Nose biopsy, I'm nervous!

[malin]

Hi guys,

I'm going in for my first ever nose biopsy on Wednesday (13th October) and it will be done under local anaesthetic.
I've had ear biopsies done before but that was under general anaesthetic...

I am extremely nervous about this, I know it's not really a "big deal" but for me, personally, it is, and I'm scared! :/

I was just wondering how it was for you guys that have had it done?
How did they do it?
Did it hurt much while they were doing it / afterwards?
How far "up" do they usually go?

Please tell me about your own experiences so I can get an idea of what to expect!

/Malin

[Jack]

I don't think anyone can tell you the answer to this one because they are all so different depending on the area they are taking biopsy from. I have had two -

The first was using local anaesthetic paste and was nothing more than a brief tweak from quite high in my nose.

The second was under general anaesthetic and was from the sinus area. I came round in the recovery room with nurses mopping blood from the floor and calling for the surgeon to come back! I spent the next two days in hospital.

Since yours is using local, I would expect your experience to be more like the first description, but I like to include the more dramatic experience too. It makes a more interesting story.

[elephant]

I had four maxillary sinus surgeries and I was under for all of them. Like Jack I too one time only experienced blood all over ( that was a more extensive surgery removing tissue and bone)and stayed in hospital one night.

[DEE]

ive had it done twice for biopsy and putting in splints and once for biopsy alone alll done under general and over nught stays
not painful and only slight nose bleeds

[Doug]

The ENT doctor took her sample when I was knocked out for my lung biopsy. Like Jack said, there is no one way this happens, malin. I was such a mess at the time that I suspect they had me on some pretty stout painkiller: I have no recollection of pain associated with the biopsy.

[Jack]

In these situations I always tell myself that they are not going to do anything that others have not been through in the past and if it was unbearable they would have found a better way. In general, I always get along better with local anaesthetic rather than general. There is usually no pain involved and you don't have that horrible recovery period.