Biopsy

[Guest guest]

I'm sorry your biopsy hurt so much. Without that

premedication it can be a doozie. I think all doctors should

automatically give a mild sedative. I had one for my first and

second ones, but not my third....and the third one HURT!

<br><br>I hope your results come back with no damage done

to your liver. <br><br>LeighAnn

[Guest guest]

I am with you on this one. My biopsy kicked my

butt, hurt so much I ran the nice people who came 300

miles to help me out, out of my house. They were my

parents and they forgave me for my lack of courtesy. A

week later the Dr started treatment. Already in early

cirrhosis inspite of all the life changes I had made over

the years. Now I am in my 8th week of treatment and

each day has it's own peculiar set of side effects. My

best support has been here on the net from others

here. I felt so powerless over what was happening to my

body the thing that has helped the most is the

knowledge. Knowledge is power here. Learn what you can,

teach who will listen. Spread the word about this

epedemic. People need to know, then the funding may become

more inmportant for the man on the street. I was a

substance abuse Counselor and an HIV educater. Trained in

giving test results for Aids pts. We just get our

results from a doctor and get sent home. An HIV victim is

treated with kid gloves, given the most information he

can carry and given several numbers of agencies for

emotional support. We suffer the same emotions, but nothing

is in place for us to turn to- especially for those

who do not even own a computer. We need people who

know how to write grants, <br>we need to share how we

start support grps. We may be the only ones who care

what happens to us, but eventually like in HIV and

other diseases we will be heard. At this point of

treatment it is all I can do to toddle from bed to

bathroom, meals on wheels makes sure I eat daily. My Social

worker has been helpful in setting this up and rides to

the dr's and to the grocery store. My eyes are so

wierd and my reflexes are so slow to try to drive a car

if I had one would be a sure thing my insurance

would go up. I 'ld hit something just by the slowness

of my reflexes. Treatment will end eventually and I

will need to regain my stamina. And then I will begin

putting together a support grp. I have been given office

space in a county building to act as a volunteer peer

counselor and a place to do set up a support grp.

[Guest guest]

I am so sorry to hear of awful biopsy

experiences, mine was pain free without any medications, have

been on treatment for only two weeks but virtually no

sides, live in small town with no information resources

or support groups available, hope to start one soon

after treatment, prices seem to vary greatly on both

drugs and biopsies, my biop was around $1500 and after

doing nothing for 4 years it was a source of comfort to

know the hepc hadn't progressed too far, my support

and comfort to all Kara

[Guest guest]

Wow, pain free...that is encouraging. Maybe it

depends on the actual spot they stab. I don't know but I

had lots of pain the 1st 5 hours post procedure. Now

is more What I expected, just sore when I take a

deep breath or move quickly. <br>I will look at the

cost of the biopsy and post it when I get the

insurance billing. The genotype and quantitative was $310

dollars total. I just got that statement. I thought it

was going to be more than that so I was surprised.

Take care!!!!!!

[Guest guest]

Like everything else with us, everyone is

different. Just to add my two cents, I have had hangnails

that caused me more pain and discomfort then my biospy

did. I had it on wed. am and played golf friday

morning. Took thur off from work, simply because I could.

the worse part was the bordem, although the nurse

that took care of me was fun to watch..OPPS, not PC,

sorry Good luck all my thoughts, hugs and

prayers<br>Lenny

[Guest guest]

I think it is really important to notice that

being in good physical shape to start with is a Plus. I

was already an overweight mess of things not to do if

you want to get and stay well. I may be past 50, but

I know I am the only one who could change this.

Plan to join a gym when treatment is over. Hep C is

the best reason that I could come up with for getting

into healthy living. Prior to treatment was a junkfood

junkie. Ate all the wrong things, things that now that I

am on treatment make me very sick. I think the fact

that you play golf has contributed to the muscle tone

in the area. I have no muscle tone in my abs, was

tense during biopsy - of course pain accompanied the

procedure. Keep up the good work BTW glad to hear you had a

good time even if it is not politically correct. Seems

to have been a healthy responce to your environment.

[Guest guest]

You asked about liver biopsy experience -- As I've said here before, as I remember it (5/00), I had no real pain at all, nothing worse than a blood test, a pinch. My having been very relaxed and non-apprehensive may have helped. The next couple of days I was sore. I was extremely tired for quite a while, but I was already extremely ill, so I don't know if the tiredness was due to the biopsy or the existing illness. I know the experience is different for everyone. Apparently I was lucky in feeling little or no pain. I wish equally good luck to all of you in your biopsies.

