FNA painful?

[tracy70]

Does a Fine Needle Biopsy hurt?

[2145ssnajklsdfa526]

man, what a bunch of babies!!!!
I had a fn biopsy this am...i didnt even feel it. the MD was superb...the tiny needle
was in for like 3 seconds and i had 2 sites biopsied. i had no lidocane or numbing cream--its not needed.
for anyone having this, make sure the endocrinologist is TOP and have done thousands of these things before you have a needle stuck into your neck.

[pep88]

I was ok with the FNA.  I didn't have any numbing but the topical stuff.  It was weird feeling, but not really painful per se.  I went out to lunch afterwards!  Several "proceedures" were more painful than an FNA.  Having an upper GI (the endoscope down your throat) in my twenties was one.  I refused the Valium they offered, and that was WAY more uncomfortable.  Not painful really, but totally uncomfortable.  I almost passed out when I had an IUD inserted.  WAY painful!  FNA is low on "my" pain tollerance scale, but hey, everyone has a different pain threshold and a different doc.  Good luck.  I wish you a cancer/disease free outcome!

[AJWS6]

My experience, this does not apply to everyone:
I was stuck in the neck 9 times.  3 out of 9 were painless, just slightly uncomfortable first few seconds.  The other 6 hurt.  

The needle size was a factor, just remember the Endo asking the pathologist what size needle to use, before insertion.  And the area the needle needed to be inserted, the deeper the insertion, the more it hurt from wiggling the needle.  

    

  

[worriedinmd]

I didn't have any numbing. It was uncomfortable, but tolerable ... especially with the ice pack!

[Nyxie63]

I've had 3 FNAs with different experiences each time.

The first time, they gave me a shot of lidocaine, which in itself wasn't too bad.  It didn't help much with the 6 following sticks tho.  While not necessarily painful, it was definitely uncomfortable.

The second time, they used numbing spray.  It wasn't too bad at all.  Once again, uncomfortable but not unbearable.

The third time, they used the numbing spray again.  Didn't help much this time.  Oy!  Brought tears to my eyes.  Fortunately, they only had to do 3 sticks.

An icepack applied to the area shortly afterwards really does help with any swelling or bruising.  And it feels good!

[redhed87]

I think the worst part was the first needle to numb the area.  Other than that, it wasn't bad.  I had very little pain afterwards.  Good luck.

[MKlacza]

Mine was actually pretty painless. They numbed it fairly well for me. Yes, I could feel pressure but thats to be expected! After my neck was quite sore!

Good luck!
MK

[shannon828]

Mine was painful, too.  They sprayed some numbing stuff on me, but it really didn't help.  Plus, she didn't get in the actual nodule after two tries and I was freaking out so I went back the next week.  The second time she numbed me with ice before and had a colleaugue assist her and since I knew what to expect it was much more tolerable.

Best of luck, I'm sure it will be fine!!!

[amela321]

Mine was fairly painful.  I did have the lidocaine, but the radiologist really had to kind of dig around to get where he wanted to be.  If I had to do it again, I'd definitely ask for a Valium to take beforehand.  

Hopefully, yours will go well.  A lot of people breezed through theirs just fine.

[KelDC]

I had my neck numbed with lidocaine, and that was a great help. I was also given a Valium 20 minutes prior to the procedure (which did nothing for me). All I felt during the FNA was pressure, really.  It was incredibly sore for me afterwards, so I did a lot of icing down.  I actually have a scar from my FNA (very small), but it pales in comparison to the beauty that is my TT scar! =)

It was WELL worth it, though, as I just found out that my thyroid was indeed cancerous.  

So, hang in there - you can and will get through this just fine!!

[dscoochie]

The doctor did not numb my area.  He took three samples and I have to say it was very uncomfortable - but only somewhat painful.  The horrible sounds (like a needle going through hard cartlidge) was awful.  

The area was tender and a bit bruised afterwards.

It wasnt THAT bad.  But dont expect it to be a comfortable experience.

[Carolyn1128]

I just had my FNA biopsy yesterday. The doctor numbed my neck first and I can't imagine having it done without being numbed. It did not hurt per say but was uncomfortable. I had 5 samples taken from each lobe. My neck was really sore this morning but it seems fine this evening. Now that it is over I would say it was a piece
of cake.
Good Luck

[ChitChatNine]

Most are ok as above post but there are some on the community whose hurt alot .. usually it isn't too bad .. actually, usually less than a dentist needle is what I found to be in my case.

C~

[Liz94]

I was given a numbing cream to apply 30 minutes prior to my FNA.  The first stick felt a little odd and uncomfortable but the other 4 were painless.  Afterwards though I was very sore for about 2 weeks.