Private ultrasound?

[Liberty82]

Hi, over the past 18 months I've been experiencing some problems associated with liver disease. I had a fibro scan last year after travelling to the British liver roadshow however they couldnt get a clear picture of my liver, they could only tell me that they could see done fat on it. 3 rounds of LFTs have been normal but my symptoms seem to be getting worse. I'm thinking of having a private abdominal ultrasound tomorrow done by a sonograpger who will do a brief report there and then and do a follow up with my doctor if they think it's necessary. My question is is it worth me having this done if I already know i have a fatty liver? This scan will also check my spleen. If my spleen is normal size does this mean cirrhosis is less likely? I have a follow up appointment with my GP on April 1st to talk about my most recent blood tests which were normal but given my symptoms I will ask for a referral to a referral to a hepatoligist. My GP did refer me for an ultrasound 5 months ago but due to a family bereavement I couldn't attend. Thanks x

[jazzjam]

If you would feel better knowing and having the answers in your hand to take to your GP apoointment, do it. At least you can discuss everything with your bloods too. At the moment I am lucky to have private health insurance (through work) and I dread the day when I don’t have it anymore mainly for all the waiting time you have.

[Liberty82]

Yes, jazzjam. Its wonderful we have the NHS and id never knock them but it is difficult when you are waiting for answers or are very ill. I have booked the ultrasound and I'm having it on wed so I'm very nervous but at the same time I need to get to the bottom of what's going on. I hope you are well x

[Hidden]

Hi

I ended up going private in may 2016 where nafld was diagnosed. Saw this consultant a couple more times and then he said he would take me back on on the NHS. I then had a biopsy in November 2016 where Nash was diagnosed. He is now a bit blasé, has told me my lfts are ok, I replied can't your bloods be ok and your liver not, he didn't reply. He's sending me to someone at wythenshaw who is going to inject electrodes into me!! Told me he'd see me in a year!! I said if I go worse he interrupted me and said speak to my secretary , I told him I will as she's brilliant!! Keep pestering them!! Love and hugs Lynne xxxx

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi Lynne

My experience of private has been similar 👎🏻. I have a back problem which needs an operation but can’t have until one year post TP. So I went privately to see what could be done to help my pain. The Consultant said he would arrange for an epidural. So I told liver peeps at QEHB about it and they were, to put it mildly, horrified. No way was I to have an epidural because in my state at that time the very slightest error could have meant blood getting into spinal cord - and bye bye walking ever again.

I told private Consultant this. Do you know what - I had an appointment letter for the spinal unit 3 months later without it saying why. So I rang and asked why? For your epidural of course.

Hmm very sceptical now. Of course I was unlucky and I’m sure in the majority of cases it’s not like that 🤞.

Miles

[Liberty82]

Thanks guys. Lynn what symptoms did you have and did you believe them to be down to your liver? Thanks x

[Hidden]

Hi

I had pain in upper right quadrant going through to back then shoulder and between shoulder blades (deferred pain) one gastritis fella said it was muscular!! Feeling and being sick, very tender around spleen too, hurts when I eat, think that's it!! I do have many other conditions. Mine was caused by meds given to me by my drs overall the years!! Hope you go on ok on Wednesday. Take care Lynne

[Hidden]

Hi

I also have itching and nausea. Take care Lynne

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Also, extreme tiredness due to lack of sleep due to pain xxxx

[Liberty82]

This was with the British liver Trust roadshow JalunM. They just said they couldn't get a clear picture but could see some fat on it? But they thought it looked OK but they couldn't really be sure. X

[Happyluckymummyof2]

Morning. X I am in a very similar situation to you. I was diagnosed with chirossis nearly 2 years ago by FibroScan and the reading was very high sadly. I had been very poorly in hospital for a month and they did this after discharge. At that point I stopped drinking and turned my life around. I accepted the diagnosis and lived a healthy life with no symptoms at all. I relapsed before Christmas just gone ask self admitted for detox and at that point they did an ultrasound and the sonographer told me there was no sign of chirossis !... I contacted my gastroenterologist and I asked him of this was possible and he was most unhelpful and said as they FibroScan 2 years ago showed that it most likely to be there still. I had an MRI for surveillance to check for liver cancer and that was normal but he said that wouldn’t have been checked for chrirossis..!!! So I am stuck in limbo and have to either live not knowing or look at private ultrasound as well 🙄🙄x I know my liver will have a degree of scarring but I would like to know for sure x I continue to be abstinent and healthy 3 months on too xx Goong to contact private consultant soon I think x let me know how it all goes 😀😀

[jazzjam in reply to Happyluckymummyof2]

It’s so scary that you can get two differing answers. I would do what feels right for you, if you can pay for a new scan (it’s flipping expensive) or otherwise push your doctor for a new one or change the doctor and start again. So frustrating. All the best

[AyrshireK in reply to Happyluckymummyof2]

If your inflammation readings were high at the time of your Fibroscan it will give an inflated high reading indicating possible cirrhosis when actually it was the high level of inflammation that caused the high kPa reading (even top liver boffins have questioned its accuracy when inflammation is present). You are not alone there in having had a high Fibroscan but in reality not cirrhosis. When cirrhosis is present an ultrasound is usually sufficient to pick it up because it changes the shape and texture of the liver which can be seen on u/s. Up until his transplant assessment in 2014 my hubby only ever had ultrasounds (every 6 months and they clearly show cirrhosis). Recently had MRI scan and it showed scarring.

I would treat is as a warning, stay sober, eat well and look after your liver and fingers crossed your earlier inflammation won't recur and some way down the line you won't face cirrhosis.

Katie

[carefull1 in reply to AyrshireK]

Well said katie

[Roy1955]

Full liver check with general health check up, ultrasound, fibroscan on 2 types of machines, in depth LFT, consultation with professor of hepatology costs £800 at London Royal Free hospital.

It was worth paying to get it all done in one afternoon.

I will add though that doing this gives a diagnosis and then it's up to you to live a healthy life, cut out booze if that's the cause and lose weight if your chubby!

ALL the things that you should be doing already if your feeling unwell.

[carefull1 in reply to Roy1955]

Hi Roy1955. I would like to do what did. Any contact details please?

[Roy1955 in reply to carefull1]

Roy1955

We have removed the prof's contact details as it is against the community guidelines to provide personal data. Please PM the information if needed.

Many thanks

Trust1

[carefull1 in reply to Roy1955]

Thanks. What is his first name please

[Radnor in reply to carefull1]

All consultants are listed on every hospital website so you can get is full name.

[carefull1 in reply to Radnor]

Hi. I am not from London. It's not clear which hospital it is.

[Roy1955 in reply to carefull1]

Royal free hospital.

Dont book a GP consult it's an additional cost.

Book for a liver screening directly with a consultant.

royalfreeprivatepatients.co...

[Radnor]

There wont be a lot of Profs with this name? I asked to be referred to a hospital by my GP as they have a specific Liver Clinic. NHS chose and book. Its a teaching hospital which is often where you get a one stop shop. I had a fibroscan even before I saw anyone. Same day and afterwards had full bloods done. I waited just 7 weeks too. I searched on line to find where in travelling distance this kind of set up existed. Royal Liverpool. I knew that Broad Green did this as my Mum had heart problems. It was an amazing set up, Tests all done same day and no backwards and forwards or worrying and waiting. I go back on Wednesday this week.