From the article: Thyroid Surgery and Thyroidectomy
What should a thyroid patient expect before, during and after the thyroid biopsy procedure known as fine needle aspiration, or FNA? What about a thyroid sugery? What is it like, first-hand from thyroid patients who've been through it? Share your story about FNA and/or thyroid surgery, and read other thyroid patients' accounts of their own experiences with thyroid biopsy or thyroidectomy. Share Your Story
Painless Biopsy - Very Sore Later
- I got the biopsy two days ago. It was painless, except for a little pinch when they injected the lidocaine. Now, it hurts whenever I swallow. A cough or a sneeze hurts a lot. They did five aspirations, so I get why it's so sore. I am most anxious to get my results (maybe tomorrow?) and for the soreness to heal.
- —Guest Jane
FNA Ultrasound Guided Biopsy
- I had a biopsy done today. The lidocain injection did not hurt at all, but the actual biopsy hurt at times when he went in very deep. The radiologist and staff were amazing and though it was painful, it was tolerable. I am still very sore since they had to do the biopsy a second time because the specimen had too much blood and it was difficult to see the cells. While the procedure is NOT pain free for everyone it is fairly quick and tolerable. Good luck to everyone.
- —Guest lee
It's Okay Really
- I have been a severe needle-phobic my entire nineteen years of life. So, let me tell you I was not looking forward to this at all. The first time I got biopsy'd I cried like a baby, but laid still and held onto that nurses hand like she would float away. The second time, which I just got yesterday, was a piece of cake. After I learned what it was all about, I went to the Roswell Cancer institute for the second biopsy and they were great! They told me how many sticks they were going to do, and counted how long each stick would take for me, they even had me laughing between each stick.
- —Guest Shauna
Biopsy
- I did the biopsy yesterday. After reading all the posts, some made me very scared. So by the time I went to the doctor I was panicking, but to tell you the truth I didn't get any local anesthesia. He put the needle in and out and took 30 seconds, little discomfort and no pain.
- —Guest maryam
Come to the UK!!
- I live in the UK and they don't give you any anaesthetic at all and it hurts alot. They took 2 biopsies from me and I now have pain from my thyroid up and around my neck through to my head! Go to the States, at least they numb you first! Plus I had to wait 12 weeks for my appointment and won't get my results until next week now :-( Horrible.
- —Guest Goitre girl
FNA - Painful!
- Even though my doctor has much experience and waited 10 minutes after the lidocaine, the actual procedure was very painful. The movement of the needle to get the specimine hurt! Shooting pain all the way to my shoulder. The procedure was bad. The good news is after the procedure was done, ice helped and the pain decreased quickly.
- —Guest Deborah P
Positive Story No Pain - Don't worry :)
- I just had my thyroid biopsy done at Burnaby General. Burnaby is in the Vancouver, Canada area. It was a simple procedure and literally painless. I would rate the pain factor at 3 out of 10 with 1 being no pain whatsoever and 10 being the worst pain ever. The doctor and her team was very nice. They explained every detail along the way. If you are nervous, definitely tell your medical team. They will reassure you. The freezing was probably the worst part and that felt like a little pinch. The actual biopsy needles I did not feel when they inserted them. I only felt a little pressure. It felt like someone was pushing the eraser end of a pencil on your neck. Just slight pressure. Overall, it took maybe 20 minutes from start to finish. I have general anxiety and was nervous after reading some of the stories here but after my experience, my fears were unfounded. Afterwards, I have a very slight sore throat when I swallow but that is it! Stay strong and be positive!
- —Guest Yiu-Kei
What does this mean for me??
- I had my FNA today on 2 nodules. The first was on the left lobe, 2cm in size. He took 3 hits and didn't get ONE cell! He took 2 hits on the right lobe (measured 1.2cm) and got a few cells from that one. What I'm wondering is what does it mean that he couldn't get even one cell from the samples he took?
- —Guest TeeJay
Very Painful
- I got stuck 6 times and it hurt like hell. Ihad this done years ago and it was just as bad, but this time they didnt numb anything.
- —Guest kelly
Piece of Cake
- I read all the horror stories here and fully anticipated this to go bad. I took a Tylenol 3 and half a Xanax beforehand, but unsure how much that helped. My Endo/Surgeon with 40 years experience in FNAs did it and I think that's key. Had numbing shot and it wasn't bad at ALL. Pleasantly surprised. Zero soreness afterward. I didn't know the needles go in at the same location! Get someone with experience in doing this folks!
- —meagainmisc
Thyroid Biopsy
- My test is scheduled for 4/18 and I am afraid. I do not like pain.
- —Guest thomas wood
Thyroid Biopsy
- My procedure went really well and the doctor was awesome. The worst thing is waiting on PSP to get results back from Friday to Wednesday. Still no reply and I'm scared to death.
- —Guest Tammy
FNA Biopsy and Thyroid Surgery
- First, let me say that I initially read too much on the internet. There are so many differing opinions. Some info is good, some not. I had a good experience with the whole process. From discovery of the problem through surgery was about six weeks. That included 2 surgeries. They took out half the first time and a short term test showed no cancer was present. Final pathology however showed cancer cells so they had to go back in and take the other half. My second surgery was better. I didn't use any pain meds after the initial dose and I felt a lot better and was out of the hospital in less than 24 hours. Truly, I feel very blessed to have found out the problem and immediately taken steps to correct it. Now working to level out synthroid dosage. Going pretty well. All in all, no complaints. Thanks to the Lord, great doctors, and a wonderful support network I am doing fabulously. I wish you all well. Remember, your not in this alone. Stay positive!!!
- —tharv87
FNA Not Too Awful
- I had a FNA done a year ago at a hospital. The procedure wasn't very painful. After effects were bothersome for a few days. My voice sounded strange and I was sore. It took a few days until I felt better. I will be having another one any day now since my doctor wants my thyroid removed. The FNA does not concern me. I don't want my thyroid removed.
- —Guest fllfla
Easy FNA
- I had an FNA Feb 25, 2013 by a radiologist under US. The doctor and tech explained everything and were kind and fast. I had lidocaine (tiny pinch) and 4 sticks with 4 pushes each in one nodule, which took a total of 4 minutes. No pain, just pressure. I was really uptight before but would not hesitate to have one again with this tech and doctor. I went out to lunch later. Next day, there is bruising and some soreness. Nothing bad at all. I am appalled by some of the stories here. US guidance and lidocaine highly recommended. Also, a doctor who has done lots of these procedures. It should not be a very unpleasant experience. My was about 2 out of 10 for discomfort.
- —Guest Marion
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