Hep C Discussion Forum

That's for sure!  There's much more awareness in recent years so more money invested into research.  It can only get better.  Non-invasive testing would be great; biopsies are not fun stuff.

Exactly, Neil.  What we have out here -- the FibroSure -- isn't much.  I've also read mixed reviews on the FibroScan.  Then again, what if a liver biopsy was taken from a "better" area of the liver?  All-in-all, that is why some dr's offices use all 3...the FibroScan, Ultrasound, and Biopsy.

@Joanne   Wow...was sure Fibroscan would be available in US before here in Canada. Sure hope it gets approval soon. Was almost too easy for procedure.

Hi Robin, don't know if you have heard of the alternative route...Fibroscan.  I chose this route as it was available at a hospital near me. It cost me $90 but was worth it. It works similar to an ultrasound, non-invasive and is done in less than 10 mins.

The Fibrosure test is nothing like the Fibroscan. It measures the time taken for sound waves to penetrate the liver where Fibrosure is a series of blood tests. 

 

http://www.fibroscan.co.uk/

-- Edited by Neil_Canuck on Sunday 6th of January 2013 09:53:02 PM

Robin, Geno 3 is just as likely to develop fibrosis and cirrhosis as Geno 1. 

Your doctor has decided you don't need a biopsy, which is fine, but if it was me, I'd want a biopsy before starting treatment.  Best of luck.

 

-- Edited by mallani on Sunday 6th of January 2013 03:34:26 PM

I was under the immpression that you had to only do that once, my best friend told me it hurt like hell and she will never DO IT AGAIN,I have geno 3 and do not have to have one so why more than 1

why in the world would you ever need another biopsy!!

Wow, down to stage 1...Absolutely amazing!

Truly wonderful news.

That should make any wait for the newer drugs way less stressful.

Have a wonderful Christmas!

 

Brad

 

Judy, once again you prove the strength of the human spirit. You are a rock. Please say Hi to Brie for me. Go for it, girl. You rool. Alan

Thank you all!  Yes, it's true what you guys are saying.  A few of my family & friends were very worried that I was having another biopsy, and didn't agree with my decision.  But I really needed to know.  I'm so glad I did; I needed some actual proof that tx did reverse some of the damage.  For anyone who was in doubt, you now know that the break we get while in tx is essential, regardless if we relapse or not.  Remember, I was only able to complete 23 weeks of tx.  I was SO sick and twice hospitalized but now I see it was worth it.

Btw, my dr told me yesterday that they also do interferon implants into the upper arm, just like the Depo birth control.  It gives you even doses for your tx time, so you do not have to inject, ever.  Sx are much less, as well.  Just thought I'd mention it, as I've never heard of it before.

Really pleased for you Judy, that is great news!  I`m sure you had to really psych yourself up to go through another biopsy but this result shows that it was well worth it.   And it really does demonstate the beneficial effects that tx has on the liver...well done!    ~ Jill xx

Thats great Judy that should lift a lotta weight off

Judy--this is awesome!!!

Thank you guys, so much, for all the comments.  They are Really appreciated. 

I got the results of biopsy today at my dr appt.  I'm shocked.  My last biopsy was March 2000; nearly 13 years ago.  It showed Stage 2, Grade 2.  Now.....13 years later......I am down to Stage 1, Grade 2!!!!!  I was SO sure I'd be at 3 or 4 by now!  I can only attribute this to the work of God, the help of 23 weeks of tx, and clean living with regular exercise.  I have much to be thankful for.  Very grateful.  Will continue good habits and seek newest tx end of next year or 2014, whenever avail.

Here is the diagnostic part of my biopsy:

Well done Judy, must be a relief to have that over with!   Glad it was easier this time, even though you still experienced a lot of pain, and it`s very good to hear that you received the right medical attention and a detailed explanation from your doctor.

Hoping you get good news on Monday!    Take care, Jill xx

Yeah, glad it's over, Jim!  My resting heart rate is 67 - 72.  I get the results from my tx dr on Monday.

Thank you my friends so much, as always.

