Ok, anyone in here have experience with a puncture? I'm getting one next Wednesday in my neck, into my thyroid gland. I'm getting weaker in the knees with the day. The thought of a thick needle in my neck while being awake...

Please some relaxation tips to reach next week or tips to at least shut off my mind????

The procedure will not be as bad as you imagine. The anxiety and the wait for the procedure is worse than the procedure itself in the vast majority of cases. To relax for the procedure, start to relax now.

Keep in mind that while this is the first time you've gone through this procedure, the people performing the procedure do it regularly. They do it for a living and they know what they're doing.

When you go in, make sure you've followed the pre-procedure instructions to the letter. If they say eat make sure you eat something. You don't have to eat a lot, just have a light meal so you have food on your stomach. If they say don't eat...do not eat.

During the procedure, to try to relax, just breathe. The procedure does not last forever. Remind yourself of that when it starts to feel like it's taking a really long time. Every procedure team has their own style. Some will chat with you during the procedure to get you through the instructions and try to keep you engaged while they work. Others are not very chatty and just work. During all of that...just breathe and remember it will not last forever.

For the procedures we do on breasts, we numb up the area first. The numbing medication stings like the dickens...for a minute... then you're numb so again...just breathe. After you are numb, you will feel pressure, they can't take that away, but if you feel sharp pain, let them know so they can give you more numbing meds.

You have a great deal of control as to how good or bad the procedure will be. You can watch if you want to, but if it will upset or scare you, don't watch. Close your eyes...go to your happy place. Ask them if you can listen to music. If you can, bring your iPod or whatever.

Hope this helps. It really will be okay.

good luck

hello luv, i think if u feel very anxious, there is no shame in taking something like diazepam. it will just help u to relax a little. they will use a very thin needle, the proceedure is painless.. no worse than having blood taken from arm.

somebody should sit with you 4 reassurance, maybe u could take ipod & listen 2 a favourite tune. i'll be thinking of u anyway, u will be ok

Nothinbutjoy said:

The procedure will not be as bad as you imagine. The anxiety and the wait for the procedure is worse than the procedure itself in the vast majority of cases. To relax for the procedure, start to relax now.

Keep in mind that while this is the first time you've gone through this procedure, the people performing the procedure do it regularly. They do it for a living and they know what they're doing.

When you go in, make sure you've followed the pre-procedure instructions to the letter. If they say eat make sure you eat something. You don't have to eat a lot, just have a light meal so you have food on your stomach. If they say don't eat...do not eat.

During the procedure, to try to relax, just breathe. The procedure does not last forever. Remind yourself of that when it starts to feel like it's taking a really long time. Every procedure team has their own style. Some will chat with you during the procedure to get you through the instructions and try to keep you engaged while they work. Others are not very chatty and just work. During all of that...just breathe and remember it will not last forever.

For the procedures we do on breasts, we numb up the area first. The numbing medication stings like the dickens...for a minute... then you're numb so again...just breathe. After you are numb, you will feel pressure, they can't take that away, but if you feel sharp pain, let them know so they can give you more numbing meds.

You have a great deal of control as to how good or bad the procedure will be. You can watch if you want to, but if it will upset or scare you, don't watch. Close your eyes...go to your happy place. Ask them if you can listen to music. If you can, bring your iPod or whatever.

Hope this helps. It really will be okay.

Thank you. I know, I'm just not that good with unknown things and I hate needles. Had that with my wisdom tooth being extracted (and it was even worse than I had imagined..) and with an epidural (and that went wrong also since they couldn't get between the vertebras).

I'm burning up so much energy and I know that's even worse than the puncture. And I still have to wait a week, aargggh.

The endocrinologist said it would be done with a thick needle, she should have shut her mouth and the thought of the possibility that things could be malignant isn't relaxing either but something tells me it's all ok. Now I need to get rid of the thought of seeing/feeling that needle entering my neck

I'll take deep breaths, it does relax me sometimes. Lord

XxAxX said:

good luck

thank you.

DoffieParker said:

hello luv, i think if u feel very anxious, there is no shame in taking something like diazepam. it will just help u to relax a little. they will use a very thin needle, the proceedure is painless.. no worse than having blood taken from arm.

somebody should sit with you 4 reassurance, maybe u could take ipod & listen 2 a favourite tune. i'll be thinking of u anyway, u will be ok

hey sweetiepie, I don't even know where to get Diazepam? And those things don't do shit to me when I'm anxious.

