Autoimmune hepatitis and biopsy

[Margot49]

Anyone know anything about this?
Anyone ever had a liver biopsy done? Painful?  Recoup time?

[fntn]

If you do have it done and have any questions about the pathology report, feel free to message me and I can help you with it as well. Stupid diseases are slowly turning us into medical experience experts,

[fntn]

Nineteen cores (don't let the name scare you!) taken already over the past year or so, some muttering about whether or not they'd like more is now in play ... we'll see. Sometimes your GI can do it but other times they're have a specialist radiology doctor do the procedure, depends on how accurate they need to be.

Be sure they do a sufficiently large core sample(s) - length & diameter. I'm sure they realize this but I've heard horror stories about sample inadequacy and they had to do another procedure later on to get more. Lovely, huh! Just get it done right the first time please.

Btw, I absolutely hate needles and pain too. They'll numb your skin first and you'll likely feel mostly pressure. If your a good girl, they'll likely give you a cookie or something afterwards as they monitor you ... I like that part!

If they can definitely conclude you do have AIH with the biopsy, they'll be able to mitigate the autoimmune attack on your liver to a large degree, very good thing! I have a sister disease of sorts, PSC, primary sclerosing cholangitis. My immune system and bile ducts are not getting along at all.

Good luck!

[Margot49]

Thanks so much for the response.  You had several done?  Dud a GI doc do it or a surgeon?  I really have no pain threshold and am afraid to have this done and afraid of the findings.  I also have a bad gallbladder.

[fntn]

Btw, I forgot to mention that most doctors are very reluctant to do the biopsies now days and generally don't do it unless they think have no other options. I don't want to pressure you with this, just wanted you to know.

[fntn]

Hi Margot -

I've had several done via the percutaneous route. Some thru the ribs on the right side and some thru the upper abdomen just below the ribs. It's really not that bad, just sounds terrible. Your doc can give you a pain killer if you'd like - if they intend on keeping you conscience, that is. Just rest afterwards for a few hours while they monitor you. No real lasting pain to worry about.

The wealth of info the doc's get is amazing and why they're interested of course. Good luck if you chose to do it, it's your decision!

[Margot49]

Thank you for the response.  Afraid to have this done due to pain and possible complications.  They want to rule out autoimmune hepatitis which I have a marker for.  Just really concerns me.

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
A liver biopsy involves taking a small piece of liver tissue for examination with a microscope for signs of damage or disease. There are  three types of liver biopsy : percutaneous biopsy, transvenous biopsy and laparoscopic biopsy.  After a liver biopsy, full recovery is expected in 1 to 2 days and it is recommended that intense activity, exercise, or heavy lifting is avoided for up to 1 week.  medications may also be prescribed for symptomatic relief. It is best that you discuss the biopsy procedure with your attending physician for proper evaluation. Take care and do keep us posted.