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Liver Biopsy vs Me: Guess Who Won?!
Alright ya'll. I have a bone to pick with you. Er, I would, if bone-picking were my style. I'm really much more of a lover than a fighter. All bark, no bite. You get the idea. Anyway....
I thought this biopsy was going to be easy breasy beautiful and I'd emerge make-up and hair intact with a small bandaid and a smile.....(thanks, Dad, for THOSE unrealistic explanations).....BUT, instead, it felt like I went ten rounds with Tyson; I hemorraghed in my abdominal cavity and then had a reaction to the iodine contrast used in the CT scanner. I was, basically, a crying sweaty hot mess of intense pain all day. Makeup and hair be damned! They gave me 2 Norco after I finally cried enough tears to quite possibly flood the entire Imaging department, but mostly it's been a lot of white-knuckling through the pain since then.
I undersand that the liver is packed full of nerve endings but man, I had no idea it would hurt this bad. It's been about 18 hours since I got home and I'm just starting to wrap my head around getting out of bed. Every breath feels like little worker gnomes pounding on my insides, singing all the live-long day about working on the railroad or whatever....
My question is, did any of you struggle like this post-bx? Am I just a complete and total wimp? Will it REALLY get better in a day or two? My doctor is impossible to reach....probably suited up and torturing some OTHER unsuspecting 20-something...I realize I better toughen up STAT if I have any hopes of being able to make it through treatment. If someone could maybe say that yes, their experienxce with biopsy wasn't all unicorns and rainbows, that would make me feel worlds better.
And if not, hey, at least you're an honest (and strong!) bunch :)
Happy New Year to all <3
I thought this biopsy was going to be easy breasy beautiful and I'd emerge make-up and hair intact with a small bandaid and a smile.....(thanks, Dad, for THOSE unrealistic explanations).....BUT, instead, it felt like I went ten rounds with Tyson; I hemorraghed in my abdominal cavity and then had a reaction to the iodine contrast used in the CT scanner. I was, basically, a crying sweaty hot mess of intense pain all day. Makeup and hair be damned! They gave me 2 Norco after I finally cried enough tears to quite possibly flood the entire Imaging department, but mostly it's been a lot of white-knuckling through the pain since then.
I undersand that the liver is packed full of nerve endings but man, I had no idea it would hurt this bad. It's been about 18 hours since I got home and I'm just starting to wrap my head around getting out of bed. Every breath feels like little worker gnomes pounding on my insides, singing all the live-long day about working on the railroad or whatever....
My question is, did any of you struggle like this post-bx? Am I just a complete and total wimp? Will it REALLY get better in a day or two? My doctor is impossible to reach....probably suited up and torturing some OTHER unsuspecting 20-something...I realize I better toughen up STAT if I have any hopes of being able to make it through treatment. If someone could maybe say that yes, their experienxce with biopsy wasn't all unicorns and rainbows, that would make me feel worlds better.
And if not, hey, at least you're an honest (and strong!) bunch :)
Happy New Year to all <3
Frank J. Perrotta gave you life saving advice in this thread. Never before have I seen a more deserving best answer than his.
Best to you
Best to you
that being said, I live in fear of another one. Thinking I was just lucky.
You scared the beejesus out of me.
You scared the beejesus out of me.
my biopsy was also very easy. i had very little discomfort afterward, nothing that a little motrin couldn't help. sorry for your experience. take care. belle
I kept waiting for the jab and finally asked and the guy said, "oh, we already did it, see?" and showed me a little vial with a plug.
I did suggest that I could handle more painkiller than most. . .
I was also pretty fit. My understanding is the hardest hit are those still overeating and thus there is a huge difficulty in getting to the liver through the obesity.
I did suggest that I could handle more painkiller than most. . .
I was also pretty fit. My understanding is the hardest hit are those still overeating and thus there is a huge difficulty in getting to the liver through the obesity.
Oh my goodness - so sorry you went through all that but so happy you got through it and survived. You are one strong person. Thank goodness these are rare complications. Unfortunately, you were one of the unlucky ones to experience them.
May this be the end of these really tough days for you.
Nan
May this be the end of these really tough days for you.
