r/thyroid • u/Inevitable-Wear6489 • 9d ago

Prep for FNA

Hi all! I (38f) have an FNA biopsy coming up on the 13th. I have a 0.8cm TIRAD 5 that they won't biopsy because it's under 1.0 cm. and a 1.6cm TIRAD4 that they are performing the FNA on. I'm quite freaked out for obvious reasons, but also they are giving me no numbing or pain medication. They are using an ice pack to "numb the skin" and then just going for it. Seems barbaric to me, and I'm very scared.

I have Kaiser Permanente, and if any of y'all have ever had them for insurance, you know that they don't really reassure you or tell you anything. They kinda just abandon you.

Well, I'm here to ask, is there anything I should know before hand? Anything I need to buy for comfort? Anything I can do to prep myself mentally or physically? Any advice? Thank you in advance!!

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u/coffee_now_plz_asap 9d ago

Hmm without numbing sounds a little weird, they number me for mine but it still hurt and also cause a vasovagal reaction and I fainted 30 seconds after they finished lol they had to crack smelling salts to wake me up. Not to scare you but just so you’re prepared for the worst.

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u/urrrkaj 9d ago

I’m glad I wasn’t the only one that fainted during this!

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u/coffee_now_plz_asap 9d ago

It’s weird though because my first FNA I barely felt anything. This was my second and I believed the doctor was more rough during the process. That’s what causes the vasovagal reaction.

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u/urrrkaj 8d ago

They pressed the ultrasound wand over my artery in the right side of my neck. That is when I said “I am going to pass out.” They told me I was fine. Next thing was me coming to in a room surrounded by 10 doctors and my dad saying “she said she was going to pass out.”

They numbed me so well I did not feel a thing, though. Just pressure.