Small Intestine Biopsy, Safe If I'm A Frequent Pain Medication User?! - Digestive Disorders Message Board

gillian30 · 07-11-2003, 11:24 PM

I'm about to have a small intestine biopsy, and I'm scared due to my almost life long habit of using tylenol, advil and motrin, pamprin, and aspirin on a daily basis. I switch back and forth between those painkillers and on the average have taken about 4 pills daily, hardly ever having skipped a day in 15 years. I do this because my headaches and migraines are so chronic, though I now realize I have brought on "rebound headaches" with this habit. I know bleeding may occur in someone like me with this painkiller habit when I have the biopsy. If I abstain from painkillers for a week prior to and after the biopsy, will that wipe the slate clean and lower my risk of bleeding? Or is this biopsy not a good idea at all due to my 15 year painkiller habit? I don't want to put my life at risk for a biopsy.

flyonthewall · 07-12-2003, 05:51 AM

Did you ask your doctor?

Harry · 07-12-2003, 06:35 AM

Taking a biopsy is not going to cause problems. The Doc will test you for your blood clotting time prior to the procedure.

I think what they want to know is has the pain killers caused a corrosive type of bleeding ulcer or is it a bacteria problem. The treatment is for each is very different.

I wish you well, try not to worry and let us know the test results???

Harry