Liver biopsy

[Guest guest]

I was told to take the same. One multi vitamin and 600mg calcium tablets with vitamin D. Thanks Harper I won't take anything unless I'm told to. Even though there are some days where you feel like you need that extra boost. Ann [ ] Re: LIVER BIOPSY >> Ann, please don't take "extra vitamins" for your fatigue. I don'thave> answers for you -- I have the same problem. However, extravitamins can be> very, very dangerous.> HarperHarper,My dr has asked me to take a multivitamin a day, plus 1200 mg ofcalcium w/D. Is this considered dangerous? I also have osteoporosisand osteoarthritis.JoannaAIH 08/01

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 11/20/01 11:00:28 PM Pacific Standard Time, tygrelily17@... writes:

Harper,

My dr has asked me to take a multivitamin a day, plus 1200 mg of calcium w/D. Is this considered dangerous? I also have osteoporosis and osteoarthritis.

Joanna

AIH 08/01

Your doctor is the authority -- not me! However, from what my doctor tells me and from what I read, that's a pretty standard amount. My doctor tells me to take a standard multivitamin and 1500 mg of calcium w/D. Like you, I have osteoporosis. If I eat a great deal of calcium-rich foods, such as yogurt, I'm to cut back accordingly on the calcium pills.

Harper

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 11/21/01 10:09:18 PM Pacific Standard Time, tygrelily17@... writes:

Harper,

Thanks for the reply. :-) I was just curious as to whether that seemed to be a standard thing. Did not mean to imply that you were the authority. Sometimes I don't state things as I should. It is interesting that my Dr. didn't suggest that I cut back on the calcium when eating calcium-rich foods. I will add this to my list of questions when I see him next week.

Joanna

AIH 08/01

You stated everything fine. I just wanted to make sure you don't think I know more than I do! I'm learning, bit by bit, like all of us here.

My doctor didn't suggest taking fewer calcium tablets when I ate a lot of calcium-rich food -- until I mentioned how much yogurt I was eating. At the time, I was pretty much living on non-fat yogurt with fresh fruit -- I was eating a LOT of yogurt, at least a quart a day, maybe two quarts -- I don't remember. Everything else tasted sort of dirty to me. And I don't mean that in a good way. She then told me to adjust my total calcium intake. I started checking around and found that too much calcium can cause permanent, serious kidney damage, in addition to increasing the risk of kidney stones.

On kidney stones: I haven't looked this up lately, but I believe those of us who take Prednisone have a heightened risk for kidney stones is higher because Prednisone leaches calcium from the bones and drops it into the blood stream. Then, if you're unlucky, the kidneys grab it, scrunch it into stones, and pretty soon you're whimpering and sweating in the emergency ward.

Harper (AIH dx 5/00)

[Guest guest]

Harper,

Thanks for the reply. :-) I was just curious as to whether that

seemed to be a standard thing. Did not mean to imply that you were

the authority. Sometimes I don't state things as I should. It is

interesting that my Dr. didn't suggest that I cut back on the calcium

when eating calcium-rich foods. I will add this to my list of

questions when I see him next week.

Joanna

AIH 08/01

> In a message dated 11/20/01 11:00:28 PM Pacific Standard Time,

> tygrelily17@m... writes:

>

>

> > Harper,

> > My dr has asked me to take a multivitamin a day, plus 1200 mg of

> > calcium w/D. Is this considered dangerous? I also have

osteoporosis

> > and osteoarthritis.

> >

> > Joanna

> >

>

> Your doctor is the authority -- not me! However, from what my

doctor tells

> me and from what I read, that's a pretty standard amount. My

doctor tells me

> to take a standard multivitamin and 1500 mg of calcium w/D. Like

you, I have

> osteoporosis. If I eat a great deal of calcium-rich foods, such as

yogurt,

> I'm to cut back accordingly on the calcium pills.