Harper AIH 5/00

[Guest guest]

Sometimes a person does show indications of cirrhosis,

in blood work and other physical symptoms too, like

acites. But a person can have cirrhosis and NOT have

any abnormal indications, in the blood or otherwise.

Or advanced fibrosis, with no indications. So only in

some cases can a doctor tell how advanced your liver

disease is without a biopsy, and by then it is VERY

advanced. Usually a biopsy is required.

Claudine

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Sometimes a person does show indications of cirrhosis,

in blood work and other physical symptoms too, like

acites. But a person can have cirrhosis and NOT have

any abnormal indications, in the blood or otherwise.

Or advanced fibrosis, with no indications. So only in

some cases can a doctor tell how advanced your liver

disease is without a biopsy, and by then it is VERY

advanced. Usually a biopsy is required.

Claudine

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Lliver biopsy can be done by transjugular route in such patients or needle

biopsy attempted under

transfusion of fresh frozen plasma.

[Guest guest]

Lliver biopsy can be done by transjugular route in such patients or needle

biopsy attempted under

transfusion of fresh frozen plasma.

[Guest guest]

I had one done a few months ago. Now I willnot

say that it did not hurt a little, but they used

sedation and pain meds when I got home and in a few days I

was okay. It was a relief to get the results and find

out that there isnt alot of dama ge yet. I am going

to start the new treatmetn here soon for type 1b. I

talked with the reps from the drug company and they say

that a tenative relase date for the new once a week

shot program is due this month. Anyone else been told

that?<br>I know that I will probly be sicker for a while

during treatment but at least I feel like a will be

doing something about it instead of been just sick and

no chance for releif.<br>

[Guest guest]

I had one done a few months ago. Now I willnot

say that it did not hurt a little, but they used

sedation and pain meds when I got home and in a few days I

was okay. It was a relief to get the results and find

out that there isnt alot of dama ge yet. I am going

to start the new treatmetn here soon for type 1b. I

talked with the reps from the drug company and they say

that a tenative relase date for the new once a week

shot program is due this month. Anyone else been told

that?<br>I know that I will probly be sicker for a while

during treatment but at least I feel like a will be

doing something about it instead of been just sick and

no chance for releif.<br>

[Guest guest]

what treatment is it

[Guest guest]

what treatment is it

[Guest guest]

Some questions please:<br>How long after the

procedure did you have to stay still to ensure no

bleeding.<br>How often did they monitor you?<br>Did they give you

sedation during the procedure?<br>How many people

(doctors, assistants) were present at your

procedure?<br>Did you feel confident and secure that the person

doing the procedure had done MANY or you would part of

their training course?<br><br>Sorry for all of this but

I think that many others can also benefit to these

questions and answers.<br><br>Thank you

[Guest guest]

Some questions please:<br>How long after the

procedure did you have to stay still to ensure no

bleeding.<br>How often did they monitor you?<br>Did they give you

sedation during the procedure?<br>How many people

(doctors, assistants) were present at your

procedure?<br>Did you feel confident and secure that the person

doing the procedure had done MANY or you would part of

their training course?<br><br>Sorry for all of this but

I think that many others can also benefit to these

questions and answers.<br><br>Thank you

[Guest guest]

the biopsy is usually done by two doctors,one

assists,most of the time one who does the procedure is

training( I go to Duke University Hospital)but remember

it's you who has control over who and what is done to

your body,the doctors are your paid employees even if

they don't remember.....Yes I feel secure with this

practice..I've had 4 or 5 biopsies since my transplant..each

time it's difficult and somewhat stressful til it's

over with....as a rule you get NO sedation,you need to

be alert as it's performed ...afterward you have to

stay on your side without moving very much for 4

hrs,then 2 more on back,they monitor you continuously

during this time,wound to liver must clot well.... I

know this may sound bad and somewhat scary,I dislike

them a great deal myself,but theres no other way to

tell just what shape the liver is in,labs and

bloodwork can only show so much,it's a important weapon in

fighting this diease,a little stress and pain now may save

you from the terror of facing death while waiting on

a transplant,watching the ones you love struggle

with you and not be able to help....trust your doctor

or find one you can trust,talk to him,ask anything

that comes to mine,demand he keep you informed,many

doctors appreciate this( well maybe not the

demands)they'll tell you but is up to you to

ask......smiles.....jack

[Guest guest]

