Liver Biopsy

[Guest guest]

Deena,

No, you only need genotyping once. The liver biopsy is the only

way to know if you have any damage in your liver, and to follow it's

progress - or in my case, regression, since my year of treatment got

rid of my fibrosis. But I wouldn't have known that if I had not had

the second biopsy. I will probably have another biopsy in another

couple of years to see if anything has changed. If my fibrosis starts

to return then I can choose to treat again. A biopsy is the only way

to gain this type of information. No blood test or any other test can

provide this important information. I know it sounds scary, but it is

very fast and simple. Ultrasound prior to a biopsy is pretty routine,

it lets the doc know where to do it.

Claudine

\

\

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Mine wasn't that easy, it did hurt when he poked the needle in, next time I

will ask for something before hand, then he didn't get a big enough piece,

(said I had a small liver) lot af pain after that, but they did give me a

darvon shot, which helped but had to have another one, but a smaller amount.

that did the trick, sore but tolerable then, but had to lie there for

hours, unlike alley.

suzy

_________________________________________________________________

Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger: http://messenger.msn.com

[Guest guest]

Mine wasn't that easy, it did hurt when he poked the needle in, next time I

will ask for something before hand, then he didn't get a big enough piece,

(said I had a small liver) lot af pain after that, but they did give me a

darvon shot, which helped but had to have another one, but a smaller amount.

that did the trick, sore but tolerable then, but had to lie there for

hours, unlike alley.

suzy

_________________________________________________________________

Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger: http://messenger.msn.com

[Guest guest]

HI Deena, I was nervous too..but it was not as bad as I feared. I was numbed

pretty good and I did ask for some meds...got about 2mgs of something, which

did nothing....it was quite fast. The only thing that bothered me was the

shoulder pain afterward. I did have my Demerol with me and took some. The

med people didn't want to give pain meds. Do ask for some IV meds before the

biopsy. I'm sure it will help relax you. make sure they give you enough.

The aftereffects were a sore side for a few days..but that's about it. Like

I said, my fear was greater than my experience. Take it easy, luv gee

[Guest guest]

I remember my abdomen muscles twinging, not sure what else to call it. Didn't

hurt, just like a little jerk then they went numb. Mine was fast, painless, and

rather boring

alley

It's a blonde life, but somebody has to live it!

[Guest guest]

I remember my abdomen muscles twinging, not sure what else to call it. Didn't

hurt, just like a little jerk then they went numb. Mine was fast, painless, and

rather boring

alley

It's a blonde life, but somebody has to live it!

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/6/2002 10:00:33 PM Central Daylight Time,

sexy8unnie@... writes:

> Gene,

>

> The biopsy is finally over. It wasnt as bad as I thought. Although, he had

>

> to take two samples since the first one he didnt get any tissue. I just

> hope

> he got enough the second time around.

>

> The only pain I feel right now is a mild, achy pain on the spot he inserted

>

> the needle.

> I'm exactly sure what I should do now. Should I lay a certain way while

> sleeping?

> Does the liver need to heal itself after the procedure?

>

> Deena

Deena,

The liver is amazing. You don't need to worry about it healing itself after

your biopsy. It will take care of itself.

Glad it's over for you. I understand why you were apprehensive.

Too bad about the two sticks.

Before I was diagnosed with HCV, while the doctors were trying to figure out

what was wrong with me and why my white blood count was low, one of the

procedures they did was a bone marrow biopsy and aspiration. The practitioner

almost fainted and had to leave the room after she first stuck my hip and

didn't get anything. She had to call for the doctor who took over the

procedure from her. Ouch!!! That one hurt.

Will you get the results of your biopsy soon? I hope it's a good report.

Your friend,

Gene

[Guest guest]

HI Deena...sry , I just got back from a little vacation. I'm glad you're

experience was okay. Just the side my liver is on was sore for a

while..nothing else. Have you gotten any results yet??? prob not..too soon.

I hope the news is good. Let us know when you find out. Praying it'll

be ok. luv, gee

[Guest guest]

Thanks wish I had know this before!!!

CAROL

[Guest guest]

Thanks wish I had know this before!!!