> Harper

[Guest guest]

Harper said:

I was pretty much living on non-fat yogurt with fresh fruit -- I was

> eating a LOT of yogurt, at least a quart a day, maybe two quarts --

I don't

> remember. Everything else tasted sort of dirty to me. And I don't

mean that

> in a good way.

> On kidney stones: I haven't looked this up lately, but I believe

those of us

> who take Prednisone have a heightened risk for kidney stones is

higher

> because Prednisone leaches calcium from the bones and drops it into

the blood

> stream. Then, if you're unlucky, the kidneys grab it, scrunch it

into

> stones, and pretty soon you're whimpering and sweating in the

emergency ward.

>

> Harper (AIH dx 5/00)

I remember saying to my husband that I couldn't eat because

everything tasted like dirt.

I have read that we are more prone to kidney stones, but didn't

really know why. I will do some research on this.

Joanna

AIH 08/01

[Guest guest]

Yes, my name is Bill, when I had my biopsy it was no problem my Doctor gave me a valium and a vicadin, which were taken an hour before, they did the biopsy, boom over in a flash, they make you lay there for awhile (1/2 hour) then go home. I was a little sore for a few days.

>From: sathome@... >Reply- > >Subject: [ ] Liver Biopsy >Date: Fri, 14 Dec 2001 05:34:32 EST > > >Thanks for all the information on blood test results and genotypes. I am >type 1a and my Dr. is pushing for a biopsy. My question, what am I in for? >Have any of you had bad experiences? Good one? I would like to hear both >sides. > >Thanks, >Connie MSN Photos is the easiest way to share and print your photos: Click Here

[Guest guest]

I was made to lay still for 2 hours!, still not so bad, they worst part

was the shot to deaden the area, good luck

Bill Health wrote:

Yes, my name is Bill, when I had my biopsy

it was no problem my Doctor gave me a valium and a vicadin, which were

taken an hour before, they did the biopsy, boom over in a flash, they make

you lay there for awhile (1/2 hour) then go home. I was a little sore for

a few days.

>From: sathome@...

>Reply-

>

>Subject: [ ] Liver Biopsy

>Date: Fri, 14 Dec 2001 05:34:32 EST

>

>

>Thanks for all the information on blood test results and genotypes.

I am

>type 1a and my Dr. is pushing for a biopsy. My question, what am I

in for?

>Have any of you had bad experiences? Good one? I would like to hear

both

>sides.

>

>Thanks,

>Connie

MSN Photos is the easiest way to share and print your photos: Click

Here

[Guest guest]

Biopsy? No problem, don't stress yourself out, It will be done and painless

before you no it.......Take care Connie......OX

Jeanine

sathome@... wrote:

> Thanks for all the information on blood test results and genotypes. I am

> type 1a and my Dr. is pushing for a biopsy. My question, what am I in for?

> Have any of you had bad experiences? Good one? I would like to hear both

> sides.

>

> Thanks,

> Connie

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Connie,

I have had two liver biopsies. Both really were

very fast and easy. The 'anticipation' was much worse

than the actual procedure! With the first I had no

pre-medication at all, just local numbing at the

biopsy site. (You must be awake enough to cooperate

and hold your breath when told or you risk having a

lung punctured.) All I felt was a fast " punch "

feeling, nothing else. It was over too fast to feel

anything else! Now afterwards, I did have some pain

when I would take a deep breath, and they gave me some

demerol for that. For the first two hours following

the biopsy I had to lay on a rolled up towel. This is

supposed to help control any bleeding. THAT was the

worst part! I was sore (not bad) for several days.

With my second biopsy I asked to be pre-medicated. I

was given two drugs, Versed (which kind of makes you

not care WHAT they are doing, and to forget also), and

a pain killer (I can't remember what it was.) It was

great! Never felt a thing, don't remember anything

until I asked to see the liver specimen and was told

they had already sent it to the lab. Even laying on

that darn rolled up towel didn't hurt at all, and I

was not sore a bit afterwards. I think being more

relaxed help. A biopsy is not risk free, but the

risks are minimal, and the knowledge gained is worth

it. There is no substitute for a biopsy and the

information that can be obtained from it.