the biopsy is usually done by two doctors,one

assists,most of the time one who does the procedure is

training( I go to Duke University Hospital)but remember

it's you who has control over who and what is done to

your body,the doctors are your paid employees even if

they don't remember.....Yes I feel secure with this

practice..I've had 4 or 5 biopsies since my transplant..each

time it's difficult and somewhat stressful til it's

over with....as a rule you get NO sedation,you need to

be alert as it's performed ...afterward you have to

stay on your side without moving very much for 4

hrs,then 2 more on back,they monitor you continuously

during this time,wound to liver must clot well.... I

know this may sound bad and somewhat scary,I dislike

them a great deal myself,but theres no other way to

tell just what shape the liver is in,labs and

bloodwork can only show so much,it's a important weapon in

fighting this diease,a little stress and pain now may save

you from the terror of facing death while waiting on

a transplant,watching the ones you love struggle

with you and not be able to help....trust your doctor

or find one you can trust,talk to him,ask anything

that comes to mine,demand he keep you informed,many

doctors appreciate this( well maybe not the

demands)they'll tell you but is up to you to

ask......smiles.....jack

[Guest guest]

I want to thank everyone for their input. I will

still not easily consent to this procedure at this time

since I do not have symptoms after 31 years. I know

this is NOT a true picture of what is going on but I

have some other huge hurdles that have not been

discussed here that would also play into any treatment that

they may suggest. I will continue on with the

bloodwork to find out more about my specifics and let them

do another ultrasound to ensure there is nothing

seen there. I will report back when I have those

results around Nov 7th. Thank you<br><br>BTW... When I

did have acute Hep 31 years ago intense itching was

very much a nasty part of the symptoms (To answer

another questions posted here)

[Guest guest]

I want to thank everyone for their input. I will

still not easily consent to this procedure at this time

since I do not have symptoms after 31 years. I know

this is NOT a true picture of what is going on but I

have some other huge hurdles that have not been

discussed here that would also play into any treatment that

they may suggest. I will continue on with the

bloodwork to find out more about my specifics and let them

do another ultrasound to ensure there is nothing

seen there. I will report back when I have those

results around Nov 7th. Thank you<br><br>BTW... When I

did have acute Hep 31 years ago intense itching was

very much a nasty part of the symptoms (To answer

another questions posted here)

[Guest guest]

" ...some other huge hurdles that have not been

discussed here... " <br><br>Are you sure? I thought just

about everything has gotten discussed here!

:-)<br><br>Anyway, I wanted to let you know you're not the only one

who hasn't had a biopsy as my younger son never has

either. But just a reminder, too, that many with

hepatitis never show any symptoms. I wish you the best with

your checkup!

[Guest guest]

" ...some other huge hurdles that have not been

discussed here... " <br><br>Are you sure? I thought just

about everything has gotten discussed here!

:-)<br><br>Anyway, I wanted to let you know you're not the only one

who hasn't had a biopsy as my younger son never has

either. But just a reminder, too, that many with

hepatitis never show any symptoms. I wish you the best with

your checkup!

[Guest guest]

Hi :

I've never had a biopsy but have read about them recently. They are used to confirm polymyositis. I understand they are not painful as only a small muscle sample is needed. Hope this helps......Dean.

rheumatic biopsy

Have any of you out there ever had a muscle biopsy? Just wondering what exactly pain level is and what is can detect (illness wise)? Looking for answers to legs aching constantly and not getting any relief.

susan

caversa@...

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[Guest guest]

My platelett count averages around 45 to 50. When I had my first biopsy

platelett count was much higher. They mentioned doing another one but

Hepatologist said there was no need as counts were still up and down and it

was not worth the risk of bleeding. He said if one was necessary they would

give me plateletts before hand and this should be safe, however they would

keep me over night just to be on the safe side. I've seen the transplant

surgeon re: removal of my spleen but he was said to hold off. He told me

if he had a crystal ball he could tell me what to do. If I avoid transplant

they want me to hold on the spleen as he says with a new liver the platelett

count will go back to normal. If they can maintain without transplant the

spleen should probably come out. The magic number for removal of my spleen

is count's in the 20's. So far the lowest mine has gotten is 35. Now

borders right at 50.

So I think if given plateletts before hand you should be OK.