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]

Don't worry about it, I'm sure everything will work out fine. Sorry about the biopsy needle link. If it's any consolation to you, the first one shown with the pistol grip and trigger on it was the type they used on me (both times). It was like a big caulk gun with a giant needle on it, and they left it on the table in front of the gurney I was laying on. They left me in there alone together with the needle gun for quite a while. It was still wrapped in its clear plastic wrapper.I picked it up and fondled it and carefully inspected it. I even pulled the trigger and felt it "snap!" in my hand. The snapping sound is...well, never mind. Lets just say it was *not* a happy moment for me. Please, when you go and if you happen to be left alone in the room with it. Just leave it alone. Don't look at it, and for god's sake don't pick it up. Because, well...it's-just-not-worth-it. ;-) JUST KIDDING! You'll do fine, don't psych yourself out. DEEP BREATHS! lol

[Marcia2202]

That was part of the humor bit, definitely... my favorite prank so far!

I got there at 9 and already went home at 10.15. Had a long talk with one of the hepatologists and he was very nice. So were all the nurses.
Am going under the guillotine tomorrow morning. They are keeping me until Thursday... I asked the doc why so long.  He said that at other hospitals, they send you home after 8 hours, but here we have good resources, so we can observe our patients longer.

For now, good night! Am going to sleep now.

Marcia

[Isobella]

You forgot to mention the links to the websites for biopsy tools.

Now that was ........pretty good hepper humor!!!

Hope all went well today with the bloodwork.  Can't wait to hear all the details from Thursday!

[Marcia2202]

Here I'm sitting about to have something as quick and easy (not really a big deal), as a biopsy. I ask a simple question about supplements... and what do I get in replies????

Love, compassion, humor, advice, name it....

I love you guys, all of you... you warm my heart and I feel so fortunate to be part of our big forum family.

Marcia

[meakea]

Pre-op meds???  Valium???  Holy cow, I really DID get gyped.  I got nothing except the numbing shot.  Guess I'm pretty tough for a 5'5", 120 lb 53 year old female...LMAO.  

Marcia, the pre-biopsy anxiety is what most of us go through and it's really the hardest part.  Even without any sedation I thought the biopsy was no big deal.  I did, as someone else mentioned above, have the post-biopsy shoulder or clavicle area pain but I only took a one-time pain med when they offered afterwards.  The discomfort in that area lasted for about 24 hours but it lessened so that it was more just a nuisance than a pain.  I was instructed to lay on my right side for the two hour post-biopsy time in the hospital and then I was good to go.  I went to work (office job) the next day.

You'll do great.  I never thought of not taking my Centrum Silver prior to the biopsy and they never told me not to take anything other than aspirin.  Now, looking back, I would have stopped it a week prior if I had thought about it.

[medicmommy]

Be sure to take it easy for a few days afterwards...No heavy lifting (no picking up babies or small children!) or anything heavier than a pineapple...LOL They should take 3-5 samples (depends on how zealous the Dr) and you'll be a bit sore...some people need the heavier pain meds for the first 1-2 days, some don't...If you do take the heavier stuff, drink lots of fruit juice (the "mover" kind) because of the chance of constipation...I was "snowed" afterwards as I had my gallbladder out at the same time :)  ~Melinda