Biopsy

[ellissg]

I've probably had this 25 years, and am 64. I am 1b w/5.7VL. My Doctor won't do a biopsy cause I'm on Coumadin, a anticoagulant or blood thinner. He says the risk isn't worth the reward, being afraid of internal bleeding. He will treat with only having the VL count which he says needs to come down. I agree, of course, but would sure like to know how much damage there is.

Does anything else tell us what Stage we're in? Does a Sonogram show fibrosis?

[Tallblonde]

Now that's a good example of the kind of humor this board needs and should welcome.  Thanks for the chuckle.

Susan

[mikesimon]

Well, I guess if she/he(depending on your gender and/or orientation) is hot you can take a peek or even stare. BUT, if she/he starts squinting her eyes or furrowing her/his brow or making any sound whatsoever it's time to shut those peepers tight and tune out completely. This is a judgement call as to when to shut down and I trust you'd have the good sense and self discipline to act intelligently. You do make a valid point that I had overlooked primarily due to the fact that when I am at the threshold of a test I am so overcome with anxiety that my primal drives and prurient interests are deeply submerged. I can see that you, on the other hand, may be not so overcome with aprehension and then you may have a problem. Trust your instincts on this one. Mike

[berlynn]

You are soooooooo bad......hhhaahaaaa, berlynn

[mikesimon]

I am surprised that a tech was doing the biopsy if I read your post right. I've been shown the sample too but it was the doctor who showed me. As a matter of fact he dropped the vial containing the sample and I was really worried that he'd have to do another. This was a bedside biopsy where they just take an educated guess where to go in between the ribs and they stick a long hollow needle into your liver. Of course they stick you a couple of times first with a good sized needle and then a longer one to anesthetise the area. Then comes the real biopsy needle which looked really long to me. I've had a few of these when the need to biopsy was immediate and there was no time to get me scheduled into the ultrasound. Believe me when I say that though the procedure is tolerable the ultrasound guided is the way to go. How did I get into this? Excuse me for rambling. Mike

[GreatBird]

Well...maybe if he's a hunk. ;)

[Indiana]

The decision on wether to get a biopsy was left up to me by my doc(he was an idiot). I looked around and researched a bit and talked to my wife(she's an NP). I decided that the risks outweighed the benefits...in MY case. I had already decided to do tx and was gonna give it ALL I had reguardless of any biopsy results. It seems that since then many doctors are now reconsidering the real value of "needing" a biopsy to treat.

But my question to you Mike is.."We can't even LOOK at the techs that are doing it? I hear your reason loud and clear....but....BUT WHAT IF SHE'S A HOTTIE?  Is it ok THEN?  Maybe just a little peek?

[TomWill]

All I can tell you Bud is stop feeling sorry for yourself it is just wasting your energy.

You are part of the problem with this fighting and you know it.

Stop taking everything personal. OK if you want to let the BIG STUFF bother you that is ok, but rule 2 is it's all small stuff.

Tom

[cindyazure]

That's good advice about the tech thing.  You could mistake their comments for actual informed advice and make decisions based on it.  I was also given a chest x-ray at the same time of the bx to make sure they didn't puncture my lung.  My friend just got his bx and the tech actually showed him the hunk of liver they took out. Uck!  Take care all.

[jonihs]

I'm not sure,but I think that if they are done properly (ultrasoung guided) that in MOST cases bX. is the way to go. If there are other issues, then look into other options. Bx. can show fatty liver and other things the other can,t.Joni

[mikesimon]

Your post prompts me to make a statement that I sincerely hope won't offend any techs out there. I've had a bunch of tests and on several occasions statements made by techs have caused me significant anxiety which later proved to be unfounded. My advice to anyone having any test is to pay absolutely no attention to the techs. Do not ask how things look or even look at them while the test is being performed. I well understand the anxiety which accompanies these procedures and I can relate to the need for reassurance. But the fact is that these people are technicians and are not qualifeied to offer any opinion whatsoever as to the appearance of test results. The truth is that even if they say things look good that is little comfort when we all know it is the doctor who will eventually determine the results. And if they make even on off hand comment we can agonize over this for days or sometimed a week or more. I had a tech tell me that my bile duct looked restricted. This was shortly after transplant and believe me I was devestated for almost a week. My surgeon informed me later that everything looked fine. It was my sister who works as an anesthetist who admonished me to never listen to techs and today I won't even look at a tech during any test. They can't reassure me and the fact is they can cause me severe anxiety. Just my advice on tests. Mike

