Liver biopsy

I am having a liver biopsy on the 18th March and I'm pretty nervous. Anybody who has had one, what was it like? And can you take someone with you? Because I think I'll be petrified if I have to go alone.

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I am sure our lovely forum members will be along to share their experiences.

I have included our link to generic liver biospy information. Your local area should have site specific information- you may wish to contact them so they can answer your specific questions.

britishlivertrust.org.uk/in...

Trust9

[DavyGravy]

Hi Brody

It is always a little scary when it is new and we do not know what to expect. But, you will be with professional caring staff who have a lot of experience, they understand it is a nervous time for you and you can talk to them. There are two ways to biopsy but I assume for you it will be the method that is in the link that Trust9 has kindly posted.

During the biopsy you should not feel anything, the liver has no pain receptors and the local anaesthetic will numb your skin. Plus it is only a minute piece needed. Most people do not even know it was done and have no discomfort later.

Being able to examine the liver cells will definitely help diagnosis and to rule out issues. Just remember you are in excellent hands and by being strong and having this done it is helping yourself.

Wishing you well

Dave

[FAM_KT]

Hi Brody,

I had a liver biopsy in March 2020 just before we went into a lockdown. My husband was not allowed on the ward with me however he did stay in the hospital and was allowed to come and see me briefly afterwards.

The procedure is simple, anaesthetic where they make the incision - the procedure is not invasive however I did feel pain as they took the samples but not from the incision or inserting the needle - I am not sure why as it is supposed to be pain free, and the doctor could not explain why either. The pain was only brief and I was fine afterwards no pain or soreness. I was let out the same day no complications.

You will be in safe hands and the nurses and doctors will do what they need to make sure you are comfortable throughout.

[ANU64 in reply to FAM_KT]

I had pain as well but had to get more anesthetic. I had 4 biopsies taken off me As somebody already said,it felt like a staple gun going off.My husband wasn't allowed on the daybed ward but it was 2021 when covid was probably at its worst.Lay still for 4 hours,got my ventflow removed and was allowed to go home.The nurse walked me out of the hospital where I met my husband.I think it's the fear of the unknown that is probably worse.

[Huggy7614]

Good morning,I had one post transplant, I was a bit miffed they were going to take a bit of my shiny new liver!! But as for the process, it was mostly pain free!! It’s more a bit of discomfort rather than pain, and it’s over with in an instant. Nothing like a sharks bite!!!

It’s natural to be nervous and apprehensive, but really it’s not that bad.

Good luck. Andy

[Limalama]

Hi Brody, I had a biopsy before my AIH/PBC diagnosis in 2020. I'm in Australia and they don't give you a local anaesthetic here. I would say it's a strange feeling more than anything else - I did feel a little pinch when he took the samples but it was over as soon as it started. Not painful and I've had worse experiences at the dentist! Like everyone else says, the staff are really experienced, will understand you're a bit apprehensive and will talk you through it.

Be aware that afterwards you have to lie or sit still in the hospital for several hours - 4 for me but I know some places say up to 6. So make sure you go to the loo before the procedure and take a book or your ipad to while away the hours or that would definitely be the worst part of the whole procedure! 😊. Good luck!

[GarryS]

I've had two biopsies. The first one was alittle uncomfortable. The second one, with a slightly different procedure, was absolutely fine. The only 'pain' felt was the sting of the local anaesthetic. You don't need to worry.

[Steak]

Hi I had a liver biopsy via the neck and I was pretty scared but the staff were amazing it was a little bit of pain when inserting needle but nothing 2 bad the nurse held my hand throughout. The worse part was lying on my back 4 about 6hrs after lol. Try not 2 worry 2 much the staff r there 2 help u. Take care.

[Yeali4598]

I was the same as you, had my biopsy done December 2020, was very nervous but honestly didn't feel a thing.

The worst part was having to lie on my back almost flat for several hrs, not uncomfortable just very boring 😉.they have to monitor your temp and blood pressure just to make sure everything ok afterwards, there is a little discomfort when the numbness wears off but that was all

[DEADvalentine]

It was a breeze for me. Took someone with me to drive . But I had no complications and it was 1.2.3 done!

[ANU64]

I had a liver biopsy last year before diagnosis of AIH.I take codeine every day and when codeine hits the liver it turns to morphine so my body is accustomed to the morphine which meant that I needed more anesthetic than normal.If you take co codomal or anything with codeine in it please let your specialist know, otherwise you will definitely feel it.I had to lie still for 4 hours but had the best care around me with nurses checking me every 15 minutes,blood pressure etc.Good luck,you will be fine

[Bigbluemonkey]

I think its the thought of it rather than the biopsy itself. I was scared stiff.

I'll try & explain stage by stage for you to settle your nerves:

You enter day unit, fill out a form with your personal details & they ask medical questions.

They wheel you to x ray dept on a stretcher

They moniter your blood pressure & pulse

Dr checks the position of your liver using ultrasound then marks incision point on skin

with a pen

Dr coats area with iodine then gives you anaesthetic injection which stings a bit

When its numb dr takes the biopsy which lasts about a second. It reminded me of those staple guns you use in the garden to pin plants to a fence, same clicky sound. Totally painless. The whole process takes about 20mins

Dr puts on a dressing & you get taken to a recovery room & blood pressure taken regularly by a nurse to make sure there's no internal bleeding.

Once they are happy you are stable they wheel you to a day ward where you lie on your back for 6 hours or so until they are satisfied there are no complications. You get a cup of tea & a sandwich

You're discharged. You must have someone to take you home & look after you for 24 hrs

DO NOT lift anything heavy or push a shopping trolley. Just chill for a week. Light duties only.

You'll get aches from it but nothing major.

If you do start feeling bad phone them straight away. Good idea to buy blood pressure monitor if you havnt got one. Ive got an Omron cuff monitor was about £30

Like someone said above I've had worse trips to the dentist

Take care & dont worry

You'll be fine

😊👍

[Bigbluemonkey]

Forgot to mention. I dont think you can take anyone in with you but just tell the nurses you're very nervous & they'll reassure you & be supportive. Mine were lovely

Take care 😊

[Readlots]

Hi, I’d echo what everyone else says. Ask for a bed that doesn’t face a wall so that you can people watch and chat to others while you’re lying down afterwards! Definitely take something you can do lying down.

[Jen11804]

I have had one a couple of years ago. Honestly it isn’t bad. Mine was just a scan not an actual incision as such to take a small portion of the liver as that doesn’t seem as accurate as the scan because it could take a piece that is damaged and not the overall liver. It isn’t bad. It’s prob just your nerves. But I wish u luck 😊. U will be fine. Just the thought seems stressful u will b ok

[goredsox]

Hi I had a liver biopsy 10 years ago and found it OK slight sting with anaesthetic and then no pain during actual biopsy. Had to have 8 hour bed rest in hospital to ensure no haemorrhage.

Good luck

[joeblack1801]

Hi my names andrew yes i had one back in 2017 when i was diagnosed with Nash Cirrhosis ..it is an uncomfortable procedure as they cant numb the liver ..generally you stay in a couple days to make sure there isnt any complications ..unfortunately the only way to truly diagnose what type of liver complaint you might have ..sorry cant be more positive but it was ok really

[LorraineLouise]

I had my liver biopsy in 2016. My sister was able to come with me and stay with me after the procedure, in the recovery room. It was painless for me. I had to lay still afterwards, for a couple of hours. Absolutely no side affects for me.