Just make sure you go toa good hospital and get an experienced doctor to perform it.And make sure the procedure with the guided with ultrasound
I tell the doctor that I did not want to take biopsy. Then they take only fibro-scan
And tell me that my liver was fine, and free from fibrosis. My fibro-scan was 5.8
And my doctor tries also and has 6.4 (but he was older than me). I had the hep C for 25 year and my liver was fine, but my ALT and AST has always been little too high.
I think I know what you mean buy holding your breath.I had a byopsy done like that years ago.The doctor numbs the area that he sticks a needle in to, to get a piece of your liver.You cannot breath while he does that or there is a chance he could punture your lung.That in my opinion is a stupid way to get a biopsy.I now have a very good doctor who puts me in,what she calls consious sedation.It is so easy and comfortable you don`t feel a thing.You do need a biopsy,but find another doctor who will do that for you.Holding your breath to get a biopsy is not a good way.
I don't know what you mean by "holding your breath that long". I had a biopsy & don't remember a thing. I thought I was just knocked out, but I was given a drug that prevents all memory of it. Sorry I don't know the name of the med, but I'm sure someone on here knows what I'm talking about & can give you the name of it. If not send me a note & I'll call my Dr. for the name of it. From my experience there is absolutely nothing to fear or be scared of regarding a biopsy.
Sorry to hear you have HCV but you've come to the right place! Don't be scared just try to educate yourself by reading all you can. I haven't had a biopsy yet but plan to within the next month, so I understand your apprehension but it's the only way to know what's going on with your liver so it's important.
Check out this thread where more of your questions will be answered and your fears allayed:
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/308318
Best of Luck,
V.
p.s. Bx is shorthand for biopsy.