laoks9999
09-22-2008, 11:10 PM
I have elevated liver enzymes of 180/80 - ALT/AST and tested negative for hepatitus and an ultrasound of liver was normal. My GI thinks it should be either fatty liver, NASH or steatohepatitus, or autoimmune hepatitus. So now I need to have a liver biopsy.
My question is has anyone ever had a liver biopsy? Is it painful? What might I expect? With nothing found so far is it likely that I have one of these conditions? Any ideas? If I must have one of these which one of these is preferred?
Thanks
My question is has anyone ever had a liver biopsy? Is it painful? What might I expect? With nothing found so far is it likely that I have one of these conditions? Any ideas? If I must have one of these which one of these is preferred?
Thanks
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rubyrubyd
10-04-2008, 09:09 PM
I had a liver biopsy yesterday. I was scared out of my mind. I had asked o be "knocked out" The reply was "no"
My gastro Dr. said that he would "work with me". I arrived @ the hosp, registered, and was brought into a "holding area. BP taken, temp etc. My gastro Dr. came in then the radiologist and introduced him to me. They gave me a 5 mg. valium, which at least stopped me from crying. A nurse then came in and said that she would be with me the whole time, which she was. I of course, asked he radiologist how many of these procedures he had done, to which he replied.."I do them everyday". I was put on my back with my R side raised on a triangle shaped cushion. They did an ultrasound, and marked a spot. I was given a local, which burned only a tiny bit. THe radiologist then told me to hold my breath and lie still. He said I might feel some pressure, whch I really did not. He told me I would hear a "click" which I did. All the while he asked if I felt any pain, which I did not. He said again to hold my breath, and I heard another click. THen he said he was done and that it was over. I never felt a thing. I couldn't believe it. No shoulder pain, Nothing. I can only assume that it was the skill of the Dr doing it. I would not like to have this done again, but if I did have to, I wouldn't be the basket case I was the day before yesterday. I hope this helps. Oh, the reason for the biopsy in the 1st place is they think I have auto immune hepatitus. The whole thing took maybe 7 minutes, and that included the ultrasound.
My gastro Dr. said that he would "work with me". I arrived @ the hosp, registered, and was brought into a "holding area. BP taken, temp etc. My gastro Dr. came in then the radiologist and introduced him to me. They gave me a 5 mg. valium, which at least stopped me from crying. A nurse then came in and said that she would be with me the whole time, which she was. I of course, asked he radiologist how many of these procedures he had done, to which he replied.."I do them everyday". I was put on my back with my R side raised on a triangle shaped cushion. They did an ultrasound, and marked a spot. I was given a local, which burned only a tiny bit. THe radiologist then told me to hold my breath and lie still. He said I might feel some pressure, whch I really did not. He told me I would hear a "click" which I did. All the while he asked if I felt any pain, which I did not. He said again to hold my breath, and I heard another click. THen he said he was done and that it was over. I never felt a thing. I couldn't believe it. No shoulder pain, Nothing. I can only assume that it was the skill of the Dr doing it. I would not like to have this done again, but if I did have to, I wouldn't be the basket case I was the day before yesterday. I hope this helps. Oh, the reason for the biopsy in the 1st place is they think I have auto immune hepatitus. The whole thing took maybe 7 minutes, and that included the ultrasound.
laoks9999
10-05-2008, 05:36 PM
Thank you so much for your detailed response...it's great to finally get some help here! I have a biopsy scheduled for the end of the month and like you did, I am stressing about it. Your reply will help calm my nerves. I was going to ask to be knocked out too but I assume I will get the same response you did.
Can I ask you some additional questions?
Did they cut you open at all? How many needles are we talking about? (I'm not a big fan of needles). I read that they make an incision before inserting the needle...true? Were you kept in the hospital/surgery center for a few hours after for observation? Did you have to deal with bleeding or anything like that?
Why did they decide on a biopsy for you? I assume your liver enzymes were elevated. Did you have a negative ultrasound? Do you know your results yet?
Thanks and good luck.
Can I ask you some additional questions?
Did they cut you open at all? How many needles are we talking about? (I'm not a big fan of needles). I read that they make an incision before inserting the needle...true? Were you kept in the hospital/surgery center for a few hours after for observation? Did you have to deal with bleeding or anything like that?
Why did they decide on a biopsy for you? I assume your liver enzymes were elevated. Did you have a negative ultrasound? Do you know your results yet?
Thanks and good luck.
rubyrubyd
10-05-2008, 06:06 PM
I found out after it was all over that yes, a "nick" was made in the skin. the only needle I felt was the local, and it just burned a little. The Dr. kept asking me if I felt anything. I asked why. He said that if I did, he would give me some more local. No stitches or anything like that needed. Like I said, the whole thing took only about 7-8 minutes, including the ultrasound, and the nurse talking to me. No bleeding. I was kept in the Hosp. for about 2.5 hours afterwards. They are of the opinion that I have auto immune hep. Original ultrasound-normal, MRI - normal, just wacked out liver function tests. Prior to my biopsy, I was reading everything I could find online. Some of it scared me to death. That is the reason I put this post up. I am the biggest baby in the world when it comes to stuff like this, and all I can say is that it didn't hurt. I made myself and everyone around me miserable leading up to this just out of sheer fright. I am NOT a good patient. I don't know if Doctors accept "tips", but I will at least send mine a thank-you card!
laoks9999
10-05-2008, 06:51 PM
Thanks again for your quick response. I am like you - reading online all the time, alert to every symptom, etc. My doctors must think I'm nuts but I feel something is going on.