Good luck!

Claudine

-

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hi Connie

It's worth having a biopsy done to find out the state your liver is

in. It's a bit sore but not too bad. If your in UK you may have to

lie on your right side for six hours after the biopsy. Take a

walkman or something to read or you will become very board.

Also have someone to pick you up after. You may feel a little

fragile for a few days.

Good Luck

Chrissie

[ ] Liver Biopsy

>

> Thanks for all the information on blood test results and

genotypes. I am

> type 1a and my Dr. is pushing for a biopsy. My question, what am

I in for?

> Have any of you had bad experiences? Good one? I would like to

hear both

> sides.

>

> Thanks,

> Connie

>

>

[Guest guest]

I need help interpreting the results of a biopsy which was done in November when I had gallbladder surg. Biopsy results: Chronic hepatitis with moderate chronic portal inflammation, mild chronic triaditis, early bridging fibrosis. I was diagnosed with AIH April 99. My labs have been normal for about 9 months, I take 7mg. prednisoneand 100 imuran. I am scheduled for a thyroid scan Jan. 16 because overactive enlarged thyroid. This group has been my best source of information. Thank you.

Fuller

[Guest guest]

I can't really help you with interpreting it, but if they performed a biopsy when you were first diagnosed you can try to compare the results to see what has changed and maybe go from there. I would definitely talk to your doctor about it though. Good luck!

Bethanne

SFu1037062@... wrote: I need help interpreting the results of a biopsy which was done in November when I had gallbladder surg. Biopsy results: Chronic hepatitis with moderate chronic portal inflammation, mild chronic triaditis, early bridging fibrosis. I was diagnosed with AIH April 99. My labs have been normal for about 9 months, I take 7mg. prednisoneand 100 imuran. I am scheduled for a thyroid scan Jan. 16 because overactive enlarged thyroid. This group has been my best source of information. Thank you. Fuller

[Guest guest]

Dear Rhonda,

So glad to hear the biopsy is done.... hope to hear the results real soon. As for the after pains and such.... I feel for you. I know after the biopsy they did on me, I was one of the lucky ones... just wanted to rest. The doctor used ultrasound to locate the liver, then zylocaine to deaded the area where he was going to punch for the biopsy. It was all over in a matter of 30 seconds or so then I had to lay still for a few hours. But it seems this biopsy business does a number on alot of different people. Wish it was easy for everyone.

Have a great day!

Cheryl & Randy

[Guest guest]

Dear Rhonda,

Oh, I’m sorry to hear what you have

been through. Hope you are better today.

[ ] Liver

Biopsy

Well I had my liver biopsy yesterday and the shoulder

pain was

intense as always. They had to give me two

morphine shots then when

I woke up I was dizzy and nauseous so they gave me

a nausea shot and

that knocked me out completely. I had low blood

pressure so I got a

saline drip to boot. One nurse had to stay late,

because I wouldn't

wake up. And of course got sick in my

dad's car on the way home.

That's always nice...but slept from six to three this

morning and

feel much better. At least it's over

with. The biopsy itself

doesn't bother me, I just always get that shoulder

pain thing. I

could really do without that.

So I'll know more in about a week. Let you

know what I find out.

Thanks for thinking of me.

Rhonda/TN

[Guest guest]

Rhonda, I am glad you are done with it now. I don't understand why they didn't just put you in the hosptial for the 23 hour part on insurance. When I had my gall bladder surgery and liver biopsy , was assigned to a room, but the nurses downstairs in the In and Out recovery setting got disgusted because they were slow in getting to me. The nurses were griping because they didn't think I was bad at all....they thought I was faking it and I heard them say so. So when I finally could not stand it any longer, I told them to just get my clothes so I could go home....they were thrilled. I was sick for the next several days.