CAROL

[Guest guest]

Hi Kiss,

I was nervous before I had my liver biopsy, because some people said it

hurt, but when I went in early in the morning, they just took my vitals and

let me lay in bed for about an hour while waiting for my turn. I had been

given something for my nerves to take at home, but I didn't need

it. When I went into the sonogram room, they rolled me in by wheelchair

(just procedure), and I got on the table. I think it's the same place they

do sonograms for expectant mothers. The radiologist came in and checked

the monitor and then felt around my rib area with his fingers while

watching the monitor. They may have given me a local anesthetic, but if

they did, I didn't feel it. Then he put the biopsy needle next to my ribs

and said, " OK, take a breathe and hold it " As soon as I did, I heard a

click and it was over. I didn't feel it at all, and had no pain

afterwards, either in the hospital or after I got home. Maybe I was

lucky, or maybe I had a good Radiologist doing it. But, I wouldn't be

nervous about doing it again.

Good luck to you guys,

Marie in NW Florida

[Guest guest]

Hi Kiss, My BX was a breeze...just a lot of waiting around. The only thing that got to me was hearing the clunk when the doctor actually got the piece to be biopsied. Then you have to lie on your side for 4 hours to make sure you don't bleed. I had no problems. Just asked for a couple of vicoden and I was bored stiff. Tell him to take a book. It takes a while to set up everything on the CT scan and that can be uncomfortable but I asked for a pillow under my knees and I was fine. The procedure itself only takes about 30 seconds. The rest of it is just lieying still. Swear to God.

-- liver biopsy

Hello one and all,Kiss here, yeah I'm surviving. See, the thing is I want the truth you all. Hugs is going for a liver biopsy on Monday. I want to know everything. You know me, I need to know everything before it happens. I want details.......So all of you heppers who have had this done I want to know in evey detail your own expeience. Tell me the procedure, the effects, the discomforts etc.....You see, hugs was told that he needs a ride. Can't do this by himself. So, I'm driving. But then he told me that I can drop him off and pick him up after. I said, "hell no", I'm gonna wait for you till the end, I'm not leaving. (He's my life).I just....., I don't know, everybody's different. Everybody reacts differently. I just need this. I need to hear whats gonna happen to him. God I'm scared!!He's scared too....Not been himself latley. He's had terrible headaches and has withdrawn from us, the kids and me. Like I said, he's lost lots of weight, more than I think due to not drinking beer....His doctors no help either, thats another story. I'm going next visit to talk to her myself!!!!!! No shit!!!! She's gonna deal with my questions now.Anyway he still has no idea I talk to you guys, and I need to know whats involved in a biospy. Please be honest and give me all your stories, good and bad. You guys are great! Thanks....Kiss

[Guest guest]

You see this is what I need, Thank you Marie ..

-- In Hepatitis C , Marie Kuhn <mariemk@c...> wrote:

>

> Hi Kiss,

> I was nervous before I had my liver biopsy, because some people

said it

> hurt, but when I went in early in the morning, they just took my

vitals and

> let me lay in bed for about an hour while waiting for my turn. I

had been

> given something for my nerves to take at home, but I didn't need

> it. When I went into the sonogram room, they rolled me in by

wheelchair

> (just procedure), and I got on the table. I think it's the same

place they

> do sonograms for expectant mothers. The radiologist came in and

checked

> the monitor and then felt around my rib area with his fingers while

> watching the monitor. They may have given me a local anesthetic,

but if

> they did, I didn't feel it. Then he put the biopsy needle next to

my ribs

> and said, " OK, take a breathe and hold it " As soon as I did, I

heard a

> click and it was over. I didn't feel it at all, and had no pain

> afterwards, either in the hospital or after I got home. Maybe I

was

> lucky, or maybe I had a good Radiologist doing it. But, I

wouldn't be

> nervous about doing it again.

>

> Good luck to you guys,

>

> Marie in NW Florida

[Guest guest]

You're welcome.

Marie

At 11:43 PM 4/17/2004, you wrote:

>You see this is what I need, Thank you Marie ..

