Liver Biopsy

[Arisgram]

Ok. My anxiety is spinning up. What can you tell me about a liver biopsy? Painful? Takes how long? Next day? Geeezzz, I hate needles....and bad news!

Thanks everyone! Andi

[Hidden]

When I think liver biopsy, I think general anesthesia, or at least twilight sleep.

[kearnan]

Well at the beginning, I was told they needed to do a lung biopsy (this was when I was first learning it was stage iv). I was terrified. The lungs seemed scary. I had to be at hospital at 5 am and since I have no family and not married and live alone, I went alone. I knew they were going to have put a needle in my lungs and the thought petrified me.

They gave me that twilight where you are awake but not really fully conscious. It was so odd. I could see the long needle and felt a minor pinch and was actually watching as they moved the needle into my lungs. It was fascinating to watch but I felt no pain at all.

It was brief. The worst part for me was when the twilight wore off, I had a bad headache but then they gave me aspirin and I was fine. So I would not worry at all.

[rubyc1234 in reply to kearnan]

I too was terrified to have the lung biopsy and it was so professionally done. All I felt was a pinch as the needle penetrated the lung. I would never fear another lung biopsy.

[Hidden]

I’m not sure, sorry but biopsies are always quick. Even when they biopsied my hip bone it was fast.

[My3girls]

I had a liver biopsy about a month ago. Had to fast before procedure and the anesthesiologist said some people are awake but very mellow, it knocked me right out(I'm a lite weight😁). I was a little sore the next few days, but it wasn't bad. They did it in the Ct room and went through my side/back through the ribs. I woke up in recovery and went home.

[Barbteeth]

Hi Andi

I’ve had a liver biopsy but it was done when I had my gall bladder removed so I was under a general anaesthetic

I had a biopsy of a pleural effusion shortly after my diagnosis...this time with a local anaesthetic and no sedation....apart from a little prick for the local it was totally painless

Please don’t worry you’ll be fine

Barb xx

[Chrissie-Mac12]

I had a liver biopsy a few months ago. It was done via an ultrasound and I was fully awake. Some anaesthetic was applied to the skin. I felt a slight tugging sensation but it wasn’t painful and the procedure only took a few minutes. I stayed overnight as a precaution as I had been having some liver issues.

[Bubbles001]

I’ve had two liver biopsies. Received twilight anesthesia and was awake through most. It’s a quick outpatient procedure and you need someone to drive you home. You will be a little sore. A few hours after being home, I had a great deal of pain in that area both times. They had advised not to take Advil, but I ended up taking it anyway as the pain was high and It all went away. I told them about it later and they said it was okay, it just slightly increases the risk of internal bleeding. I suggest you ask them what you can take if you do have pain later on.

[Florida10]

F.

oh

Xx.

[cpidacks]

I had a liver biopsy in March of 2019. I was awake for the procedure. An IV is started in case you need pain medication. The area to be biopsied is located on the CT scan. The radiologist told me exactly what he was going to do, had me practice the breathing he wanted me to do when he was taking the samples and then numbed the area. There is a nurse by your side during the procedure in case you feel you need pain medication. You don't really feel the needle going in. I did feel a little tug when he was taking the three samples. I was in the recovery area for a few hours to make sure there was no internal bleeding. You will need a driver to bring you home. I did not have much pain after the procedure, just uncomfortable. Good luck and let us know your results.

[Lap68]

I had six samples taken from my liver and I was awake. They numbed the areas before taking the biopsies and I will say the numbing needles were worse then the biopsies but it was manageable. Took about an hour but they took more samples then they initially thought. They had the pathologist there to look at each sample so it took a bit longer. You can do this!

[BangorBelle56]

So many different answers. I have had so Many biopsies but the liver was by far the easiest. It seemed to take a few minutes and I was fully awake. Please don’t worry it is really simple.

[viennagirl]

I have only had a breast biopsy so don't know what a liver biopsy would feel like. The good thing is that the whole process is over quickly and the doctors doing the biopsy are usually kind and thoughtful. A nurse held my hand during my breast biopsy and that felt really good. So don't be shy about asking for the nurses hand. They know you are scared. I wish you all the best. Hugs Marlene

[PJBinMI]

One of the things I am really grateful for is modern anesthesia! So much better than what some of our grandparents went thru! And we generally wake up quickly and feel like ourselves (or our living with this blasted cancer selves). I've not had a liver biopsy but something I learned is that putting vitamin E oil on the incision helps minimize the scar. My port scar is hardly visible.

[Arisgram in reply to PJBinMI]

Thank you for the response. Are you feeling better? I read your post and couldn't think of anything to add to all the thoughtful things said, but you've been on my mind. This is tough stuff. It's easy to get into a hole and increasingly difficult to get out of it. I hope you're better.

Andi

[Arisgram]

Thank you everyone for all the great responses. I leave tomorrow and have the biopsy Tuesday. Fingers crossed.

Andi

[MacroMom in reply to Arisgram]

Wishing you well...an easy biopsy with helpful results. And safe travels!