Curious if anyone is familiar with this procedure?

[TippyThomas]

I am scheduled for an Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy on a few nodules found in my thyroid next week. It doesn't sound like a difficult or intense procedure but the thought of someone sticking a needle in my throat is rather off putting to say the least. Have any of you had this done or are you familiar with the process? Just curious what your experience was.

 

[trip]

I am scheduled for an Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy on a few nodules found in my thyroid next week. It doesn't sound like a difficult or intense procedure but the thought of someone sticking a needle in my throat is rather off putting to say the least. Have any of you had this done or are you familiar with the process? Just curious what your experience was.

I had something similar done a few years ago. They gave me a local in the area and I actually watched the procedure on the monitor (I was facing that way). No pain no problem not cancerous. I now go in once a year for a regular ultrasound to see if it has grown. They don't expect to have to do anything unless it grows and starts to bother me.

 

[nw6675]

I've had it done several times. Slightly uncomfortable, but nothing major.

Worst part was doc patting my arm saying he thought it seemed like cancer since the specimen was gravelly. So I worried and then it was benign.

 

[TippyThomas]

I've had it done several times. Slightly uncomfortable, but nothing major.

Worst part was doc patting my arm saying he thought it seemed like cancer since the specimen was gravelly. So I worried and then it was benign.

I am a bit concerned because the ultrasound report of the nodules indicates that one of them may be difficult to get a sample because of calcification. Won't really know until after the test but I hope they can get a sample because it sounds like it could be a problem.

 

[Hisgirl]

I have had this done.
Both times, the results were inconclusive which resulted in surgery. Now I have no thyroid and all pathology was benign.

Make sure your doctor sends out the sample for molecular 2nd opinion.

Although, even that came back inconclusive.

Ive seen this happen to friends also.

The procedure can be uncomfortable. Please ask for something to numb the pain and keep you calm. Have someone drive you.

 

[nw6675]

I am a bit concerned because the ultrasound report of the nodules indicates that one of them may be difficult to get a sample because of calcification. Won't really know until after the test but I hope they can get a sample because it sounds like it could be a problem.

I had one that was similar. It was the most uncomfortable one. It kind of felt like more pressure and when you get blood drawn and they hunt around with the needle to find the vessel. Although, that may actually feel worse! They were finally able to reach mine and get the sample after a bit.

 

[MIGrandma]

I had it done several years ago. I had nodules on my thyroid and had surgery to remove them, they took one side of my thyroid and the isthmus. The nodules grew back so they did the fine needle biopsy. I don’t remember if they numbed the spot first or not, but the person doing the procedure kept asking me if I was okay. I was, but they acted like I was tolerating the procedure really well. The nodules were benign, I think I had one or two ultrasounds on them after that, they hadn’t gotten any larger so my surgeon released me.

 

[Princesca]

Had this done for atypia. Got tired of the stress of repeating biopsies and eventually had my thyroid removed. The FNA was a little uncomfortable but no big deal.

 

[lisaviolet]

Yes, multiple biopsies. It just felt like a little bit of pressure. Not anything to get worked up about (I don't mean that in a judgmental or harsh way as it might read, simply for peace for you going in or anyone else in the same position.)

In the end I had to have my thyroid removed due to the size and placement of two of the little buggers. I was not getting enough oxygen and was choking as well at times while eating. Two of the larger ones sat against my windpipe & trachea.

Best of luck with everything.

 

[TippyThomas]

Yes, multiple biopsies. It just felt like a little bit of pressure. Not anything to get worked up about (I don't mean that in a judgmental or harsh way as it might read, simply for peace for you going in or anyone else in the same position.)

In the end I had to have my thyroid removed due to the size and placement of two of the little buggers. I was not getting enough oxygen and was choking as well at times while eating. Two sat against my windpipe & trachea.

My decision became clear, as before I was content just to continue biopsies, after almost drowning. I am a very strong swimmer, jumped off my sister's boat in nothing but joy and had nothing within a minute.

During the same time period, by coincidence, my endocrinologist had me raise my arms above my head & lower my chin at the same time. I could only get words out on instruction that sounded like the devil and barely at that & was instantly choking. I realized I was probably doing the same position in sleep (the worst of the out of breath times) & of course with the front crawl.

I am writing all this not to scare you but to give you a tool to see, besides the biopsies of course, if any of the modules are affecting you adversely in ways you are not fully realizing. If mine were not, I would have chosen to do regular biopsies. It is a lot more comfortable than your mind is probably thinking.

Best of luck with everything.