>

>

>

>-- In Hepatitis C , Marie Kuhn <mariemk@c...> wrote:

> >

> > Hi Kiss,

> > I was nervous before I had my liver biopsy, because some people

>said it

> > hurt, but when I went in early in the morning, they just took my

>vitals and

> > let me lay in bed for about an hour while waiting for my turn. I

>had been

> > given something for my nerves to take at home, but I didn't need

> > it. When I went into the sonogram room, they rolled me in by

>wheelchair

> > (just procedure), and I got on the table. I think it's the same

>place they

> > do sonograms for expectant mothers. The radiologist came in and

>checked

> > the monitor and then felt around my rib area with his fingers while

> > watching the monitor. They may have given me a local anesthetic,

>but if

> > they did, I didn't feel it. Then he put the biopsy needle next to

>my ribs

> > and said, " OK, take a breathe and hold it " As soon as I did, I

>heard a

> > click and it was over. I didn't feel it at all, and had no pain

> > afterwards, either in the hospital or after I got home. Maybe I

>was

> > lucky, or maybe I had a good Radiologist doing it. But, I

>wouldn't be

> > nervous about doing it again.

> >

> > Good luck to you guys,

> >

> > Marie in NW Florida

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Kiss, I had no problem with my biopsy,dr. gave me 1 vicoden and 1 valium and I said bring it on. My wife drove me it took a second. They have you stay there for not quite an hour to make sure your ok. Thats my experience, I'm sure others have had different ones then me. I 'm requesting another one to see if my liver has improved. Bill O.

From: "kissmekar" <kissmekar@...> Reply-Hepatitis C Hepatitis C Subject: liver biopsy Date: Sun, 18 Apr 2004 03:58:35 -0000

Hello one and all,

Kiss here, yeah I'm surviving.

See, the thing is I want the truth you all. Hugs is going for a liver biopsy on Monday. I want to know everything. You know me, I need to know everything before it happens. I want details.......

So all of you heppers who have had this done I want to know in evey detail your own expeience. Tell me the procedure, the effects, the discomforts etc.....You see, hugs was told that he needs a ride. Can't do this by himself. So, I'm driving. But then he told me that I can drop him off and pick him up after. I said, "hell no", I'm gonna wait for you till the end, I'm not leaving. (He's my life).

I just....., I don't know, everybody's different. Everybody reacts differently. I just need this. I need to hear whats gonna happen to him. God I'm scared!!

He's scared too....Not been himself latley. He's had terrible headaches and has withdrawn from us, the kids and me. Like I said, he's lost lots of weight, more than I think due to not drinking beer....His doctors no help either, thats another story. I'm going next visit to talk to her myself!!!!!! No shit!!!! She's gonna deal with my questions now.

Anyway he still has no idea I talk to you guys, and I need to know whats involved in a biospy. Please be honest and give me all your stories, good and bad. You guys are great! Thanks....Kiss

Watch LIVE baseball games on your computer with MLB.TV, included with MSN Premium!

[Guest guest]

I have to admit I was scared from some of the bad liver biopsy experiences. The

one email made me cry for the person who wrote it. BUT, when it all comes down

to it, if my doctor deams it necessary, then I will certainly do it.

Zanna

[Guest guest]

Zanna,

You are sweet to have such empathy for my horrible experience with the liver

biopsy last week but I promise you, my experience was really not the norm. As

bad as it was, I survived and am none the worse today. Although last Tuesday I

really prayed to just pass out! But, I made it through it and life goes on.

Today I am simply Nana - or Nana to be. I am at my daughter's and she had to

go to the OB because she had more bleeding. She's only 6 1/2 weeks pregnant

but they did an ultrasound to make sure all was well. I got to see that little

tiny (.58 cm) rice size baby's heart just beat, beat, beating on the ultrasound

screen. Everything was just as should be - just the right size and heart beat

at 122 - just where it should be at this point.

The horrible experience of the liver biopsy last week seems a lifetime ago!

don't get me wrong - it was awful and I pray no one ever has to experience that

kind of pain, but it is now just a distant memory! We do what we have to do so

we can be as healthy as possible and somehow, some way, we manage to get

through even the hardest days.

take care,

W

[Guest guest]

I'm new to the group, but I'll say the liver biopsy was probably one of the most painful experiences I've had. Having the biopsy was fine, but afterwards, as soon as the pain medicine wore off, I was in agony. They didn't want to give me more pain medication because my blood pressure was so low, but I refused to breathe because the pain was so awful. So, a little Demerol later and I was fine. I slept most of the rest of the day and it was painful on my right side for several days (maybe a week), but, you do get over it. They thought it was some bile that got released into my system. The doctor was very apologetic and if I have to have another, I'll let them know how bad this was. Even with all the pain after the biopsy, there's probably no worse agony than having to prep for a colonoscopy. The procedure is nothing, it's all the day and night before--yuk!

