Breast biopsy--patient comfort around anxiety

[Anonymous]

I always take a Xanax before and don't even mention it. I'd do that. I'm so sorry you are feeling so anxious- I totally get it an also have medical anxiety. I play little brain games while in the MRI- listing names of fruit or countries that start with A, B, C, etc. It helps with grounding!

[Anonymous]

I have multiple clips (they are like an eyelash) where I have had biopsies. I feel much more confident that they are looking at the correct area of concern in follow up scans.

[Anonymous]

OP back to clarify a few things: The type of finding I’ve had cannot be visualized well on mammo or ultrasound, and the BI-RADS score is such that I need an MRI guided core needle biopsy for diagnosis. My anxiety is not related to claustrophobia in an MRI, rather it is around pain and the possibility of a cancer diagnosis. I also struggle with feeling faint and deeply uncomfortable about being injured, so the idea of a needle sticking out of my boob makes me squirm, even if it doesn’t hurt. But no, I do not expect anesthesia for a short, minimally invasive procedure. I just want to take whatever a not-crazy dose prescription dose of an oral benzodiazepine for anxiety is.

So I guess I’m asking folks to recommend a practice where they’ve had a positive experience with MRI-guided biopsy—pleasant, uncrowded waiting area, patient providers. I’m seeing several of you write, “just take your meds before showing up and don’t mention it,” which may be wise. I’m still curious if any facility offers benzos by IV—not because I want twilight sedation but because I’m interested in them acting faster than the 60-90 minutes oral doses take.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP back to clarify a few things: The type of finding I’ve had cannot be visualized well on mammo or ultrasound, and the BI-RADS score is such that I need an MRI guided core needle biopsy for diagnosis. My anxiety is not related to claustrophobia in an MRI, rather it is around pain and the possibility of a cancer diagnosis. I also struggle with feeling faint and deeply uncomfortable about being injured, so the idea of a needle sticking out of my boob makes me squirm, even if it doesn’t hurt. But no, I do not expect anesthesia for a short, minimally invasive procedure. I just want to take whatever a not-crazy dose prescription dose of an oral benzodiazepine for anxiety is.

So I guess I’m asking folks to recommend a practice where they’ve had a positive experience with MRI-guided biopsy—pleasant, uncrowded waiting area, patient providers. I’m seeing several of you write, “just take your meds before showing up and don’t mention it,” which may be wise. I’m still curious if any facility offers benzos by IV—not because I want twilight sedation but because I’m interested in them acting faster than the 60-90 minutes oral doses take.

OP I can’t imagine a facility where they would do an iv solely for something you can take orally. That brings in another specialist, billing, etc. Just have someone drive you and take it on your way there. I also have medical anxiety, and Washington radiology seems so disorganized that I don’t do well there. Their K st location seems the worst, so if you want to go with them I’d switch locations. Otherwise I’m switching to Sibley bc it seems much more professionally run. I have been getting diagnostic mammos for 4 years bc of a history of call backs, family cancer, dense breasts, etc. At my last (and it will definitely be my last appt ever there) one at wash radiology in Fairfax, the radiologist yelled at me with the door open for wasting her time by having a diagnostic mammo instead of a regular one. Meanwhile, it was my dr who had said they were necessary.

[Anonymous]

The IV will be placed by the radiology nurse for the contrast agent, and a radiologist is an MD with the ability to prescribe meds.

[Anonymous]

Just FYI that you will most likely get local anesthesia if you’re getting a core needle biopsy. Mine was stereotactic (mammogram guided), not MRI guided, and I actually got two injections. And, not to scare you even further, you will definitely want the anesthesia- that core needle is huge.

I’m the PP who used to be at WRA and now at Georgetown. I went to the Park Potomac WRA location and I didn’t think it was hectic at all, if that’s a location that works for you. They only do breast imaging there unlike other locations where they do other imaging too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was a WRA patient through my biopsy and then switched to Georgetown after my BC diagnosis. Georgetown also doesn’t allow any anxiety medication before signing the consent forms, so I think that’s pretty standard.

You don't need to tell them sh*t. I'm tired of being treated like crap.

There is about 30 mins from signing and the procedure. Sign, take meds, be fine!

[Anonymous]

OP, even if you sob in the waiting room it is okay. I know it doesn't feel that way, but it really is ok. You can go to the bathroom; it's what I do if I can't get enough space in the waiting room.

Do you have a therapist you can prep with? That might help. I also make sure I am deep into the middle of an absolutely engrossing book (think a beach read) and dive into it immediately after I check in; I also do this when flying - it helps me. Maybe something similar can work for you. Distraction can be a good thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP back to clarify a few things: The type of finding I’ve had cannot be visualized well on mammo or ultrasound, and the BI-RADS score is such that I need an MRI guided core needle biopsy for diagnosis. My anxiety is not related to claustrophobia in an MRI, rather it is around pain and the possibility of a cancer diagnosis. I also struggle with feeling faint and deeply uncomfortable about being injured, so the idea of a needle sticking out of my boob makes me squirm, even if it doesn’t hurt. But no, I do not expect anesthesia for a short, minimally invasive procedure. I just want to take whatever a not-crazy dose prescription dose of an oral benzodiazepine for anxiety is.

So I guess I’m asking folks to recommend a practice where they’ve had a positive experience with MRI-guided biopsy—pleasant, uncrowded waiting area, patient providers. I’m seeing several of you write, “just take your meds before showing up and don’t mention it,” which may be wise. I’m still curious if any facility offers benzos by IV—not because I want twilight sedation but because I’m interested in them acting faster than the 60-90 minutes oral doses take.

I am one of the previous posters and I'm suggesting this because I suspect that your wait at any other facility will be lengthy. I also have healthcare-related PTSD and for me, waiting around for things to happen (whether it's scheduling the biopsy or waiting on the results) is so deeply unpleasant that I'll do almost anything to avoid it.

In this case that would include taking an oral benzodiazepine and getting the procedure done as it is currently scheduled.

I know it's not worth much, but I just went through this and the areas of concern turned out to be benign fibroadenomas. Hopefully it will be the same for you. Good luck!