Hello all,
I first posted two weeks ago with some abdominal pain and what I thought were petechiae. I'm moving to Berlin next Tuesday and I was planning to leave it until then but I totally freaked out because my rash got worse and my abdomen was hurting so I called 111 (I live in Scotland) and a nurse sent me to the doctor at 4am.
He spent about 30 minutes with me:
Rash: although there were some petechiae in my body most of my rash is slightly raised and non-petechiae and the skin is dry. He suggested a good moisturizer and a good diet.
Abdominal exam: he discarded any symptoms of ascites and he said he couldn't feel my spleen or liver were enlarged by palpating and by taping it sounded they were where they had to be. He thinks my pain doesn't come from the spleen but from my stomach which was tender.
We talked about how I've been psychologically...I've barely left the house or moved much for the last few months. He believes that together with an awful diet is making me feel unwell and suggested I start eating well, drinking lots of water and avoid binge drinking as it irritates my stomach.
He recommended I focus on my mental health and my move and that I have blood tests for my liver. He thinks that because of my habits, it might well be fatty and that I should look after it whatever the result. He said those tests aren't urgent and he said if I wanted them or I wanted to wait until I move. I said I'll have them then.
He ruled out decompensated cirrhosis and he said that it's unlikely I have cirrhosis but that only further tests could tell but that I've been reading too much about all of this and decided I was going to die. I agree with him.
He also did a quick urine test which was clear.
Moral of the story: we catastrophise, many of us.
We need to look after our livers and we need to let doctors diagnose.
I stopped drinking for the last three weeks, apart from a single beer on Friday.
My plan is to have blood tests within the next couple of weeks and follow his advice regarding exercise, diet and having the odd drink once in a while.
I hope this helps those of you who might have health anxiety and who are convinced that something very serious is wrong.
I think many of us self-diagnose and admin are right when they discourage it.
I'll keep you posted once I've had blood tests and in the meantime... look after yourselves!!!
Ricard
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