ChatterBank11 mins ago
Anyone had a liver biopsy done?
31 Answers
Got to go and make the childrens' tea now, but I'll be back later. Just wondered about the above, because I've got to have one. Local anaesthetiics don't work on me too well, so as you can imagine, it's not something I'm looking forward to. Anyone have any first-hand info?
Thanks.
Thanks.
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I have had one done but it was done under general anaesthetic at the same time as my lung operation so can't really tell you what it was like.The condition I suffer from can often result in liver damage as well as lung and kidney damage so they kind of decided to kill two birds with one stone and biopsy me whilst I was there.
I hope it all works out ok for you.x
I hope it all works out ok for you.x
Oh blimey daffy - it terrifies me. My consultant said that I wouldn't be given a general anaesthetic, yet two other medical people've said it's possible, so perhaps it hasn't been considered by the specialist, due to expense and time perhaps. Thanks, and I hope you're fine now?
And thanks to you as well cazzz. The trouble is, no one seems to know what IS wrong. My liver enzymes are high, but there are no markers in my blood to suggest cancer, hepatitis and so on. I've had scans, and last week went for a Fibroscan which still showed the enzymes being high, so the next thing's a biopsy.
Two friends've had them done, and both tell me it was a dreadful experience, so if anyone can tell me anything to put my mind at ease, I'd be really grateful!
And thanks to you as well cazzz. The trouble is, no one seems to know what IS wrong. My liver enzymes are high, but there are no markers in my blood to suggest cancer, hepatitis and so on. I've had scans, and last week went for a Fibroscan which still showed the enzymes being high, so the next thing's a biopsy.
Two friends've had them done, and both tell me it was a dreadful experience, so if anyone can tell me anything to put my mind at ease, I'd be really grateful!
Thanks Mohne - this is the problem. Even a trip for dental work necessitates me being put out. This started after 5 local injections didn't work.
I know that children can have general anaesthesia for liver biopsies, and was told by 2 people in the endoscopy unit last week that this IS possible for adults, but my consultant said not. : (
Cheers pasta. x
I know that children can have general anaesthesia for liver biopsies, and was told by 2 people in the endoscopy unit last week that this IS possible for adults, but my consultant said not. : (
Cheers pasta. x
Ice-Maiden - have you had a liver function blood test ? if so was your billirubin high ?
There is a condition called Gilberts Syndrome - it is hereditary - I have had this the age of 16 - sometimes the whites of my eyes appear slightly yellow. If you google this condition it will give you all the facts etc.
It is just when you mentioned your liver enzymes were high - it might possibly be this condition.
There is a condition called Gilberts Syndrome - it is hereditary - I have had this the age of 16 - sometimes the whites of my eyes appear slightly yellow. If you google this condition it will give you all the facts etc.
It is just when you mentioned your liver enzymes were high - it might possibly be this condition.
Thank you DEN.
I've had so many blood tests - both regular and in-depth, that I think every avenue's been exhausted now.
Liver function tests proved that cerain enzymes were in profusion - the type often associated with Hep C. I haven't got that, and there are no markers in the blood to indicate cancer, but my liver's enlarged.
I'm not at all jaundiced, no one else in the family has liver trouble, I don't drink alcohol, am not a drug user, am not overweight - and after extensive scans and all sorts, it now appears that a biopsy's required to understand the reasons for the enzyme count - and hopefully to sort out some treatment to put me right again.
I'll check out Gilberts Syndrome anyway, and thanks for your help.
I've had so many blood tests - both regular and in-depth, that I think every avenue's been exhausted now.
Liver function tests proved that cerain enzymes were in profusion - the type often associated with Hep C. I haven't got that, and there are no markers in the blood to indicate cancer, but my liver's enlarged.
I'm not at all jaundiced, no one else in the family has liver trouble, I don't drink alcohol, am not a drug user, am not overweight - and after extensive scans and all sorts, it now appears that a biopsy's required to understand the reasons for the enzyme count - and hopefully to sort out some treatment to put me right again.
I'll check out Gilberts Syndrome anyway, and thanks for your help.
Sorry I've only just seen this Icemaiden...I've had 2 liver biopsies. Have to be honest & say the first was not a good experience, due I believe to the doctor having had little experience...he was extremely apologetic. The second one was done by an expert in the field & I have to say it wasn't even uncomfortable & was over very quickly. The tedious part was having to lie still for hours afterwards & have my BP checked very regularly. Try not to worry, the best advice I can give is ask whoever's doing it whether they've done it many times! All the best.