I would never turn down a liver biopsy or other procedures because they are scary or painful. Let the nurses know ahead of time that you are very anxious and they will give you something to relax pretty quickly. I have a very bad time with small, rolling veins and Raynoud's, so that's one of the things I say right up front. It saves a lot of bruising and failed attempts at trying to find a vein.

Another thing that gets me through some painful experiences is that I think of those who have so much more pain than I every day and I take deep breaths.

Vicki BellPresidentC-Chex

-----Original Message-----From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of WestonSent: Monday, October 10, 2005 11:54 PM Subject: Re: [ ] Liver BiopsyZanna,You are sweet to have such empathy for my horrible experience with the liver biopsy last week but I promise you, my experience was really not the norm. As bad as it was, I survived and am none the worse today. Although last Tuesday I really prayed to just pass out! But, I made it through it and life goes on.Today I am simply Nana - or Nana to be. I am at my daughter's and she had to go to the OB because she had more bleeding. She's only 6 1/2 weeks pregnant but they did an ultrasound to make sure all was well. I got to see that little tiny (.58 cm) rice size baby's heart just beat, beat, beating on the ultrasound screen. Everything was just as should be - just the right size and heart beat at 122 - just where it should be at this point. The horrible experience of the liver biopsy last week seems a lifetime ago! don't get me wrong - it was awful and I pray no one ever has to experience that kind of pain, but it is now just a distant memory! We do what we have to do so we can be as healthy as possible and somehow, some way, we manage to get through even the hardest days.take care, W

[Guest guest]

Penny...

Biopsy is not unpleasant in any way..if that's what worries you.

They say that it is a better way of guaging where you are in the illness

by being able to assess the amount of fibrosis, or scarring that is

present...but I don't see how a teeny tiny sample of tissue can

tell them accurately...because its an itsy bitsy piece of a large

gland...who knows whats goin in the rest of it?

So, personally I think its just a way to get more $$$ from us or the

insurance company, and they really don't do anything with the

information obtained from it.

If they really want a better assessment...and you want to actually

" see " what your liver looks like...ask them for an ultrasound.

I think it is more revealing. They don't often offer it to you in place

of the biopsy because its much less expensive, but often they

will offer them to you in conjunction with each other.

You DO get to choose though...so I would opt for the ultrasound.

They can look at all of your other organs at the same time, and

you get to watch as well...that part made me feel better because

everything looked great to me.

You want good blood supply...which will look black on the screen.

And you want your liver to appear medium gray and smooth...not

too grainy.

Best wishes to you!

.

[Guest guest]

Hi Penny,

I am scheduled to see a liver specialist July 12, and the same question

has crossed my mind. Because I want to know more about the disease, I

have decided to get the biopsy. I believe it is important to know

about the geno type, any possible damage to my liver, etc. I don't

know when or how I contracted Hep C, just know I have it. I havn't

used drugs in over 30 years, and had a full blood work up in 1995 and

also in 2000, so this really comes as a surprise to me. There is a

really good post from LeighAnn about questions to ask. Make sure you

copy the questions and ask your doctor. You should not have to feel

any pain! There are too many medicines that can help you through the

procedure. Good luck, and I know you will make the best decision for

yourself. We are here for you if you need us.

[Guest guest]

That was not my experience five years ago. The radioliogists didn't give me

enough for the pain, even when the nurse asked them too. If your uncomfortable

tell them to stop and relieve your pain. You will have to stay at the hospital

for eight hours after to make sure you don't bleed.

Another thing when did the out patient recovery room become an enterianment

center. The women next to me had the whole family their husband, son, daughter,

grandchildren in strollers. She had endospy.

I am unfortunately one of those people who were brought up on " offer it up to

the soul in purperorty " and didn't say much. I learned. I hated getting my

teeth clean a couple of years ago I start using orajel to numb my gums. I just

told my dentist this and he said he could use a numbing agent on my gums before

cleanning.

