liver biopsy

[pete1980]

Hi, could anyone tell me how they go about doing a liver biopsy, my wife is due to have one done soon, I have no clue, and we havent spoken to any Drs about it yet.. is it done under a local anesthetic? does it hurt, does it hurt afterwards?

[sheri44]

Hi Pete. You need to ask the docs about this one as there are different ways of doing this. They should give you all the information. Good luck 🍀

[Identity75]

I can tell you about mine. It's not done under a local or general. They just numb the area. With mine they then use an ultrasound to firstly locate the liver and then to guide the needle. The needle itself can look a bit scary. It's a long contraption but this is primarily down to the mechanism theat grabs the biopsy. When they are in position they'll press a button or activate the mechanism by some means and you'll hear a loudish snap noise. The needle will then be withdrawn and it's job done.

I didn't find it particularly painful, more uncomfortable. Almost that sickly pain. Once the biopsy has been taken you'll be taken to a ward and ask to lay on your right side for a good few hours. This is probably the worst part so take books magazines etc.

My partner sat with me during the whole thing. So I'm sure if you asked you'd be able to with your wife.

It's really not that bad. Just uncomfortable and lots of laying about after.

Good luck with it. Let us know how you get on.

[pete1980 in reply to Identity75]

Thanks Identity

[jojokarak]

They done mine different from identities. Mine was done through main artery in my neck, through the heart and to the liver they give you something to make you drowsy but not knock you out, took 30 minutes and then you have to lie flat for 6 hours.

[pete1980 in reply to jojokarak]

Jesus.... thanks jojo, hopefully she gets Identity's Dr lol

[jojokarak in reply to pete1980]

Lol believe me it didn't hurt and I was giggling for hours after got in trouble because I kept moving

[RodeoJoe in reply to jojokarak]

That's the least painful way, but also not so common. I've had both and had the jugular one when my platelets were too low for normal.

[tgk62 in reply to RodeoJoe]

Do you mind my asking what your platelet count was for your testing? I have ITP and my count is between 30,000-40,000 usually.

[RodeoJoe in reply to tgk62]

Sorry I have no idea.But it was only a matter of weeks before transplant.

[Emmabskin in reply to jojokarak]

Yuk, poor you. Mine was like Identities thankfully. I was nervous because I have large capacity lungs and he asked me to hold my breath so that he didn't nick the lung. I've got emphysema so this was easier said than done. But all in all it was fine.

[AyrshireK]

My hubby has had two liver biopsies. One via the usual through the side route with a local anaesthetic to numb the area. His second was via the transjugular route - it was deemed to be much safer due to his blood clotting issues, less risk of a bleed etc. Neither caused him any pain or anxiety and he's always said he would rather have a hundred biopsies over a single endoscopy.

He found the laying down for hours afterwards more of a pain than the actual procedure and he no lasting pain.

It's the best test for seeing what is going on in the liver at the cellular level.

All the best, Katie

[pete1980 in reply to AyrshireK]

thanks Katie

[Identity75 in reply to AyrshireK]

Boo Endoscopy. Hate them.

[Millie09 in reply to Identity75]

me too !! if it's one thing that has to be one of the worst things to have is endoscopy. I had to be forced by my own dad to have my first and only one done 9 yrs ago. never had a biopsy but I know I could handle that a lot more. I can Feel an endoscopy looming as I have my first appointment on Tuesday with a hepetologist.

[jjeff in reply to Millie09]

nothing to it they gave me something to put me under told me to count to ten i was out on 3 next thing i knew wife woke me and said quit snoring

[Identity75 in reply to jjeff]

Yes I've had two under sedation and two without. With sedation is not so bad. But without it!!! 😲

[Emmabskin in reply to AyrshireK]

I was going to say that but thought I'd better not lol. About the endoscopy, I mean. Being worse than the biopsy... I'll stop now. x

[Dldtx]

I have had three two where they go in under the arm while your awake , and one with a new ultrasound imaging technique that non-invasively detects tumors and fibrosis in the liver, thus avoiding the pain and complications associated with biopsy , that one is the best

[Emmabskin in reply to Dldtx]

Is that the one where it feels like you're being flicked? I didn't realise that it was instead of a biopsy. In which case, I've had two and that is a great invention. x

[KeepGoing]

Have to be honest here and say I had a terrible time. I had it in the side with local anaesthetic around the area. It didn't work. At least three samples were taken from me. Each time I was in extreme pain and each time the doctor had to inject more pain killer to the area. I was in agony. I felt ever click and movement of the device. After the procedure I wasnt allowed to be moved upto the ward and made to lay perfectly still for over an hour in the corridor outside the room. When I was taken back upto the ward I tested but still felt huge pain. When the nurse came to me later that day to day I could go as soon as they moved me I screamed in agony. I was made to immediately lay back down and not move. I had to start in the night. During the evening the nurse looking after said I don't know what went on in that room but the consultant had rung upto the ward you see how you are getting on. He then said the consultants never do that. I had the biopsy six years ago and even now can point to the place the instrument went in as I still suffer pain there. I got diagnosed with NASH and fit none of the criteria for it. Typical. Double hit. But I've looked after myself and I'm still going strong. Rant over 😊 I think I am the exception rather than the rule.

[RodeoJoe in reply to KeepGoing]

I had a similar experience once. First it was done without ultra sound and they didn't get a good sample after 3 tries. I was left in agony and had to have it done again the next day with ultra sound. The radiologist commented that she could see why it would have been painful. When I asked for an explanation she closed down the subject. I think like you they hit the wrong thing. I don't know what it was but I've never had pain like it. A true 10 on the pain scale, I was sweating, grey and thought I was going to throw up. Since had a transplant and that was so much less painful to put it into perspective.

[bantam12]

I had it under local, was ok but afterwards bad bad bad, bp hit the floor nurses panicked, consultant called up and I was on morphine for the rest of the day, took around 3 weeks for the pain to go. Never again.

[Cookimonster]

I had side insertion guided by ultrasound. Not allowed sedation. They numbed skin for needle to go in but warned me will be very painful going through the liver membrane, it was but only lasted a few seconds. Biopsy click off putting but not painful as no nerve endings there. Then plaster on and had to lie on side for 4 hours. Apart from mild shoulder referred pain for 30 seconds whilst needle came out no pain after whatsoever. Felt a bit stiff all over the next day so needed to take it easy, and not lift for a week even though felt totally better next day. Hope that helps.