liver biopsy

[sis1970]

    I saw my doctor  and he wants a liver biopsy. He says it is not painful and there is no need to be sedated. Curious if that is true, really scared about it.

[adamben101]

I just had my first biopsy.  I was sedated and couldn't imagine not being sedated.  The procedure is NOT bad, but that anticipation was a killer.  Even the nurses said they wouldn't do it without sedation.  That said, a lot of people do it without sedation and drive themselves to lunch after.  My choice - sedation...

[eureka254]

My husband was an absolute wreck before the procedure, couldn't sleep all night, so they did give him a sedative before the biopsy because of high anxiety.  He said afterward that it was a 'cakewalk,' and that he got himself all worked up for nothing. :)

My understanding is that in the hands of an experienced physician, the biopsy should be painless.  Local anesthetic can be used to numb the skin, and beyond that, the liver has no conductors to cause you to feel pain, so you really shouldn't feel the sampling, either during or after the procedure.  Your fears are completely normal, but your doctor is right that you should feel no pain from it.  ~eureka

[spectda]

three biopsies, 2 without sedation and one with sedation . No pain from any of them for me.
- Dave

[meakea]

Ditto on the anticipation being the worst.  No sedation for me and it was fine.  Doc did a local anesthetic injection and then the biopsy.  As others have said -- try not to worry and you WILL be fine.  :)

[nygirl7]

Agree with the others the worst part was waiting for it knowing it would be scary and everyone must be crazy to say it wasn't.....until to say oh that was it later.  

Really the anticipation is the worst part.  You will be fine.

[vik97]

I had a biopsy last year and I was scared too, but it turned out to be not bad at all.  They used a local anesthetic so it was not painful.  Afterwards, they put me in a room where I watched movies and ate sandwiches for about 3 hours.  I was not sedated so nobody had to pick me up and I left on my own.

Try to find out if the doctor performing the procedure is experienced in doing liver biopsies because it's a little tricky.

Other than that, try not to worry.

Vik

[22hamilton]

Have had 5 biopsies, the anticipation is the worst part. No need for sedation, its a quick procedure and not too difficult to deal with. Would recommend a couple of paracetamol for the shoulder pain afterwards-caused by irritation of a particular nerve.

You CAN do it.

Goodluck !

[carol411]

My biopsy was not painful at all.  They gave me a shot of some kind on the way in, but they needed me awake so that I could hold my breath when they asked.  After it was over they had me lie on my right side for two hours to ensure there was no bleeding.  I napped.  
It's a common procedure and most people don't experience more that minor discomfort.
Carol

[Mr. Pink]

I had one done and it was awful, my skin was all grayish looking until the next day. Could be an isolated incident, PA wants another done, having second thoughts

[Boobert]

I had 2 done without any sedation and if done by an experienced MD there is only little pain. The majority of the pain is normally up in your shoulder as the pain radiates. But it is nothing to be scared about at all, just a little discomfort for awhile. They will keep you there for about an hour after the procedure just to make sure there is no bleeding. Good luck, and try not to worry you'll be fine.