Biopsy Question - Use for Anything

[GwithHepC]

Hello Everyone:

I just had my first biopsy; thankfully I didn't have any complications, but it didn't go as smoothly as I had hoped.  While being interviewed by the nurse the morning of the biopsy  I looked down at my paperwork and saw next to primary diagnosis HIV and next to secondary diagnosis HCV.  Well this shocked the s**t out of me because I took an HIV test a month ago with my PCP and was told it was negative (I don't have any real risk factors).  It was repeated 2 weeks ago by the specialist because they wanted to have the results for their records.  I wasn't told the results by the specialist because the lab screwed up my blood tests a couple of times and they had to be repeated; I wasn't really worried because I knew the first test was negative.  Needless to say this concerned me greatly and I asked the nurse why my primary diagnosis was HIV.  She said she didn't know and would call the doctor and ask.  It was about a half hour before I finally saw the doctor and got an answer.  He said it was a mistake and showed me my negative test results.  For the half hour not knowing I was starting to get really freaked out.  The biopsy itself hurt a bit more than I expected.  I got the referred shoulder pain, but I also got another pain I wasn't expecting.  It was a shooting pain across my abdomen; the pain started on the right and shot straight across towards my left side.  Has anyone else had this type of pain during the biopsy?  I haven't read about it before.  

Feel free to use this post for any other questions.  Thanks!

G

[Tallblonde]

Yes, I had the same pain across the stomach that you had.  Glad to hear you're feeling better.

Susan

[GwithHepC]

Susan:

Thank you; I actually am feeling better.  I was worried maybe something else was hit, but that fear has subsided with time. The only pain I have now is a pulled muscle in my back on the same side of the biopsy; I think I was sleeping in an awkward position because I was aware of the incision (which is really small.) It was not being prepared for the possibility of that particular type of pain that made it worse for me.  Was yours the same across the stomach?

Majneni:

Thanks for the advise.  If I have to do it again, I will ask for a sedative before hand.  It was amazing how tired I was afterwards considering I didn't have any sedatives.  Maybe it was the stress, but when I got home all I did was sleep.

[Tallblonde]

They did practically knock me out for my biopsy, but I had to insist on that (they didn't offer it).  They administered a strong sedative through an IV.  I think it was similar to the "conscious sedation" they use for colonoscopies:  They needed me to be awake to respond to instructions like: "take a deep breath and hold it."  I must have followed such instructions just fine, but I actually have very little memory of the procedure.  I was in la-la land the whole time.
I urge you to schedule another biospy (you're due for one!) and insist, like I did, on the sedation.  The procedure was a piece of cake; the pain came afterwards, but the peace of mind it gave me was worth it to know the condition of my liver.

Susan

[GwithHepC]

I sorry you had such a bad experience.  I was reading that they can sometimes knock you out for the procedure.  My daughter's pediatrician said they would put her out.  I think they prefer you to be awake because they want to do the biopsy after you exhale and while you are holding your breath.  But knocking you out is doable.  Maybe you should ask your doctor about it.  I have been reading about a lot of alternative noninvasive tests lately.  Hopefully they are accurate and will be available real soon.  As much as I didn't like the biopsy I would do it again. Truth be told and I hoping for those alternative tests to be released before I need another. I feel like a hypocrite because I have been telling my daughter it isn't so bad; she needs one, and I don't want her to worry beforehand.  Besides, in all likelihood she will have a completely different experience.  The shooting pain was a really quick pain, but intense for the short period of time it did last.   The doctor told me the worst part was the injection of the anesthetic and the biopsy itself would be painless or feel like a bit of pressure and I might get the referred shoulder pain, so I was totally off guard for the shooting pain. The other discomfort subsided completely within the first hour with no medication.

[MajNeni]

I sympathize with you over the agony of that half hour.  I'm glad it turned out to be a mistake.
Awfully sorry your biopsy itself was so painful.  For anyone with a biopsy in your future: many of us vets recommend asking for drugs to kill pain - and drugs to calm you - BEFORE THEY START.  Also, ask for an ultrasound guided biopsy; they seem to go smoother than ones that are just eyeballed.
Maj Neni

[Tallblonde]

Wow, I'm sorry you had to go through such an ordeal prior to your biopsy.  Regarding the pain you asked about...I experienced something very similar when I had my first biopsy one month ago.  I remember at the time thinking there must be something wrong (especially when it persisted for several days).  But within a week I was competely pain-free and back to normal (whatever that is, anymore).  If you're really worried about, you probably should call your GI.  Hope you're feeling better soon.

Susan