Ultrasound with shear wave elastography

[iagra]

I live in the US, Washington state. Last year I did the first "Ultrasound with shear wave elastography", to monitor the state of PBC. It was incredibly painful. Not just a little uncomfortable, I'm talking, huge pain, especially in upper abdomen and on the side, when it was pressed against the ribs. Is it typical for this type of the ultrasound, or, it was just my experience? My next ultrasound is coming up in a week, and I'm not looking forward to it...

Thanks!

[AdeleMalcolm]

Hi iagra.. I can only agree that an ultrasound isn't a totally pain free experience. My last one was a bit uncomfortable to say the least but I guess it's the only way they can get the clearest image by pressing hard. Thankfully not frequent or long lasting but necessary. Grit your teeth and think happy thoughts ..or if it makes you feel better, how much you'd like to reciprocate to see how they'd like it. I just count to 10...or maybe closer to 100.. Good luck with it. Adele

[iagra in reply to AdeleMalcolm]

Thanks for your input, Adele! I've done other types of ultrasound, they were mildly uncomfortable, but, nothing like this. Because, it is so painful, I'm only doing once a year. Brr!!!

[ninjagirlwebb]

Might be due to the skillsets of the technician administering the test. More experienced operators will probably be less painful. Just a thought. I’ve done both a sonogram & fibroscan.

[gwillistexas in reply to ninjagirlwebb]

Same here. No pain with either.

[Ballymahon2]

I had no pain with ultrasound or fibroscan

[iagra]

Thank you all for your input! I'll call Radia Imaging and tell them that others don't experience the same amount of pain I had last time, and if they can do something about it. I also thought that maybe a tech wasn't very skillful.

[gwillistexas in reply to iagra]

iagra...I did notice the tech used more pressure with fibroscan but the only thing uncomfortable was the position she put me in. Slightly on left side, arm stretched far above my head & right leg halfway crossed left leg. Was more of a strain than anything. I’ll see how the next tech does.

[iagra]

Thank you! I remember laying on the side too.

[Hidden]

I had both the ultrasound and the sheerwave, I’ve never experienced any pain and I wonder why your tech is pressing so hard. When the tech wants a deep picture I’ve always been asked to take a deep breath and hold it until told to let go, he never presses that hard to cause pain.

It can be hard to hold your breath sometimes but that’s the most uncomfortable part. You do lay on your left side and having to raise your arm above your head could be painful if you have a shoulder injury, but I rest my arm over the side of my head for support. If it’s painful again I would speak to them at the time. Hope all goes well for you this time.

[iagra]

Thanks, Candy! I'll call and talk to them today.