Hi All,
Just over a month ago I felt a large sore lump in my right breast it was under my nipple and had changed the colour and texture (nipple had gone shiny) I went to the GP who referred me to the breast clinic.
I got an appointment and had a mammogram and ultrasound where a 6cm solid mass was found along with several cysts.
I am very very needle phobic (become hysterical) and I explained this to the consultant who rebooked me for a core biopsy whilst I got valium the problem is I went in for this last Thursday having taken 3 2 mg and they attempted to take a fine needle doobery but there is no fluid (its a solid mass) when he went in to do the core I freaked and couldnt do it. I need to know what to do now please dont tell me I should of had it done, or I need to go and have it done I can’t help my reaction to needles I really really cant id rather not be a quivering sobbing wreck at the sight of one.
Should I contact the GP or the hospital? The nurse was saying something to me but I was in too much of a state for it to register.
Sorry this is so long.
xx
Hi Mellymoo,
Welcome to the BCC discussion forums. I’m sorry you’re finding this so difficult. Could I suggest that you give the helpline here a ring, lines are open until 5pm today and calls are free, 0808 800 6000. Have a chat with one of the nurses, I’m sure they’ll be able to support you through this.
Take care,
Jo, Facilitator
Thanks Jo, juat have done they were very helpful
Hi MellyMoo
I’m sorry you are in this unfortunate place made worse with your phobia.
Unfortunately the only way for them to find out what’s what is to take a sample of the ‘mass’, scans can show things up but they need a part of it to see what it is. There are other scans you can have once they know what they’re dealing with but i’m pretty sure they need a sample before these would be any use.
I’m sure that they must come across people with the same phobia as you all the time and must have systems in place to help you through it. I really, really advise you to phone and ask how you all can overcome this problem you might be surprised in their sympathy. I’m having chemo at the mo’ and although i have no problems with needles i know they have systems in place for those who do, so it makes sense that they will at the start of the process.
Best of luck.
x
Thank you, I did explain initially that I was needle phobic but I think they thought the standard a bit squemish not what I am which is become hysterical going to try and call the hospital today.
x
hi Mellymoo
Perhaps your consultant will agree to remove the lump under a general anesthetic, and then the lump could be analysed.
Maria x
There are a couple of things you could try, or look into. How about hypnotherapy? I have heard some very good reports of it, but I don’t know whether it would help in your case. Or ask the hospital if they could sedate you (not just Valium but industrial-strength sedation) while they do the biopsy? I had a portacath fitted under sedation and it wasn’t a pleasant procedure, but although I was awake, I couldn’t feel a thing and was really “out of it”, so that might be something they could do. Mazbaz’s suggestion is also a very reasonable one, and perhaps something you could push for. I know that would mean further needles, at least for the anaesthetic, but again they can use inhalable sedation to help you through that.
Well done for getting the lump looked at, and very best of luck for any further treatment you may need. Considering your phobia you are a prime candidate for having a central line fitted if you need to have chemotherapy, as that means you wouldn’t need to be stabbed and prodded and poked even for blood tests, and believe me there are lots of those…
CM is right, they gave me a form of sedation when I had to have a camera down my throat some years ago and you have absolutely no recollection of what just happened when you wake up, its absolutely great. They must be able to offer something like this to you for something so very important.
Keep pushing for something to be sorted asap and all the very best of luck. Let us know how you get on.
Tracy xxx
Well, since it was serious enough to make me try and have a biopsy now the hospital realises they will need to sedate me its suddenly fine and they will monitor using scans of course they cant scan it for 6 months now due to getting the needle in but not being able to get a sample (um no fluid is a solid mass) I am not sure what to do on the one hand I dont know whether it is anything and hate to cause a fuss and on the other they wanted biopsy’s etc before they realised it wouldnt just be a case of sticking a needle in.
The cysts continue to grow and cause pain, the lump is still there and because im now so bloody bruised I cant even check if there have been any changes.
Fed up
xxxx
Mellymoo, I wouldn’t want to wait 6 months for it to be checked. I understand about needle phobia as I have a friend the same as you.Its a lot more than just not liking needles.
The hospital should be able to help with sedation as they have said you need a biopsy. Just because it is more hassle for them is no reason to change their minds.
A core biopsy is no more sore than a fine needle one,I have had both.
However they should be able to get a sample with a FNA (fine needle aspiration) ,they certainly did with me. With FNA they can only say if its suspicious of cancer or likely benign but if it was suspicious you could have it removed and tested.
Or as Mazbaz suggested ask for it to be removed,they should be able to knock you out with gas before any needles.
The two things you really don’t want are
- Six months from now you find out its been cancer all along
- Spend the next six months worried sick when you could have the all clear now.
I don’t mean to frighten you but you are already worried and “wait six months” is NOT good enough.
Hope this helps
love n hugs
Dot
PS my friend recently underwent brain surgey while awake…thats scarey. But she’d probably rather have that than a needle!
I’m completely with Dotchas. This is too important to wait for six months. See if you can get your GP on your side. My GP has been absolutely fantastic with me, and she explained that she’s there to be my advocate, so depending on your relationship with your GP you should be able to get him or her to push very very hard for the biopsy, or even for the lump to be removed, and to stress that your needle phobia isn’t just you being a wimp but is a condition that needs to be taken into account when deciding what to do.
