For those who had liver biopsy......

[mike932]

did you receive sedation?

[Oidra]

Sorry, can`t help as although diagnosed 17 years ago I have never had one and would need to have a very good reason to change my mind as I think it is an invasion of the body I can do without. I don`t know what stage I am and I don`t know what difference it would make if I did know,

But a lot of people have had it done on the site and I`m sure you could look up what they have said about the procedure or go onto the PBC Foundation website for the correct information.

[Karaliz in reply to Oidra]

Hi Oidra. I was diagnosed nearly 14 years ago and have gone from stage 2 to stage 4 and wide spread cirrhosis in that time. I have had 3 biopsies and for someone in my situation there are several valid reasons for the procedure, invasive though it is. At 51 ( diagnosed at 38 ) and with a large family and work to keep me busy, I feel in control of my disease process and what the journey may look like from here. Armed with the information gained from biopsy, my consultant was able to put me forward for the drug trial OCA as I was in a precarious situation otherwise. In my book, knowledge is power and it is possible to plan and prepare when one has as much information as possible. I realise from reading your posts, that your disease progression has been nowhere near as rapid as mine and I understand that in the early stable stages of PBC, a biopsy looks far less appealing!

But for those of us hit with the " progression, non responder stick", it is a completely different story.

Cheers from Australia

Karaliz

[Oidra in reply to Karaliz]

Dear Karaliz,

I found your post very interesting and it made me think. I have read of "non responders" being given OCA but didn`t realise that a biopsy was needed to prove you had PBC, I had thought the liver function tests we do regularly would be enough. I would image if that was the case with me I , like you, would have it done. I do hope you are feeling the benefit of OCA and things slow down for you.

I am not sure when my PBC actually started but I was refused being a blood donor in my 40`s because something wasn`t right but I was too busy with my family to bother to find out why. So at 76 (for a few more days) I count my blessings!

I admire your positive attitude, keep well.

Olwen

[mike932 in reply to Oidra]

PBC is diagnosed by presence of 2 of the following: elevated alkaline phosphatase, positive AMA, or positive biopsy. My alkaline phosphatase is normal, but my AMA is positive, which is why I want a biopsy to see if I have PBC

[Karaliz in reply to Oidra]

Thank you for your lovely response Olwen. All we can do is play the cards we are given and I find being positive and grateful for my many blessings - as you are - go a long way to accomplish this with grace.

Best wishes

Karen

[tonia66]

They gave me a local and pain meds...I remember the doc telling me I'd feel a sting for the local and I don't remember ANYTHING until the nurse was over me telling me "all done, you did great!"

I was worried too but it really was nothing to it! I was in a hospital in Fairfax Va

[Bakerc]

I had a CT guided Biopsy. They gave me sedation through an IV. Then numbed the spot where they went in. Very little pain. Procedure lasted about 20 mins. But then you go to recovery for about 2 hrs and wait for the sedation to wear off. You need someone to drive you home. Hope this helps.

[Ktltel]

Hi Mike,

Some doctors don't use much anesthetic. "Ask for it" all the same. Tell them you don't want to feel anything if they can help that without putting you clean under.

I was put out for mine as I had an ercp at the same time. So.... Yea, I didn't feel a thing. Just make it clear to them what you want. Hope it goes well. Let us know how things go.

Stella

[Melwoods]

Nope x

[Vera70]

I just had a liver biopsy about a month ago. No sedation just local anesthetic through a needle to numb my skin where the needle went in. The biopsy was not bad at all for me. I was worried about it but it was almost pain free. Everyone is different. It was guided by ultrasound. The radiologist that performed my procedure was very good.

[Michiganpbc]

I had light sedation required a driver, it was a 10 minute procedure no problems after or during and worth it to find out and start treatment to slow progression so glad I got it good luck on your biopsy stay calm and positive .

[Heleno]

Just numbing if area and was awake throughout and it was fine. Had to stay lying flat on a ward for about 6 hours after which was just to check no internal bleeding or side affects

[iagra]

I had it done in September of 2016. Light sedation. I wasn't asleep, kind of drifting away. I did communicate with the surgeon, answered his questions. I felt no pain or any discomfort. There was no problem afterwards as well.

[cfsummerford72]

I had an ultrasound biopsy. They said the needle has numbing agent so that you are not stuck twice. Im not going lie to you that was one painful experience. Ive had a biopsy donevon my breast and vaginal wall tissue. This is not even close. They go in between your rib bones not under which breaks through your bodys membrane (nerve ends) that protect your chest cavity. I had a sharp pain up near my collar bone and upper shoulder blade. I was at pain level of 10 and they still didnt give me anything for pain. I had to lay on that dide for 2 hrs to make sure if there was bleeding not to bleed into my abdomenal cavity. To sum it up its like being stabbed internally. Perhaps its not this way for everyone or its the facility you have it at . In the US it seems a luver biopsy reveals whether you do or dont have PBC.

I have to have another one next year and I am not looking forward to it.

