FNA - should it hurt afterwards?

[Mackey22]

I just finished an FNA on the left and right side of my thyroid.  My doctor tested two areas on the left and three on the right.  The right has a hypoechoic 8mmx4.7cm solid nodule, and the left has a complex 1.2cmx1.1cm nodule.  The FNA was US guided and when he pulled the last sample on the right, I had a severe pain at the base of my neck.  It immediately triggered a headache that is throbbing in the front and it has not eased after 1.5 hours.  It hurts to swallow and my throat hurts.    Is this normal and can I expect relief soon?  Don't mean to be a baby, but I didn't expect this.    

[assured]

I have never had a FNA on my nodule, but I'm wondering if the doctor touched a nerve when he did the last one?  I had a liver biopsy a couple of years ago and I must have moved very slightly and the doctor grazed a nerve.  I had the worst pain in my shoulder/neck/head afterwards.  The dr. said it was related to the nerve.  It took a while to go away.

I'm sure someone with more knowledge will respond.  I hope it eases up for you very soon!

Cindy

[Trica]

I had a FNA about 2 months ago and it hurt for the rest of the day.  The next few days I just felt as though I had been straining to sing really loud or something.  Is that a correct measurement in you original post 8mmx4.7(CM)???  If so that seems off the charts.  I have 2 that are 2.8cmx2.6cm and 2.8cmx2.4cm and my ENDO said that was extremely large.  

[TDCRose]

I had two FNAs done within a month of each other.  The first on hurt when Dr. hit thyroid each stick he did I was tensed up and in quite a bit of pain.  Afterwards my throat was sore on the inside and my neck hurt.  Sore throat went away in a day, sore stiff neck took about four days to feel better.  Advil took the pain away.  The second one was quit painless during and afterwards.  Different Drs. did each procedure-would not return to first place.  If you are in that much pain, call the dr. and let him know and see what office recommends.  My nodules were deep and I was told I would be in pain afterwards from the first dr.  Second Dr. had a much better touch and I had very little pain afterwards.  I hope you feel better soon!

[ChitChatNine]

How are you doing today?  thinking of you .. mine just was like muscle pain and tender for 48hrs.

C~

[alex1515]

Hi,

I am curious about your nodules and your ENDO's comments. I too had a FNA and they found 5 nodules during the procedure (US guided) the one that was biopsied measured 2.5 x 2.0. It was originally measured at 0.6 x 0.6 in Oct. My appt with an ENDO is scheduled for Jan.3rd. Of course, I am a nervous wreck. The pathologoy report stated that the biopsied noudule was benign, but nodules are definitely growing! My question is: What is being done about your nodules?

About the pain from FNA:

Like the rest of the group, the area where the FNA was done was sore for a couple of days, but my nodule has grown since the procedure! I was also in pain from being so scared and rigid during the procedure. I used a heating pad for about 4 days and felt better.

Thanks,
Carla

[Trica]

Hi Carla,

I have some discomfort with mine ie. trouble swallowing pills, laying my head a certain way on a pillow and it bloking my airway and also felt like I always had something stuck in my throat.  You like a pill was stuck or something except it is constant.  My ENDO has put me on a very low dose of Levothyroxine in hopes to shrink them but it has been 3 months and I still have the same symptoms as I started and added neck and jaw/ear pain.  My next appointment is  Jan. 9 so we will see.  If they are not ANY smaller he will be removing them surgically.  How long between visits did they grow that much?

[dfl26]

I would hope you're feeling better by today.  I had my FNA on Monday and I was Ok by Wed.  I felt the first sample taking and I think that made the whole thing worse for me.  I felt like I had a sore throat (or someone scraped my esophogus) and had a stiff neck for about 36 hrs afterwards.  Still have a little bruise, but I'm not sore anymore.  

[a_rodriguez_04]

I had an FNA done on the 3rd of this month.  It was done on the right side.  After it was completed I was severly sore.  I could not swallow anything even liquids HURT to go down.  I woke up the next morning with a good size bruise and was sore for about a week or so afterwards.  It hurt to lay down and trying to get comfortable was next to impossible.  

[Trica]

I had my next appointment with the endo, the meds. did not shrink my nodules.  In fact they grew slightly.  I went to see the surgeon on the 28th and will be having a total thyroidectomy on Feb 26.  I am a little scared, more so be cause I don't like to be put to sleep.  I was wondering if anyone who has had the thyroidectomy can share the results of feeling normal again afterwards?????  I am so anxious to feel good again I really can't wait.  

[Mucka]

I had two FNA's within 3 days......a total of nine attempts and mine hurt for a few days and swelled up more than the just bigger than a golf ball nodule is now.  The discomfort/pain did disapate.......at least that did!  Now this friggin swollen lymph node is killing me and the feeling of the lymph node and thyroid wanting to gravitate into my chest.  I am seeing my endo surgeon this coming Friday.  It can't come quick enough!

Good luck!

[Desert_Raven]

I have 8+ nodules and had 2 of the bigger ones (1.4cm on the left and 1.2cm on the right) biopsied last month.  It was excruciating pain.  The radiologist sampled each one 3 times.  Then after he looked at them under the microscope, he came back for a fourth sample on each side.  It literally felt like he would puncture my trachea.  I had a 2 hour drive home afterward and seriously thought I would have to just pull the car off the road and pass out.  It was a lot better the next day but the front of my neck was really achey (achy) and stiff.  I think I'd really rather get the whole thing removed than go through that again.  I hope you are feeling better!!