I feel much better about doing this now knowing what you have told me. Some final questions for you.....So did you get your official results? If not please keep me posted. I am curious what I might have. What were your AST/ALT levels in your blood test before the biopsy? How old are you? I am 34. I am having mine done in Newark...curious if we have the same doc, although I doubt it. Finally, did you have any symptoms that led to your eventual biopsy?
Thank you so much again and sorry for all the questions!
I feel much better about doing this now knowing what you have told me. Some final questions for you.....So did you get your official results? If not please keep me posted. I am curious what I might have. What were your AST/ALT levels in your blood test before the biopsy? How old are you? I am 34. I am having mine done in Newark...curious if we have the same doc, although I doubt it. Finally, did you have any symptoms that led to your eventual biopsy?
Thank you so much again and sorry for all the questions!
rubyrubyd
10-05-2008, 09:43 PM
I don't have my lab results readily available right now. I'm in my mid 50's. I had no symptoms, just went for regular blood work. All the liver stuff was very high. The kicker though was the positive "smooth muscle antibody" That is what led to the biopsy. My Dr. is in Northern NJ. No results yet.
warpig
10-14-2008, 09:02 PM
I was reading your posts about the liver biopsy. It is not as bad as everyone makes it out to be. The only discomfort I had was a pressure after I left the hospital but it went away. The procedure didn't hurt at all.
A couple of years ago I started having pain in the upper R quadrant, went to see a GI dr, he said I pulled a muscle. I had my gallbladder removed,still pain. I found a hepatologist (liver specialist) and he told me the liner of my liver was being stretched and that was my pain. Thank goodness someone validated my pain. I had a liver biopsy done 2 yrs ago and diagnosed with NASH (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis). My symptoms are pain all the time and bloating feeling. I had another liver biopsy about 5 months ago in a different area and there was scarring there also. The difference between fatty liver and NASH is liver scarring. NASH eventually turns in to cirrhosis. My hepatologist enrolled me in a "study" that will hopefully reduce the scarring. The medication is rimonabant. I cannot tell a difference. They take blood every three month and at the end of the study (2 yrs) they will do another liver biopsy to see if there is a difference in the scarring. The drug company tried to pass the drug off to the FDA as a weight loss but it would not do well at that either.
Sorry to ramble but that is my story. I hope you find out, keep us posted.
A couple of years ago I started having pain in the upper R quadrant, went to see a GI dr, he said I pulled a muscle. I had my gallbladder removed,still pain. I found a hepatologist (liver specialist) and he told me the liner of my liver was being stretched and that was my pain. Thank goodness someone validated my pain. I had a liver biopsy done 2 yrs ago and diagnosed with NASH (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis). My symptoms are pain all the time and bloating feeling. I had another liver biopsy about 5 months ago in a different area and there was scarring there also. The difference between fatty liver and NASH is liver scarring. NASH eventually turns in to cirrhosis. My hepatologist enrolled me in a "study" that will hopefully reduce the scarring. The medication is rimonabant. I cannot tell a difference. They take blood every three month and at the end of the study (2 yrs) they will do another liver biopsy to see if there is a difference in the scarring. The drug company tried to pass the drug off to the FDA as a weight loss but it would not do well at that either.
Sorry to ramble but that is my story. I hope you find out, keep us posted.
chooky54
10-16-2008, 02:09 PM
My liver biopsy sugguests autoimmune hepatitis also. I am in shock and kind of worried until my blood work comes back. They ran about 6 different tests and one of them is the smooth muscle antibody? Sound familiar to anyone?
rubyrubyd
10-17-2008, 07:40 PM
My GI said that, given my history, Rhumatoid Arthritis, family hist of auto-immune, it seems to be auto immune hep. Sent biopsy slides to a big wig liver pathologist to decifer, so that proper meds can be given. Smooth muscle antibody was +, will never be anything but +, and always has been +.
galfridaye
10-30-2008, 08:09 AM
Thanks again for your quick response. I am like you - reading online all the time, alert to every symptom, etc. My doctors must think I'm nuts but I feel something is going on.
I feel much better about doing this now knowing what you have told me. Some final questions for you.....So did you get your official results? If not please keep me posted. I am curious what I might have. What were your AST/ALT levels in your blood test before the biopsy? How old are you? I am 34. I am having mine done in Newark...curious if we have the same doc, although I doubt it. Finally, did you have any symptoms that led to your eventual biopsy?
Thank you so much again and sorry for all the questions!
