Hepatitis C Support Group
Hepatitis C is a blood-borne viral disease which can cause liver inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis and liver cancer. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is spread by blood-to-blood contact with an infected person's blood. Many people with HCV infection have no symptoms and are unaware of the need to seek treatment. Hepatitis C infects an estimated 150-200 million people worldwide.
Well today was my liver biopsy day.
First, I learned the answer to some questions posed on here.
I started a thread a couple of weeks ago asking questions about what to expect with a biopsy. There were a couple that replied and their doctor did as mine did and put us completely under. Then others said their was done with just a local. The question then was asked about what they would do about getting me to lay on one side for three hours as they do with the local route.
The doctor explained to me that the liver when punctured or cut bleeds a lot. Having to lay on one side, perfectly still is apparently the only way to address that issue. My doctor said he prefers going in with a scope and he is able to address the issue of bleeding before he closes. He stated that the bleeding is enough that he is surprised there have not been more cases with complications from this. Made sense to me.
PAIN: Oh man. I may be a sissy but when I woke up the psi was 10 out of 10. Not until they for the max allowable amount of Demerol in me did it start to subside. But there was a little thing called a gallbladder that made my pain worse.
He got in and found my gallbladder to be in horrible condition (his words). He could tell that it was only a matter of time before I would be back in having it removed so he decided to take it out now.
Now as to my liver. Since he used a scope he was able to get a good look at my liver plus get the section for biopsy. He said my liver looked great, the news I was praying to hear. As long as the results of the biopsy line up with what he saw then I will be waiting on the new treaent options for type 1's. hopefully next year.
Now I have suffered from acid reflux for a number of years. I wonder if the gallbladder was the possible source of the problem. Ill find out when I go back to meet with my liver doctor about the results of
The biopsy. He had planned on running a scope down my throat in that day to see what my issue is causing the reflux.
They sent me home today with Lortabs for pain. It is midnight and I am sitting on the sofa not able to sleep. Pain has been pretty intense. Not as bad as when I first woke up in recovery, but bad enough.
Would I so it again if suggested. Sure, I always want to know exactly what is going on but at least I know that it hurts like hell
First, I learned the answer to some questions posed on here.
I started a thread a couple of weeks ago asking questions about what to expect with a biopsy. There were a couple that replied and their doctor did as mine did and put us completely under. Then others said their was done with just a local. The question then was asked about what they would do about getting me to lay on one side for three hours as they do with the local route.
The doctor explained to me that the liver when punctured or cut bleeds a lot. Having to lay on one side, perfectly still is apparently the only way to address that issue. My doctor said he prefers going in with a scope and he is able to address the issue of bleeding before he closes. He stated that the bleeding is enough that he is surprised there have not been more cases with complications from this. Made sense to me.
PAIN: Oh man. I may be a sissy but when I woke up the psi was 10 out of 10. Not until they for the max allowable amount of Demerol in me did it start to subside. But there was a little thing called a gallbladder that made my pain worse.
He got in and found my gallbladder to be in horrible condition (his words). He could tell that it was only a matter of time before I would be back in having it removed so he decided to take it out now.
Now as to my liver. Since he used a scope he was able to get a good look at my liver plus get the section for biopsy. He said my liver looked great, the news I was praying to hear. As long as the results of the biopsy line up with what he saw then I will be waiting on the new treaent options for type 1's. hopefully next year.
Now I have suffered from acid reflux for a number of years. I wonder if the gallbladder was the possible source of the problem. Ill find out when I go back to meet with my liver doctor about the results of
The biopsy. He had planned on running a scope down my throat in that day to see what my issue is causing the reflux.
They sent me home today with Lortabs for pain. It is midnight and I am sitting on the sofa not able to sleep. Pain has been pretty intense. Not as bad as when I first woke up in recovery, but bad enough.
Would I so it again if suggested. Sure, I always want to know exactly what is going on but at least I know that it hurts like hell
I went into work today. Got chewed on by everyone in the building for coming in. I told them I could sit there as easily as I could sit at home. But I had a report that had to be finished but I am taking tomorrow off.
As for the biopsy. I will do it all over again if needed. But I will have to pass on doing the gallbladder again.
So you are starting tx soon? Oh my dear lady, my prayers are so much with you. I'm not treating yet, failed to get into a trial (kidneys), may have cryoglobulinemia, it just goes on and on. But we have to stay the course, don't we? No choice. Giving up is not an option.
You are SO BRAVE!
Dont move for a few hours after - take a good book or a ovie or two to watch - and take it easy the next day - no lifting, etc. minimal pain - parecetamol was enough - gall bladders are something quite different and quite painful when removed and sometime they take quite a while to recover from - healing, food adjusted, etc
Oh, and as far as my gall bladder, it was removed back in 2010 when I had the transplant - a 2-for-1 deal! I remember asking them when they took me into surgery for the transplant if they could throw in a tummy tuck too, but they said no deal.
Sorry about that premature celebration last night! ;>)
My tired eyes got the best of me and I thought your first post was part of Clay's post that started this thread and I was reading only one post! ;>)
Reading the post today told me that @ the time I was too overtired to see and even think properly... :>(
So tonight I'm gonna hit the rack much earlier so that this doesn't become a recurring behavior for me...
Anywho, correct me if I'm wrong but, if your team is willing to wait until June to start you on tx wouldn't that suggest that the condition of your transplanted liver and the progression of the HCV in the liver hasn't caused as much damaged as they initially estimated and they'll determine and confirm the condition via the biopsy before starting tx?
I hope so because the extension may just be what you need to bring those kidneys back in better shape!
My gallbladder was also removed back in 1997 and they did include a tummy tuck also.;>) ;>) ;>)
All the best to you and Dios te bendigas!
Respectfully,
Henry