Should I fight for a fibroscan?

[Mamatembo]

Background: moderate to heavy drinker for 15 years with a few years off during pregnancy.

Quit about three months ago. Since I quit I've been having several scary symptoms. Nausea, lethargic, dizziness(this started before I quit), brain fog, burning skin, shakiness. I've also noticed my breath and arm pits have a slight sweet smell. (All glucose tests are ok)

I've had blood work, all my liver levels are fine. I've had my complete blood counts. All fine. I've had a ultrasound of my right upper quadrant. All looks good (the tech only spent about 1 minute looking at the liver though) Had an endoscopy. That looked fine too.

If you were in this situation would you push for an additional test before ruling out the liver? Maybe a fibroscan.

I'm in the states, so I can't just pay for one or I absolutely would!

I feel like I'm going crazy.

[CocoChannel]

If it sets your mind at rest, yes. I paid for a private fibroscan, and it wasn’t even that expensive. I had aches and pains, and I wanted to be as sure as possible all was well, and it was.

It also depends what you plan to do once you have the test, assuming all is well and hopefully it will be. I’d given up drinking a while before, and the doctor said this was all very well, but I had to stay slim and away from the drink.

Just to let you know, I was having aches and twinges six months or so after I quit drinking. It takes a while for things to settle down.

[Laura009]

Do you need to fight? Ask your GP for a referral surely??

[Mamatembo in reply to Laura009]

They want me to have my gallbladder and other things checked first. I don't think it is my gallbladder. I think, because my blood tests and ultrasound are ok, they've ruled out liver.

Maybe I can try a different Dr.

[Laura009 in reply to Mamatembo]

Ok good luck

[Mamatembo in reply to Laura009]

Thanks.

[UK007]

Good morning, I had to press for a fibroscan on the NHS and succeeded, however I have paid for a consultations privately really as I felt waiting too stressful at the time. If you get no joy then yes go private if you can afford it as a one of.f even My husband said at the time ... we pay hundreds of pounds every year on our cars for MOTs and services so why not on ourselves! It was a test worth having as it changed the path of a diagnosis already drawn from an ultra sound and MRI (for the better) Good luck x

[Hidden]

Hi,

A fibroscan is a useful test for estimating any stiffness/ scarring in the liver. If your insurance will not cover it, would they consider fibrosis specific blood tests? I don't know what is available in the USA but here we have Fib-4 score blood test or an Enhanced Liver Fibrosis blood test?

Wishing you well, keep us posted,

Trust1

[Mamatembo]

I talked to my Dr today. She said she doesn't think a fibroscan is "indicated"...

I wish we could pay out of pocket in the states like you guys do!

I may try another Dr.

[Mamatembo]

I messaged a new Dr to make an appointment. They have a machine at their office, or so the article about them says. I think that'll increase the chances of them ordering it.

[Splodge60]

What did your medic have to say about such results