preparation for biopsy

[Marcia2202]

I have my biopsy coming up in a week. I wanted to ask, if you stopped taking blood thinning supplements like Vitamin E, fish oil and selenium, garlic pills, cayenne etc. before the biopsy.

I have read that one should stop these and certain meds like aspirin two weeks before SURGERY. (I am NOT taking any medication, so I am ONLY asking about supplements) So I am wondering how this would apply to a liver biopsy.

What is your experience with this?

Thanks for any input.


Marcia

[mremeet]

Hey, no problemo. I've had two biopsies performed, BOTH performed by student doctors. TRUST ME ON THIS, NO-NO-NO STUDENT DOCTORS! NONE! And if you see one coming your way, DON'T FALL FOR IT, DON'T BELIEVE THEM. It's all a massive scam, they are LYING! And make sure they don't try and gyp you out on the pre-op pain meds either. Cheapa$$es...

[fretboard]

Dang!  I must have gotten gypped b/c I didn't get anything but a valium once and the lidacaine or whatever to numb the area.  I was hook-up to an IV both times so they may have been giving me something.  Being on meds for pain messes with my tolerance level when it comes to anything good anyways.  LOL  I never really thought about any blood thinning supplements.  Good idea, the last time I had a bx was in June of 05 and the doctor who took it asked me before hand if I wanted him to get two specimens.  He said your doctor will have a better reading maybe, I said oh yeah sounds good to me.  So I heard that second thud, tap or whatever you want to call it and that was it.  I don't know if it benefited me, when my doctor gave me the results all he said was oh yeah there were two specimens.  Then he told me I was good for another 5 yrs.  I don't know where that 5 yr. rule came from, maybe insurance companies.  I just ignored him with that nonsense.  I'm going for an ultrasound at the end of this month then it's off to tx.  God I feel like I'm going in the Army or something, it sure don't feel like I'm getting ready for a camping trip, I'll tell you that.  LOL

[Isobella]

I am so glad your biopsy is right around the corner.  Good also that you stopped the blood thinning supplements.  Please keep us posted.

Izzy

[meNtoby]

Hi Marcia,  I only stopped the aspirin, and had a lengthy list of meds and supplements on my pre-biopsy forms, all taken the day before.

Had the biopsy without any meds at all, and drove myself home 30 minutes later. (Now I know that the hepatologist was doing me a huge favor with that, because I got pretty sore as the local anasthetic wore off.)

Never bled apparently, but I stayed on the couch as much as possible, and walked very softly when I had to get up.  Perfectly fine the next day.

Good luck to you with the results, because I know you'll breeze through the biopsy!  

c.

[Marcia2202]

Thanks so much!!!

fretboard and mremeet - for trying to scare the sh1t out of me... it didn't work, ha ha... I grew up with a big brother 7 years older than me!
(I know you know that I'm being sarcastic)

Isabella -  for the softer words and reassurance

meNtoby - for trying to turn me into some kind of daredevil. ROFL

I am less tired today and you guys crack me up! I'm in a very funny mood!

Love ya all, Marcia

[nygirl7]

Bring a good book with you - you get there so early and then spend hours waiting. Then the procedure is like only three minutes long literally and then you have to wait another four hours before they let you go home.  

A book is definitely a good idea - a magazine or two just wouldn't last long enough!

PS I didn't get any good meds beforehand either - if I ever do it again I'm INSISTING on them!  Oh they did offer me one whole entire percocet afterwards I just laughed at the nurse and politely said no what is that really going to do for me?