Am I dumb or what.

Aprilcupcake@... wrote: Penny...

Biopsy is not unpleasant in any way..if that's what worries you.

They say that it is a better way of guaging where you are in the illness

by being able to assess the amount of fibrosis, or scarring that is

present...but I don't see how a teeny tiny sample of tissue can

tell them accurately...because its an itsy bitsy piece of a large

gland...who knows whats goin in the rest of it?

So, personally I think its just a way to get more $$$ from us or the

insurance company, and they really don't do anything with the

information obtained from it.

If they really want a better assessment...and you want to actually

" see " what your liver looks like...ask them for an ultrasound.

I think it is more revealing. They don't often offer it to you in place

of the biopsy because its much less expensive, but often they

will offer them to you in conjunction with each other.

You DO get to choose though...so I would opt for the ultrasound.

They can look at all of your other organs at the same time, and

you get to watch as well...that part made me feel better because

everything looked great to me.

You want good blood supply...which will look black on the screen.

And you want your liver to appear medium gray and smooth...not

too grainy.

Best wishes to you!

.

[Guest guest]

Good Evening Penny,

Over the course of your infection your liver enzymes may flucuate up

and down; your viral load may increase and decrease on its own.

Thses indicators may be influenced by overall health, diet, stress,

many factors. With these changes these indicators can not be relied

on as disease progression predictors. A high viral load does not

mean a more serious condition or more rapidly progressing damage.

The " Gold Standard " to detect liver damage is the biopsy. There are

several blood tests in clinical trials to predict liver damage but

they are still being verified by biopsy. They should at least give

you a twilight drug like Versaid. They will sometimes use ultasound

as a guide or go in with a camera during a laporoscopic proceedure

to be sure of their target. During a laporoscopic they can also see

over 2/3 of the liver to check for tumors. They usually try to get

3 samples from slightly differant areas of the liver. Unlike

tumors, scarring is not localized but fairly uniform throughout the

liver. An ultasound alone can not see fibrosis or cirrhosis.

There is good information on LeighAnn's website:

http://www.geocities.com/1Leighann/.

Scroll down to a field of about 20 link buttons.

You might also try: www.hcvadvocate.org.

Look for a " Fact Sheets " button on the right side of the page.

Glenn R.

>

> Hi,

>

> I am a new member today.

>

> I found out about 15 yr's ago I had Hepatitis C from the Red

Cross. I

> am 56 and feel quite good and I think I probably have had it for

over

> 30 years. The only thing I have had (which now I am beginning to

> wonder if this has been a symtom) is for quite a long time I get a

flu

> like feeling, knocks me down for at the most a week, no fever but

when

> checked a high white cell count. I quit going to doctor's (they

could

> not find anything wrong never mentioned Hepatitis) concerning it

and

> figured it was just one of those things we get in life.

>

> Recently I got a new prime care physician who had me see a Gastro

> physician assitant (never been to a specialist) who told me along

with

> my new doctor that I needed to get a liver biopsy. It was quite a

> shock, I had always thought my liver profiles were enough and now

I

> know I was wrong and need to have this done. I also was told that

if

> it should come out bad, I can not take the medication as I am very

> prone to depression and am also bi-polar.

>

> I am at peace with this decision, but, I am afraid of this test

> (silly). I have never had anything like this done.

>

> Thank you,

> Penny

>

[Guest guest]

Penny...

If you believe that the biopsy will help you in some way, there is no

need to be afraid of it...it's a simple procedure really, and they will be

able to keep you very comfortable.

I did not experience any pain as a result, and only lost a day of work,

and that was only because I had been given a sedative.

I was never sore or anything afterward...

Are you taking any medication for your depression?

Just make sure you let them know if you are, so they don't give you

something that may interfere with it.

[Guest guest]

Dear Penny,

My doctor just said I should go and do the test again because I am getting

worse.

I have severe depression but have been on medication for years. I was advised

by the Head of Scherring Plough testing, the depression cuts me out of any peg

interfron drugs. I know this the Doctor said maybe their was a chance for me.