Thanks very much for the information. To be honest, they found the nodules due to a completely different scan I was having and I don't believe I had any obvious signs that they existed. Now that I know they are there, I am positive my mind is playing tricks on me with all the symptoms they ask me about now. I'm just ready to get it all taken care of, whatever the course may be. Thanks again.

 

[lisaviolet]

Thanks very much for the information. To be honest, they found the nodules due to a completely different scan I was having and I don't believe I had any obvious signs that they existed. Now that I know they are there, I am positive my mind is playing tricks on me with all the symptoms they ask me about now. I'm just ready to get it all taken care of, whatever the course may be. Thanks again.

About 30% of the population will have thyroid nodules in their lifetime. And like you, many will be found through other screenings. I had a friend who literally found her Hashimoto's issue due to a ski accident.

If they are not doing anything adversely, they are often best left to be - besides regular screening/biopsies of course.

Wishing you the best.

 

[FQLover]

I had this done about 15 years ago. I found it very uncomfortable, as the nodules were on the far back of the thyroid and very hard to reach. The radiologist kept apologizing for how very long it was taking and the pain involved. I definitely would ask for additional local anesthetics if I had to do it again. I also had to cancel my engagement for that evening, as I felt very tired and nauseated for several hours afterward.

Clearly, people have had really varying experiences with this procedure, depending on the placement and size of the nodules, how much discomfort you were already in (I had none--it was discovered while going to the ENT for some thing else).

I hope that your procedure has goes smoothly and has minimal discomfort. It is always best to get something looked at so that you and your doctor can make a treatment plan if needed. Good luck and try not to worry too much. My nodules were benign, and I bet yours will be, too.

 

[floridafam]

Had a biopsy 27 years ago. Didn’t seem too uncomfortable. Will likely have another in 2 weeks. Found some nodules on my thyroid and I’m seeing a specialist in Tampa. If you are uncomfortable, make sure to say something. There is no reason to be in pain during the biopsy. They can do things to minimize any pain or discomfort.

 

[China Expat]

I've had several which I found quite uncomfortable. Long story short, several nodules were enlarging so my entire thyroid was removed.

 

[auntfrannie]

I had it done about 7 years ago. I don't remember any pain and was able to drive myself home so not a major procedure.

 

[Christine]

I had thyroid cancer back in 1994 and I never had the needle biopsy because, apparently, the nodule was on the BACK of my thyroid gland and they couldn't easily get to it. I had full up surgery to remove the nodule and it, on the OR table, the nodule itself came back benign on a few of the slices they looked at. Sewed me back up. A week later, after the FULL pathology of the entire sample, they found thyroid cancel in the nodule. So I had to go back in and have the remaining gland removed. That full pathology showed thyroid cancer in "sprinkles" throughout the gland.

My friend suddenly started growing several nodules and she had them biopsied. She was very concerned before going and worried, but I think overall it wasn't a bad thing. Her nodule biopsies all came back benign but they were growing so large, that she had her thyroid removed. After they did the full pathology post surgery, they did find some thyroid cancer in one of the nodules. The thyroid cancer was not the cause of the nodules though and they deemed it an incidential microcancer.

All this is to say is that thyroid cancer is not easily diagnosed through biopsies as other cancers because it is usually "peppery" versus a whole nodule being cancerous (which is like what you see with breast cancer). You can do several biopsies in a nodule and pull normal cells.

This probably didn't make you feel better but some clinicians get lucky and are able to get conclusive samples and then you know what you are or are not dealing with.

 

[White Cat]

Wishing you all the best.

 

[wowsmom]

I am scheduled for an Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy on a few nodules found in my thyroid next week. It doesn't sound like a difficult or intense procedure but the thought of someone sticking a needle in my throat is rather off putting to say the least. Have any of you had this done or are you familiar with the process? Just curious what your experience was.

I've had several FNA biopsies done. The first one was without local anesthesia - they said it wasn't needed. (I think they were wrong.) Next time I had to get it done, I went to a different location (had changed doctors) and they gave me a local anesthetic and it was so much easier. I highly recommend the local anesthesia.

 

[TippyThomas]

I've had several FNA biopsies done. The first one was without local anesthesia - they said it wasn't needed. (I think they were wrong.) Next time I had to get it done, I went to a different location (had changed doctors) and they gave me a local anesthetic and it was so much easier. I highly recommend the local anesthesia.

I think that's going to be the first request out of my mouth. Getting it seems like the way to go.

 

[wowsmom]

I think that's going to be the first request out of my mouth. Getting it seems like the way to go.

Absolutely. After my first experience, all the other places I went, it was standard practice. But there may still be places that it is not, so definitely check on that.