I went for a biopsy yesterday on the lipoma on my right arm. Last night I couldn’t sleep my arm hurt so bad. She went pretty deep into the lipoma. Today my arm has numbness and I get a shooting pain radiating from that area. Has anyone else experienced this when having a biopsy?
Oh yes. I had a full thickness biopsy 2 years ago from the front of my thigh, and the whole side of my leg is half numb. (I mean the skin is numb, but it hurts underneath) In my case, it was permanent nerve damage.
I am concerned about your biopsy because it sounds like the doctor took a piece of a lipoma, rather than removing the whole thing. That will usually cause the lipoma to flare and grow larger and more painful. It also sounds like she hit a nerve, which is quite possible since these things tend to wrap around nerves.
Hugs,
Pamela
I just had a lipoma removed (first biopsy to see if it was a lipoma) from my left forearm on June 27. The surgical area isn’t too sore, but really hard. But…a whole line of small knots showed up down my arm. They are painful and even my wrist is painful. I can’t straighten my arm without pain either.
Kathieh,
That is a pretty typical reaction to having surgery, I’m sorry to say. that is why I avoid having these things removed. Usually the new ones that grow in are more painful than the ones they are replacing.
Hugs,
pamela
I got the results of the biopsy they said that it was an angiolipoma. She said that she was concerned about how many that I had and that she wants me to see Dr. Herbst. I have an appointment scheduled for October 7th. I am looking forward to meeting her. I spoke with her on the phone and explained everything. She was very receptive and told me that if I had any problems scheduling to call her. Finally, someone who understands. I am so frustrated with the doctors that never listened to me. How can they think that they are helping people when they IGNORE symptoms. It wasn’t hard for me to determine that this isn’t normal, however, it took me 13 years to find someone to listen. I thank god that my doctor listened. He tried to send me to a dermatologist, but she said that she doesn’t know enough about my illness to diagnose. OH MORE FRUSTRATION… I can’t believe that the medical community is so against learning new things. You would think that they would WANT to actually find out things that are unexplained. I guess some of them would actually have to care about their patients to make a difference.
I have so far seen 2 dermatologists, one just wanted to cut me and get the lumps out, i mean, on my arm in 3 places and both hips. I went to see the second one to find that she believes i should see a rhumatoidologist because derms only deal with the skin and the lumps are under the skin.
I am now awaiting for and appointment to see another specialist. i live in UK so I dont have the pleasures of being recommended to Dr Herbst, by the time i save for the flight and the Dr’s fee I will have retired…lol I am only 40yrs old.
at least your getting somewhere.
geordielass
I had a biopsy they they said it was as lypoma it look like just a piece of bloody meat with strings hanging from it. I wish I had the money to she doctor heirst i have the insurance but not the expenses to travel to calafornia. I would like to get dianosed to make sure this is dercums. i have all the symptoms but i guess its just knowing for sure. plus i would like to ask her about how steriods efect me and this stuff. i had was sick 2 years ago had fluid in both lung s and around my heart, pnuimonia anyway my doctor put me on steriod packs and my swelling and pain got better. they gave me shots in my back and think it was steriods. that was monday and today my swelling and pain level is down some. have you ever hurd of steroids for this dercums. love joy50
Joy,
Most of us have learned to avoid steroids like the plague. They may make you feel better for a little while, but they seem to cause Dercums to flare shortly afterward. Many of us believe steroids were the cause of our DD going into an active phase in the first place.
I have asthma, and sometimes I have to take steroids in order to breathe, but I won’t use them unless my life depends on it. (It sounds like yours did)
Judy wrote recently asking if someone needed advise on steroid use, thyroid disease, or Cushings disease, which is often caused by steroids. She is something of an expert on these subjects.
Hugs and spoons,
Pamela
Joy…You could ask Dr. Herbst if your doctor could send the tissue to her…if it is still available. I understand that she can examine the tissue and determine if it is DD where your local lab may not be able to make this determination. Also, I recently made the mistake of getting cortisone injections and I am still recovering six weeks later. Ten days after the injections I became very ill with gout and I am still not walking. I personally will not use cortisone again. Hugs, Grandma Sylvia