Brain clot/aneurysm after breast biopsy?

[belgiumcach]

It's the weekend, so I didn't want to call the doctor.  Thursday I had a left breast biopsy for a dense area, with a syringe-type needle extraction process.  I know I wasn't supposed to take aspirin before the process in order to allow the blood to clot properly after the it.  However, I worry that several strong headaches I've had today early could be loose material from the biopsy posing a threat to blood cirulating the the brain.  That is how strokes occur,  Is it safe now to take an aspirin (I just did, because I assume dissolving clots in this case would help)?  Could the biopsy have caused a possible blockage in brain arteries/veins?  Could this be the reason for the headaches today?  Thank you.

[katarina777]

Hi, I have had anxieties like yours before but I want to assure you that that the possibility of your having had a stroke, or  that the biopsy caused some kind of obstruction in the brain, or clotting, is minimal. Really unlikely!  Yes, one should avoid things like aspirin before surgery but seriously, if you took one or two it won't hurt you.

It is also not unreasonable that you would have a headache after an anxiety provoking procedure like the one you had. I am sure you must have been tense, or even if not, these procedures always wipe me out in some ways, and I always need some pain meds afterwards, or before?

You'll be fine and by now your headache is probably gone?

If not, you know the consult with your doctor, right? Kat

[Cleveland Clinic]

Dear Belgiumcatch:  Common symptoms of stroke include difficulty with weakness on one side of the body, numbness on one side of the body, difficulty with speech, vision, or severe headache that may be accompanied by facial or neck pain.  If you have these symptoms, you should go to the emergency room. The risk of stroke from a needle biopsy would be very low indeed.  You should certainly discuss this with your doctors but there are many much more common causes of headaches.  

[Marylou_II]

The doctors should be back sometime tomorrow Monday, but please add to your post certain important missing information:

1] How old are you? Age is very important for this answer.
2] What is the right name for the needle biopsy you had?
3] Did you take an Aspirin before the biopsy or did not?
4] Do you normally have high or low blood pressure?
5] Were you stressed because of the biopsy?

This should help for you to get a good answer.

Regards.