Nan
I ended up going to the ER for the pain. Good thing I did: I had a SEVERE internal bleed. Had an AV fistula and hemobilia (incredibly rare complications) and ended up having major surgery. They went in through my femoral artery to my hepatic artery and placed FOUR titanium stents that will be with me for life. I was in the hospital for over a week. Almost died. No bueno.
Moral of the story: always go to the ER when you're in that kind of pain. Thanks to all who suggested I do just that. Probably saved my life.
Liver biopsies are no joke!!!! Be careful, and make sure you know ALL the risks before you agree to one!!
Moral of the story: always go to the ER when you're in that kind of pain. Thanks to all who suggested I do just that. Probably saved my life.
Liver biopsies are no joke!!!! Be careful, and make sure you know ALL the risks before you agree to one!!
I agree with the prior poster. Better safe than sorry. If you are still feeling poorly, go to the ER.
Feel better
Nan
Feel better
Nan
Sorry to hear of your horrors!
You are certainly not a wimp! We already know that you had TWO serious complications from your biopsy.
Internal bleeding is always a possibility which is why, at least in my case, the hospital keeps one for a number of hours after the biopsy to check for complications...
My mother was allergic to the contrast as well - I guess the only way to discover this is after your first use.
My first biopsy did not have any complications but I do remember every deep breath or movement carried some kind of pain with it and it took some days before all those holes healed up and I was pretty much okish.
So, as I write this it has been 24+ hours and have you been out and about? You really need to get some water in you and something to keep you healthy and growing strong!
If you are still in pain *remember that you had TWO SERIOUS LIVER BIOPSY COMPLICATIONS* and that pain tells one that something is WRONG then maybe you should consider going to the ER.
Is this doc your trying to reach a specialist? If so he may have hours at the hospital or there may be another doc on his watch. Call the hospital and ask for your doc there! or the doc on watch!
Or just go into the ER now. you could have new complications or the internal bleeding could have developed BUT debilitating pain after this time is NOT a very good thing and you are the only person, the best person to advocate for yourself! If you are in such pain and you can't advocate for yourself please get someone you can count on to help you!
Best of luck and keep us all informed as to how it all goes.
You are certainly not a wimp! We already know that you had TWO serious complications from your biopsy.
Internal bleeding is always a possibility which is why, at least in my case, the hospital keeps one for a number of hours after the biopsy to check for complications...
My mother was allergic to the contrast as well - I guess the only way to discover this is after your first use.
My first biopsy did not have any complications but I do remember every deep breath or movement carried some kind of pain with it and it took some days before all those holes healed up and I was pretty much okish.
So, as I write this it has been 24+ hours and have you been out and about? You really need to get some water in you and something to keep you healthy and growing strong!
If you are still in pain *remember that you had TWO SERIOUS LIVER BIOPSY COMPLICATIONS* and that pain tells one that something is WRONG then maybe you should consider going to the ER.
Is this doc your trying to reach a specialist? If so he may have hours at the hospital or there may be another doc on his watch. Call the hospital and ask for your doc there! or the doc on watch!
Or just go into the ER now. you could have new complications or the internal bleeding could have developed BUT debilitating pain after this time is NOT a very good thing and you are the only person, the best person to advocate for yourself! If you are in such pain and you can't advocate for yourself please get someone you can count on to help you!
Best of luck and keep us all informed as to how it all goes.
I'm sorry you had such a bad experience. My biopsy was sooo easy. No pain during the procedure, and minimal pain after. Nothing that an Advil didn't help. During the biopsy they have me a local anesthetic and something in my iv to make me relax.
My 2 biopsies were traumatic.
I had no idea of what to expect.
the first? I was given some pre med, and told to lie on my left side. the Doctor probed and probed, guided by a heat seeking missile (ultrasound) that he didn't seem to understand. Missed his target, became quickly unconfident, and I had enough. Went out into recovery and had tremendous pain in my left arm. I was given pethadine by a lovely nurse, and the next day I was bruised all over my liver area. Big as a football.
I'm usually tough, but I was shtscared leding up to the second biop.
I was booked into another go the following week, when the bruising had subsided. The head specialist (thank god!), decided to go in using a CT scan guide, and from the front below my right rib cage.
This time no pre med. And oh the pain, the pain. They were thorough, and 2 nurses held my hand throughout.