Had the bx yesterday with real-time ultrasound guidance.  I did get the rt shoulder-to-neck referred pain again.  So did all 3 women in the Recovery Room with me.  Actually, I got it slightly when the dr was injecting the novocaine!  So he knew I would for certain get it with the biopsy.  The shoulder tip pain was 7 - 8 on 1 - 10 scale.  They put morphine into my IV and then went down to 5.  Today it is almost gone.

My dr talked with me prior to bx and explained that the liver capsule is all around the liver and our livers are filled with blood vessels, as it's our main filter.  When blood gets anywhere around the liver capsule, it can touch the Phrenic nerve which goes up to the shoulder tip, so we feel that strong, dull pain there in shoulder tip to neck area.  He said some pts have a stronger nerve connection than others. 

We found on u/s where I have the least amount of blood vessels so he went in, there.  A bit higher up.  He showed me the needle he would use and then afterwards, he showed me the liver segment he removed.  Looked like a 1-inch-long worm, lol. 

New thing this time...he put a gelfoam plug into my liver from where he removed the segment.  He said there's slight chance of infection as it's foreign in my body, but never happened with them before.  I have no signs of infection.

Overall, this bx experience was much better than first one in 2000.  Shoulder pain well managed, and worst was only a few hours.  The area around my liver (front, side,& back) was quite sore all night; I woke twice in pain but I did not take any pain meds at home; it was bearable.  Today pain is less but still quite tender all around liver area.  This was OK; not too bad!

Oh yes, my blood pressure did fall after medication (Fentanyl, Versed, Morphine).  It was 86/50 at lowest; b/p automatically read every 15 mins and I was hooked up to it for about 7 hours.  Mostly stayed at about 90/55 but my normal b/p is 90/60 so that's fine. 

-- Edited by Judy S on Wednesday 5th of December 2012 06:34:30 PM

Hi Judy--Hope all goes well with your biospy. Will have you in my thoughts. You are such an amazing person. I have had 2 biospyes myself--the first was kind of a nightmare--involved malfunctioning needles and change of procedure--but I was nicely sedated so it was all fun to me. I ended up with pain at the injection site--I think because they punched me about 3 or 4 times before they figured it was not working properly. The 2nd one went like clockwork.
I know your procedure will be perfect. Sending Hugs!!

Good luck with your biopsy. It's too bad that science hasn't found a way to take a piece of the liver without actually doing so.

Thanks Jeremy.   :)

Thank you Malcolm, Iris and Bouba. 

Iris, I remember that feeling of my organs being moved like that in 2000, too.  That was bizarre to say the least.

Bouba, I am getting the Twilight Anesthesia (with Fentanyl & Versed).  Don't recall what they gave me in 2000 but I remember everything, hehe!  Yeah, I'll be laying on my side for at least 4 hours afterward, on that sandbag thingie.  My shoulder pain lasted about 12 hours and it was severe; the meds were not helping it.  That's why it scares me for this time.

Malcom, I've been finding several people online who have had the extreme shoulder pain like me (9 on 1 - 9) and for some it lasted over 2 weeks.  One lady was going back to dr tomorrow because her shoulder pain has gotten worse, 2 weeks later, to point of unbearable.  You are the only person I could think to ask...do you know why that might happen?  I'm just curious.  And nervous, lol.

I should be OK as far as bleeding.  My lab from Nov 28 shows INR at 0.97.  (Normal 0.8 - 1.2)  Before tx it was 1.02.    APTT is 29.  (Norm 23 - 38).   My Platelets are 177 now; used to be around 100 on tx.

-- Edited by Judy S on Sunday 2nd of December 2012 10:25:59 PM

Hi Judy Good Luck with the biopsy. I remember it being not much fun. The pain I experienced was like all of my innards went sucking out towards the needle, whoosh!  oh,  and I had forgotten about the shoulder ouch....

Here's a hug in advance(couldn't find an actual hug)

Your a trouper though...I know you'll get by. Sending you love. Be well.  Blessings, Iris

Hi Judy, not like me to be argumentative but there are no nerves in the liver. The pain is from blood tracking out of the biopsy 'hole' and  under the liver capsule. If the liver capsule is stretched it can cause pain . As the same nerve segment supplies the shoulder, the pain is actually felt in the shoulder tip. A good operator with ultrasound should be able to avoid blood vessels.