Guest guest Posted February 22, 2004 Report Share Posted February 22, 2004 - I'd also like anyone who has been through a liver biopsy to please describe the process to us. My doctor told me that I'll need to have one in about 2 years should we decide to keep me on MTX. Another of my doctors told me that the process is not painful and that they use a " valimum-like drip " - very much like they do for any of you who've had colonoscopies or sigmoidoscopy procedures. I've never had any of those procedures but a friend who has says that after they put the line in your arm and start the drip, you simply don't care, and that she has no memories of the entire thing. Not sure, but I believe that was the type of anesthesia I had for both carpal tunnel operations - - and from what I recall, I might have just as well been knocked out cold - I remember the nurse saying they were going to start the drip - and I remember another nurse telling me I could sit up and slide into the rolling recliner which was wheeled to the recovery area after it was all over - nothing else. What worries me is that a friend in NY had a liver biopsy done last year - she said that she was awake through the procedure and that it was " unpleasant " . In view of this, I'm not sure what to think. Maybe liver biopsies are done by different methods in various hospitals/clinics? Regards, Joan Lloyd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 12, 2004 Report Share Posted April 12, 2004 I have been on methotrexate for 12 years now and I have never had a liver biopsy. I routinely have my liver enzymes checked. I ended up moving 3 hours from my Rheumy so I had to find a new Rheumy. He kept pressuring me to have a liver biopsy done. I hightailed it out of their and drove the three hours once a month to go back to the other Rheumy. He said a liver biopsy is not indicated unless the patient has consistant elevated liver enzymes. A liver biopsy is considered an invasive procedure that comes with a lot of risks. I would highly recommend a second opinion if your doctor suggest the need for a liver biopsy. Alison Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 17, 2004 Report Share Posted April 17, 2004 Hehehe, don't blame you a bit!!! That was my thinking on the biopsy.... I'm in enough pain, not gonna add to it, plus they were already in there lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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