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Biopsy needed

Posted , 11 users are following.

sarah11452
sarah11452

I now have a date for a vulval biopsy as the specialist thinks it may be LS. There is a white patch there - which amazed me because two GPs told me that there were no white patches.

Anyway I need to have this biopsy done mid July - my GP told me that if it does show LS then in all likelihood they would want to remove the white patch (vulval surgery scares me to bits!).  He said the steriod creams are not much good and they prefer to take the bit away in the hope that it will remove the risk of cancer developing.  I am left wondering a) how painful is that op, has anyone had it done? It will be under a local anaesthetic I think. and b) would LS come back and I need to have it all done again?

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  • sarah11452
    sarah11452

    Posted

    Thanks Chrissy and Rachel!  Chrissy, at least you didn't post about 4 times like I did the other day LOL!  How do I get this numbing cream as the specialist never mentioned it. He just said it would be under local anaesthetic.
    • ChrissyC
      ChrissyC sarah11452

      Posted

      Rachel said she rang the consultant so try there (often a secretary?) Failing that maybe your GP could help out? But if they insist on seeing to you only at the appointment then firstly make sure they actually apply numbing cream and refuse if they won't. Secondly if they do apply then don't let them near you until at least the 30 minutes are up - get a sense of how numb you are. No idea if this sort of thing is available over the counter. Honestly I wish I'd known about it. I walked in in total ignorance about what was to happen and they weren't brilliant at explaining the procedure to me either. At first I was only concerned with whether I'd mistakenly been called for a colposcopy or not because of the clinic as I told you. Even that should have been clear in the appointment paperwork surely. Same for you there. Once that was cleared up I let them loose. Afterwards I didn't even know I had a stitch. They didn't tell me, I was completely numb from the anaesthetic and you can't see what they're doing down there. I put in a formal complaint afterwards about their attitude and lack of information. BUT the op itself was fine and the healing afterwards really not bad at all HONESTLY. This numbing cream will sort the only uncomfortable part of the procedure. Plus you have far more information than I had at your stage. Forewarned is forearmed. 
    • honeyduck74
      honeyduck74 sarah11452

      Posted

      Is it your doctor or a consultant who is doing it? I would ring and ask if you can speak to someone as you have concerns about the procedure, then ask them if there is anything you can use to help numb the area. The tiny tube they gave me was called Lidocaine (can't rememeber percentage) and is apparently used to put on skin prior to a tattoo, it had to be kept in the fridge, and the instructions said once you have put it on your skin you need to cover it with cling film!!!! :-D LOL

      So i did as said I liberally applied it and put a sanitary towel in my underwear and covered that with clingfilm - was doubtful that it would work, OMG by the time we had driven 20 mins to the hospital, I couldn't feel a thing  (very weird having a wee and not feeling anything) LOL sorry to much information.

      Good job I can laugh about it, as I don't have a lot of dignity left with this horrible disease.

      If you have any more questions fire away :-)

      Rachel x

  • sarah11452
    sarah11452

    Posted

    Thanks so much for your replies....
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