Needle Aspiration Biopsy Thyroid

I have had this done and it was nothing. I also had three nodules, one super close to my vocal cords.

My dr did say I was the calmest patient he has ever had. At the time, I was practicing yoga a lot, so I just went into meditation mode....visualizing where I would rather be (Disney with my kids). I don't remember any pain or any issues after (maybe a tiny discomfort for the day). No issues with the anestetic. I had no throat issues at all. I was a tad dizzy when I got up (laying down and VERY still is not super easy), but walked out of there like nothing happened at all.

Because of your bleeding issues, it may be worse, but for me, there was absolutely no need for a hotel and travelling 3 hours home would be no issue (but that is a long day, 6 hours in the car).

Good luck, don't stress at all about it. It sounds MUCH worse than it really is!!

I went through a thyroid biopsy about 4 years ago, and let me just say it very, very, very painful. You cannot move at all! My doctor did not perform the procedure, and I DID NOT HAVE ANESTHESIA, just the numbing cream, which did not work!!! 8 times they stuck that needle into me. By the time I got up from the table, I was dizzy, nauseous, and about to lose it when the so called doctor had to call some help in because he was holding me up from me passing out...had to wait two hours to drive myself home. I had bruises all over my neck (looks like someone chocked me) for about a week (makeup covered up the bruises.) You might have small welts too; just some ice will bring the swelling down.

Don't mean to scare anyone, but I asked what to expect from everyone who had the procedure done before and no-one said anything until after (geezer thanks.)

I had this procedure done a few years ago. I did feel some pressure, but no pain during the procedure. My neck was a little sore after the procedure from having to be so still on the exam table. I found it was easier to stay calm and still by focusing on the ceiling tiles in the room. I was not distracted by the doctor inserting the needles into my neck when I was counting the number of holes in the ceiling tiles or tracing them in my mind. I also visualized pictures of things I could create out of those holes in the ceiling tiles. I would not look forward to a six hour drive (3 hrs each way) on the day when I had this done. Ask the doctor or nurse if there are any downsides to your procedure and if they would recommend that you stay over. If so, Can you bring a girl friend to stay over with you so you can have someone to keep you company if you are not feeling well or to help you enjoy some shopping or eating out if you feel fine after the procedure. Good luck with your tests.

Let me throw this out there... Why not stay in a hotel?

Six hours in a car makes for such a long day- and that's not taking into account that there could be delays at the medical facility where you are having this done, the procedure could take longer than expected, you don't know how you are going to feel after it's done, etc., etc.

So if you can swing it financially and the family is covered at home, I'd pick the hotel. But personally, I find anything medically related physically and emotionally draining, so even if I WAS capable of driving home, I'd pick the hotel option so I could rest and be focused for the long drive home.

Treat yourself to some room-service and a movie.

Best wishes for a safe trip and I hope everything goes well for you! Let us know when it's over!

I've never had this done, but you might want to ask your doctor these questions.. even the one about staying overnight. Even the nurse should be able to advise you, because having this knowledge might be a comfort to you. It might be wise to stay overnight anyway, because you say you have a bleeding disorder, just in case there are complications.

Also, please feel free to speak up during the biopsy if you navy ANY pain. They really don't want you to be in pain. If you are worried about pain during the procedure, ask if a local anesthetic instead of a topical might be a possibility. Explain why. If you have any pain afterwards, ask the doctor what you can take to control the pain (tylenol, aleve, ibuprofen, tylenol 3, vicodin, etc) (I have no idea how painful it will be.)

Anyway, good luck, and I will keep you in my thoughts as you have the procedure, do you know the date?

I haven't had this done although I have had a thyroid issue for years. I have had breast biopsies done many times when I used to have cysts and suspicious mammograms, and I did have bruising. I drove myself.Not sure I'd recommend that or do it again! Not so much from the "ability" point of view but just the 'alone with my thoughts" point of view.

I think, however, since you have to go so far, you should consider taking someone with you so you don't feel anxious for 3 hours in each direction. Being distracted while you are driving is not a good thing.

You could take a VERY lightweight scarf to tie around your neck if you think you will be self-conscious about the bandage or the bruising, although the bruising will probably happen the next day.

Staying in a hotel is an alternative but consider parking there first and taking a cab to the office and back to the hotel so you are not looking for parking or dealing with city traffic and getting stressed out. Try AAA or one of the online services (Expedia, Hotwire, etc.) to find a safe and budget-rated hotel (a lot of times they almost give away empty rooms even in higher-priced hotels).

My husband has this done last year. It was definitely uncomfortable and a lot of pressure but he didn't have any pain during the procedure.

Once the numbing cream wore off he was a bit sore but nothing more than some ibuprofen was necessary.

Not comfortable but not painful really.

I drove him to and from the procedure. He could have done it himself but I went for moral support.

Good Luck!

Everyone responds differently to certain procedures but I can tell you that I've had 4 biopsies over time done on my thyroid (3 large nodules) and it was never bad at all, especially after having kids it's nothing! I can't even remember if I had the numbing cream or not, probably, but it's just a little prick of the needle each time. After, I only took tylenol for it. I drove myself the first time because I never thought it would be an issue, and it wasn't...I went out to lunch and shopping by myself with no kids! I also never had any bruising either. Don't worry! One thing though is that I always had the biopsies done by my well-trained endocrinologist, they know best about "where about's" in the nodule they should take the sample from.