jugular test

[GTGJ]

hi I had another CT SCAN and I’ve had subtle changes with my liver as my specialists can’t work out why my liver is cirrhosis and I have portal hypertension but the findings don’t collaborate together I’ve now got to have a test where they go in to my jugular vein in my neck and I think they said it was a pressure test and take a sample of my middle part of the liver I may have it wrong a bit but I’m worried has anyone else had or something similar to the test I’m going to have I have varcies and cirrhosis please help anyone

[AyrshireK]

It sounds like what you are having is a transjugular liver biopsy - they go through the neck and it's a guided procedure so more accurate and safer than going through your side - less bleeding risk in a cirrhotic patient and they can hopefully get a better, targetted sample. They are obviously wanting to see your liver on a cellular level to see if they can pinpoint a cause for your liver issue (my hubby has had both a through the side biopsy and a transjugular one to identify his auto immune liver disease ............. his cirrhosis only came to light when he had a massive variceal bleed).

You get a bit of local anaesthetic at the entry site and it's relatively pain free, maybe feel a bit of pulling and pushing as they take samples and withdraw the needle. Bit of a rest afterwards just to make sure there is no bleeding so toilet beforehand and take something to pass the time though less risk of bleeding with transjugular so maybe not quite as long a lie down afterwards.

All the best for it, Katie

[GTGJ in reply to AyrshireK]

thank you for that information I’ve had a liver biopsy through the side in 2018 and it showed no liver damage so they are trying to see how it’s got to this stage I have Crohn’s disease and arthritis and varcies just so scared with all these things going on and they said I have 10 years left it’s so worrying how is your husband now does he have portal hypertension

[AyrshireK in reply to GTGJ]

Having one auto immune condition (like crohn's disease) leads you open to having others and there are three main auto immune things that can attack your liver - Auto Immune Hepatitis (AIH), Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) and Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC).

Yes my hubby had portal hypertension - hence his massive variceal bleed and subsequent 42 varices banded. His p/h has reversed though after an issue with his spleen dying after embolization.

DO NOT sweat life expectancy stuff as no one can truly estimate life expectancy plus if your issue is auto immune in nature there may be treatments that can be put in place.

For a bit of positivity, my hubby was diagnosed with full on decompensated cirrhosis in April 2012, listed for transplant 2014 but delisted after 10 months (too well for t/p). Still ticking along all these years later and just back from a month long mountain biking holiday where he rode 380+ miles on his ebike.

Get your test done and take it from there, live your best life possible.

Katie

[GTGJ in reply to AyrshireK]

thank you for such uplifting positivity I will try and well done to hubby hope the test find out and they can treat it I’m on beta blockers and they want to raise the dose they leave me tiered but I can put up with that if that’s what’s going to help me thank you for the information still a lot to learn on living with this now not had any support mentally with all this stuff

[Yellowsydney]

Hi, I've had a trans jugular biopsy, no pain, you just have to lie still while they are doing it, they put some numbing 'stuff' on which makes you feel very cold. You don't feel anything whilst they are doing it.You sound very much like me, I had a massive variceal bleed but nothing else, I had many years but nothing came back conclusive, even the two biopsy, in the end they just concluded I was awkward but decided I had NASH cirrhosis, I had portal hypertension and pvt,I had a liver transplant 6 years ago.

Hilary

[Bovrilelles]

I don’t have cirrhosis (I have PSVD and PHT) but have had the venogram a couple of times now. It’s fine. I really recommend asking for sedation (I’ve done once with and once without). You’ll feel a bit delicate for a few days after. But honestly in the grand scheme of things it’s much scarier sounding than the reality. You couldn’t even see a mark from my first one.

There is a bruise 4 weeks on and a little lump still after second one. The pressure measurements are really important info for them to monitor liver health. ‘Big brave pants on - you’ve got this’ 🙌🏻

[EEvans]

Hi, I have had a trans jugular liver biopsy. It was fine, pain free. I asked to be sedated during the procedure and it helps with relaxing you before and during the procedure. I have got non cirrhotic portal hypertension. We don’t know why, I am not a drinker and keep myself as healthy as possible. Best of luck, don’t worry about it. I have had 3 liver biopsies done, 2 through my side and one down the jugular vein. You will be fine.

[Buddythezhu]

sounds like a trans jugular liver biopsy, I had one last year. They will numb the area with local anaesthetic, it’s a bit uncomfortable but quick and quick recovery.