I'm not planning on taking someone with me, haven't done that the past 2 times, it's no use. I really need to be left alone at such moments. I've been thinking about ipod though (mp4, cheap version ) because music is the only thing that relaxes me but maybe it's not done? If the procedure is only 2 minutes it must look silly. It's another echo plus puncture and after that they'll plan an operation to get the left side out since it's too big. I wish I wasn't such a baby, so difficult to remain relaxed.

Thanks for trying to comfort me Heidi

Nothinbutjoy said:

The procedure will not be as bad as you imagine. The anxiety and the wait for the procedure is worse than the procedure itself in the vast majority of cases. To relax for the procedure, start to relax now.

Keep in mind that while this is the first time you've gone through this procedure, the people performing the procedure do it regularly. They do it for a living and they know what they're doing.

When you go in, make sure you've followed the pre-procedure instructions to the letter. If they say eat make sure you eat something. You don't have to eat a lot, just have a light meal so you have food on your stomach. If they say don't eat...do not eat.

During the procedure, to try to relax, just breathe. The procedure does not last forever. Remind yourself of that when it starts to feel like it's taking a really long time. Every procedure team has their own style. Some will chat with you during the procedure to get you through the instructions and try to keep you engaged while they work. Others are not very chatty and just work. During all of that...just breathe and remember it will not last forever.

For the procedures we do on breasts, we numb up the area first. The numbing medication stings like the dickens...for a minute... then you're numb so again...just breathe. After you are numb, you will feel pressure, they can't take that away, but if you feel sharp pain, let them know so they can give you more numbing meds.

You have a great deal of control as to how good or bad the procedure will be. You can watch if you want to, but if it will upset or scare you, don't watch. Close your eyes...go to your happy place. Ask them if you can listen to music. If you can, bring your iPod or whatever.

Hope this helps. It really will be okay.

This really helps. I had two fibromas removed from the inside of my mouth in August and they let me listen to music while they worked. I listened to something soothing while they numbed me up and worked on me. They were finished before I knew it.

Genesia said:

This really helps. I had two fibromas removed from the inside of my mouth in August and they let me listen to music while they worked. I listened to something soothing while they numbed me up and worked on me. They were finished before I knew it.

Just as long as she doesn't start singing...

PANDURITO said:

Genesia said:

Just as long as she doesn't start singing...

You're not helping, you know.

Sorry

PANDURITO said:

Si no te callas te voy a pegar al culo eh?

It's serious Pandu, I'm waisting precious energy, my neck hurts and I feel like

[img:$uid]http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss273/CJanssen-Wishaupt4/untitled-3.jpg[/img:$uid]

Genesia said:

Nothinbutjoy said:

The procedure will not be as bad as you imagine. The anxiety and the wait for the procedure is worse than the procedure itself in the vast majority of cases. To relax for the procedure, start to relax now.

Keep in mind that while this is the first time you've gone through this procedure, the people performing the procedure do it regularly. They do it for a living and they know what they're doing.

When you go in, make sure you've followed the pre-procedure instructions to the letter. If they say eat make sure you eat something. You don't have to eat a lot, just have a light meal so you have food on your stomach. If they say don't eat...do not eat.

During the procedure, to try to relax, just breathe. The procedure does not last forever. Remind yourself of that when it starts to feel like it's taking a really long time. Every procedure team has their own style. Some will chat with you during the procedure to get you through the instructions and try to keep you engaged while they work. Others are not very chatty and just work. During all of that...just breathe and remember it will not last forever.

For the procedures we do on breasts, we numb up the area first. The numbing medication stings like the dickens...for a minute... then you're numb so again...just breathe. After you are numb, you will feel pressure, they can't take that away, but if you feel sharp pain, let them know so they can give you more numbing meds.

You have a great deal of control as to how good or bad the procedure will be. You can watch if you want to, but if it will upset or scare you, don't watch. Close your eyes...go to your happy place. Ask them if you can listen to music. If you can, bring your iPod or whatever.

Hope this helps. It really will be okay.

