Ladies Only: Biopsy Coming Up Scared

[mylilnikita]

So very recently, I went to GYN for post menopausal spotting. It has been a process because first day was day they didn’t have an ultrasound tech so went back following week for that and see PA and end up also seeing Dr.
Dr was like we will schedule next week for scope and see if any polyps were missed on ultrasound.
So that is next week. Today I got the regulars back from lab from Firestone visit that there are abnormal cells , so either pre cancerous or cancer. I’m beside myself.

Bright side I do get a Valium ( because I’m not a good relaxer for exams) and numbing stuff.

Anyone else have this done? Any tips on how not to freak out cause either way stuff will have to be done . TIA

 

[Christine]

So very recently, I went to GYN for post menopausal spotting. It has been a process because first day was day they didn’t have an ultrasound tech so went back following week for that and see PA and end up also seeing Dr.
Dr was like we will schedule next week for scope and see if any polyps were missed on ultrasound.
So that is next week. Today I got the regulars back from lab from Firestone visit that there are abnormal cells , so either pre cancerous or cancer. I’m beside myself.

Bright side I do get a Valium ( because I’m not a good relaxer for exams) and numbing stuff.

Anyone else have this done? Any tips on how not to freak out cause either way stuff will have to be done . TIA

Are you having an endrometrial biopsy or cervical? I had a colposcopy with biopsy done about 2 months ago (abnormal pap). Most paps are not picking up outright cancer, but precancerous cells. My doctor was very good about getting that across to me. She said that whatever we were finding was not going to the "C" word but maybe the beginnings.

I had 3 separate biopsies done and I found them to be super easy. I had heard horror stories but it was a piece of cake honestly. That is just the cervical biopsy though. I do think the endrometrial one is a bit tougher. There are some good experiences discussed on a few reddit forums. Not sure if you read there but lots of good information and tips.

 

[mylilnikita]

Cervical . I have never had any type before this.

 

[Rogue1677x]

I've had a few cervical biopsies before and they really didn't feel like much of anything.

I just breath deeply, get out of my head space, and think of something complicated unrelated. It's helped a lot, and considering I've dealt with breast biopsies in an MRI (that wasn't fun), several rather uncommon scans for fibroids and ovarian cysts, plus keeping myself calm ahead of brain surgery and breast surgery.

Good luck, hope everything turns out ok.

 

[Christine]

Cervical . I have never had any type before this.

Okay. My experience was pretty good. I did a lot of reading of others before and I went and made myself a wreck. There are some women who just have a hard time with it. Everyone perceives things differently. It could be because I am menopausal, have had two children, and have any number of other things done to me, this turned out to be nothing close to what I read about (there are good experiences out there too!!).

I was instructed to take 800 mg of Motrin an hour before my procedure time. I did this.

This will seem just like a pap smear except there will be a big light/microscope there. The doctor will paint a vinegar type solution on the cervix. Some people say they feel a burning/stinging. I felt nothing. This solution will make any abnormal areas go white. The doctor will them do some very small "clips" of those white areas and send them off. I did not feel the first two clips at all. The third one was actually her just getting a larger piece of the second site and I did feel some menstrual type cramping with that. That's it. Considering I haven't felt that in about 10 years, that was different, lol!

After they are done with the biopsies, most doctor's use something called Monsel's solution to stop any bleeding. This is like a liquid bandage. This is the stuff that makes things weird. For about 5 days, you are going to have parts of the Monsel's solution (which solidifies) come out. This is the "coffee grounds" stuff they should tell you about. If you're lucky, like me, the WHOLE bandage will "birth" itself out around Day 3 or 4. Nice. Otherwise no pain. I had some mild, mild cramping for about an hour after the procedure.

I was so stressed, I was very tired all day.

 

[Silvermist999]

Can you ask for local anesthesia or do they offer general anesthesia. I would find out.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I’ve had several endometrial biopsies. I just took motrin ahead of time. It was only painful, for me, for several seconds, and like menstrual discomfort afterward. A hot water bottle for the ride home would probably help, and personally, I’d take the rest of the day off to go home and rest if I could.

As for the abnormal cells, uterine cancer, if caught early, is usually very treatable. Good luck, I hope everything works out ok. Biopsies are hard emotionally, and often physically, too.

 

[AgentMama]

Ive had endometrial and cervical before a hysterectomy that took everything. I found cervical uncomfortable but tolerable. Endometrial was extremely uncomfortable and I did not tolerate it well.

Sending you wishes for a quick and pain free procedure and good luck with your results.

 

[mylilnikita]

Thanks to everyone. I know I’ll be getting a Valium to help relax me because I am anxious . She said I’ll get numbing stuff as well . Her nurse will call me Monday to talk to me about what to expect.
I’ve never had issues before so I’m trying to put my mindon other things.

 

[Christine]

Thanks to everyone. I know I’ll be getting a Valium to help relax me because I am anxious . She said I’ll get numbing stuff as well . Her nurse will call me Monday to talk to me about what to expect.
I’ve never had issues before so I’m trying to put my mindon other things.

You got this--it's all going to be fast and it will be over before you know it. The numbing stuff can be some part of the solution they put on the area but I don't recall much about it. I may not have even had it. Let us know how you do.

 

[Ning Ning]

Thanks to everyone. I know I’ll be getting a Valium to help relax me because I am anxious . She said I’ll get numbing stuff as well . Her nurse will call me Monday to talk to me about what to expect.
I’ve never had issues before so I’m trying to put my mindon other things.

I don't have any experience to relate, but I just wanted to send you prayers for good results and also that the process is as easy as possible. You've got this!

 

[shh]

Not gonna lie...was a bit painful, but went very fast - the dread I felt leading up to the procedure was worse. Was given same prep as others: 800mg motrin one hour before.