Now that I think of it, they SHOULD have had me lie on my side because of the biopsy, but NO.....they just kept me on my back. Now, I wonder if they even KNEW I had a biopsy....oh well....I am OK now from that procedure. That, by the way, was the biopsy they discovered the AIH....hmmmmmmm....and the doctor told us that I was just fine! He really felt badly after the results came back.

debby

[ ] Liver Biopsy

Well I had my liver biopsy yesterday and the shoulder pain was intense as always. They had to give me two morphine shots then when I woke up I was dizzy and nauseous so they gave me a nausea shot and that knocked me out completely. I had low blood pressure so I got a saline drip to boot. One nurse had to stay late, because I wouldn't wake up. And of course got sick in my dad's car on the way home. That's always nice...but slept from six to three this morning and feel much better. At least it's over with. The biopsy itself doesn't bother me, I just always get that shoulder pain thing. I could really do without that.So I'll know more in about a week. Let you know what I find out. Thanks for thinking of me.Rhonda/TN

[Guest guest]

nna:

I too was just recently diagnosed with PBC and also suffer considerable

discomfort through the abdomen area. Don't worry about the biopsy.

Nothing to it. They will give you something to help you relax. The doctor

that did mine was really good and I hardly knew when he took the specimen.

I too am a little older than a lot of the group, being 52.

My doctor talks to me like he will never treat me with predisone. I

know the problems cause by long term use of predisone and I was relieved to

know that there are better treatments to use now.

Good luck.

Carolyn

[Guest guest]

Dear nne,

I am sorry you are having all these setbacks with your health. I

am really proud of you, that you pushed your doctor for answers.

Oftentimes we are intimidated by doctors and aren't assertive

enough. I was diagnosed with AIH in March of this year and I am 50

years old. I also have an overlap with autoimmune cholangitis which

is very similiar to primary biliary cirrhosis which oftentimes hits

women at middle age.

You asked about the biopsy, my first one was more painful than my

second one, they were done by different doctors. I think you could

request to have it done where they put you under. The important

thing is to remain still for the hours after and I went to work the

same day of my biopsy which I wouldn't recommend doing. I am glad

you found our group. This group is a very special group of people,

people here are so compassionate because they too are living with

liver disease every day. I feel like everyone here is like family.

Please write me to hrby97111@... if you need someone to talk

to. I am not as knowledgeable as some of our other folks, but I know

how scary it is when you first get your diagnosis. There is a great

book written by Palmer, " Hepatitis Liver Disease What You

Need To Know, " it is around $15 on Amazon.com. Dr. Wormand has a

book that is supposed to be good too. There are a lot of very brave

people you will meet here, that are such an inspiration. I wish you

well and I hope you can let us know how the biopsy went. I will be

praying for you.

God Bless,

Ruth

> I'm fairly new to the group, but have been reading the emails

since I was

> diagnosed with AIH about 3 weeks ago. My problems started in Jan.,

when I

> became sick and jaundiced. My GP sent me for an ultrasound, which

was quite

> painful, and they never were in the past. They decided it was my

> gallbladder and I had it removed the next day. The surgeon later

told me he

> did a liver biopsy while he was in there, because he was sure I had

> cirrhosis. It came back negative. My bloodwork has been elevated

since

> then and my gastro couldn't give me a good answer. Meanwhile, I was

> scheduled for my second hip replacement and I really didn't feel

well after

> that. He blamed it on the surgery, but I didn't have the stomach

discomfort

> and pain with the last hip surgery. Personally, I think being on

Lortab and

> Darvocet for 18 months didn't help my liver a bit. Anyway, I still

kept

> having the abdominal discomfort, especially after eating. Went

back to my

> GP and told her I needed an answer to why my bloodwork was still

elevated.

