Can you have a liver biopsy without a local and can a spouse be present? I know that this isn't PD related, but they are still looking into Wilson's and after these next two tests come back it looks like a liver biopsy is next.

I am confused, too by the serum copper and the ceruloplasm (sp). I have high liver enzymes, high serum copper and in upper range of ceruloplasm.

Any help?

I figure that the best minds reside here, so am looking for answers.

mama

Why would you not want a local anesthetic? My dog had a liver biopsy, and I hope they gave her an anesthetic! Did the links about the liver tests that I gave you in the other thread help at all?

Take it one step at a time, and ask your doctor these questions. I don't think any of us are experts in Wilson's, even though I was tested a few years ago. You may not even need a biopsy.
In another thread your wrote:

so is it high range or within limits?

High serum copper does not indicate Wilson's, unless the liver is badly damaged.

Thanks for the help. Yes your links are wonderful.

The serum copper was elevated, but the cerulosporin was within range (I think it goes to 48 and mine is 44)

Twice the liver enzymes have come out high. The second time a bit higher than the first.

I am very scared of locals, and any shots at all. I would rather tough it out.

It's OK to be scared. It's also OK to tell the doctors and nurses that you're scared. There are a lot of things they can do to make it easier for you. There's no reason to "tough it out." These days, there's hardly ever any reason for a patient to experience any pain at all.

I have had several operations. I recall being very scared the first time. A strange thing happened when I got to the hospital. The medical staff were so professional and helpful, that I forgot about being scared. The worst part is when apprehension builds and you have nothing to do but worry about it. Once you get into the hospital and get started, you're too busy to be scared. They can even give you a pill before they do anything else that will calm you.

My best advice is to:
1. Try to not think about it until you have to.
2. TELL THE NURSE YOU'RE SCARED. There's a lot they can do to help.
3. Make sure there is someone there with you that you know and trust, who will help keep you calm.
4. Relax. It won't last long.

I hope this helps.

Thanks, K

You have a lot of good advice and I greatly appreciate it. I will try to follow it, but I am terrified in hospitals, that's why when I had major surgery in May I did it as outpt. It was pretty well unheard of.

I don't trust anyone in the hospital...too many bad memories. I especially don't trust the medicine.

This makes me a very bad patient. I never yell or get belligerent, but if I am forced to have an iv or other drugs I usually go pretty close to the deep end.

I have the cart before the horse, so let's just hope that this whole thing goes away.

Thank you for your kindness.

mama

I've had a number of liver biopsies. I usually work myself into a total and absolute state of panic prior to them, then they're over in a flash and I wondered why I worried so much. I always carry my trusty little brown paper bag with me in case of a full blown panic attack. LOL. True story. My Gastro doesn't mind. He thinks it's quite hilarious actually. All that expensive medical equipment and here I am holding a brown paper bag to regulate my own breathing.

You will barely feel the local anaesthetic. It's just like a tiny little prick and frankly I wouldn't have a liver biopsy without one. They need to make a tiny, tiny little incision to allow the biopsy to be taken. It's so small!

Once that local anaesthetic works, you'll just feel pressure. It's sort of a scary feeling I suppose, but that's just because the feeling of pressure is different from pain, but there are worse things believe me. That's when they're taking the actual biopsy. It's not pain, it's just pressure. After that you'll just need to lie still for a number of hours and get checked and then you can go home. Voila!

You need to ask your Gastroenterologist or whoever is doing the biopsy about taking someone with you into the surgical area. Usually there's just a nurse and the doctor, so you never know, they could allow it under certain circumstances. Honestly and truly, the worst part about having the biopsy is thinking about it before hand and then waiting for results. The procedure itself is fairly simple and very fast.

All the best to you.

Thank-you, Lara. You are a big help. I hope that you don't suffer from a liver disease.
mama