Saw your posting and it resonated with me. I'm a 34 year old female who has been going through this whole year with elevated liver enzymes. Detected after I was having abdominal pain in January that I was still experiencing after having a urinary tract infection. I was given Bactrim DS so my gastro suspected the liver enzyme results may have been indicated a toxic reaction to the Bactrim. But as it should have resolved in 6months and my enzymes are still elevated, I had a biopsy last Friday. Still waiting for my results. I'm still having abdominal pain - more like around my left hip though - and bloating. Mentioned that to my doc 3 months ago, but they seem to want to resolve the liver level stuff first. I've generally been a healthy person all my life. My concern too is that if I want to have kids next year, want to make sure everything's cool. I called for my results yesterday and they still didn't have them....sigh...I just wanna know. Anyone have advice/similar experience?
I feel much better about doing this now knowing what you have told me. Some final questions for you.....So did you get your official results? If not please keep me posted. I am curious what I might have. What were your AST/ALT levels in your blood test before the biopsy? How old are you? I am 34. I am having mine done in Newark...curious if we have the same doc, although I doubt it. Finally, did you have any symptoms that led to your eventual biopsy?
Thank you so much again and sorry for all the questions!
Saw your posting and it resonated with me. I'm a 34 year old female who has been going through this whole year with elevated liver enzymes. Detected after I was having abdominal pain in January that I was still experiencing after having a urinary tract infection. I was given Bactrim DS so my gastro suspected the liver enzyme results may have been indicated a toxic reaction to the Bactrim. But as it should have resolved in 6months and my enzymes are still elevated, I had a biopsy last Friday. Still waiting for my results. I'm still having abdominal pain - more like around my left hip though - and bloating. Mentioned that to my doc 3 months ago, but they seem to want to resolve the liver level stuff first. I've generally been a healthy person all my life. My concern too is that if I want to have kids next year, want to make sure everything's cool. I called for my results yesterday and they still didn't have them....sigh...I just wanna know. Anyone have advice/similar experience?
marys1358
10-30-2008, 09:42 PM
Hello,
I had my enzyme level come back 2 weeks ago with ALT 226 and AST 236 so today they took more blood and I'll find out the results next Tuesday I hope.The last time my test came back ALT 26 and ALT 28 that was in April.So I hope you can tell me what level your enzymes were and your Dx's.
Thanks,
Mary
I had my enzyme level come back 2 weeks ago with ALT 226 and AST 236 so today they took more blood and I'll find out the results next Tuesday I hope.The last time my test came back ALT 26 and ALT 28 that was in April.So I hope you can tell me what level your enzymes were and your Dx's.
Thanks,
Mary
marys1358
10-30-2008, 10:11 PM
When you have hepatitis does your skin turn colors even with AIH.Do you have symptoms like gallbladder attack?
Thanks again,
Mary
Thanks again,
Mary
rubyrubyd
10-31-2008, 07:29 PM
I never turned yellow, and I don't know about the gall bladder.
galfridaye
11-01-2008, 11:12 AM
I never turned yellow, and I don't know about the gall bladder.
Did you have a liver problem/disease and never turned yellow or experienced jaundice? Just curious because I don't think I've had that problem either. I'm very fair and not sure how pronounced the yellow is when someone is having it.
Did you have a liver problem/disease and never turned yellow or experienced jaundice? Just curious because I don't think I've had that problem either. I'm very fair and not sure how pronounced the yellow is when someone is having it.
marys1358
11-01-2008, 11:59 AM
No I haven't had any change in color.I'm in the middle of blood test to see if my liver is infected or why my enzymes have elevated not sure.But last night I couldn't sleep because of excrusating pain in my chest and right quadrant area I could of screamed so painful.i just called the Dr. and waiting for a call back.I'll let you know what he has to say.
Thanks again,
Mary
Thanks again,
Mary
marys1358
11-01-2008, 08:26 PM
heard back from the Dr. and he's running test first thing in the morning monday because he said this is not normal.I think also with my enzyme levels also he was going to check to see if they came back from Thursday.I really just feel like crap.can't wait to see what all is going on.
Take care,
Mary
Take care,
Mary
galfridaye
11-03-2008, 12:25 PM
heard back from the Dr. and he's running test first thing in the morning monday because he said this is not normal.I think also with my enzyme levels also he was going to check to see if they came back from Thursday.I really just feel like crap.can't wait to see what all is going on.
Take care,
Mary
Hope you are feeling better at least today. I still have yet to get my biopsy results, but after speaking with the medical assistant at my doctor's office Friday, I'm hoping to hear something this week. She said that the hospitals always tell patients they'll get results in 72 hours and she wishes they wouldn't because it always takes longer than that :-\.
Meanwhile, I'm still feeling something in my left hip/abdomen...my constant "friend". Had a few pain pangs on my right side under my ribs over the weekend, but could be a holdover from the bopsy.
Take care,
Mary
Hope you are feeling better at least today. I still have yet to get my biopsy results, but after speaking with the medical assistant at my doctor's office Friday, I'm hoping to hear something this week. She said that the hospitals always tell patients they'll get results in 72 hours and she wishes they wouldn't because it always takes longer than that :-\.
Meanwhile, I'm still feeling something in my left hip/abdomen...my constant "friend". Had a few pain pangs on my right side under my ribs over the weekend, but could be a holdover from the bopsy.