> She ran more tests and finally hit the right one. Now my gastro

has me

> scheduled for another liver biopsy tomorrow morning. My question

is, is it

> painful? It will be ultrasound guided, and the hospital told me

all they do

> is numb the site. I've been through a lot of pain this last year

and I'm

> really not looking forward to this. I'm also not looking forward

to the

> Prednisone, because that's what caused the necrosis in my hips. My

gastro

> said he will try to keep it to the lowest dose he can, but first he

has to

> see how much damage has been done. I'm hopeful that I'm in the

first stage.

> My main complaints are the abdominal discomfort (which he says I

shouldn't

> have because this doesn't cause abdominal discomfort), the fatigue,

and my

> forgetfulness. I imagine I am older than most of you, since it

seems to

> affect younger women. I will be 57 next month, live alone, and

work in a

> fairly high stress job, which I cannot afford to lose.

>

> My sympathy goes out to each of you, especially those of you with

young

> children. I can't imagine dealing with this and taking care of

children,

> too.

>

> nne Chandler in hot Pensacola, FL

[Guest guest]

Ruth, first of all, thank you for your reply and encouragement. Secondly,

congratulations on getting off the prednisone! I know that's a great

relief.

I used to be timid with doctors, but no more. I guess because I'm older,

and I've been a paralegal for 17 years and around lawyers so much that

nothing intimidates me anymore! LOL!

I have already purchased the book you mentioned, and it was pretty

informative. I am slowly making myself more knowledgeable about this

curious disease. Have been scouring the internet, which is how I found this

great board.

I'm hoping the biopsy will not be too painful, but I have taken the whole

day off from work. I'm sure they're really happy about that, since I just

took 6 weeks off in June and July for the hip surgery. My first one was in

Aug. of 2001. Quite a year. Strangely, this AIH stuff scares me more than

the hip surgeries did. Guess it's the fear of the unknown.

Thank you for welcoming me to the group. I'm hoping your numbers will

stay just right!

nne

[ ] Re: Liver biopsy

> Dear nne,

> I am sorry you are having all these setbacks with your health. I

> am really proud of you, that you pushed your doctor for answers.

> Oftentimes we are intimidated by doctors and aren't assertive

> enough. I was diagnosed with AIH in March of this year and I am 50

> years old. I also have an overlap with autoimmune cholangitis which

> is very similiar to primary biliary cirrhosis which oftentimes hits

> women at middle age.

> You asked about the biopsy, my first one was more painful than my

> second one, they were done by different doctors. I think you could

> request to have it done where they put you under. The important

> thing is to remain still for the hours after and I went to work the

> same day of my biopsy which I wouldn't recommend doing. I am glad

> you found our group. This group is a very special group of people,

> people here are so compassionate because they too are living with

> liver disease every day. I feel like everyone here is like family.

> Please write me to hrby97111@... if you need someone to talk

> to. I am not as knowledgeable as some of our other folks, but I know

> how scary it is when you first get your diagnosis. There is a great

> book written by Palmer, " Hepatitis Liver Disease What You

> Need To Know, " it is around $15 on Amazon.com. Dr. Wormand has a

> book that is supposed to be good too. There are a lot of very brave

> people you will meet here, that are such an inspiration. I wish you

> well and I hope you can let us know how the biopsy went. I will be

> praying for you.

> God Bless,

> Ruth

>

>

>

>

> > I'm fairly new to the group, but have been reading the emails

> since I was

> > diagnosed with AIH about 3 weeks ago. My problems started in Jan.,

> when I

> > became sick and jaundiced. My GP sent me for an ultrasound, which

> was quite

> > painful, and they never were in the past. They decided it was my

> > gallbladder and I had it removed the next day. The surgeon later

> told me he

> > did a liver biopsy while he was in there, because he was sure I had

> > cirrhosis. It came back negative. My bloodwork has been elevated

> since

> > then and my gastro couldn't give me a good answer. Meanwhile, I was

> > scheduled for my second hip replacement and I really didn't feel

> well after

> > that. He blamed it on the surgery, but I didn't have the stomach

> discomfort

> > and pain with the last hip surgery. Personally, I think being on

> Lortab and

> > Darvocet for 18 months didn't help my liver a bit. Anyway, I still

> kept

> > having the abdominal discomfort, especially after eating. Went

> back to my

> > GP and told her I needed an answer to why my bloodwork was still

> elevated.

