"i had a liver transplant in 2007 im doing really well. hows everyone else doing sincee there transplants?"
Heart Biopsy
My best friend loaned me a book called "Sick Girl" to read- while I will not voice my opinion on the book, it has been extremly difficult for me to make my way through because of how ....painful....everything sounds.
In the book, she has to undergo sixty-five heart biopses.
Sixty five!!!
When I told Emily that I can't imagine having to endure that, she was all "Yeah, I'll have to have that done." I was stunned silent. Then, I asked her if it hurt like she described in the book and Emily said that the people she's talked to say it doesn't.
And then suggested I post it here to ask everyone.
I would like to hear from the people who have had/waiting for a heart transplant and have had to have heart biopsies. Does it hurt that bad? For how long do you have to endure it? What else can you tell me about them?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Michael Strane on -
Marie,
The experience really varies for everyone. I've been very lucky, as my transplant program only requires 8 biopsies ever. I've had 9. I will say that the first two were extremely painful. The pain was mostly associated with the placing on the shunt to allow access for the fluoroscope to the jugular. After the second time, on the biopsy tech suggested a different local anesthesia cocktail and that made all the difference. There was still most minor pain getting the initial shot of anesthesia and some pressure, but it wasn't no bad. The change in drugs made all the difference for me. However, I can't imagine 65. Even after 6 or so, I started to develop a pretty good time lump of scar tissue at the access site, which meant it started to get harder to "push into" the jugular vein, which meant more pressure, and more discomfort. Not really pain, just discomfort. The good news is that the whole procedure for me last less than 10 minutes, from applying the anesthesia, placing the shunt, drawing blood, taking the sample and withdrawing, it's all over pretty quickly for me.
I wonder how long the author had had her transplant, even in more aggressive programs I imagine it would take a while to account for 65 biopsies. Of course, it might be worse it she has chronic rejection, where as I have been lucky and not had any rejection., yet.
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Permalink Reply by Paul Anthony Worthington on -
I've had well over 100 biopsys in my time since my transplant. You become used to them and not by choice either. It is the Angiograms I still struggle with.
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Permalink Reply by Transplant Cafe.com on -
How long ago was your transplant? What is it the most (angiograms aside) that you still struggle with?
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Permalink Reply by Paul Anthony Worthington on
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Hi Marie,
My Transplant was in 1986, I was 6 years old at the time. Angiograms, as a child I used to have annually, so I am guessing anywhere in the region of 16 - 20. The procedure is straight-forward enough, it's the entry point and getting the sheeth in that I find incredibly painful.
Just incase: Angiogram is the testing of the blood-flow in and around the heart - a dye is injected into the main artery to show the flow on an X-Ray.
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Permalink Reply by troy natus on -
i have had around 30 biopsies. they are for the most part painless. the worst part is the two shots in the neck after that it is a piece of cake.
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Permalink Reply by Patricia Winters on -
I am 6 months out from heart transplant and I have had 11 biopsies so far. The first year, which is the time when rejection occurs the most, there are a lot of biopsies. At my transplant program after one year the do yearly biopsies and only as needed ( if I am symptomatic of rejection). They do give a local anesthetic that numbs the procedure...as Michael stated it is the scar tissue at the jugular site that is always the issue with me...
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Permalink Reply by Transplant Cafe.com on
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What will they do if the scar tissue becomes too dense to try and go for a biopsie and can't?
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Permalink Reply by Paul Anthony Worthington on
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The dreaded scar-tissue. The bane of my life!!!! I had a Pacemaker fitted a little over a year ago, all the biopsies I had made it 10 times worse getting the Pacemaker implanted.
There are other sites, I believe that they can use to perform a biopsy. One such site is the groin, also used for Angiograms, and another is under the armpit?
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Permalink Reply by Paul Gassen on -
Marie,
I am 5 years out from transplant. I'll bet I've had maybe a dozen heart biopsies during that time. 65 biopsies? I can't imagine. As far as the pain? The only pain I felt was during the insertion of the catheter in my neck. I had a doctor rub the area after they numbed it, I guess to spread the numbing medication, and never felt a thing. Ask your doctor about a new blood test that takes the place of the invasive biopsy. It called Allomapping. I no longer require biopsies, just another blood test.
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Permalink Reply by Sarah Copeland on -
I've had about 10 or more. and it's really not that bad. Just kinda tickles your heart. lol.
But they numb you neck pretty good. I find it better in the neck than the groin....
it seems like it takes longer to heal down there.
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Permalink Reply by Paula M. Rice on -
My heart transplant was almost 10yrs. ago & I've had numerous biopsies. My surgeons always give me my choice as to how much of my "cocktail" I want, so, I can't really say it hurts all that much. As of last yr., I only had to have my pressures taken, thru the groin (femoral artery) & the worst part is caused by the bruising & removing my pressure bandage. Of course, the "bee stings" of having the numbing meds injected aren't any fun. But, the truth is, you do get used to it & after a while, you just consider another part of the routine. Then again, I have an abnormally high tolerance for pain & it's different for all of us. The key is not allowing yourself to become apprehensive & "stiff". Honestly, as horrible as it all sounds, in print, it's just not that bad. Your friend will probably have a bit of a hard time, after the transplant, while the body adjusts to the trauma it's been through, the ton of meds she must take & the strict routine she'll have to follow. In many ways, all of that is much harder than the trans.! But, it really is all worth it. The best way to help your friend is to just be there, to comfort & listen, when she needs to vent, which will happen. If either of you needs help, we're always here. Hugs & Blessings, Paula
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Permalink Reply by Albert Carrete on -
Marie,
I've had many MANY heart biopsies perhaps 40+. Put simply everyone's experiences are different, for me biopsies have never been painful. With that being said, biopsies have never exactly been comfortable either, I like to compare it to when you get your teeth pulled - they numb your mouth but you can still feel the discomfort from the dentist pulling out your tooth.
The whole process can be pretty quick or relatively lengthy depending upon the hospital, doctor etc. Taking into what I've heard and my own experiences with them, it can be anywhere between 15 minutes to 45 minutes.
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