First visit to discuss pain

[jdk1138]

I’ve been suffering from right side pain for a couple months. I went to walk in today to get some answers and came away without any, but that’s kind of what I expected.

First off I had all my bloods done and they were normal.

As far as the docs were concerned that was it bug I pushed and pushed, and cried, and they did a quick scan of my gall bladder. The doc said it would show markings here if there was any issue. I asked about my liver and he abruptly turned off the machine saying he’s not trained there.

So now I’m in the waiting room of my GP asking to get referred for a scan. I’ve been really struggling sleeping so this is so tiring. I guess until I see a scan that says no scarring I’m not going to give up. Because I’m tee total and this just started they don’t seem that convinced, seems the health system is geared toward LFTs and telling you to go home and drink less, but going in without a drink issue is trickier to get to the bottom of…

[jdk1138]

The doctor prescribed me omeprazole in case it’s my tummy not my liver 🤷‍♂️ Apparently the nerves are intertwined in that area, I don’t believe it but hey.

Then he explained what my liver function tests look like and should be like. And what tests imply what. He said if I had an inflammation one score would be high and so on, trying to rationalise. But he did say he’d write a referral letter which I can use with my private medical to get a scan sooner than the usual waiting list. So that’s good - he doesn’t think it’s liver disease but he is prepared to humour me.

I hope he’s right.

[Hidden in reply to jdk1138]

I've had omeprazole. It is a PPI (not some money we claim back from the banks ) a proton pump inhibitor, I think of it as a super powerful antacid, but I'm sure it is a lot more than that.

I know the portal vein carries blood between the stomach and liver so I would assume that nerves are also connected. But I'm not a doctor.

Yes the liver does not signal pain, but it can affect whatever is around it to trigger pain, As Danny( ZuckoSmile) pointed out in your other post, the fluid gathering around his liver causes pain, but if it is liver related, it would probably show up in blood tests. (although my bloods showed nothing until my platelets dropped and my hepatitis c was found with a different blood test.) I'm assuming you were not as foolish as I was 45 years ago with needle sharing.

I think, in some cases, even a healthy (ish) liver would make it known it did not like any alcohol, but as you are teetotal there is probably more cause for your doctors to look elsewhere. My mother had a partial blockage in her intestine and had a dull ache or mild discomfort in her right side for years, she had tests that could not find it so she just lived with it until it was found later, but that was her choice not to follow up with the doctor.

Doctor and nurses do care, I worked in a hospital long enough to know how much, above and beyond, many go on a daily basis. They do not want anyone in pain, they want to cure everyone, even though it is not possible. So they always look for the most probable cause first, to minimise the time we spend in pain.

If it is related to your liver, they will find it, but first they will probably rule out other things. But keep in touch with your surgery, let them know if there is, or is not, any change in the discomfort.

Dave

[Ubwa in reply to jdk1138]

Why are you so anxious it is your liver despite evidence so far that your liver is ok? As others have said, the liver itself cannot feel pain , so pain caused by it is usually caused by it putting pressure on something else, or other organs being affected by its damage etc. So in all likelihood it’s something else especially since your doctor explained the inflammation marker stuff to you.

You seem to be potentially being your worst enemy here, get a scan if it makes you feel better but if your liver is badly damaged your bloods will more than likely show it. Good advice from Gravy above too. As someone who was told a year and a half ago I had a 5% chance of living and to get affairs in order and being the colour of Homer Simpson -please take encouragement from what you are are being told and try not to look for phantoms where they may not exist 🙂. Also, You are tee-total- that the best medicine you can give your liver so keep it up

[jdk1138 in reply to Ubwa]

Thanks Ubwa. I'm off to see a private consultant next week but I'm in a much better head space now. Anxiety is something I've struggled with my whole life - connected to my ADHD - but in the past I've channelled that nervous energy into whatever I'm doing.

Listening to you guys, reading your comments, fills me with admiration. I'm thankful of the responses I've had here - it's helping me put things into perspective.

Thanks again everyone

[Amethyst91]

Have you found any answers?

[jdk1138]

Hi! Yes, and it’s all good news. The consultant arranged for an ultrasound X-ray and endoscopy. Ultrasound said liver bit fatty but normal for someone of my age in Devon. Endoscopy is a horrible experience but stomach is fine and no varices not that any were expected after the ultrasound. X-ray showed faceal impaction, which I think basically means I’m a bit clogged up or ‘full of sh!t?’ as my ex partner and mother of my kids put it. So, still got the side pain but it’s not anywhere near as scary as it could have been.

[mayk19 in reply to jdk1138]

HI jdk1138 - a year on, how you getting on? pain gone?