Kidney Biopsy

[Claire317]

I've had my kidney transplant for ten years now and have recently been having a few problems. To try and find out why I have to have a biopsy on Monday, can anyone tell me what it entails and if it hurts as i am worried

[richardgere]

Claire, A biopsy is not so bad, I have not had one although they wanted me to years back before my kidneys failed, they give you local anaesthetic, and put a needle straight into the transplant kidney and take a small piece which is them sent off to the lab, you have to lay in bed for several hours after, and may have to stay in overnight, then your allowed home, hope it all goes ok x Look forward to hearing its good news x

[tinkerbellswishes]

Hi Claire, I have had a kidney biopsy on my transplant.. I am the worlds biggest wimp and i swear to you there is nothing to worry about ! As richardgere says they will numb the area with a local anesthetic and from then on you wont feel any pain. The worst bit is laying flat for hours. I have had my transplant for 12 years now and in the first year i had my biopsy and discovered they needed to change cyclosporin to mycophenalate..since then i have been fine. hope it goes well for you xx

[Claire317]

Thanks both of you, I feel slightly better. I think it's the actual laying flat for hours that's worrying me as I have bronchiectasis and asthma too, so I tend to cough a lot when laid flat. Xx

[Higster]

Hi Clare

I too have had a biopsy on my transplant and fully concur with the experiences of richardgere and tinkerbellswishes. I also have asthma and find lying flat a problem, so the doctors said I could have a pillow. The staying in bed is more to do with not moving about so the kidney can start to heal. Hope all goes well xxx

[daviesulrike]

You don't have to worry at all Claire, they would not want to do a biopsy if it was not needed. You don't feel a thing, the only bad thing is lying down for hours afterward. It is frightening to think what they are going to do, but you can,t feel them going into the kidney. The only thing you feel is a bit of pressure. Remember, you have no nerves in that kidney. All the best.

[chickenlips]

I had a biopsy l kept still for half an hour when a nurse told me sit up and then another nurse came over shouting i should be lying flat with that the two nurses started having a right old argument it was quite amusing. I had a needle phobia i use to pass out but the biopsy is nothink

[glasshalffull]

Hi Claire, i had a biopsy six years ago before being diagnosed and really stressed about beforehand but honestly it wasnt that bad. They give you anesthetic and its over very quickly, its a little sore afterwards but i was very well looked after and out within a few days x