Biopsy pain

Hi when I had my lung biopsy I’m pretty sure I was only given standard L.A. and it’s probably hands down one of the most painful things I’ve ever felt I remember pushing myself into the corner of the bed gripping the nurses hand with one hand and the rail with my other but my sisters father in law who was a lot older than me tolerated much better so think it all depends where it is in the lung.  Afterwards I recall significant pain breathing but does subside after a few days so bear with. Well done for getting through it. 

Thanks for your reply.  I got extra anaesthesia cos I have an insensitivity to L.A.

I did swear when it went through the pleura, which the L.A. apparently doesn’t effect…. I think if I’d been warned about that in advance it would have been helpful!

Hi, all was good with my biopsy until I went to recovery. I had such an awful crushing pain, I got rushed back in to check my lung hadn't collapsed. It hadn't, but just the small amount of air caused such discomfort.

It goes with time, just take your medication. Report your discomfort.

Thank you.   Woke at 2 am and awake most of the night after that……at least I haven’t been bringing blood up

I had a CT guided lung biopsy in September 2023.  I had pain the first night, I woke about 1.30am and tried to turn over, but the pain was excruciating.  I don't know how I managed to get out of bed, thankfully I live in a bungalow so no stairs and managed to get to my armchair in the living room holding onto the walls for support.  It literally felt like I had a dagger lodged in my chest.  I managed to make a cup of tea and took two Ibuprofen.....the rest of the night through to morning was spent sitting upright wrapped in my duvet and I managed to get off to sleep at about 4.30am when the painkillers kicked in.  The following night I was fine, although the area biopsied was very sore to touch there was no pain.  I was told by the consultant to leave the dressing on for about two to three days.  I had the biopsy on a Wednesday morning and by the Sunday everything was fine. 

I had a small air leak after the biopsy so I was kept on the ward for about four hours and had my blood pressure and breathing checked every 30 minutes, I was then sent for an X-ray routinely before discharge and my lung was fine.

The consultant performing the CT guided lung biopsy gave me a local anaesthetic injection, one either side of the area to be biopsied and a further one directly centred on the area, so three in all.  Apart from the initial sharp scratch of the needles, once numb I did not feel a thing.  I was chatting away to the nurse who held my hand and we both watched the procedure on the CT screens next to the bed, I found it fascinating to be honest.  The consultant informed me of everything she was about to do and what sounds they would make, for instance; the sound of the biopsy gun taking the core sample, which was done twice, sounded like a stapler.

Regarding your cough, I did have an air leak, but I didn't develop a cough.

I hope you are feeling better soon.

Ann

Thanks Ann for sharing your experience. I also found it very interesting to watch it on the CT screen!