If the Dr was supposed to call 5 days ago with Biopsoy results and hasn't called yet

[greenbriar]

should I be worried?


should I call them and bug them?


at the same time, can I mention that I am still in a hell of a lot of pain and can't figure out why?

would a biopsy cause pain a week later?

[Brigid]

1. Bug the doctor. First thing in the morning.

Something isn't right here, to put it mildly. :(

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

2. There are two ways to look at it

1- It's not critical and they've simply forgotten or put it on the 'when I get a chance' stack of things to do or
2) they've lost the report and failed to notice that.

I'd go to Docs office first thing and not leave until I had some information. That's when you can also say, 'by the way, I HURT LIKE HELL!!'

Good luck!

[jobycom]

3. Call. There's not telling what silence means.

I had some tests for frightening symptoms done and the doctor was a week late calling me back. I read all kinds of horrible results in that. Turned out the lab just forgot to fax the results and the doctor was busy being a doc and a mom. You won't know what it means unless you call.

[noel711]

4. The 'common' knowledge is .. if they don't call...

there's nothing to worry about.
I've heard this countless times from countless doctors..
they only call IF it is bad news...

THAT being said.. if you're worried,
telephone first thing in the morning.

And pain after a biopsy?
Oh, very common.

I had several uterine biopsies,
and had cramps, pain and bleeding
as long as a week afterwward,

But that's me... if you're worried,
give them a call.

hang in there..
you'll know for sure soon.
And knowing the truth is always better
than not knowing, and worrying forever.

[Blue Diadem]

5. I would call them. Recently went through it myself and they misplaced my results.

I did receive a call but not about my biopsy. One of the Dr's staff called about other test results. When I asked about the biopsy she told me the Dr. didn't say anything about it. Since I already had an appt. scheduled to get the results the next day, I didn't think much about it. At my appt., the dr. came in, told me the results of other tests and then said I needed a biopsy. Her mouth fell open when I told her she'd already done one two weeks before. It took them 1/2 hour to find the results. Someone had misplaced it and didn't enter it into their computers or my paper records. In their defense, they are currently switching over their paper records to computerized records.

Mine caused pain for close to a week but it was to be expected since I have several other things going on in the same area and will be having surgery hopefully soon. You should definitely ask your Dr. if your pain is normal for the procedure/biopsy you had done.

:hug: I hope your pain eases and that you get good news from the biopsy results.

[rug]

6. Oh, he already posted them in the lounge about twenty minutes ago.

[greenbriar]

7. okay, you helped ease my fears...I am calling in the morning

Thanks all

[Avalux]

8. Hopefully not getting a call is good news. Call them tomorrow.

And yes, a biopsy can cause pain a week later, even longer.

[NNadir]

9. My cousin's doctor didn't call and she didn't call him...

:cry: His office "misfiled" the report, and he didn't look at it until she came back months later with the same symptoms.

There's a lot of bureaucracy, and sometimes things get overlooked or filed improperly...

Call. You cannot lose by doing so, and you may help someone feel better about doing a good job.

[anneboleyn]

10. Hi greenbriar, I have cancer and have had a biopsy done -- here are my recs

First, one thing I have learned is that the pain is always worse w/any procedure than the doctors and nurses imply. I had significant pain from my biopsy (which had to go through bone to reach the tumor) for several days and it took a week to recover fully. I am not sure where your biopsy was taken but the pain can certainly linger.

There are often delays with biopsies as far as the info coming back from the lab is concerned, so don't fret about this aspect. The doctor will be in touch with you right away when the information is returned. They do not delay no matter what the biopsy determines; in fact, they are often even more concerned when there is cancer involved as treatment needs to begin.

You can also develop an infection from a biopsy, so please do be in contact with your physician right away and don't let him/her dismiss your pain and/or your concerns. This was one of the warning signs on the checkout sheet I was given at the hospital -- severe pain more than 48 hours later needs to be examined by a doctor. The infections need to be treated (I doubt that you have one -- I am not trying to scare you -- but you have the right to have your pain alleviated).

You also have a right to see your doctor to know the results and if necessary to receive medication that will help relieve your pain. Please make an appt. and don't suffer -- you are the patient and you have the right to be taken care of in an appropriate way!

[bermudat]

11. Call the doctor.

[Kali]

12. If they were supposed to call 5 days ago, I would have called them

4 days ago. They are working for you. You have to take some responsibility for your care and that includes getting information. If they aren't forthcoming you need to "bug" them. YOU are the "customer." Don't let the "white coat" attitude intimidate you.

[mwooldri]

13. Call, the lab may be running behind.

Rare but it does happen. Labs run late, shortage of workers, overload of tests.

If you're in pain and the health coverage is not a problem, yep bug the doc. Pain needs to be at least controlled.

Mark.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

14. I once waited for biopsy results for several days, and finally called the doctor

She was horrified that I hadn't yet heard anything, because she had assumed that the lab would call me.

It may merely be a breakdown in the chain of communication.

[NJmaverick]

15. Yes call and bug them

it's your health and you are your number one health advocate.