This really helps. I had two fibromas removed from the inside of my mouth in August and they let me listen to music while they worked. I listened to something soothing while they numbed me up and worked on me. They were finished before I knew it.

First, shit to hear that, hope everything's ok with your mouth now

Second, I'll seriously try, I do think it's too short to even put on the music. It's all psychological, I hate it that I can't control that. I'm sure I won't be bothered that much by the pain but only the thought. I never fainted but it feels like I want to.

And thank you too for helping.

Intense said:

Genesia said:

This really helps. I had two fibromas removed from the inside of my mouth in August and they let me listen to music while they worked. I listened to something soothing while they numbed me up and worked on me. They were finished before I knew it.

First, shit to hear that, hope everything's ok with your mouth now

Second, I'll seriously try, I do think it's too short to even put on the music. It's all psychological, I hate it that I can't control that. I'm sure I won't be bothered that much by the pain but only the thought. I never fainted but it feels like I want to.

And thank you too for helping.

You really can control it. Every time you feel yourself start to freak out, stop, take a cleansing breath, acknowlege your concern, give yourself a pep talk, breathe again and move on. Every time, even if it's 1,000 times a day. Remind yourself that it will all be okay and soon you won't need to be reminded so much. Part of the panic is the feeling of having no control. You may not be able to stop the panic automatically, but you can control how you react to it.

You can do it!

Nothinbutjoy said:

Intense said:

First, shit to hear that, hope everything's ok with your mouth now

Second, I'll seriously try, I do think it's too short to even put on the music. It's all psychological, I hate it that I can't control that. I'm sure I won't be bothered that much by the pain but only the thought. I never fainted but it feels like I want to.

And thank you too for helping.

You really can control it. Every time you feel yourself start to freak out, stop, take a cleansing breath, acknowlege your concern, give yourself a pep talk, breathe again and move on. Every time, even if it's 1,000 times a day. Remind yourself that it will all be okay and soon you won't need to be reminded so much. Part of the panic is the feeling of having no control. You may not be able to stop the panic automatically, but you can control how you react to it.

You can do it!

I think it's so sweet that you try to comfort me. I'll take your advice to heart, I really appreciate it ty.

Intense said:

Nothinbutjoy said:

You really can control it. Every time you feel yourself start to freak out, stop, take a cleansing breath, acknowlege your concern, give yourself a pep talk, breathe again and move on. Every time, even if it's 1,000 times a day. Remind yourself that it will all be okay and soon you won't need to be reminded so much. Part of the panic is the feeling of having no control. You may not be able to stop the panic automatically, but you can control how you react to it.

You can do it!

I think it's so sweet that you try to comfort me. I'll take your advice to heart, I really appreciate it ty.

You feel like a flan with ketchup? That's horrible.

Sorry about that, relax and good luck

ever have a EMG where they shock your nerve and put needles into your muscles and twist em around?

i've had it on both arms and a leg

[Edited 2/17/11 14:37pm]

Nothinbutjoy said:

Intense said:

I think it's so sweet that you try to comfort me. I'll take your advice to heart, I really appreciate it ty.

Although this procedure REALLY sucked, twice, I want to thank you again and I've thought all week about your well meant tips, breath breath breath and give myself a peptalk, think about something else. Even on the table Me with my 2 minutes this joke took 45 minutes total, no nice procedure...

ps edit, they didn't numb up anything. My specialist said they always do and the radiologist said they never do

[Edited 2/23/11 9:25am]

Intense said:

Nothinbutjoy said:

Although this procedure REALLY sucked, twice, I want to thank you again and I've thought all week about your well meant tips, breath breath breath and give myself a peptalk, think about something else. Even on the table Me with my 2 minutes this joke took 45 minutes total, no nice procedure...

ps edit, they didn't numb up anything. My specialist said they always do and the radiologist said they never do

[Edited 2/23/11 9:25am]

Oh man that really SUCKS!!! I'm glad it's over for you though!!

Nothinbutjoy said:

Intense said:

Although this procedure REALLY sucked, twice, I want to thank you again and I've thought all week about your well meant tips, breath breath breath and give myself a peptalk, think about something else. Even on the table Me with my 2 minutes this joke took 45 minutes total, no nice procedure...

ps edit, they didn't numb up anything. My specialist said they always do and the radiologist said they never do

[Edited 2/23/11 9:25am]

Oh man that really SUCKS!!! I'm glad it's over for you though!!

