Pain on left side

[99problem]

So after years of being dismissed by doctors and fighting tooth and nail for ct scans, ultrasounds and a fibroscan, I am still no where closer to a definitive diagnosis despite pain being ever present. As of late pain has started on the left side of my abdomen. This is a new development so I got a scan done . Recent abdominal us shows nothing remarkable and a 16 cm liver . Do liver patients just learn to live with this kind of pain ? My brain goes all doom and gloom when it is present and when it is not I feel amazing . It’s like I forget I have a liver disorder. This site helps me center myself and feel less alone .

[Hidden]

Hi was your first symptoms pain or did you have abnormal blood tests first. I hope you don’t mind me asking because my son has had a blood test and it came back abnormal so dr wants another. I’m so scared for him. That’s why I was just wondering if pain was your symptoms. Thankyou

[99problem in reply to Hidden]

Don’t mind at all Julie I had lots of right upper quadrant pain before I got my first ultrasound . The in house doctor diagnosed me with an enlarged fatty liver. My pcp ruled out auto immune disease and other diseases that might be the root cause. Eventually I was told to go home and exercise. I was 240 lbs at the time with very high cholesterol and funky liver enzymes . I began to eat well and work out . I’m now 170 lbs with managed cholesterol but still have these issues and no definitive diagnosis . Enlarged liver is not a diagnosis so much as it is a symptom of an underlying condition. But getting to your son , his doc would do well to rule out certain disorders that may be causing these unusual test results. I’m sure he is fine but best you run the gamut of usual tests and scans just to be on the safe side . Question , did he have symptoms at all ? Or just tests

[Hidden in reply to 99problem]

Hi and an early good morning to you. I’m sorry you were in so much pain before you got your first scan but did get a diagnosis and hope your doing good now. Well done on the weight loss by the way. Amazing I’m guessing my son maybe has been called back due to high enzymes don’t really know right now as he only had a fone call from the receptionist to say come and do another blood test it’s something to do with your liver. He went to the doctors because his girlfriend thought he may have sleep apnea again that’s now being referred to a sleep clinic so doctor done a blood test and that showed something with the liver but with regards to other symptoms nothing dark ironed in the morning but that’s normal for most isn’t but no weight loss no pain nothing no jaundice. Very worried very scared. He’s been on antidepressants since last may not sure if that’s it doctor didn’t say. I keep googling and that’s not good worse things ever coming up. I’ve been told liver enzymes can be temporary not sure

[99problem in reply to Hidden]

I’m in the states so it’s actually 11 pm where I am 🙃 but I wouldn’t worry Julie. Liver enzymes can be affected for reasons that are very mild sometimes. It doesn’t always mean a major illness or disorder . Im sure he’s in good hands and it’s best you not assume the worst . If he feels fine he is probably fine . As far as antidepressants go , I was in lexapro before my “diagnosis” and the doctor took me off of them for good measure . If this is a liver related issue it may be best he taper off the meds (if possible )

[Hidden]

Thankyou you have been so helpful. Keep in touch

[Hidden]

Hi,

In the UK, if there is a confirmed fatty liver then you can request fibrosis testing ( FibroScan/ ELF or FIB-4 Score blood tests) I am afraid we do not know the pathway of care in the USA.

If your pain is left side of the abdomen maybe you could speak with a gastroenterologist?

Good luck and best wishes.

[99problem in reply to Hidden]

I’ve spent lots of money with multiple gastros. From endoscopy to hida scans to colonoscopies and everything in between. All but a biopsy. No doctor wants to give me one . America has a poor health care system.

[Onesmallstep1969]

Do you know what your Fibroscan kpa score is? This will start to detail the picture of what's going on. Don't know exactly which tests you've done already but, if you can, have a liver function test done (Fibrotest, etc) as well as a kidney panel. What you need is more info, even though I know it's frustrating to chase it down in the US system. It would be interesting to know how your platelets and immunoglobulins are doing. It's terrible to have a pain without any answers as to the cause.

[99problem in reply to Onesmallstep1969]

a 4.8 kpa and a cap of 222.

[99problem in reply to Onesmallstep1969]

My enzymes are fine as of a few months ago and a full abdominal ultrasound in addition to a ct scan shows everything is relatively unremarkable. Other than my liver being 16 cm

[99problem in reply to 99problem]

Also my platelets are never out of range

[kensimmons]

First off, I am NOT a doctor.