But my insurance doesn't have doctors or labs in the area. It would me a great

expense and I know in my heart. I would get the same answer. But the Doctors

would be able to make their car payments. What list is he talking about. I got

two absolutely no from two of the best HepC doctors.

And I only have depression, bipolar is more serious. I had all the test five

years ago. That's when I lived in my insurance area. My girlfriend had just

lost her sister after two years of chemo. for lung cancer. She suffered so.

She was very brave.

Unfortunely I don't like to suffer. If am sick for a few weeks, I want to end

it all

I am very dramtic. I don't want to be a burden on my family and I have a real

problem of being under someone else control. Those are all the thought that ran

thru my head. I decided. I did the test. No I was not eligible for treatment.

Read all the materials available to me at that time and decided before seeing

the other doctors the treatment wasn't for me. But I did cry when I was told I

was not. Recently I read and article about hepc suffers in Japan and they said

sixty years and older do not do well on medication. I was 59.

I was right again.

If I were you I would call one of the drug companies and tell them about your

problems. See if they are will to give you a chance to take their medication.

They do not want lawsuits.

Sue & Penny <sjohnst1@...> wrote:

Hello,

First I would like to THANK everyone for their input. I was really

overwhelmed by all the wonderful responses.

I have not made my decision yet (ignorance is bliss??). I feel so

good with the only exception of occasional flu like symtons which as

I said yr's ago had it check on 3 different occasions & was told all

was fine so quit having it checked.

I still wonder " what is the point " when all doctor's have told me

that if a biopsy should come out not so great, I would not be

allowed to take any of the medications because of being bi-polar &

occasional deep depressions (not for a while knock on wood). My bi-

polar (2 brothers also have it) med's are Depakote, Seroquel,

Gabapentin & if depression kicks in temporary tiny amounts of

Prozac.

At the same time I think I should have this procedure in case it

comes out bad. My doctor said that I should have it because even

though I would not be allowed to take the med's for it, I could get

on a list.

Sorry for rambling (to much info) and again thank you sooooo much

for all of your responses it really has helped me in making an

informed decision.

Penny

---------------------------------

Sneak preview the all-new .com. It's not radically different. Just

radically better.

[Guest guest]

>

> 3 YEARS AGO I HAD A LIVER BIOPSY AND IT CAME BACK STAGE 1 GRADE 1, MY

> BLOOD WORK WAS ALL PRETTY NORMAL. MY VIRAL LOAD WAS AT THAT TIME

> 580,000. I RECENTLY HAD NEW BLOODWORK DONE AND IT IS STILL ALL OK. BUT

> IM SUPOSED TO SCHEDULE A BIOPSY AGAIN AND IM SCARED TO. I GUESS CUZ IVE

> BEEN THROUGH IT ONCE AND IT WASNT VERY FUN. MY BOYFRIEND IS ON THE

> INTERFERON TX SO IVE PUT MYSELF ON THE BACK BURNER TO SEE HOW HE DOES.

> HE GETS REALLY SICK SOMETIMES AND TIRED. HE HAS CIRROSIS TOO. IM

> WONDERING IF WHEN YOU GET A BIOPSY WILL IT MAKE ANYTHING WORSE? DOES

> TEARING A PEICE OUT OF YOUR LIVER HURT IT OR MAKE ME SICKER.? I WAS A

> LITTLE SHOCKED MY VIRAL LOAD WENT FROM 580,000 TO 3.9 MILLION IN A

> COUPLE YEARS. SHOULD I HAVE ANOTHER BIOPSY LIKE THE DOCTOR WANTS? IM

> WORRIED ENOUGH ABOUT MY BOYFRIEND TOO. IS CIRROSIS A DEATH SENTENCE?

> CAN HE STILL LIVE A LONG TIME AND BE OK?

>

Hi - I've never heard of a biopsy making things worse. What

it will do is tell you and your doctor what stage your Hep C is so you

can decide how to treat it. I know how you feel not really wanting to

do another liver biopsy, it's not much fun, but maybe your doctor can

give you something to help you relax when you get it. I'm not sure

about the cirrhosis questions, but maybe the treatment will be easier

on you than it is on your BF if you don't have cirrhosis. If you were

only Stage 1 three years ago, you're probably haven't progressed to

that stage yet.

Take care,

D