Hi all... I had an awful experience of liver biopsy. I found it very painful. Not sure why... Maybe I have a very low threshold for pain. But for me the whole experience was traumatic. I was left by myself afterwards to lay on my back . My husband was not allowed to be with me because it was a female only ward. I was in pain. Nurse came and said that I had paracetamol and I cannot have anything for next four hours. I was alone and feeling very vulnerable and crying .. my consultant asked me to have another biopsy. I had one 4 years ago. I told him that without sedation or extra pain killers I cannot do this. He ordered a fibro scan and an ultrasound instead. He still suggested that biopsy would be better option. Am I making a big mistake? I just really don't know how to go through that nightmare again.... From other posts I can see that people just get on with it and it is not a bug deal. It makes me feel inadequate.. but the pain was real.. I could not even breathe properly... Every time my chest moved the pain was unbearable. After the shift change I was seen by a doctor. They gave me an injection. My blood pressure dropped very low as a side effect of the injection. They were worried. But I finally felt in piece and happy that I was in less pain. I wonder if they hit a nerve when they did it as I still had intermittent pains in the site of the biopsy for few months afterwards.
Liver biopsy: Hi all... I had an awful... - British Liver Trust
Liver biopsy
My biopsy was a disaster as well, actual procedure was bearable but within a few minutes my blood pressure crashed, I couldn't breath and I was in agony, docs went into panic mode and I was on morphine for the rest of the day, the Consultant wasn't sure what had happened but he thinks he nicked my diaphragm with the biopsy needle, I had pain on breathing for months afterwards. I won't be having another on !
Omg! That is so bad! They do not know what happened to me. They think I was a drama queen and a bit hysteric. Nobody believed that I was in so much pain. Even my consultant blames it on my nerves as medically there were no complications.
Sounds like your experience was similar to mine so possibly your diaphragm was bruised as well.
My issue with biopsies is that they are taking the tiniest sample from a random area which may or may not show the problem, bit hit and miss !
Thank you for your replay. I also think that it is very random and I don't think it is worth the stress.
I told my consultant if the biopsy is really necessary I will do it with sedation. But he is not keen on that idea either.
I found the procedure unpleasant - the consultant knicked a rib & had to do it twice & after the procedure I had an hour or more really acute pain. However, it was necessary because every over test showed my liver was in trouble - blood work & symptoms were pointing to AIH. But my lifestyle was pouting to NASH.
The treatment for AIH would have damaged my liver if I had NASH so the biopsy was the only option.
I had NASH. The biopsy is so accurate it can tell if the damage to the liver is from alcohol medication usage or as in my case sugar & fat.
So although I understand your horror of a biopsy & I can imagine it was hideous - my was bad enough. Try & work out with the your consultant if it’s nevessary & if you are taking a significant risk not having one.
Good luck
Thank you for sharing your experience. I my case the cause is clear . It is hep B. Consultant wants to establish the level of scarring.
Oh well I’d be hesitant as well in those circumstances - I’d want to know why a fibroscan wasn’t sufficient.
My consultant did not agree with sedation. So he offered a fibro scan and ultrasound instead. I am feeling a bit more reassured by your comments that I am doing the right thing. Thank you ,😀
Oh I have had a fibroscan regularly in the last 20minths to check how my liver is going - I have changed the way I live - lost 5 stone - exercise - no sugar & they give a v accurate picture. My consultant is great he shows me the scan - shows me where the liver has completely regenerated - the hot spots still - they are so clear. & the scan doesn’t hurt a bit !
Hello BlackMamba
I had a very similar experience to you, the pain was so awful and I found breathing very difficult. I was given morphine though, which made it things a little easier. I have told my consultant that under no circumstance would I have a biopsy without sedation.
You have to remember that it’s your body, no one can impose a procedure upon you if you don’t want it, especially if it’s not an emergency procedure and also if there are alternative methods to reach diagnosis.
Don’t feel forced into it, the anxiety around that alone will increase pain
Good luck!!
Thank you for sharing your experience. I am feeling better knowing that I am not the only one who found it very painful.
I have had 2 biopsies. The first one was like yours, very painful afterwards- the biopsy itself was fine. It was painful when I breathed in. I was told that it is to do with the blood supply that feeds into the shoulder area. I can't remember exactly now since it was a long time ago. Like you I was left in a room by myself and my blood pressure dropped very low. No-one checked on me when they should have done and it was only when my hubbie came to visit that I told him to get a doctor/ nurse straightaway to do my obs and get something done. I was not given any pain relief either. I did have a second one done years later and it was pain free and no problems afterwards. so they're not all the same. But chances are you had something similar to me happening. Sorry to hear you are worried about another one, but if they get the information they need without it, then so much the better. All the best for the future 
Thank you 😀
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