Kidney biopsy. l am having a kidney biopsy on the 10th July to get a definite diagnosis of what my consultant believes to be WG. ,,

[skot]

I am a little nervous and wondered if anyone could Iet me know what it's actually like. This has all happened rather fast for me, 3 weeks ago I hadn't even heard of Vasculitis. Thanks x

[JacquiM Volunteer]

Hi Skot, sorry to hear you may have WG.

It's good to know that your consultant is trying to get a definite diagnosis for you. The quicker you have a diagnosis, the quicker they can treat you with the correct medication you will need.

I was diagnosed with WG in March 2011 and I had never heard of it either, most people haven't until you are diagnosed with it.

Also had to have a biopsy to confirm my diagnosis plus have had another since. The only thing I found painful is the injection for the local. The biopsy procedure is quite quick and you won't feel anything but the boring, and uncomfortable part, is laying flat on your back for 6 hours so I would either take some music to listen to and ease the boredom They will keep taking your blood pressure so you won't be able to have a nap sadly!

You will find accurate information about Vasculitis on vasculitis.org.uk/

I hope the biopsy goes well and you can get a definite diagnosis at the end of it. Remember, we are all here for you

Take care

J xx

[skot]

Thank you Jacqui. X

[Ayla Volunteer]

I have had two kidney biopsies, skot. Both nothing to worry about. You are asked to lie on your stomach. I didn't really feel much except intense but brief pressure on my back, over one kidney. The doctor is allowed a maximum of 5 attempts to get a good sample of the kidney tissue and often they need to go for all five (they did each time with me!) though you may be lucky and get away with just one or two! It is all over in about 20 minutes.

Yes, as Jacqui says, the irksome thing is the lying flat on your back afterwards for so many hours - absolutely flat for 6 hours, then you are allowed pillows but must still remain on your back for another 14-18 hours. Horrible having to ask for bed pans, but by then it is all over and you are soon ready to go home, none the worse for your stay!

Don't worry too much about it, it does help the doctors diagnose your condition very accurately so is worth putting up with! Good luck, let us know how it goess.

Ayla

[cambs13]

Me too, agree with all above. I was soooo nervouse on the morning knowing of having my biopsy. Practitioners were brilliant, this was at Addenbrookes. You have to lie on your stomach, done with ultrasound scanner so they can see where they are going. Bit of a practice with your breathing, you have to do shallow breathing for a few seconds when they go in for the sample. This is to stabilise the kidney a little,as you breath it can rise slightly. You'll have local anaesthetic put in before they start, if done correctly you should not feel this that much as they should freeze and then wait a few seconds and go further into the soft tissue. They may have to done more than one sampling as they will check to make sure that it is correct and good for the labs. They did about four lots of sampling on me. Once done as said you have to lie on your back and for a few hours, also they need to test your urine to see no blood in it. Then alls good. To be honest if someone said it had to be done again, I wouldn't be too concerned. No one enjoys intervention as such, and of course you are going to be nervous on the day, but try and keep it more to a lower level. Ta care. Pam

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Just relax, it is nothing to worry about. They are quite right the hardest bit is the lyin g still for six hours afterwards.

[Rachyd]

Take a book, nibbles, I pad, I pod, any form of entertainment. I had one last week and the worst bit was the anaesthetic, it stings, and using a bed pan (so difficult ) and lying still. It's was over in twenty mins. All the best x