> > She ran more tests and finally hit the right one. Now my gastro

> has me

> > scheduled for another liver biopsy tomorrow morning. My question

> is, is it

> > painful? It will be ultrasound guided, and the hospital told me

> all they do

> > is numb the site. I've been through a lot of pain this last year

> and I'm

> > really not looking forward to this. I'm also not looking forward

> to the

> > Prednisone, because that's what caused the necrosis in my hips. My

> gastro

> > said he will try to keep it to the lowest dose he can, but first he

> has to

> > see how much damage has been done. I'm hopeful that I'm in the

> first stage.

> > My main complaints are the abdominal discomfort (which he says I

> shouldn't

> > have because this doesn't cause abdominal discomfort), the fatigue,

> and my

> > forgetfulness. I imagine I am older than most of you, since it

> seems to

> > affect younger women. I will be 57 next month, live alone, and

> work in a

> > fairly high stress job, which I cannot afford to lose.

> >

> > My sympathy goes out to each of you, especially those of you with

> young

> > children. I can't imagine dealing with this and taking care of

> children,

> > too.

> >

> > nne Chandler in hot Pensacola, FL

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Ruth, how frightening to have your biopsy and then to go to work. You, are very very brave. How did you do it?

My biggest question is HOW does one lie still for so long after the biopsy? When I think back to when I had mine, I hurt so badly. However, the doctor took out the gall bladder at the same time so I didn't think much of the liver biopsy. I never did lie on my side at all. I came to on my back and stayed that way for some time...in fact, the pain was so bad that I had been admitted, but the nurse in the In and Out decided she didn't want to do the paperwork and so I got tired of her griping at me that I just told hubby to take me home. Mind you, the doctor had ordered me to be admitted. I was sick for several days afterward. Not fun at all...but I survived.

But...how DO you stay still for so long? Doesn't it get uncomfortable? WHen my mom had some endoscopy procedure, there was a man who was on his right side. The nurses kept telling him to be still and to stay on his side. He kept moaning. At the time, it seemed that he possibly had a biopsy. But I don't know for sure....from what everyone here has said, it just appeared to be what you all have talked about.

Well, Ruth, you are brave, and you are correct, that there are many many brave people here! Together, we can make a difference!

