Liver pain?

[safeduck10]

For like just over a week now I've been experiencing what I can only describe in pain in my right-upper quadrant, just where my liver sits. I've been a heavy drinker for like 3-4 years now, anywhere from half a bottle of vodka to a couple of beers. Daily drinking until this year, I have at least 1 day off a week now. The pain just came on suddenly, sometimes I feel an ache in my right shoulder blade too and my right kidney.

I went to my doctor concerned about it but she quickly felt around my stomach and said as I feel no pain or tenderness when she touched around my abdomen it's highly unlikely I have alcoholic hepatitis. She thinks the real cause is gastritis and has given me a medication for it.

I'm really concerned she's got it wrong though, the area where my liver is constantly feels like it's ballooned up. She said it is possible I have gallstones but because I'm 24 she seriously doubts it. If the pain persists she will order an ultrasound but doesn't feel steps that severe need to be taken yet. I don't have many symptoms of alcoholic hepatitis such as jaundice, excessive itching, bloated ankles etc but I'm quite frankly terrified I have it just due to the fact my right upper abdomen feels seriously inflamed.

My doctor said I'm fine to carry on drinking but cut down significantly, I've just decided to quit due to how much anxiety this has caused me, it's my own fault too for drinking so much. Am I just having health anxiety or is this a cause for concern in your eyes?

[AyrshireK]

Did your doctor not carry out any blood tests? Normally your liver wouldn't give you any pain as the liver itself has no pain receptors, however, when inflamed or enlarged it can stretch the capsule which contains the liver and this can cause pain. If there were any inflammation present it would show up in bloods.

A wise decision on the drinking, the only way to stop alcohol induced liver trouble is to stop the alcohol.

You will find details of liver related liver illness at:- britishlivertrust.org.uk/in...

Katie

[safeduck10 in reply to AyrshireK]

She didn't think it was necessary at this point in time, I did express concern about my liver in particular and told her I'm a heavy drinker but she didn't think it was necessary to start blood tests. She reassured me that the pain is coming from my stomach but I'm still unconvinced. If this pain continues I'm going to go back and demand them to be honest.

[AyrshireK in reply to safeduck10]

I would definitely do that.

Best wishes

Katie

[Hidden]

Hi,

As Katie has already suggested, a full liver panel of blood tests would be a good idea to discuss with the GP and also an ultrasound scan- to get more infomation about liver function.

You may find our publications on liver disease tests and also alcohol useful to read prior to discussing with your GP again:

britishlivertrust.org.uk/in...

britishlivertrust.org.uk/in...