Venting here in the U.S.

[sw121311]

Living in U.S. (Southern California) here!! I quit drinking 12 years ago(heavy drinker for 20 years) and have experienced right side abdominal pains off and on since then but since last year frequency has increased. Diagnosed with fatty liver in March 2020 but recently had ultrasound which state no fatty liver and labs relatively normal and exercised like crazy speed walking 15 miles a day and vegan diet the last year..I bruise easily and diagnosed with palmers erythema mild !! I have done a lot of research in regards to fatty liver and liver cirrohisis and all the while my anxiety had gone through the roof affecting my mental health ( I have Generalised Anxiety D/O as well for a very long time) . Health care in the U.S. is extremely expensive and I can not afford to spend thousands and thousands of dollars on every test imaginable to see what is wrong with me but I do know my body and it is telling me something is wrong...I have entertained the idea of asking for a hepatologist and/or Fibroscan (which is really expensive) referral but need confirmation of liver issues and as of now my physician wants to do more labs until it can be confirmed with that being said time is not on my side I am 60 year old !!! I have read the horror stories of those who suffer ALD and it saddens me that so many suffer from this and how it must impact those that love them spouses,family etc!! I realize that I am just venting but couldn't think of a better place than this excellent forum in the U.K!!

[MFM008]

hello fellow yank. Im in WA. I would counsel you to get aggressive about your health because if you don't, no one else will do it. I found my own possible Cirrhosis in the Dr notes in the ER. They did a contrast CT looking for why I hurt in my left flank ( suspected stones). The possible cirrhosis was listed under "non-emergent and incidental findings" in the E.R doctors notes on My Chart. It wasn't even in the test section.This did nothing for my panic disorder..... I took it to my longtime GP and he sent me to my GI who is going to begin testing for more information, otherwise I still would not know a month later.

[sw121311 in reply to MFM008]

Thank You MFM008..much appreciated the advice!!

[Richard-Allen]

Over here in the UK, there is a blood test that will help identify the state of your liver more clearly. This a called an ELF test. (Enhanced Liver Fibrosis). It gives a much better picture of whats going on, and can identify both fatty liver and liver fibrosis.

I should expect that a blood test may be a cheaper option than having a scan carried out.

On average, a liver that is at the fatty liver stage is completely reversible and should repair itself in about six to eight weeks in certain life style changes are made. This would include stopping what ever might be causing this liver damage. For this, you'll have to take a good look at your diet, and getting out and about more. (Low vitamin D, could be due to a lack of sunshine, or not going out.)

Also check on what other medications you are taking. Certain medications like ibuprofen, can be rather toxic for the liver. Also, if you happen to be taking a variety of medicines all at the same, these can be harmless on there own, but taken as a cocktail all at the same time, could be guite toxic for the liver.

The liver is like the bodies sugar factory. Here it turns sugar into glucose, which is then used to fuel all the muscles in the body. Because this fuel is vital for our bodies, it is once again converted into calories and stored as fat for further use. So, this fat could be from fatty foods and a poor diet, but may also be due to too much sugar. Remember, sugar is now included in nearly everything we eat.

See if you can get to have that ELF test done. That fatty liver should have been repaired by now.

Good luck

Richard.

[sw121311 in reply to Richard-Allen]

Well the ultrasound come back negative for hepatic masses but All the other symptoms that I am exhibiting indicate otherwise...thank you kindly for the ELP advice much appreciated !!

[sophiaS1980]

Over here in the USA, you don't need a doctor's order to get a blood test, if you PM me I can give you many in your area. You can get any blood test you want and pay a small fee under 100.00 dollars, We have the fibrosure which is the same as the elk test. If you bruise easy, I would test my platelets and that's a test you could get for about 25.00, they also do scans without a doc order. If 100.00 dollars is too expensive, maybe go to the ER, and they will run tests and refer you to the right specialist. I really don't think you will have to go to the ER because in America there are many options but you have to know them.

[sw121311 in reply to sophiaS1980]

I have been to the ER at least 5 times in the last 3 years...they informed me of the fatty liver...with that being said and 30,000 dollars in debt due to ER visits , I do know I need to be my own advocate because it appears medical providers at least with my experiences so far are pretty much indifferent to my concerns!! But thank you kindly for the advice sophiaS1980 !