Debby

[ ] Re: Liver biopsy

Dear nne, I am sorry you are having all these setbacks with your health. I am really proud of you, that you pushed your doctor for answers. Oftentimes we are intimidated by doctors and aren't assertive enough. I was diagnosed with AIH in March of this year and I am 50 years old. I also have an overlap with autoimmune cholangitis which is very similiar to primary biliary cirrhosis which oftentimes hits women at middle age. You asked about the biopsy, my first one was more painful than my second one, they were done by different doctors. I think you could request to have it done where they put you under. The important thing is to remain still for the hours after and I went to work the same day of my biopsy which I wouldn't recommend doing. I am glad you found our group. This group is a very special group of people, people here are so compassionate because they too are living with liver disease every day. I feel like everyone here is like family. Please write me to hrby97111@... if you need someone to talk to. I am not as knowledgeable as some of our other folks, but I know how scary it is when you first get your diagnosis. There is a great book written by Palmer, "Hepatitis Liver Disease What You Need To Know," it is around $15 on Amazon.com. Dr. Wormand has a book that is supposed to be good too. There are a lot of very brave people you will meet here, that are such an inspiration. I wish you well and I hope you can let us know how the biopsy went. I will be praying for you.God Bless,Ruth> I'm fairly new to the group, but have been reading the emails since I was> diagnosed with AIH about 3 weeks ago. My problems started in Jan., when I> became sick and jaundiced. My GP sent me for an ultrasound, which was quite> painful, and they never were in the past. They decided it was my> gallbladder and I had it removed the next day. The surgeon later told me he> did a liver biopsy while he was in there, because he was sure I had> cirrhosis. It came back negative. My bloodwork has been elevated since> then and my gastro couldn't give me a good answer. Meanwhile, I was> scheduled for my second hip replacement and I really didn't feel well after> that. He blamed it on the surgery, but I didn't have the stomach discomfort> and pain with the last hip surgery. Personally, I think being on Lortab and> Darvocet for 18 months didn't help my liver a bit. Anyway, I still kept> having the abdominal discomfort, especially after eating. Went back to my> GP and told her I needed an answer to why my bloodwork was still elevated.> She ran more tests and finally hit the right one. Now my gastro has me> scheduled for another liver biopsy tomorrow morning. My question is, is it> painful? It will be ultrasound guided, and the hospital told me all they do> is numb the site. I've been through a lot of pain this last year and I'm> really not looking forward to this. I'm also not looking forward to the> Prednisone, because that's what caused the necrosis in my hips. My gastro> said he will try to keep it to the lowest dose he can, but first he has to> see how much damage has been done. I'm hopeful that I'm in the first stage.> My main complaints are the abdominal discomfort (which he says I shouldn't> have because this doesn't cause abdominal discomfort), the fatigue, and my> forgetfulness. I imagine I am older than most of you, since it seems to> affect younger women. I will be 57 next month, live alone, and work in a> fairly high stress job, which I cannot afford to lose.> > My sympathy goes out to each of you, especially those of you with young> children. I can't imagine dealing with this and taking care of children,> too.> > nne Chandler in hot Pensacola, FL

[Guest guest]

Debby,

It was sheer ignorance on my part, I didn't know otherwise. I was

working as a housekeeper and all the bending did not feel too good, I

will know better next time though. As for lying still, I kind of

dozed off, but I think I will bring a book the next time. I think

MRI's are the worst for holding still with, I always seem to have a

muscle twitch or something when I have those done. Debby you sound

like me, I'd rather endure pain than be around someone who has a bad

attitude, that is so hard when you are sick and you get a nurse like

that.

Ruth

> > I'm fairly new to the group, but have been reading the emails

> since I was

> > diagnosed with AIH about 3 weeks ago. My problems started in

Jan.,

> when I

> > became sick and jaundiced. My GP sent me for an ultrasound,

which

> was quite

> > painful, and they never were in the past. They decided it was

my

> > gallbladder and I had it removed the next day. The surgeon

later

> told me he

> > did a liver biopsy while he was in there, because he was sure I

had

> > cirrhosis. It came back negative. My bloodwork has been

elevated

> since

> > then and my gastro couldn't give me a good answer. Meanwhile,

I was

> > scheduled for my second hip replacement and I really didn't

feel

> well after

> > that. He blamed it on the surgery, but I didn't have the

stomach

> discomfort

> > and pain with the last hip surgery. Personally, I think being

on

> Lortab and

> > Darvocet for 18 months didn't help my liver a bit. Anyway, I

still

> kept

> > having the abdominal discomfort, especially after eating. Went

> back to my

> > GP and told her I needed an answer to why my bloodwork was

still

> elevated.

> > She ran more tests and finally hit the right one. Now my

gastro

> has me

> > scheduled for another liver biopsy tomorrow morning. My

question

> is, is it

> > painful? It will be ultrasound guided, and the hospital told

me

> all they do

> > is numb the site. I've been through a lot of pain this last

year

> and I'm

> > really not looking forward to this. I'm also not looking

forward

> to the

> > Prednisone, because that's what caused the necrosis in my

hips. My

> gastro

> > said he will try to keep it to the lowest dose he can, but

first he

> has to

> > see how much damage has been done. I'm hopeful that I'm in the

> first stage.