Thank you Robinia. I can't shift horrible visions of the procedure from my mind. As Mohne said, I know that some people just find the process uncomfortable more than painful, but both of my friends who've had it done said that it was "excruciating" - which puts me off even more, and I don't like to ask any further questions because of their graphic accounts!
How long does the actual process take? I'm not bothered about the lying down for a long period afterwards, but it's the biopsy itself which concerns me. I've had operations and invasive tests before, but this is something which almost gives me a heart attack at the thought of, so I'd rather hear the truth from others who'ved had to go through the same thing.
Thank you everyone.
How long does the actual process take? I'm not bothered about the lying down for a long period afterwards, but it's the biopsy itself which concerns me. I've had operations and invasive tests before, but this is something which almost gives me a heart attack at the thought of, so I'd rather hear the truth from others who'ved had to go through the same thing.
Thank you everyone.
Sorry to hear about your health problems, Icey. You did mention recently about not being able to have a drink, but I didn't want to pry. I had slightly enlarge liver and spleen going back a couple of months ago, and everything pointed to Glandular fever. Yet the LFTs came back normal and they never did find out what was wrong with me. Thankfully, I'm as fit as a flea now.
I did hear of someone who'd been doing Atkins for a while and he apparently had liver problems afterwards, due to the concentration of protein and saturated fat in his diet. Tho I don't imagine you would be an Atkins devotee !
Anyway, fingers crossed for you. xx
I did hear of someone who'd been doing Atkins for a while and he apparently had liver problems afterwards, due to the concentration of protein and saturated fat in his diet. Tho I don't imagine you would be an Atkins devotee !
Anyway, fingers crossed for you. xx
Aww thanks guys. I've only just been alerted to your replies.
Yes squad, I wouldn't be QUITE so fearful if the local anaesthetic worked, but as I said earlier on in the thread, for some reason, I have problems with this.
When I had my first baby, I had no idea what to expect at the birth so opted for an epidural. This had no effect at all. The partial numbness I felt occured 2-3 hours after I was back in my room, guaged by a very small patch, the size of a 50p piece, where all sensation was lost. Therefore, when I had a major op last year, I had to speak with the anaethetists on several occasions before I was given a spinal block and then put to sleep.
NoMercy, the decision not to drink alcohol was of my own volition before I even knew about this latest problem. I stopped drinking during pregnancy 12 years ago, and after that even very small amounts affected me, so I decided that it was a waste of time and gave it up completely. That was months ago now. Perhaps old habits've caught up with me, but I won't know until a biopsy's been performed.
As for my diet, I must have one of the healthiest in the country - lol. I only eat organic and free range food, with plenty of fruit, green veg, salad, fibre and fish - because I prefer it to meat. After a 6-week study by a hospital nutritionist, it couldn't be faltered. Wish I could put it all down to the intake of fats, although this wouldn't necessarily cause a "fatty" liver, but I can't. I get plenty of exercise and look - and felt - fit until quite recently. There has to be an underlying cause for all this, and although I appreciate that a biopsy's looming, it's the one thing that's caused me to have the wobbles, especially about the anaesthesia bit..
Thank you ever so much for all your help, and yes Robinia - I think I'm going to want a HUGE treat after all this. xxxx
Yes squad, I wouldn't be QUITE so fearful if the local anaesthetic worked, but as I said earlier on in the thread, for some reason, I have problems with this.
When I had my first baby, I had no idea what to expect at the birth so opted for an epidural. This had no effect at all. The partial numbness I felt occured 2-3 hours after I was back in my room, guaged by a very small patch, the size of a 50p piece, where all sensation was lost. Therefore, when I had a major op last year, I had to speak with the anaethetists on several occasions before I was given a spinal block and then put to sleep.
NoMercy, the decision not to drink alcohol was of my own volition before I even knew about this latest problem. I stopped drinking during pregnancy 12 years ago, and after that even very small amounts affected me, so I decided that it was a waste of time and gave it up completely. That was months ago now. Perhaps old habits've caught up with me, but I won't know until a biopsy's been performed.
As for my diet, I must have one of the healthiest in the country - lol. I only eat organic and free range food, with plenty of fruit, green veg, salad, fibre and fish - because I prefer it to meat. After a 6-week study by a hospital nutritionist, it couldn't be faltered. Wish I could put it all down to the intake of fats, although this wouldn't necessarily cause a "fatty" liver, but I can't. I get plenty of exercise and look - and felt - fit until quite recently. There has to be an underlying cause for all this, and although I appreciate that a biopsy's looming, it's the one thing that's caused me to have the wobbles, especially about the anaesthesia bit..
Thank you ever so much for all your help, and yes Robinia - I think I'm going to want a HUGE treat after all this. xxxx