Afterwards, they gave me 3 lots of peth and I forgave them.
Hopefully, never again.
I had no idea of what to expect.
the first? I was given some pre med, and told to lie on my left side. the Doctor probed and probed, guided by a heat seeking missile (ultrasound) that he didn't seem to understand. Missed his target, became quickly unconfident, and I had enough. Went out into recovery and had tremendous pain in my left arm. I was given pethadine by a lovely nurse, and the next day I was bruised all over my liver area. Big as a football.
I'm usually tough, but I was shtscared leding up to the second biop.
I was booked into another go the following week, when the bruising had subsided. The head specialist (thank god!), decided to go in using a CT scan guide, and from the front below my right rib cage.
This time no pre med. And oh the pain, the pain. They were thorough, and 2 nurses held my hand throughout.
Afterwards, they gave me 3 lots of peth and I forgave them.
Hopefully, never again.
All of my biopsies were easy-breezy but obviously that is not the way it is for everyone.
Having an experienced person performing it helps but just like any invasive procedure, there can be complications.
Sorry you had to experience them.
Having an experienced person performing it helps but just like any invasive procedure, there can be complications.
Sorry you had to experience them.
Hi Janee
Sorry to hear you had such a hard time with the biopsy. I don't know but it seems to me you may have had a little more trouble than your should have.
My husband had his first biopsy 6 months after his liver transplant. There really was no need for one before transplant as he had decompensated cirrhosis and all its accompanying symptoms.
I remember when he did have it in January 2013, he joked afterwards that "anyone who says this ain't my liver now is telling a lie. It hurt like hell".
Only a local anesthetic was used. He had minimal pain afterwards.
He recently had a second biopsy. Since he has billary tree damage, they decided to do it through his neck artery as they did not want to risk further damage to the new liver. He was put under anesthesia so he has no recollection of the procedure but he did have just a little discomfort for a couple of days afterward. (Unfortunately they found he has cirrhosis of the new liver).
I hope you feel better real soon.
Nan
Sorry to hear you had such a hard time with the biopsy. I don't know but it seems to me you may have had a little more trouble than your should have.
My husband had his first biopsy 6 months after his liver transplant. There really was no need for one before transplant as he had decompensated cirrhosis and all its accompanying symptoms.
I remember when he did have it in January 2013, he joked afterwards that "anyone who says this ain't my liver now is telling a lie. It hurt like hell".
Only a local anesthetic was used. He had minimal pain afterwards.
He recently had a second biopsy. Since he has billary tree damage, they decided to do it through his neck artery as they did not want to risk further damage to the new liver. He was put under anesthesia so he has no recollection of the procedure but he did have just a little discomfort for a couple of days afterward. (Unfortunately they found he has cirrhosis of the new liver).
I hope you feel better real soon.
Nan
I am not sure WHAT I will do when doc says it's that time again. One of the most unpleasant experiences..more afraid of that then the first night of inf/riba tx. I am NO wimp, so you aren't either.
We are here to listen to each other, so express away!
It's been 3-4 yrs since I had it done so I hope by now they at least offer a valium or something. LOL..Let's just say I don't want to be awake the next time, and I am not a fan of taking drugs, by no means.
Poked me bad with that hook, right through the middle of my abdomen because of bleeding concerns. I recovered that week. That's about how long it took, but everyone is different.
Please Don't be afraid to talk to your doctor. Keep trying the phone calls to him/her.
I just checked my old notes from 2010..I had written..".I never really even knew where my liver Was until the biopsy. Boy I sure do know where it is now!" Hope that helps a little. But do let me know how you are over the weekend.
We are here to listen to each other, so express away!
It's been 3-4 yrs since I had it done so I hope by now they at least offer a valium or something. LOL..Let's just say I don't want to be awake the next time, and I am not a fan of taking drugs, by no means.
Poked me bad with that hook, right through the middle of my abdomen because of bleeding concerns. I recovered that week. That's about how long it took, but everyone is different.
Please Don't be afraid to talk to your doctor. Keep trying the phone calls to him/her.
I just checked my old notes from 2010..I had written..".I never really even knew where my liver Was until the biopsy. Boy I sure do know where it is now!" Hope that helps a little. But do let me know how you are over the weekend.
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