Ultrasound/fibroscan.

[zipitydoo]

Just wondering how often people have these.

[Hidden]

Ultrasound about 2 years, never had a fibroscan. Diagnosed about 3 years ago, no symptoms so far.

Lou

[Hidden]

same here around every two years

[Hidden]

I have only had the one ultrasound back in 2010 prior to diagnosis. I expect perhaps after a certain lapse time or significant changes in the LFTs then at present I won't be advised to have another one.

The fibroscan isn't widely available as yet I've read. It is used in private clinics and some of the hospitals in cities in England but doubt as yet there'll be one in the suburbs where I live (Lancashire). Fibroscans are apparently deemed better than biopsies and give a pretty good picture over ultrasound.

[zipitydoo]

Thank you for your replies. I was asking as every year seems to be the normal of the USA PBC`rs and I haven't had one since I was diagnosed 3 years ago. I see my specialist tomorrow and will mention it to him. Whilst the Urso has brought my liver numbers down it would still be nice to be able to have a peek inside to see what is going on.

[Hidden in reply to zipitydoo]

I'm not too bothered about having another scan, even a simple ultrasound scan. I didn't like when I went for one 2010. I found it to be quite a disrespectful practice of the hospital (East Lancs) as I was shouted out from the small Waiting Area and taken to the back of the reception. There were 2 cubicles with shower curtains up and a nurse threw this carrier bag at me, told me to put this tatty gown on and place my clothing in the bag and then wait in what was a communal area where other patients and visitors were.

I refused as it was only an ultrasound scan and was not like that back in the mid-1980s when I had my children, you just went into a small room and pulled up your top.

The nurse wasn't happy when I said I wasn't stripping off and sitting in the small area near the corridor and muttered some words to the effect if I ruined my clothes that was my problem. The radiologist who I presume she was had no problem with me just lifting my top up and unzipping my skirt I had on.

The one thing though was that I did ask what she could see on the scan, said she couldn't tell me, had to wait for the results a few weeks later.

I would however go in future for a scan if there was any dire problem with how the LFTs were looking though.

[zipitydoo in reply to Hidden]

How awful. I recently had to have one on my neck. The radiologist couldn't have been nicer explaining all his findings and what they meant and whether I had any questions he would try and answer. If only they were all like him.

[Hidden]

I have already replied but actually went for an ultrasound yesterday.... no changes since last one, so good news there. However the dr said I should have one annually - I go to barts and the london. She had no idea what a fibroscan was....

[zipitydoo in reply to Hidden]

A fibroscan checks the elasticity of the liver for any cirrhosis they are fairly new.

I saw my specialist yesterday and he said unless my liver numbers went up again I would not have another one as its just used to check in case there is any cancer there. They are in normal range now with the urso.

[Hidden in reply to zipitydoo]

Thanks, let's hope our numbers stay 'normal' for as long as possible

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Interesting that we aren't medical persons yet can attempt to keep up with certain things and possible progression now we have PBC yet a fibroscan seems an alien word! I know they are available in the private sector for those patients but not sure as yet where fibroscans are within the NHS sector.

Perhaps should try to do some digging and find out?

[zipitydoo in reply to Hidden]

If we don't look into these things others are not going to enlighten us. What does annoy me is when someone medical says something you know isn't right and you lose a bit of faith in them.

[littledragon23 in reply to Hidden]

Hi peridot, most larger University Hospitals within the NHS do have fibroscans now. I had one back in July which showed that I am somewhere around F3/F4, which means beginning cirrhosis. However, the cirrhosis range is quite large so I am not too worried. Apparently they only do them when your blood works are quite poor and they would like to have some kind of idea of where you are in regards of stage. Depending on the results, they sometimes still perform a liver biopsy.

I have had 2 Liver US since diagnosed in May and I am booked for another one in January, when I also have my next appointment with the liver department.

[Puddles]

Hi Zipitydoo,

I am in Australia and had a fibroscan on diagnosis earlier this year, and was told I would be having one yearly to monitor any progression, however I think use of this test varies between doctors

[zipitydoo in reply to Puddles]

Thanks Puddles.

[plizzard]

hi I have had one in 10yrs only seem to be doing ct scans now.

[Pandemonium]

I go to Addenbrookes every 6months for an ultrasound, bloods & hepatologist appointment. I am told the ultrasound is to check for cancer. They look at spleen, liver & gallbladder.

[zipitydoo in reply to Pandemonium]

Thank you. That's what my consultant explained.

[hotdog]

Diagnosed two years ago. I have an ultrasound every 6 months. Last year I also had a liver biopsy. I have blood tests and see the consultant every 6 months.I am on urso capsules and feel fine apart from the itching and tiredness. So I have a nap in the afternoon sometimes.. Still this sounds quite normal with PBC.

I had never heard of a fibroscan until I read this.

[zipitydoo in reply to hotdog]

Hi,

Sounds like you are being well looked after hotdog. The fibroscan is quite new.

[IOW-gal]

I have an ultrasound annually. Asked for by my consultant .

[Shazbarr]

Hi I have a yearly ultra scan which suggested my liver was normal so my specialist sent me for a fibroscan so she could set it as a bench mark to see how it progresses I live in Shropshire and both were done on the NHS, I am due to see the specialist next month, I also have to have a bone density scan every two years as it revealed I had the onset of brittle bone.

[zipitydoo]

Thanks for all the replies. It seems as though there is a lot of difference around the country with this and it depends who your specialist is.

[Shrimpette]

Littledragon, what did the US tests show if you don't mind me asking.