Good luck

Connie

[mike932 in reply to cfsummerford72]

wow you are the first person i heard to have lots of pain

[Hidden in reply to mike932]

When I had a biopsy taken I was told it was nothing to worry about and not painful, but like cfsummerford72 I can confirm it was sheer agony. I too have had biopsies before one for breast cancer and one on my back, they were uncomfortable with a little pain but nothing like the liver biopsy. I sincerely hope when you get yours done it will be like the majority on here and not painful for you. Good luck

[mike932 in reply to Hidden]

eek

[Caroline-12 in reply to cfsummerford72]

Hi there, I have just read your response and wanted to comment that it was interesting and a little reassuring (may I say that?) to hear you had a similar experience to me.

The biopsy itself was quick and just a little uncomfortable under local anaesthetic. But then the pain hit...in my chest and right up to my neck. Totally excruciating and like nothing I've experienced in my life. I was struggling to breathe and a patronising nurse said I had cramp and should move to get comfortable...I could hardly breathe let alone move!! Took about half an hour before I was breathing and not gasping.

Two yrs on and I still have pain around the liver under my ribs...can't help wondering if they caught some nerve or membrane there?!

Do you still have any pain at all?

Best Wishes,

Caroline-12

[cfsummerford72 in reply to Caroline-12]

Yes my rib is still tender. Thats why when my liver specialist said he wanted to do another one next year. I am dreading it. Yall are probably wondering why he wants another one. Well i live 2 1/2 hrs aways so i went to my lical hospital and had procedure do so that they could send my biopsy off to him ( he practices at Roper St Francis and MUSC in SC) My liver specialist was not happy with the way my local hospital handled the sample or the reports. So hence first of the year he wants me to undergo this again but down in Charleston. Back to the biopsy, they carried me back in to have an xray bc the pain was so sharp they thought they punctured my lung.

Again its not tjis way for everyone but this is my personal experience with a liver biopsy.

[CathieG]

No sedation only local on the area where the needle entered. Had to stay flat in bed for 6 hours afterwards. Not as bad as i thought it coukd be.

[hotdog]

Just had a local numbing injection. All went fine. Just had to lay flat on hospital bed for two hours, then allowed home.

[Terralynn]

I had one last month. I was awake for it. I was given pain meds before they did it and local anesthetic was used. the Dr. was very fast. I didn't feel much at all for the actual biopsy.

I did have very intense pain for the first half an hour while laying still. But this is very uncommon. They other lady who was in the recovery room was totally fine.

The nurses monitored me closely and gave me more pain meds. And I felt much better by the time I was allowed to go home.

I think being put under for a small procedure can potentially add another dimension for healing. It can take a long time for general anesthic to leave your system. So I personally would choose to be awake.

Hope that helps.

[Shulsey]

I have had a couple biopsies over the years. No sedation, but I was given a local sedative. That's where the area being punctured is numb

[Pamela4475]

I had sedation in feb this year when had biopsy although I really didn't need it.... felt next to nothing once skin was numbed but since I need to lay on right side for 4 hours after I took it

[dearrita]

I had a CT guided liver biopsy last month. I was given IV Versed and IV Fentanyl for sedation. All I remember was the interventional radiologist saying that there was going to be a sting as he was giving the local anesthetic and then the procedure nurse waking me up telling me it was done! I had to stay on bedrest for 4 hours in the recovery room to ensure that there was no bleeding. No pain at all.

[fenwayjerry06]

I have had 2 biopsy and never had to be sedated

[Hidden]

My Gastroenterologist is working on my appointment for a Transjugular biopsy as I type this. The reason I'm having one is because my liver blood tests were off +ama m2 Fibroscan 21.3 put me at stage 4 Cirrhosis my US came back normal but I have Grade 1 Esophagael Varices. My Drs. are baffled. I will be sedated but she's doing this one to measure portal hypertension.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

She said I would be there all day since they are going in the Jugular vein. Good luck!!

[Twinkle26]

Hi Mike

I had no sedation but they did numb the area first,

I remember she practised the procedure first, a dry run with the gun I call it, although it does look like a kids gun and clicks like one too.

It took longer to prepare me and the room longer than the actual procedure took.

One arm up over head and slighted lay to the side and they take the biopsy from between the lower ribs uncomfortable but not as painful as I had worked myself up in my mind.

Just to add they use ultra sound to guide where they need to take from, so they look first for the best area to take from via ultra sound.

Good luck x

[GayleShepherd]

Hi Mike

I had a biopsy in March. Just had local an aesthetic. That injection stung like crazy. The actual biopsy was fine - felt a bit like getting kicked. Was a bit sore for a few days after. On a hole was pretty much ok.

[momof2winsplus]

I had a biopsy in April, they gave me Versed, which wiped my short term memory. I remember them saying it was time to start, and then telling me it was over. I am in the US, I wonder if this protocol is more common here?

[saurini]

I was diagnosed after blood work and biopsy confirmed. My biopsy (in the Atlanta area) was done under full anesthesia but combined with gallbladder removal. Laproscopic procedure - 4 incisions. A full week to heal.