> > My main complaints are the abdominal discomfort (which he says

I

> shouldn't

> > have because this doesn't cause abdominal discomfort), the

fatigue,

> and my

> > forgetfulness. I imagine I am older than most of you, since it

> seems to

> > affect younger women. I will be 57 next month, live alone, and

> work in a

> > fairly high stress job, which I cannot afford to lose.

> >

> > My sympathy goes out to each of you, especially those of you

with

> young

> > children. I can't imagine dealing with this and taking care of

> children,

> > too.

> >

> > nne Chandler in hot Pensacola, FL

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

nne,

The liver biopsy was not bad for me. I asked for sedation because I was very

nervous

but don't think after the fact I really needed it. I didn't feel a thing.

Just had to lay still on that side for 4-6 hours after procedure to make sure

the bleeding was under control. After that I was allowed to go home. The

next day I went shopping.

Others will respond I'm sure as this is a question that comes up frequently.

As you will see it varies a great deal with individuals.

Hope this info helps. Good luck with your biopsy.

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the info. I am still nervous but it will be over with fairly quickly it sounds like. I will let you know how it goes Wednesday.

[ ] Liver Biopsy

http://www.focusondigestion.com/script/main/art.asp?li=MNI & articlekey=1892 What is a liver biopsy?A liver biopsy is a procedure for the diagnosis of abnormal liver conditions.

There are several methods of obtaining biopsies of the liver, but unless it is an unusual situation, the most common method is percutaneously ("through the skin"). A percutaneous biopsy involves numbing a small area of skin over the lower right side of the chest (this site is directly over the liver).

A local anesthetic (usually Lidocaine or Novocaine) is injected with a needle. The needle is introduced further with additional injections of anesthetic all the way through the chest wall and into the liver. This numbs the tract that the biopsy needle will take and reduces discomfort.

Next, a special biopsy needle is inserted into the same area, and, with the patient holding his or her breath, the biopsy needle is inserted quickly into the liver and withdrawn. (The insertion and withdrawal of the biopsy needle takes only a second or two.) Suction through the needle, applied via an attached syringe, causes a small piece of liver (the biopsy) to be pulled into the needle and cut off from the rest of the liver. Other types of biopsy needles have a spring loaded cutting mechanism to obtain the liver tissue without the use of the syringe suction.

If there is a question about the exact position of the liver or a specific part of the liver is to be biopsied, an ultrasound of the liver may be performed before the biopsy to determine the exact direction for the biopsy needle to be inserted.

There may be varying amounts of discomfort at the site of the biopsy especially after the effect of the anesthetic wears off. Most patients have minimal pain, but some require medication for pain which lasts up to a few hours.

What are possible complications of a liver biopsy?The most common complication of liver biopsy is bleeding from the liver at the site of the biopsy. This occurs in approximately one out of every 100 patients who are biopsied. The bleeding usually (50-75% of the time) is not heavy enough to require blood transfusions. In rare cases (less than 1 biopsy in a thousand), the bleeding may not stop and surgery is required to stop it. Fatal complications have been reported in up to 0.038% of biopsied patients.

<<(On a side note.I have never heard of anyone having a bleeding problem from this..just sore side for awhile and for some reason you can get a sore right shoulder. ...Joanne)

[Guest guest]

When I had my liver biopsy the doctor I had did not believe in giving

you anything at all so I was a nervous wreck until it was over. It was

not really painful but the stress of not knowing what was going to

happen or if there would be pain was worse then the actual biopsy itself

Pamm

[Guest guest]

Can someone tell me the difference between necrosis and fibrosis....is necrosis the step before fibrosis?? I know that my GI told me that fibrosis is one thing...but that the kind that you do not want to have is bridging fibrosis

Thanks

Tracey

[Guest guest]

Debby,

that is wonderful news! Sorry the biopsy was so rough for you, though.

W