I WISH!! Today was results day... the 2 punctures failed, not enough tissue they could use so I'm going for a third puncture, aaarggghhh.

Dang, what did you say... breath in, think of nice things

We pay €200,- every month and they can't even take a puncture

You being in the medical industry, is it normal that they fail at doing punctures?

paintedlady said:

thanks Sandra, I really need that now, not looking forward to a third puncture

Third time lucky

I hope everything went well for you the third time around

Intense said:

Nothinbutjoy said:

Oh man that really SUCKS!!! I'm glad it's over for you though!!

I WISH!! Today was results day... the 2 punctures failed, not enough tissue they could use so I'm going for a third puncture, aaarggghhh.

Dang, what did you say... breath in, think of nice things

We pay €200,- every month and they can't even take a puncture

You being in the medical industry, is it normal that they fail at doing punctures?

My sister went through the process of diagnosing and treating thyroid cancer late last summer through Christmas. She's the main thyroid experience I have.

They did a surgical biopsy because of the location of interest, so only one biopsy. Then the surgery to remove her thyroid. Then her treatment. She had to eat a special diet for awhile, then take a radioactive iodine treatment that made her lose her sense of taste for about a week.

She's totally okay now (THANK YOU GOD!! ) and the only thing that indicates she had any trouble at all are the two scars on her neck from the surgeries.

THREE biopsies SUCKS to me. BUT...I don't work on thyroids I work on breasts. Not getting an adequate sample is a risk of a biopsy/puncture, but two times in a row!?! They need to step up their game. I know your medical system is different over there, but if possible, look into what your other options are. Can you change doctors? Can you go for surgical biopsy instead?

I'm so sorry you're having this experience.

obsessed said:

I hope everything went well for you the third time around

Nothinbutjoy said:

Intense said:

I WISH!! Today was results day... the 2 punctures failed, not enough tissue they could use so I'm going for a third puncture, aaarggghhh.

Dang, what did you say... breath in, think of nice things

We pay €200,- every month and they can't even take a puncture

You being in the medical industry, is it normal that they fail at doing punctures?

My sister went through the process of diagnosing and treating thyroid cancer late last summer through Christmas. She's the main thyroid experience I have.

They did a surgical biopsy because of the location of interest, so only one biopsy. Then the surgery to remove her thyroid. Then her treatment. She had to eat a special diet for awhile, then take a radioactive iodine treatment that made her lose her sense of taste for about a week.

She's totally okay now (THANK YOU GOD!! ) and the only thing that indicates she had any trouble at all are the two scars on her neck from the surgeries.

THREE biopsies SUCKS to me. BUT...I don't work on thyroids I work on breasts. Not getting an adequate sample is a risk of a biopsy/puncture, but two times in a row!?! They need to step up their game. I know your medical system is different over there, but if possible, look into what your other options are. Can you change doctors? Can you go for surgical biopsy instead?

I'm so sorry you're having this experience.

Good to hear about your sister! It's kinda nervwrecking. I know 2 mothers from my son's class, my age and they live across my street, they're also neighbours and they both have thyroid cancer... One told me her blood was all ok, just like mine and the woman taking the biopsy said, don't worry, your blood is ok. So I told her what she said doesn't necessarily have to be true because of that mother.

This radiologist was going up and down and to the left and right with that needle, for what seemed ages, it really hurt. She had to stop because another radiologist told her to stop because it bled too much. He did the other biopsy, quick and almost painless, stating he had enough tissue. Last week they told me they didn't have any tissue from both biopsy's.

I probably have to look for another doctor or hospital if the third biopsy fails. I specifically asked for a thyroid specialist this time, still haven't gotten any new date and it's been a week.

My internist said they need to have the biopsy to decide if the thyroid has to be removed (and it could grow back according to her) or that I have to take radioactive iodine, not much choice there but it doesn't need to be done now, I don't have that many problems except for it being very large.

I'm really having doubts with this internist. I asked her if she was a thyroid specialist and if the hospital didn't have one. She was just an internist of hormones, not only the thyroid, my hospital didn't have any real specialist.

So, I'll just wait and see what this gives. Let's just hope it's not that painfull anymore and that they succeed.