Pain after liver biopsy almost 2 weeks out

[Amethyst91]

Just wondering if I could get some advise from anyone who’s gone through a liver biopsy. I had mine Monday January 25 and it went pretty well. I felt the pressure and I think on the last sample they might have hit a nerve as my right shoulder had sharp pains immediately after but calmed down an hr later. I was obviously sore the first few days and tried to avoid lifting or doing too much. Everything said 2-3 days and you should be good so I only took 3 days off since I work retail and I figured I should be good. I’ve been doing welll with the soreness almost leaving but I do remember about 3 days in I felt like I pulled somewhen I tried to pull my blanket up and night that had three heavy cats on it lol but it wasn’t too bad I started to feel better again. I avoided lifting for a little over a week and this Friday I decided I could carry my laundry basket to my aunt last to do laundry and when I went to the store I picked up the cat littler and water by myself instead of asking for help. I didn’t feel much pain yesterday doing any of it so I didn’t think about it. Today I’ve had soreness back in the biopsy area and when I move (like twisting/turning) and take really deep breaths. It hurts a bit just for nothing as well. Idk if I should be worried about anything or if maybe I got a bit ahead of myself and pulled something or irritated the site when I did some lifting yesterday. The wound healed very nice and my skin has no discoloration or bumps and is not super tender to touch, only if I had to push hard on the rib are will it hurt from that. It is the weekend so I can’t get ahold of my dr till Monday but I did write an email just letting him know. My blood pressure and pulse seem normal and my temp is normal so I’m hoping this is all normal. Any input would be greatly appreciated

[Laura009]

When they say don't lift anything, they mean don't lift anything. Timescale of recovery from anything is different for everyone so they tend to give an average. I suggest you also stop poking and prodding yourself aswell. Just chill out and let nature do the healing without interuption before you do yourself any damage.

[Amethyst91 in reply to Laura009]

They really didn’t tell me anything. All I have is in my papers try not to lift for a week and full recovery should be with 2-3 days of procedure. So I was very good for a week not over doing anything and thought since I’m on week 2 and no one said anything that lifting wouldn’t be a big deal anymore. And I’m not poking around my site more like I can just tell it’s not that sensitive if something touches it, it’s more movement. I just asked for any advise because the advice given to me was very little to none. I assume that’s a good thing and there’s not much to worry about but I like to just check and see how others who went through the experience were.

[TT-2018 in reply to Amethyst91]

I think that this is where our healthcare systems are different. It’s highly unlikely for someone who doesn’t display any serious symptoms in blood tests or scans, to be referred for a biopsy by the NHS.

For myself, I was on the ward having gone through surgery for an internal haemorrhage and all the indicators were end stage, decompensated cirrhosis. So I was taken from the ward for a biopsy and returned there afterwards. 7 months later, I was considered to be “well” enough for the transplant assessment. The biopsy confirmed the diagnosis.

[Amethyst91 in reply to TT-2018]

Glad everything worked out for you.

[Sah27]

I have AIH and have had 2 liver biopsies in 7 years.

The pain was intense in the first few days but after that the pain was less intense & wore off over a month or so. I took pain killers until it went.

I got random sharp pains and constant dull aches for a few weeks after but the pain killers sorted that out.

Don’t worry about the shoulder pain it’s completely normal and I had the same reaction after both of my biopsies.

It is completely normal to get intense shoulder pain straight after the biopsy as this is the area the pain is felt in from the liver (according to the doctors who performed them on me). The shoulder pain for me started as soon as they were done too and the nurses and doctor warned me I would get it.

I would follow all medical advice to the word. If you have been lifting things, climbing stairs or having cats sit on you that may have made your recovery slower.

I have cats too so I know how lovely it is to have them around when you don’t feel great to cuddle you so no judgement! 🥰

If you still have constant severe pain now I would get it checked out just to be safe.

Hope I have reassured you a little bit and you are starting to feel better now!

Take care

Sandy x