Cirrhosis Support Group

Hi, I'm Pam. I used to come here quite a bit but don't have internet at home so I've been on here from work when I have a chance.

Here's my question.

I have stage 4 cirrhosis. Recently I've been having a crazy amount of pain in my upper left quadrant. I've been to the er, doctor anyone who could make it stop. Needless to say I've had several tests run. My gallbladder is fine. My bloodwork except for platelettes seems to be ok. I've had a ultra sound, some other test to determine whether my g.b. was functioning and naturally it's fine. Now, I have a CT scan tomorrow. I'm soooooo tired. The fatigue is awful. The pain isn't getting any better and I'm slowly but surely giving up on the medical profession coz I know there is a problem but keep getting told "Sorry, can't see a thing"

I'm not nuts, my brain is still working fine thank goodness but I'm in so much pain it's crazy. Has or does anyone out there been dealing with this???

This has been going on for about 3 wks now. Until then I was pretty much fine.

If you have some insight to this please let me know!!!

Thank you!!!

Hi Pam! Welcome back! I can't specifically relate to the pain you are describing, but I have some questions for you: Have you asked a hepatologist or G.I. doc about the pain? Is the pain the same if you are upright or lying down? Keep asking questions, here and at the doctors.

Dennis

Yes, believe it or not I have dogged my doctors like crazy. No one seems to be able to give me an answer that's why a ct scan tomorrow.

Thanks for your reply

Hi Pam,

I'm having abdominal pain too...gaving EDG and Ultrasound done this week along w/bloodwork. That is the most annoying when you know something is wrong with your body and they can't find a thing!!! I hope to be able to have some answers myself shortly and hope you do too. Tam

Ok every one with left side pain.

The pain I have is just under the ribs on my left side and it's bad enough to keep me awake at night

Here's what my Dr said.

The pain is coming from the fact that my spleen is enlarged.

With Cirrhosis the spleen Holds on to the platelets this causes the spleen to enlarge, Since there isn't much room in there the pressure causes the pain.

This can also happen on the right side if the liver is enlarged

Just a note: Cirrhosis patients have a increase in almost every kind of GI problem you can think of.

The Ascites can also cause a similar pressure causing pain

Gail

Post edited by: mpmom, at: 09/13/2010 03:53 PM

AbbeysMom, I'm sorry you are still having problems after suffering for more than a year with this pain. I'm hoping that you have kept detailed notes about when and where the pain is occurring, along with documentation of your doctor's responses to your continued questions. Be sure to address these issues with your hepatologist, and be persistent in obtaining answers.

If you are still taking other meds, I know that some of those can add to the fatigue you are experiencing. You know all too well by now, how much cirrhosis alone can interfere with your energy levels, and how important it is to keep your body nourished.

Let us know how your tests come out and hang in there kiddo. We're here to listen and support you.

Bobbi

Pam

Sounds like there are several of us right now with this problem. I have upper right abdomen pain. I go for my CT scan on Friday. My hep. dr. thinks I may have stones in the bile ducts of the liver. I had my gall bladder removed years ago but apparently this is common and more common with those of us with cirrhosis. My pain has been pretty much constant with ebbing and waning of the levels. He also told me with an enlarged liver that can hurt too. However this is different as that can be relieved when I lie down on my left side so that the liver is pressing on anything too much.

Good luck and keep us posted.

My prayers are with you

Bonnie