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Needle Phobia, scared, Not sure what to do for the best
by sophieuk1987, Nov 05, 2009 07:33AM
Hello all,
This is my 1st post.
I am 22, lost my mam to breast cancer (secondary that travelled to her lungs) 3 year ago, she first got breast cancer for the 1st time when she was 30. About 6month ago i found a lump in my left breast, and ended up been referred to get it checked out due my family history etc. They did an examination, and agreed there was a lump, and then an ultrasound scan (prob due to me been younger). They then said they wanted to do FNA. I have a huge phobia of needles, and they left me sat in a waiting room for 2hrs before finally calling me in to do the FNA - by which point i was past myself and a mess. In the end they didn’t do the procedure as my body was shaking to much, and i couldn’t calm myself down, and told me to go back a month later to see how things where.
To cut the story short, i've been back twice since my 1st appointment, once in aug, and then last friday (30th Oct). Both times they have again advised me to go through with the FNA. I know i should just go through with this procedure and it’s probably nothing to worry about, but i cant control my fear/reaction when i am actually in the doctors room - i shake, and no control over my body, and black out at times. The doctor has now told me to go back to see him in 4months, which to me seems like a life time, and too long to wait. The anxiety of not knowing what this lump is making me ill, and i feel like am going round in circles. I’ve tried to talk to friends/family members about my problem, but they all love me and worry too much to understand the phobia part of it, and its caused a lot of arguments, as obviously they just want me to get the FNA done, and to make sure its nothing to worry about.
I understand that I am only 22 years old, and the likelihood of it been anything bad is slim, however as I said above my mam did get breast cancer at 30, which is also young.
At the moment I am much more aware of my lump as it tends to feel like a dull burning, and not sure if this is a good or a bad thing.
Any advice would be much appreciated. For example I often wonder how much they would have been able to tell from the scan alone? And are the just wanting to do the FNA as routine, or should I be worried by the fact they do want to do an FNA?
Sorry for the length of this message, am just so upset, confused, and at war with myself and this stupid phobia :(
Thank you.
x
This is my 1st post.
I am 22, lost my mam to breast cancer (secondary that travelled to her lungs) 3 year ago, she first got breast cancer for the 1st time when she was 30. About 6month ago i found a lump in my left breast, and ended up been referred to get it checked out due my family history etc. They did an examination, and agreed there was a lump, and then an ultrasound scan (prob due to me been younger). They then said they wanted to do FNA. I have a huge phobia of needles, and they left me sat in a waiting room for 2hrs before finally calling me in to do the FNA - by which point i was past myself and a mess. In the end they didn’t do the procedure as my body was shaking to much, and i couldn’t calm myself down, and told me to go back a month later to see how things where.
To cut the story short, i've been back twice since my 1st appointment, once in aug, and then last friday (30th Oct). Both times they have again advised me to go through with the FNA. I know i should just go through with this procedure and it’s probably nothing to worry about, but i cant control my fear/reaction when i am actually in the doctors room - i shake, and no control over my body, and black out at times. The doctor has now told me to go back to see him in 4months, which to me seems like a life time, and too long to wait. The anxiety of not knowing what this lump is making me ill, and i feel like am going round in circles. I’ve tried to talk to friends/family members about my problem, but they all love me and worry too much to understand the phobia part of it, and its caused a lot of arguments, as obviously they just want me to get the FNA done, and to make sure its nothing to worry about.
I understand that I am only 22 years old, and the likelihood of it been anything bad is slim, however as I said above my mam did get breast cancer at 30, which is also young.
At the moment I am much more aware of my lump as it tends to feel like a dull burning, and not sure if this is a good or a bad thing.
Any advice would be much appreciated. For example I often wonder how much they would have been able to tell from the scan alone? And are the just wanting to do the FNA as routine, or should I be worried by the fact they do want to do an FNA?
Sorry for the length of this message, am just so upset, confused, and at war with myself and this stupid phobia :(
Thank you.
x
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The procedure that you are supposed to have,is a very simple one and the least invasive.Many women have gone through this test with very little pain,or none at all.About your phobia,you know that it can be controlled by medication.Talk to your family doctor and explain your fear of needles,and I am sure that he will prescribe an adequate medication for you, like Xanax or Valium to relax you before you have the test done.I believe that your fear is real and that we can't control these phobias once they attack.For this very reason please talk to your doctor to settle this matter.Since you have a history of breast cancer the importance to have this lump checked becomes absolutely necessary.What you have, could very well be a simple cyst or fibroadenoma which is very common at your age and they are benign lumps.But any lump found in the breast should be investigate fully.I hope that you will feel much better on your next appointment for the test.Best wishes and God Bless.