Liver Biopsy

[Guest ~jules~]

I'm having a liver biopsy on tuesday, and I'm getting a little nervous. Has anyone here ever had this done, if so would you share your experience? Thanks, julie

[Budew]

My husband has done this twice. I go with him because he is realy out of it afterwards. He does not remember anything. Afterwards he has a tiny wound that healled quickly.

I actually laughed until my sides hurt waiting in recovery. Farts coming from everywhere. Recovery was with all kinds of folks who had another procedure that forces air into them. In recovery it was a concert of farts.

They also say recovery is a few hours. He is always there 10-15. Poor kid just needs the sleep I guess.

[bmzob]

I've had two when i was younger it's really no big deal. The only thing I was scared of because I was so little is I didn't want to leave my parents when they took me back. They knock you out and when you wake back up you have a small hole in your side, but its covered up with a bandage. Your not allowed to do any rigorous activity for a few days...but thats about it. It really isn't that bad at all.

[teebs in WV]

Jules,

I hope that all goes well for you. I am anxious to hear your experience as I think my GI is ready to send me to a surgeon for a liver biopsy (among other things).

Take care,

Tracy

[Anne AMP]

Hi Jules,

How did your liver biopsy go? Did you get your results yet?

[lorka150]

i had a liver biopsy this past summer (after having the appt since december! talk about nerves ) and i missed your post - sorry! i hope things went well for you, and you get the results you need.

[Anne AMP]

i had a liver biopsy this past summer (after having the appt since december! talk about nerves ) and i missed your post - sorry! i hope things went well for you, and you get the results you need.

What was the reason for the liver biopsy?

[lorka150]

normal liver enzymes are 40 or lower. mine were above 800 for about 3 months, and i had so many tests done. they teetered to about 250 for three months after that. there was a lot of concern - i had every test known to man, done.

[Anne AMP]

normal liver enzymes are 40 or lower. mine were above 800 for about 3 months, and i had so many tests done. they teetered to about 250 for three months after that. there was a lot of concern - i had every test known to man, done.

Was this related to celiac disease? Are the liver enzymes normal now?

[teebs in WV]

Mine are high also - have been for about 5 years, with Alk Phos being the highest (677 vs. normal range of 45 - 126). I have had many tests also, and go back to my GI 11/17. I hope he sends me to a surgeon like he mentioned last time I was there ...... I am so disgusted with this.

[lorka150]

teebs,

for what it's worth, i see an internist rather than just a GI. (i see both, but it was the internist who wanted the biopsy).

[teebs in WV]

Thanks. After my GI appt on the 17th I hope he gives up and refers me. If not I am going to have my GP refer me to someone else. My GP is the one that sent me the GI for my liver issues and also enlarged lymph nodes in my abdominal cavity.

After 2 CT Scans, an MRI, and numerous blood tests, I hope this guy gives up. He wanted a 3rd CT scan and I reminded him that I had just had 2 done in the past few months. He "didn't realize" that we had done a 2nd.

Sorry for getting off on a tangent on this thread - I am just really frustrated and haven't felt well today and getting cranky.

Thanks for listening,

Tracy

[debmidge]

Thanks. After my GI appt on the 17th I hope he gives up and refers me. If not I am going to have my GP refer me to someone else. My GP is the one that sent me the GI for my liver issues and also enlarged lymph nodes in my abdominal cavity.

After 2 CT Scans, an MRI, and numerous blood tests, I hope this guy gives up. He wanted a 3rd CT scan and I reminded him that I had just had 2 done in the past few months. He "didn't realize" that we had done a 2nd.

Sorry for getting off on a tangent on this thread - I am just really frustrated and haven't felt well today and getting cranky.

Thanks for listening,

Tracy

You have every right to be cranky....so it's ok by me.

[bpritt]

I had a transjugular liver biopsy last year to confirm celiac had caused elevated liver enzymes and not something else. My doctors went the transjugular route because I am on anticoagulants for DVT. Even though I was switched from Coumadin to Lovenox for the procedure (2 types of anticoagulants with different mechanisms), I had a hematoma at the catheter site on my jugular vein following the removal of the catheter. But this was a consequence of the combination of the transjugular procedure and anticoagulants. If you're not on anticoagulants, you'll have a different procedure and this won't be an issue.

[Guest ~jules~]

I just noticed I abandoned my post. Well, the biopsy was nothing really. The worse part was having to stay in the hospital all day for observation afterward. Also I had to take two pain pills afterward because I had some pain in my upper body, shoulders, and neck. This could have been a side effect of relaxation drugs they gave me, or the procedure. I don't have autoimmune hep. (big suprise) its more than likely still inflamed from the celiac. I had the procedure done to rule out any other problems. Tracy, I hope yours goes well, its really not that bad....