[GwithHepC]

Mike:

I will second that.  When my daughter was getting her ultrasound the tech said her spleen or gall bladder looked enlarged (I can't remember which now).  That offhand comment concerned me for a bit; the doctors reports, however, reported no such finding.  I even specifically inquired about the remark of the technician, but I was told nothing was enlarged.

G

[GwithHepC]

PeeBee:

I will take the risk with you and reveal I have borderline personality disorder also.  I naturally have a really bad temper, and that is one of the things, in addition to depression, that scares me so much about tx.  I have a tendency to fly into rages by nature, I certainly don't need any medication that will make my moodiness/temper worse.  You said that you didn't reveal your bpd to your doctor; I would like to encourage you to discuss it with them.  Sometimes when things bother me it is hard to let it go and I tend to obsess for days and waste so much energy on something that is really not so important. Maybe you should just take a break from this site for a few days and let all the negativeness go, then come back and only concentrate on the good information you get from the site.  It is easy to get caught up in the momentum of anger and hurt, but it is really hard to wait until it passes, but by continuing to get into these back and forth posting matches you will only hurt yourself; no good can come of it.  Take a deap breathe and relax; tell yourself this is really no big deal because it isn't.  Don't be so hard on yourself; just consider it a learning experience.  

G

[mikesimon]

That's exactly what I'm talking about. These off hand comments can really be upsetting. Mike

[eyehavegr8life]

Welcome, I found out in mid Dec! This is a great place to be, full of good sound information, and first hand experience. The "majority" of people here are definate sources of support.  Hang in there and ask questions, they will be answered...All of mine were! I have such great admiration for most of the people here and couldn't have made it through finding out I had HCV and all the fears that come with it!Annette

[newtex]

Hello and welcome from texas...you have indeed found a great source of support and info. You can ask specific questions but it helps to know about your hepatitis stats...

What have you found out? Do you have hepc...what are your lab work #s ( ALT...AST...VIRAL LOAD...GENOTYPE..ETC. )

Have you had a biopsy? If so what does it say about grade and stage?

There are some very informed people and alot of supportive people on this forum. Be patient and take it one step at a time.

Also when you post a question or a comment...hit the "post comment" button once....wait a few seconds then go back to the forum, to read more...Again welcome and GOD BLESS

[westcoast]

Oh thankyou so much for the welcome.

[TomWill]

You got questions we may have answers. Welcome to our board for HepC.
Tom

[westcoast]

Hi everyone! I just found out and have so many questions!

[cindyazure]

When my bx was done I got an ultrasound at the same time.  The tech said the liver looked normal on the ultrasound yet the bx showed level 2.  But people are getting treated w/o bx.

[DebbieDo]

I know the biospy is important.........i dont have any information to offer you.......but, after awhile maybe someone here can assist you with your question......i am also a 1b and my VL is 5.9......i have mild fibrous........best of luck......im 52 and had this since i was 19..........

[GwithHepC]

I would be really interested to know about anyones experience with FIBROSpect also.  I faxed some information to my daughter's GI today about it; we are scheduling a biopsy for her and I thought this might be a good alternative.  I am thinking about getting it done myself to confirm my biopsy results. I called the company and they said the cost is $350.00; they will mail you a free collection kit.

G

[Revenire]

I don't believe a sonogram would show fibrosis but there is a test called FIBROSPECT which I understand can. I don't know anyone that has had one but there may be some on the board that have. You may want to ask your doctor about it.

<a href="http://www.prometheuslabs.com/210a12.asp?nav=products">FIBROSpect - Prometheus Laboratories</a>

Take care,

Scott