Further down the line, if you need surgery I know that anaesthesia or major sedation can be administered through a mask, and then once you’re out cold they’d put in any cannulas they need for administering other drugs. So it is ALL do-able. If you end up with bad news at the end of it and if you were to need chemo, you can get a line put in under sedataion (PICC or Hickman are the two most common) which would remove the need for needles, so even chemotherapy is do-able.
Speak to your GP and push really hard, you deserve to have your worries dealt with.
Good luck,
CM
x
Thank you all, they tried the fine needle thats what pushed me over the edge but they couldnt get anything out with it at all so were going to move over to the core biopsy but I couldnt do it.
I am now panicking again as I have found a sore lump in my left armpit
(which is the opposite armpit to the breast with the lump) its probably and ingrowing hair but add it to everything else Im scared.
My doctors dont understand about my phobia and think I should pull myself together so am not sure what to do as I dont think they will be much help.
xxxx
Definitely have to get your GP involved. We’re not talking about being logical here, phobias AREN’T logical. But they should do everything they can to get you the treatment you need while acknowledging your phobia.
Will try calling them to see if they can help thank you.
xx
So, called my GP got told I need to stop being silly and went a little bit mental, do they think I want to not be able to have blood taken, go to the dentists etc?
Asked them what the point to waiting 6 months would be as I wouldnt suddenly cured of my phobia and would still need a biopsy he asked what I wanted him to do and what I thought they could do and I said they could do an open biopsy and he could suggest it so now waiting to hear back from that.
He wasnt happy but then neither am I, the letter states I refused treatment I was in no state to either refuse or accept treatment I was hysterical.
Sick of whole thing now.
xxxx
I am disappointed that no-one is taking your phobia seriously. I know my friend was mocked once when attending for a scan that required an injection. Needle phobia is just as real as claustrophobia and Drs understand if a patient can’t have an MRI, and if they really need the scan the patient gets sedation/anaesthetic.
Did you just speak to your GP on the phone or see him in the surgery. Maybe make an appt to see him and tell him you need help with your phobia,hopefully then he will take you seriously! Maybe you could try hypnotherapy.
Hang in there,don’t let them put you off getting an answer.
Love n hugs
Dot
xxx
I hate needles was bad for 15 years.Refused all bloods then on my 3 rd baby. The hosp refused to deliver if i didnt have blood test as they said i could have aids and need to know what blood group i was incase i needed blood. I was willing to die than have a needle.Then i had breast cancer had to have them then chemo more needles why me.Im still dont like them make me feel sick dizzy ill my hands sweat.Have you a friend who can be with u hold your hand etc.You got to know asap if the lumps are cancer or not.And with all treatment ahead they cant keep putting you asleep. You need surport and someone with you.Just tell them not show you it and to much details if i done it i know you can good luck Jane xx
Hi Mellymoo
People will say they understand about your phobia but no-one can. You are the one sitting there waiting for the dreaded dish to appear.
I am there too, I have spent years with a needle phobia. (I even bit my daughters hand when she helped me give blood at the GP Surgery)
I also found a ‘lump’ in March. I am now at home recovering from a Right Breast Mastectomy.
I must have been more scared of the cancer.
20 years ago I needed a Cone Biopsy down below because a smear showed changes. No way were they giving me a local down there. I have the cone biopsy without anaesthetic teh doctor told me to focus on the pain and describe what I was feeling instead of ignoring it all. I was concentrating so much on what I was feeling and the level of discomfort that it was over in no time.
You need a GOOD friend to distract you while they do the tricks. They can give you a local anaesthetic for the Fine Needle Aspiration, then the core biopsy is a small scapula cut, believe me… I didnt even feel it.
You are so brave to be facing up to this in your present state of mind, but dont run away, get angry, show this damb cancer you are better than it.
Hi Mellymoo,
Needle phobias. Where do I begin! I wouldn’t even go on holiday to places that needed innoculations! Last October I had to have MX my anesthetist was brilliant as he said you look really anxious, I then said about the needle phobia. He gave me tablets for premed, and put me to sleep using a mask that they use on children - no needles. He even said that to me as we went down to theatre dont worry no needles, I had enough to worry about anyway. Prior to this like you I freaked at having to have core biopsy, but the macmillian nurses fully understood, and I can honestly say I just didn’t feel a thing. You must get this done just to find out about the mass. Please be strong and get it done. You dont want the cancer.
Take care, Chrissyx
Hi Mellymoo,
Just to give you a bit of background, I used to be totally needle phobic, when I was first pregnant and the midwife came to do my 8 week blood test, my hubby and midwife had to pick me up off the bathroom floor as I’d fainted on the toilet with my trousers around my ankles! and I hadn’t even seen the needle! So I absolutely understand you. All I can say is that I cant believe I had the core biopsy, then an op and now my chemo. I cried like a baby before they administered the first one! All I can suggest is that you try hypnotherapy - I tried it and did get through it. I also use homeopathic remedies to “calm” me. I don’t know which hospital you’re being treated by but mine has an Holistic Centre attached to it and we can have a whole host of therapies for free. Try massage or anything. I hope you get some help as it truly is a horrible phobia!
Jo x