Enlarged Spleen.

[Christ59]

Hi Everyone, I have a nagging pain in my back just under my left shoulder blade, at first I thought it was a pulled musscle, (thats what it feels like) but I have had it for about a month now. I was diagnosed with a enlarged spleen 15 months ago and I wondered if it could be something to do with that. Has anyone experienced anything similar?

[AyrshireK]

Any issue with the spleen such as a splenic enlargement can lead to 'referred' left shoulder pain - my hubby had a splenic infarction (his spleen died after an embolisation operation) and he was in agony in his left shoulder for weeks.

Have they identified the cause of your splenic enlargement?

Perhaps some medical follow up required.

Katie

[Christ59 in reply to AyrshireK]

Hi Katie, the enlarged spleen is due to cirrhosis, they are organizing another elastograph so I will ask them to have a look when I go, still waiting for a date though. Thanks.

[AyrshireK in reply to Christ59]

Enlarged spleen with cirrhosis is absolutely par for the course. Hubbies reached 19.5cm at one point. It's now shrivelled up and shrunken following his embolisation op.

Best wishes,

Katie

[Remainer in reply to AyrshireK]

Is that normal after embolisation?

I ask because my husband had tace a fortnight ago and now has lots of pain on his left side?

He already had an enlarged spleen with his nash and lower platelet count. Thanks.

[AyrshireK in reply to Remainer]

My hubby didn't have TACE so this is a slightly different scenario to your husband.

Hubby was found to have numerous aneurysms/bulges in his splenic artery which surgeons had to block off via an embolisation procedure to prevent them from bursting. This cut off the blood supply to his spleen in effect and killed off his spleen (he suffered a splenic infarction). He now doesn't have a viable spleen and has to take penicillin for the rest of his life to support his immune system.

As the spleen was dying he suffered incredible pain in his side and referred to his left shoulder.

Katie

[Remainer in reply to AyrshireK]

Thank you Katie. Going to try and contact the liver nurse tomorrow, for advice.

Best wishes to you and your hubby.

[Grankids3 in reply to AyrshireK]

Hi, I have enlarged spleen due to my cirrhosis wich was caused by my diabetes, I now have aneurysm on spleen which they coiled 2 years ago, I do get a lot of pain on the left side, I've had a liver Tipps which was done 5 years ago as I had Bowel cancer and needed surgery, the Tipps was because I was not able to have chemo, I get pain at the liver, been attending hospital, 10 years and monitored by MRI every 6 mths due to nodules and lesion on liver, awaiting my appt in April as my gamma and bile bloods are up, just need to wait on outcome, I'm usually stable, x

[Oscardog in reply to Christ59]

Hi there

My spleen is also enlarged but consultant said there was nothing they could do as taking it out would be too risky...I understand it can happen with cirhossis.