 

[mylilnikita]

a quick update: So nurse called today and let me know :
Yes I will have Valium.
But also have a sleeping pill for the night before. 3 suppository like to help soften stuff .
And a cervical block.

So that was a lot more then I was told originally lol.

 

[mylilnikita]

Op back again.

I went to appointment today and asked hey if we did this in a hospital ( like doctor saud we may do) what would be the difference. Nurse said oh we would knock you out.
Well after seeing all this stuff in a very small room , I got upset even after the valium .
So now waiting to hear from the hospital ( which is literally next door )to see when an appointment can be made.
It’s funny with the logic; supposedly the whole thing today woujd have been 3 minutes with scope and biopsy.
But I had to start prepping last night , take a Valium at the office then get what they consider 1 shot but at 5 different places - then wait 10 minutes for block to start.
When they when it’s about same amount of time to get be prepped and knock me out.
And nurse just called and said hey btw dr looked at lab results from pap from other day and wants u to come in before we schedule in case we need to do more while you at hospital.
Now I said didn’t I ask you if the doctor was going to be aware of the results because I got them the other day in my portal?
So I guess it was good to go with my gut and be a scaredy cat lol.

 

[Christine]

Op back again.

I went to appointment today and asked hey if we did this in a hospital ( like doctor saud we may do) what would be the difference. Nurse said oh we would knock you out.
Well after seeing all this stuff in a very small room , I got upset even after the valium .
So now waiting to hear from the hospital ( which is literally next door )to see when an appointment can be made.
It’s funny with the logic; supposedly the whole thing today woujd have been 3 minutes with scope and biopsy.
But I had to start prepping last night , take a Valium at the office then get what they consider 1 shot but at 5 different places - then wait 10 minutes for block to start.
When they when it’s about same amount of time to get be prepped and knock me out.
And nurse just called and said hey btw dr looked at lab results from pap from other day and wants u to come in before we schedule in case we need to do more while you at hospital.
Now I said didn’t I ask you if the doctor was going to be aware of the results because I got them the other day in my portal?
So I guess it was good to go with my gut and be a scaredy cat lol.

Thanks for the update. I'll be honest, it sounds like you are having more done than a colposcopy with cervical biopsy. I don't think any doctor preps so much for that.

It sounds more like the endometrial biopsy, which is a bit harder and many women do take the option to have it done at the hospital with sedation. The "softening" thing sounds very like they need to be able to go up into the cervix.

In that case, you've probably made the right decision, although yes it is very quick even with that procedure. But no need to be in pain for any reason.

 

[DisneyHardin]

Big hugs. Things like this are so scary.

 

[mylilnikita]

Op here again lol:


So after my previous update: dr wanted to me to come in for a colposcopy a few days after I walked out . Nurse says oh this is what it is we put vinegar in a swab and it will show abnormal cells and we can see with a special magnifier scope. Ok that doesn’t sound bad. She wanted it done before me getting out under.
Well night before I was on tik tok and women asked why do we not get pain relief from certain Fumo procedures sure enough the nurse didn’t mention a biopsy for the colposcopy. I was like nope not to mention I was under care for a uti so not the same street area but same neighborhood.
I get there and here comes the consent form. And this is after I write a message in my portal um hey thanks for not disclosing about that biopsy but no.
Didn’t sign it and dr came in. She is like oh I thought I could talk you into it. It’s just a pinch and I had it done myself . I said you now it isn’t a pinch.
I got another doctor finally and I go under for the list of stuff tomorrow.
Funny part is I had to pick up medicines today and one is a narcotic. So I can get serious pain relief if I go under but not procedure done in office.?
Something is wrong with that ideology.
Wish me luck

 

[permavac]

Good luck and hang in there! The colposcopy was just uncomfortable for me. A higher level of discomfort than a pap - which I hate - but more because of the psychological aspect of knowing my doc was doing some slicing down there. It was more pressure, twinges of pain, and overarching blech-this-is-terrible-to-have-to-go-through.

My cancer was AGUS which my doc tried treating with a CONE biopsy which can be curative if they get all the margins. In my case they didn't. So I ultimately had to have a hysterectomy. I was worried mostly while waiting the interminable-feeling couple of months for my hysterectomy appointment but I was very lucky that it was caught so early and I haven't had a problem since. It's been around 14 years now.

Hope everything goes well, that you're feeling ok, and that you have a good support system! That makes all the difference

 

[fla4fun]

Op here again lol:


So after my previous update: dr wanted to me to come in for a colposcopy a few days after I walked out . Nurse says oh this is what it is we put vinegar in a swab and it will show abnormal cells and we can see with a special magnifier scope. Ok that doesn’t sound bad. She wanted it done before me getting out under.
Well night before I was on tik tok and women asked why do we not get pain relief from certain Fumo procedures sure enough the nurse didn’t mention a biopsy for the colposcopy. I was like nope not to mention I was under care for a uti so not the same street area but same neighborhood.
I get there and here comes the consent form. And this is after I write a message in my portal um hey thanks for not disclosing about that biopsy but no.
Didn’t sign it and dr came in. She is like oh I thought I could talk you into it. It’s just a pinch and I had it done myself . I said you now it isn’t a pinch.
I got another doctor finally and I go under for the list of stuff tomorrow.
Funny part is I had to pick up medicines today and one is a narcotic. So I can get serious pain relief if I go under but not procedure done in office.?
Something is wrong with that ideology.
Wish me luck

Hoping all goes well for you and you have zero pain.

 

[prairie_girl]

I’m glad you will be getting some major pain relief. I had mine done with nothing, they didn’t even tell me to take Tylenol or Advil before hand. It’s not a pinch, it’s a hole punch.