Agony after liver biopsy

[HCantThinkOfA]

Had a liver biopsy today and came home after an hour. Immediately after it I had horrendous pain in my shoulder/chest/back and still do now quite often causing sharp pain on breathing in.

Is this normal? Not been given any info just paracetamol!

[freddie76]

Surprised u were sent home after an hour.

You usually have to lay flat for a few hours before they discharge you. I would go back.which hospital was this?

Was it a liver unit?

Good luck

[freddie76]

Did u see my reply.

R u ok

Just checked you should have been monitored for 2_4 hours bfor discharge

[HCantThinkOfA in reply to freddie76]

Hi sorry just saw it. No just my small local hospital in a radiology dept

[freddie76 in reply to HCantThinkOfA]

Are u still in pain

I really think you should go back

[HCantThinkOfA in reply to freddie76]

Yes I am, shoulder, back and sides, it’s a weird pain it’s sharp and deep

[moonbeam4]

O.K love, better safe than sorry. Please take freddies advice , you really should be seen. Liver bleeds can be dangerous. If you dial 111 you can speak to a nurse or doctor who will advise whether to you need Hospital. You can also ring your surgery and i think they might connect you through, please let us know, I,m a little concerned, like freddie, please let us know😤😤😤x x x

[Marydel63]

Usually 4 hours flat and then if everything stable you can go home. Please go back to hospital. Keep us posted

[Hidden]

You’ve said you came home after an hour, not sent home , either your mistaken about the time or you decided to leave early, which of course accounts for referred pain in your shoulder, sharp pain in the liver region, you could bleed internally which the medical staff would know unquestionably hence you having to remain flat for approximately fours hours after biopsy, only other explanation is the doctor is insane , if such is his/her practice then there would be a lot of issues such as yours , what’s the name of the hospital you went to?

Beyond belief

[HCantThinkOfA in reply to Hidden]

Sorry should have been clearer I was sent home , went in at 11 and was told I could leave between 12-12.15

[kateadie]

I have had 2 and had that pain both times. It’s awful but don’t panic. But regardless of that, as others have said, you should have been laid flat for 4 hours. I wasn’t even allowed to get up to use the bathroom. You need to speak to the hospital.

Hope you’re feeling better this morning

[ENuk]

I have had 3 biopsies and in radiology department of a smaller hospital. First time was 6 hours (because they felt it was v high risk). Next times were 2-4hours but very regular observations.

The first was more painful (less experienced consultant) but any pain afterwards did subside, certainly within a few days and not unbearable.

You should have been monitored for several hours afterwards as well as lying down.

I hope you are feeling better today. Whilst it is a risky procedure it is usually very well managed.

[Bradders88]

Yes, this is very normal.

It happens a lot.

The pain will pass. Rest lots. X

[Julie8]

Surprised they gave you paracetamol, since you’re not supposed to take it if you have liver problems.

[Mama41 in reply to Julie8]

Depends on the type of liver problems. I have liver cancer and they usually prescribe paracetamol and codeine.

[Hidden]

Hi,

Based on the information you have provided, we would suggest that you see a doctor as soon as possible to be fully examined.

Best wishes

Trust1

[Danisleigh]

My son has pain in his shoulder after a liver biopsy but I am surprised you came home after an hour so I would be tempted to get checked out x

[HCantThinkOfA]

Spoke to normal consultant and he said during it some blood can escape to the diaphragm which causes pain but is harmless and should subside so resting now.

Pain only unbearable when I move or cough

[bantam12]

Diaphragm pain can takes weeks to subside, the day I had my biopsy I was kept in and on Morphine because the pain was so bad.

[HCantThinkOfA in reply to bantam12]

I think that’s what’s causing my ribs to still be hurting now??

[Sandray123 in reply to HCantThinkOfA]

Hey I am week 5 post biopsy and it’s still hurting me How long this diaphragm pain last after liver biopsy?

[Mama41]

Hope you're feeling better today. Surprised they only kept you for an hour though.

[dougalgromit]

Hi my husband is in hospital and he had 2 liver biopsy on Thursday he was told he had to keep still for six hours incase of internal bleeding the only pain he has due to the biopsy is stinging were they cut him and he hasn’t complained of any other pain I really think that you need to go back to hospital to be reviewed as it doesn’t sound right what you are experiencing

[HCantThinkOfA]

So sorry it’s taken ages to reply. They said it was a small leakage of blood into rib cage that caused the pain?

Anyway was told yesterday that the biospsy sample was inadequate or something along those lines and the pathologist needs a better sample so needs doing again 😖

[Hils67 in reply to HCantThinkOfA]

Is there any way you can go to a proper liver hospital/unit. It doesn’t sound like they were particularly competent, one in getting the sample and two in not monitoring you properly. I’d be very concerned at having to go through similar pain again. If it’s done properly it shouldn’t cause too much pain. Try asking if it can be done somewhere else, and insist you need to lie flat and rest for a few hours after the biopsy.

Good luck xx

[HCantThinkOfA]

Good idea didn’t think of requesting elsewhere. I was just going to flatly refuse. I’ve yet to actually meet a liver specialist anyway! Health care in wales is shocking.

Had colonoscopy as part of the PSC and that was shocking and not stuck to guidelines either.

Thank you so much for your help and advice xxx