Compensated Liver Cirrhosis

[Steven_]

Due to an error in medication given to me my liver is currently in a worse state then it should be. My liver is now starting to compensate but for the last week I’ve had pain running from my liver into my back. I was admitted to hospital last night but even with a ct scan they can’t seem to work out why I’m now in so much pain and why the liver is swollen when then ALT are now down to 60. My fear is they will just discharge me with pain meds tomorrow and not really know the reason which isn’t really reassuring

Answers on a postcard please.

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Hi Steven

I cannot comment on your request but hope your consultant can pin point the cause of your pain!

I'm thinking of you and wish you well!

Love Trish x

[Canuck68]

I have been in constant pain for 4 yrs. been in hospital 4 times and get sent home with pain meds..

[Steven_ in reply to Canuck68]

That’s my worry what will happen today. My consultant said the alt was coming down but I was swollen. If it’s just the swelling causing the pain maybe there’s something they can do for that. They have been very reluctant to intervene on any of my levels as at one point I thought I was being put on the transplant list. I don’t want to cause more damage with medication if it’s an actual problem being masked by the cirrhosis.

[Canuck68 in reply to Steven_]

What are your bloods like? My ggt hovers around 200

[Steven_ in reply to Canuck68]

They are coming back in line my alt was 60, albumin was still low, bilirubin was 16 (sitting in the sun again) platelets are only in the 50’s not seen the ggt or my hep b virial load yet.

[Canuck68 in reply to Steven_]

My Alt is 98 and ggt 297 not sure what that means

[Steven_ in reply to Canuck68]

Can I ask what caused your cirrhosis. Mine was brought on by chronic hep b which I’ve had since birth. The hospital then gave me a drug this year that put the liver into decompensated cirrhosis

[davianne]

Hi Steven, the pain could be from the Glisson's capsule, a membrane surrounding the liver and spleen. It has nerves, unlike the liver, so can cause pain. I have a lot of pain around my liver and spleen, on my upper sides and back, because my liver and spleen are both enlarged. Unfortunately, the only treatment is painkillers, NOT Ibuprofen or any anti-inflammatory tablets. I just take paracetamol, and use an electric heat pad to ease the pain. I hope this helps.

David

[Steven_ in reply to davianne]

Thanks David. That ones never been mentioned before. But can’t the constant paracetamol make the liver worse

[davianne in reply to Steven_]

Steve, not if you take it within the prescribed limits ( 8 a day). I don't take that many though, only when the pain is bad, but their not very effective anyway. My consultant said Tramadol is OK for the liver, but my GP won't prescribe it for me, probably because it's an opiate. Like you, I am stage 4 cirrhosis, compensated just now, but I do find the symptoms of constant tiredness, aching joints, and the pain all around my rib cage difficult to cope with. My spleen is 19 cms, nearly twice the normal size, as it tries to help with some of the functions my enlarged liver can't cope with.

David

[Steven_ in reply to davianne]

The ward dr has just prescribed amitriptyline to take a night so gonna give a go and get out of this hospital

[davianne in reply to Steven_]

Hi Steven, I take amitriptyline every night to help me with sleeping through the pain, and it definitely works. It'll be great to get home 👍👍👍

David

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Hi

I get pain around my liver, my consultant said it's because my liver is so enlarged it stretches the capsule around it which causes the pain.take care Lynne