bummed my hand while I was bringing it down. You would have thought that something horrible had happened, like knocking the whole table over. He yelled at me and told me what did I not understand about not moving. It was horrible, the tears just started pouring I couldn’t control it. It took a few minutes and then he patted my leg (with his new sterile gloves) and a said if that is the worst thing that happens we are ok. I didn’t say a word. I wanted to say I realize that you see this all the time but, this is first time for me, where is your compassion?? After the trauma from that I hardly remember the actual procedure but I will give him a little credit, I was not it that much pain.

I could imagine how scary that was for you. It is a scary situation without any added drama. I hope everything is ok.

Kristi

hopeful girl 1 · January 2011

lynn2318 said:
Certainly not alone
My thyroid biopsy was awful. The endocrinologist that did mine did not tell me it would be painful. It was so painful and I had swelling and terrible bruising. My biopsy was inconclusive and she wanted to repeat it. I said no way and went and saw a surgeon who told me the end result is the same, my thyroid needed to be removed. I did have papillary carcinoma of the thyroid, stage IV. I am sorry you had a bad experience and you may want to see a surgeon and see what they might have to say. Good luck. Keep us updated. Hang tough.

I saw the thyroid surgeon before biopsy
Sounds like I was not alone in the less than pleasant experience. Actually I did already see the thyroid surgeon before the biopsy-he was the one who actually ordered the biopsy after he reviewed my thyroid ultrasound results (which showed the nodules) and did a physcial exam feeling my neck etc. He was super nice. But he isn't the one who does the biopsies. He said if they were larger he could do the biopsy but since smaller they would be done under ultrasound guidance by the radiologist-and he assured me they were very good at what they do. I think the one I had was newer at it. Very scarey.

I was told that I should get the results back mid week-I sure hope the results are negative. I spent almost the entire year 2010 having surgery/treatment for uterine cancer. So I would like to now have a break. I was stage 3 uterine cancer, and finished my last chemo session in Nov 2010, and my cancer marker number is considered to be good (for now).

So I am hopeful that I can have a break and not have to start again with a new treatment plan. My blood counts are still recovering from the chemo and radiation I had in 2010. White, neutrophils and hemoglobin are still working their way back up to normal ranges.

Thank you for your well wishes. Will keep you posted.

hopeful girl 1 · January 2011

kristilynn said:
my biopsy
The radiologist was so rude. I was laying there waiting for them to set up the table. He had explained once they started that I would not be able to move. While they had their backs to me getting stuff ready I scratched my face. The radiologist turned around and bummed my hand while I was bringing it down. You would have thought that something horrible had happened, like knocking the whole table over. He yelled at me and told me what did I not understand about not moving. It was horrible, the tears just started pouring I couldn’t control it. It took a few minutes and then he patted my leg (with his new sterile gloves) and a said if that is the worst thing that happens we are ok. I didn’t say a word. I wanted to say I realize that you see this all the time but, this is first time for me, where is your compassion?? After the trauma from that I hardly remember the actual procedure but I will give him a little credit, I was not it that much pain.

I could imagine how scary that was for you. It is a scary situation without any added drama. I hope everything is ok.

Kristi

Kristilynn I agree with you
Kristi,

I agree with you, alittle more compassion toward the patients would be appreciated. It is a very scarey procedure to begin with, and while some of the specialists may see these testsas routine, the experience is all new to us.

Mine didn't even really explain you are not supposed to talk or swallow but I already knew about the no swallowing from reading online, so I asked about it. Had I not asked I am not sure she even would have said anything. And then she totally messed up by not telling me she was starting the biopsy as she had promised so I spoke with needle inside me. I layed there terrified after they shhh'd me and said don't talk or swallow.

My neck is still alittle sore, I have been taking tylenol, and just took it easy this week-end.

Thank you for your well wishes!

Had my thyroid nodule biopsy

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