Hi all. First time on here but have read such good responses which made me feel comfortable talking to people who understand what we are all going through.
Basically I drank too much ended up emergency admission to A&E with 5 burst varisces. 3 week hospital stay where I was drained from ascites 3 times on average 15litres each time. Eventually had Tipps, best thing ever for me. Haven't touched alcohol in 18 months and never will. Liver is now compensated so I have been one of the v v lucky ones. What I would like to ask is - has anyone been troubled with severe joint (all joints),stiffness and pain. This only started about 6 months post Tipps. No arthritis according to gp although finger joints all knobbly. Pain quite debilitating and obvs minimum tabs I can take for pain. Any suggestions on how to cope with this?
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Annie2402
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Hi Annie welcome to our (your 😁) friendly forum.
I can’t really add anything definitive because although I had lots of hip, and knee pains which the Consultants have always said is down to a spinal problem I have! But I’m sure there will be others on here who can empathise with you.
Hi Annie, have they checked for gout? Having joint and muscle aches and pains may not be that unusual in liver disease. Not everyone has it but it is possible given everything the liver does. Unfortunately, the causes ate not always obvious and can take time to find. You may have to be quite patient and just go through a process of illimination. In the interim it may just be a case of finding a way to manage the pain without causing any further damage.
Thanks Kristian. Unfortunately consultant/gp don't seems that interested so I tend to just get on with it and hope it will go away as quickly as it came.
How are you feeling tonight? I have joint pain everywhere!! My Dr said it can be to do with your liver, oa in knees but I was then sent to a rheumatologist who diagnosed fibromyalgia!! My Dr then said your joint pain will be double!! I said thank you very much!! Please take care. Love and hugs Lynne xxxx
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Oh dear Lynne ☹️☹️☹️. You have such a caring and empathetic doctor!
Getting an appt at our gp is v difficult. You can only get on the day appts and as you can imagine whole town is trying to get an appt same say. All due to shortage of gp no routine appts being booked atall
There was a similar post a short time back, although I seem to remember most of the comments were from people who have had transplants. But yes, you are not alone. My right knee is agony tonight; I also get discomfort in the left, in my right hip, various fingers, wrists and right elbow. And it kicked in some weeks after I left hospital.
Now, arthritis runs in our family, and I've had mild hip discomfort for a few years. Apparently, it can flare up very suddenly, so is this the culprit? My GP has said I can self refer to our physiotherapy service; the consultant is only interested in health of the liver itself. So at this point I can't offer much more than to say Deep Heat rub or hot water bottles seem to help, and I'll try to remember to post any further positive developments...
Thank you for your input. Helps so much knowing other people understand this is a genuine problem. Think people think I constantly moan about all my aches without understanding quite how painful it can be
A rheumatologist is the correct specialist to diagnose and treat joint pain associated with inflammation (as opposed to orthopedist who treats bone disorders) in case you want/are able to be evaluated further.
I had very bad stiffness until I was treated with an antiviral for Hepatitis C. My previously diagnosed fibromyalgia seems to be almost completely resolved. Still have knobby fingers, I have a little arthritis. I also have painful knees from carrying too much weight. I had bad stiffness. I could barely move, especially after sitting for some time. My neck is still very stiff, and so is my back sometimes (I have scoliosis) hot showers seem to help me, and massage.
Thanks for reply. Will def push for referral to rheumatologist. Have been referred to pain team but waiting list is so long I will probably be pushing up daisies before I get appt 😁
Have you had a bone density scan? You could be suffering from Osteopororosis. Think it's very common in women of a certain age, plus if you have liver problems the risk is even higher.
Do you see a Hepatologist? As it is them who recommended I have a bone density scan, I had one four years ago and it was fine, have another appointment in July 2019 for a scan. Think someone with Cirrosis is supposed to have them every 3 years. Well, that's the information I have been given from St James, Leeds. And I have never broken any bones.
I had very bad bone and joint pain for 6 months before my doctor finally believed me. I had a bone density scan. It turned out that I have osteoporosis and osteopenia. He said it was liver related.
I was given a bone scan and prescribed vitamin D3, once weekly capsule, as a preventative, after being diagnosed with osteopenia. I didn't have to ask for the scan, but I'm 57, under the care of a teaching hospital in America. I didn't realize it was at all liver related.
Hi Boot, After being diagnosed with Osteopenia a few months ago I take an alendronic acid tablet once a week and daily I take 2 lots of calceos tablets. I've since been diagnosed with Osteoarthritis in my hips and left knee. Alf
The alendronic acid is supposed to strengthen bone and then the calceos is calcium and vit D. I've been told to eat oily fish at least 3 times a week and plenty of calcium rich foods like cheese, low fat yogurts , milk, nuts, olive oil, asparagus and broccoli.
I was reading an article the other day that said laennecs chirrhosis which is caused by alcohol gives people joint pain like arthritis type thing so maybe that is whats doing this to you .
Thats the official name of liver chirrhosiss caused by alcohol it was called laennec chirrhosis after the rene laennec who invented the stethiscope . Its known to cause pain in shoulders knees ect as well as joint pain. so maybe thats why everyone who has chirrhosiss caused bt alcohol are having terrible arthritis type symptoms .
Ah, I see. Maybe it's cirrhosis in general? I don't know for sure, just thinking aloud. I didn't drink until I was in my fifties, and my liver damage was caused by the hep c much earlier. Not that it matters now, we're all in the same leaky boat aren't we? 😋
Yes i agree i think a damaged liver causes all sorts of horrible symptoms no matter what caused it . But it seems to affect joints and bones just to make people suffer a bit more .if only they would put this on labels on wine bottles ect . Liver disease stimks .com
How does the gp know it's not arthritis without an xray and tests? I have the same pain and did tests xray which showed arthritis in knees caused by liver
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