Liver biopsy

[Margot49]

These forums are hardly active but I'll try asking.
Has anyone ever had a liver biopsy done?  If so, what was your experience?
I have some marker for Autoimmune Hepatitis.  Elevated Actin Antibody IgG?  My liver function tests are normal.
Afraid to have a biopsy done.

[Dee1956]

I am really sorry you have been ill, it is so hard to take care of yourself and get to the doctor when you are feeling so sick.  I too was afraid when I had my biopsy.  It turned out it was not as bad as I had feared.  It was over very quickly.  I did have some pain afterwards but nothing more than I could handle.  They told me to go home, lay down for the rest of the day and then take it easy for the rest of the week.  I had it on a Thursday I believe, took off Friday, went to work Monday.
The only thing I would suggest is having it at a hospital.  My ex doctor did it in his surgical suite.  I was a little naive back then, did no research, he was the expert after all :)
I am praying for you.
Dee

[cblynne03]

Wow, I guess my experience was a little different. I had the liver biopsy with pain medicine to calm my nerves. However, the actually biopsy was still very painful and I do remember gasping for air. I quest you can't numb the actual area you are taking the biopsy from.

[fntn]

I didn't want to bias you in anyway on you choice but I think you've made the right one. With the knowledge your doctors will get via this biopsy, they'll be able to move with confidence toward any possible therapeutic solutions. Pain is minimal and your doctor's adding the pain med so that will make it a non-issue. Good luck and hopefully there will be good solutions in your future!

[Margot49]

Well, have been horribly sick the past week with maybe a couple decent days.  The GI Doc actually saw me at 5:00 yesterday, which is almost unheard of around here.  Trying to explain I have slow transit and PFD, etc.  actually, it was talking to his nurse that convinced me I should have this liver biopsy done to rule in or out the Autoimmune hepatitis.  I am scared to death of the procedure and possible diagnosis.  I am on Medicare now so not sure if they will pay for another HIDA scan.  They may authorize it but may not pay for it and no way to find out before.  Makes no sense.
Doctor is now going to add Donatol for pain.  .  Hate taking these meds!!
Thanks for the replies.

[Dee1956]

Thank you, I remember years ago when people discussed this there was a question about it being accurate.
I was hoping this announcement meant they had perfected it.
Thanks again
D

[fntn]

Fibroscans are nice as a non-invasive alternative when you're looking at estimating fibrosis levels only, which is needed periodically for various known liver conditions like hep-c, etc. But in this case, the etiology has yet to be established so a needle biopsy is required.

They will be looking at the various histopathology issues such as: inflammatory infiltrates, lobular/periportal/portal-tract zonal insults/reactions and the resultant fibrosis along with possible architectural changes. Then the AIH diagnosis can be confirmed as well as the type and stage assessed.

[Dee1956]

Hi I found the post announcing the approval in mid July
I hope this helps you
Dee

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-C/FibroScans-now-Available/show/2237831

[Dee1956]

Hi there, I had a biopsy, I was  given a twilight drug, it went very quickly, I was surprised.  I was sore afterwards.
Saying that, I just read over in the HCV Forum that there is a recently approved Fibroscan or test that is supposed to be just as good as a biopsy.
I read others saying how great it will be to have this test vs the biopsy.
I will try to find info and come back

I have not been on here in a long time, suffering first from frozen shoulder, now bursitis, I am sorry
Dee

[fntn]

Hi Margot -

Yes, I've had a bunch of liver biopsies (it's a long story ...) and they do provide a wonderful wealth of information for sure. And, as you must already know, finalizing the AIH diagnosis is key in letting them be aggressive with the treatment programs and will hopefully lead to a relatively uneventful future - liver health wise anyway.

They used the "core" needles with a larger, outer cannula inserted first to minimize the drama of multiple samples and reduce any seeding along the needle tracts during extraction. They also used US guidance several times and CT once as well for extremely accurate targeting needed at the time. Pain wasn't a problem since they did use some IV injected pain meds as needed and to help during the recovery time as well, about 3 hours or so.

No internal bleeding to deal with and everything went along smoothly for the most part. A bit of soreness for a few days or so but one needle insert location (between the upper ribs, what a lovely spot) has remained slightly painful, when pressed, for almost a year now. They concluded that it probably injured a surface nerve and maybe mildly painful for a considerably longer time.

Odd about your normal liver function tests but that's not unheard of with AIH (but is uncommon) and periodic remissions do happen - just to drive the doctors crazy I'm sure.

Good luck if you decide to do the procedure. But remember, it's your choice, not your doctors!