Anyone had a liver biopsy?

prayerangel
prayerangel Member Posts: 147
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I am not comfortable with having a liver biopsy. This is for something new, unrelated to my 2X breast cancers. I heard it's painful, and there could be complications. Please be truthful.

Comments

  • blessings1020
    blessings1020 Member Posts: 54
    #2
    I have had a biopsy...mine was done in the hospital (overnight stay to make sure you do not bleed).

    I was given a shot to numb the site and, although somewhat painful, it really was not that bad. I think what got to me most was hearing the "pop" sound the instrument makes when obtaining the sample (makes you want to jump).

    After the biopsy, I was told to lay on my back and the next day, I went home.

    I do not know what your tolerance for pain is (mine is not incredibly high), but to me, this was one of the more minor procedures performed on this tired, old body.

    Good luck and I'll be thinking of you and saying a prayer.
  • deborah053
    deborah053 Member Posts: 4
    #3
    I have not had a liver biopsy, but i think blessings1020 is telling it pretty straight. The thing I want to add is that you do not have to notice the procedure at all. Ask your docs to give you sedation (they should anyway). When you wake up it is all over. And if you feel pain, then you ask for pain meds. Be assertive about it. Since it doesn't hurt the person doing the procedure, some of them don't think about the pain. Everyone has different pain response.
    I think the risks of the procedure are not high if you follow the instructions, primarily bleeding. Good luck.

    Deb
  • prayerangel
    prayerangel Member Posts: 147
    #4
    deborah053 said:

    I have not had a liver biopsy, but i think blessings1020 is telling it pretty straight. The thing I want to add is that you do not have to notice the procedure at all. Ask your docs to give you sedation (they should anyway). When you wake up it is all over. And if you feel pain, then you ask for pain meds. Be assertive about it. Since it doesn't hurt the person doing the procedure, some of them don't think about the pain. Everyone has different pain response.
    I think the risks of the procedure are not high if you follow the instructions, primarily bleeding. Good luck.

    Deb

    Deb, thank you for your honesty. The thing is these 3 doctors want to make sure I don't have hemachromatosis (iron overload). I had DNA/Genetic testing and it showed I am a carrier. The only thing they can do for me is to "bleed me" regularly to reduce the level of iron. NOW, they won't treat me, like I requested, without the biopsy. NOW, the twist is...IF I have any cancer brewing around in the liver, when they remove the needles, there could be seeding. That's the accidental planting of cancer cells. These "seeds" could go into different organs or into your blood. I just don't know if I want to be their guinea pig.
  • blessings1020
    blessings1020 Member Posts: 54
    #5
    deborah053 said:

    I have not had a liver biopsy, but i think blessings1020 is telling it pretty straight. The thing I want to add is that you do not have to notice the procedure at all. Ask your docs to give you sedation (they should anyway). When you wake up it is all over. And if you feel pain, then you ask for pain meds. Be assertive about it. Since it doesn't hurt the person doing the procedure, some of them don't think about the pain. Everyone has different pain response.
    I think the risks of the procedure are not high if you follow the instructions, primarily bleeding. Good luck.

    Deb

    I totally agree with you, Deb regarding sedation. At the time I had my biopsy done (a few years ago, I was on methotrexate for lung disease and they had to check for liver damage), sedation was not offered to me. Believe me, I would rather have been sedated for the biopsy. I would think this would be standard procedure by now anyway because as I stated before, the sound makes you jump.

    I did have pain though it was not too bad.

    Diane
  • prayerangel
    prayerangel Member Posts: 147
    #6
    blessings1020 said:

    I totally agree with you, Deb regarding sedation. At the time I had my biopsy done (a few years ago, I was on methotrexate for lung disease and they had to check for liver damage), sedation was not offered to me. Believe me, I would rather have been sedated for the biopsy. I would think this would be standard procedure by now anyway because as I stated before, the sound makes you jump.

    I did have pain though it was not too bad.

    Diane

    Yes, I will only consider it, if sedation is an option. I had a sigmoidoscopy (like a colonoscopy). I had nothing for the pain, or for relaxation. I was howling like a dog near the end. I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy.
  • blessings1020
    blessings1020 Member Posts: 54
    #7
    prayerangel said:

    Yes, I will only consider it, if sedation is an option. I had a sigmoidoscopy (like a colonoscopy). I had nothing for the pain, or for relaxation. I was howling like a dog near the end. I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy.

    I've also had the sigmoidoscopy with NO meds. I informed my doc "NEVER AGAIN". I think he knows if there ever does need to be a next time, I will be medicated.

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