I had mine a year ago and it went very smoothly. They gave me IV fentanyl and when it wore off I had very little pain. Just take it easy for a couple days after.

They gave me local anes only & nothing afterward.
Fortunately I had some otc analgesic in the car for the 125 mile drive home; my "driver came with me as required but I drove.
I felt uncomfortable but you may feel nothing at all.

They gave me a local anesthetic and nothing afterwards. I was a little uncomfortable for a few days, but nothing I would classify as actual pain really more like a very mild cramp. FYI after the procedure they have you roll onto your side and you are there for i think it was an hour or two (my memory isn't what it was)...I would advise going to the bathroom before so you don't wind up holding it like me. Also bring something to listen to or read for after.

yes excellent reminder milman ..bring your music or a book.

I also had IV fentanyl and was kept 'twilight' awake to breathe, so Dr. Could do the procedure while halfway in the CT machine. No problems/pain what so ever. :) lying still afterwards was nice with a warm blanket! I think the anxiety of having the thing done is worse than the bx itself.
Good luck, let us know how you do afterwards. :)

I agree about the anxiety. I think a xanax would have done wonders...just saying.

Hey Clay!

Over the years I have had quite a few Biopsies performed in me Liver. If I remember correctly! (sometimes I forget because I want to ;>)~) The last 5 or 6 biopsies I had were assisted with ultrasound in order to make sure that the instrument was located properly in order to snip off a sample for examination...

Now I don't know about anybody else but, because I was post transplant, prior to the biopsy they did an MRI on me to get a pretty good map of my insides so that the entry and path was going to be precise and that was just peachy because the first few biopsies were basically hit or miss and I didn't care to go through that again!

Only the first time do I remember the pain I got once the local wore off @ the puncture site on my abdomen... That took exactly 15 minutes to have the local anesthesia wear off and that pain was as intense as someone punching you taking aim @ your kidney and cracking your ribs instead but that was the only time I experienced pain...

When the instrument was inserted, I didn't feel pain instead, I felt a lot of pressure being applied where I was punctured and said: "Is that all?"

Then it was finished so thought until exactly 15 minutes afterwards that made me see stars but in a very short period of time after I took a purple pill that looked like a massive dose of "Purple Haze" so I thought. ;>)

About 45 minutes later the pain was gone! The location was sensitive & sore for a day or two then nothing to it...

Every time after my first biopsy, I was IV'ed with either Demoral or Fentanyl and there was no pain @ all!!! Even after the meds wore off - there was no pain... Only a slight amount of soreness followed about 2-3 hours later.

So ask for some pain meds prior to the procedure and you'll only feel a slight amount - if any - of pain... You see, I didn't ask for anything before the procedure and that's why it hurt me so much afterwards! It doesn't have to happen to you. You may not feel any pain @ all! ;>)

Respectfully,
Henry

Thanks. I guess each doctor is different in their procedures. I was told by my luver doc that I will be knocked out, no locals.
I go this morning for the consult so your answers have given me a few questions to ask.
Thanks again.
Clay.

They usually don't know you out completely as they need your to move into the best position and remain still.
The worst part about it all really is the anxiety. I have had more discomfort in the dentist chair than my biobsy experience.
I hope yours goes smoothly..just try to relax! :^)
BTW..there are certain restrictions about drugs and food. No garlic or other supplements that thin the blood and NO NSAIDS (asa,etc) for a week before!

know = knock

Just left my surgeon and he will
Be knocking me out then uses a scope and goes in so he can see what is going on. He says this also gives him chance to visually examine the liver as well as taking a sample.

He describe the discomfort much like y'all have described here.

I am in surgery center now. They are pre-admitting me plus the anesthesiologist will take blood and do an X-ray to check my heart and to check my liver levels. Some of this is just a means to get
More money out of the insurance company.