Second, I truly wonder what is going on with you. I am convinced you really are feeling what you are feeling. But at the same time what the doctors are seeing, I mean, there is just nothing there (my source is what you wrote).

You write -

* You take lexapro. Could this be related to the anxiety medication you take, was this investigated? Side effects?

* You have been to many doctors. Okay, it's not just bad luck with a bad doctor or something.

* Your bloods are always in range per your last post. This is excellent news as it is extremely rare to have anything seriously wrong in the liver with normal bloods. "Never say never" but it's rare.

* You seem to say that you have "had to fight tooth and nail for ct scans, etc" indicating that after this fight you did get them. And you seem to indicate (if I understand correctly) that all those tests also bring you no closer to a diagnosis because they show no irregularities.

* Liver biopsies are rapidly going out of style because they do have some risks and are quite imperfect because they take a teeny weeny part of the liver and if that teeny weeny part is, through simple bad luck, uncharacteristically good or uncharacteristically bad, the can get the reading all warped and wrong. For years the researchers have been trying to solve this with a new test and that several alternatives (some are machines, some are just blood formulas) have been found to be better than a biopsy, so don't think that not getting a biopsy is "bad care".

Point being they seem to have done everything for you and can't come up with anything, I feel for you. I feel for the doctors. I am sure they want to help, that's why (most) are doctors after all. The only thing you can do is go to one final try at some facility that is the best of the best of the best. Look them up online. Mayo Clinic, Clevaland Clinic, Mt Sinai, Stanford, Northwestern.

You mention your doctors, at least one of then is a Hepatologist....right?

And - this is important - once again - I am NOT a doctor so feel free not to listen to me.

I truly wish you the best and hope you get to the bottom of all this. Please take care, at least your numbers and ultrasounds are good and that is a very good - or maybe I can even say - excellent - bit of news! Keep your chin up!

[99problem in reply to kensimmons]

Ken , I appreciate you reading through my post with such detailed effort. You really made me feel listened to in a way that most doctors haven’t . Yes ur right , I was able to get a good amount of these scans and bloods done. Most of this stuff came back fine . I did have a few autoimmune disorder tests that had to be redone and ruled out but eventually that came back negative as well. The pain can be really depressing and quite the hinderance to my daily routine etc. It seems , in the USA at least , that if you do not have the coverage to go through with certain testing they discourage you from having them or withhold them altogether . I’m 32 and fear that due to my financial status in this country (middle/ working class with little to no health coverage ) I am being left to die. I hate to be extreme but when you are dealing with chronic pain and everyday disruptions the mind tends to go a bit dark . I do my best to stay positive for myself and my loved ones but I am really losing my strength at times . Such a vicious cycle where one sets up appointments and has to wait months to be seen , pay astronomical prices out of pocket only to be dismissed due to my lack of coverage . I’ve read multiple times on this forum that the UK allows for liver patients to get a handle on their diagnosis and fibrosis levels through scans and tests that are made accessible to the public. unfortunately America is nothing like this . I fear that doctors in this country won’t listen to a young man who is trying to prevent death . They are seemingly brushing me off until this becomes an issue that only a transplant can fix and who knows if they will listen to me once that time has come. I’m lost , I’m pain and always depressed about my future. I’ve done every possible thing I can to help my side . Diet , exercise, and even working on my mindset . Nothing seems to make a difference in a medical system that values profits over people.

[mayk19]

HI there, I think were all different, but sharing my story may help you. I have had a pain in the right hand flank for 2 1/2 years. I became concerned about liver as i have drunk over the guidelines, on and off, for 25 years. Im lucky to have private health care so could have every scan you mention Ct, MRI, Xray, bloods etc. Even a Fribroscan. Everything has come back normal.

After that, i went for an MRi scan on my back, and they have confirmed that I had Scheuermann's deasise as my spine developed, and my T11 and T10 vertebra are not developed correctly. Now i'm 50, the wear and tear of the disc mean those vertebra hurt. BUT NEVER in my back. All the pain is front and right, and I am assured there are nerves that travel from T11 area right across back to your belly button.

So, the re-assurance is maybe the pain you feel is elsewhere?