mnmnmnmn
10-28-2006, 10:50 PM
So I am a 28 year old that has been sick for last 7 weeks following what was thought to be viral infection that led to pancreatitis. Have had pain on right side continually now and they are going to go take my gallbladder out. However they also want to do a liver biopsy, I guess cause they arent sure exactly what is causing this pain. Liver enzymes are good, have had many hepatitis tests that are negative. So what would they learn from a liver biopsy? What does a liver biopsy tell you??
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kmacdona
10-29-2006, 03:00 AM
Blood tests don't always show liver damage. A biopsy, can show exactly what the liver is doing. They take a small sample and look at it under a microscope. From there they can see of the liver cells are damaged/altered (fibrosis) or have died (cirrhosis). But I am suprised they are going to take your gallbladder out without ruling out gallbladder problems first. Or even knowing what the actual problem is.
danielm
10-29-2006, 05:01 PM
Yeah, I agree with kmacdona on this one. It's unusual that they'd be willing to remove your gall bladder without a fair amount of testing first - even more surprising is that they're willing to do a liver biopsy so quickly as well?
What tests have you had done so far?
What tests have you had done so far?
mnmnmnmn
10-29-2006, 06:05 PM
thanks for the response....as for tests they have done plenty. US showed funny looking pancreas (apparently from inflammation), CT was normal, Endoscopy was normal other than some small areas of inflammation (expected since i had been sick), HIDA was normal with no stones, and MRCP was also normal. So since i continue to have pain in middle of chest that goes down to right side, they think it is either a sphincter of odi dysfunction or gallbladder problem like crystals or sludgy bile. Since I have pancreatitis they are a little hesitant to ERCP to look at Odi, we have decided that removing the gallbladder is next option. I do have a pylop in gallbladder. They are fairly sure that I have something wrong with either the bile or the ducts from pancreas and/or gallbladder since I have had pancreatits and continue to have pain every day. All of my physicians have agreed that I am a hard case in that nothing is classic, many grey areas. And all agree taking my gallbladder out is essentially a diagnostic approach. The only thing I can think that they want to do the liver biopsy is because that is where some of my pain is, and if it is a duct problem they can see the amount of damage to liver i guess, but i dont know. I only had slightly elevated liver enzymes when i first got sick. So I guess I am confused as well, but I guess if they are going to be there, might as well do it as opposed to have to go back to do it later.
kmacdona
11-01-2006, 02:24 AM
Now that makes a little more sense.
Best of luck.
Let us know how the treatment went and how you're feeling,
MaC
Best of luck.
Let us know how the treatment went and how you're feeling,
MaC
Lenin
11-01-2006, 09:45 AM
mnmnmnm,
I think the major reason for the biopsy is to rule out carcinoma. Pancreatic cancer tends to metastasize all over the common ducts and into the liver.
I wish you well.
(Taking the gall bladder out and THEN looking for the source of your pain seems to be putting the cart before the horse.:cool: :jester: Personally, I'd do a gall bladder flush and see if eliminating the sludge eliminates the pain but you are well informed enough to make a good decision of your own.:D) It sounds like they REALLY want to go in and have a "look see" and biopsy anything that looks suspicious...they'll probably biopsy your pancreas also.
I think the major reason for the biopsy is to rule out carcinoma. Pancreatic cancer tends to metastasize all over the common ducts and into the liver.
I wish you well.
(Taking the gall bladder out and THEN looking for the source of your pain seems to be putting the cart before the horse.:cool: :jester: Personally, I'd do a gall bladder flush and see if eliminating the sludge eliminates the pain but you are well informed enough to make a good decision of your own.:D) It sounds like they REALLY want to go in and have a "look see" and biopsy anything that looks suspicious...they'll probably biopsy your pancreas also.
mnmnmnmn
11-01-2006, 10:47 PM
Well if it isnt the good ole LENIN!!! Well I am STILL waiting for the surgeon to talk to my other physicians. Pain in the butt!!!! Seems he is a little "nervous" cutting me open without talking to my heart doctor!! So here I sit continue to be in pain, eating very poorly which does my heart problems REALLLLL good. If i could only find some patiences. Oh well. Carcinoma huh?? Is that really possible at my ripe old age of 28???? I mean I suppose anything is possible, but what is the incidence of that?? As for the pancreas, I dont believe they will be doing a biopsy of that, seems as though they are nervous (thankfully) of touching my pancreas since its been inflammed now for 2 months. Thanks for the replys everyone. I will let you all know. Oh and PS Lenin your gallbladder flush sounds absolutely DISGUSTING!!!!!! The only way I would do something like that is if they promise to put me in hospital and drug me up for the process. I ate a cheese pizza slice the other day and I thought I was dying it hurt so bad and for 24 hours!!!! So no way on that, unless of course I get drugged up!! hehehe
Lenin
11-02-2006, 10:16 AM
mnmnm,
That Gall Bladder Flush of mine IS disgusting in the extreme...but it costs about a $buck$ + the cost of the yummy apple juice, and will let you eat that next pizza with GUSTO and a big smile.
There's no pain...just humiliation :D:D:D!
If you try it I swear you will sing my praises!:blob_fire
That Gall Bladder Flush of mine IS disgusting in the extreme...but it costs about a $buck$ + the cost of the yummy apple juice, and will let you eat that next pizza with GUSTO and a big smile.
There's no pain...just humiliation :D:D:D!
If you try it I swear you will sing my praises!:blob_fire
Lenin
11-02-2006, 10:20 AM
Duplicate post...sorry!
geri2424
11-02-2006, 06:31 PM
my name is Geri last year I was 25 and had acute liver failure I had a surgerical liver biospy and they opened up my liver and broke three ribs pulling them a side and bruising my liver and lungs trying to see how much was damaged and believe me with the scar and all the scar tissue around my ribs the incision is not pretty and it hurt due to zero pain meds which I was in acoma they think that when your acoma you have know clue as to whats going on and I felt everything I just counldnt tell them. But believe me its not just a little incision like some say mine was a very bad incision and it still has tiches coming out if anyone eles has anything eles to say to me let me know what you think