So I am a 50 year old bloke, relatively fit and active and usually healthy. I have been a drinker for 30 years. Wine mainly probs a bottle a night for the last 15 years.
My health has taken a few tumbles recently. I have had the camera up and down 3 times in 18 months and diagnosed with gastritis and pan colonic diverticulitis. This causes guts ache, bloating, nausea, etc. During investigations, I had a ultrasound which showed that I had fatty liver. Doc was not concerned and sent me on my way. I then had a CT 6 month later and all organs normal. Anyway 18 odd months ago I started to get really sore lower ribs on the left side. Bloody painful to touch the bone on the flank of bottom couple of ribs (directly at the side). Had an xray and all was fine. Pain went away. However for the past 12 months, I have had similar symptoms on the right hand side. Pretty dull constant pain, but when I touch the lower ribs again on the flank, holy crap its sore. My physio reckons its just inflammed muscles between the ribs???? This has been ongoing for 12 months, I also have a stuffed back (too many conditions to mention)!! I have also had 100% 'normal' bloods. Being pretty anxious, I have now terrified myself that I have cirrhosis (thank you Dr Goggle). Your honest thoughts would be welcomed please. Ps I have not had a drink for a week and do not intend to drink again whatever the outcome. I have made a Drs appointment but its not for a month.
Thank you
Written by
Kds222
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Given the number and types of tests you've had it would be unlikely that cirrhosis would have been missed. At your GP appointment though you could potentially ask if a fibroscan machine is available in your health board area - this is a scan which gives you a liver density reading (kPa) and a reading for how much fatty change there is in your liver (CAP) - as your bloods are in normal range it doesn't sound like you have liver inflammation so a Fibroscan in your case should give fairly accurate figures for liver density and fatty change.
Obviously you are well aware that a bottle a night of wine for 15 years is massively over the so called 'recommended safe limit' for booze intake and you have indeed been very lucky to have avoided anything more than fatty liver at this stage - fatty liver isn't to be ignored though and can progress so as you've made the big step to leave alcohol alone that's going to help your liver no end. Keep it up. If you want to avoid cirrhosis then knock it on the head forever PLUS start looking after your liver with your diet and exercise.
We get countless folks in your position on here who seem to almost not believe it possible that they can't have liver disease when you know fine well you've over done the booze over the years BUT you have had all the main diagnostic tests done and you would appear to have 'dodged the bullet' so heed the warning and really start looking after yourself.
The pain you describe is likely to be what your physio mentioned (Costochondritis pain rears it's head a lot)rather than anything liver related (the liver has no pain receptors so you can't technically get liver pain - when the liver is inflamed and enlarged it can stretch the membrane which contains the liver [the glissons capsule] and this can be painful but from your scans this doesn't appear to be happening in your case - left sided pain can sometimes be splenic, in liver disease the spleen can become enlarged too and can impact on other abdominal organs but again your ultrasound scan would have highlighted the size of your spleen if enlarged).
Maybe for reassurance you could seek out a fibroscan referral but it does sound highly unlikely that you've got anything more extreme than fatty liver.
The BLT has all sorts of guidance on their website re. suitable diets etc. They also have a page about alcohol related liver disease :- britishlivertrust.org.uk/in...
If you would find it useful to talk things over, our nurse-led helpline is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 3pm on 0800 652 7330 (excluding bank holidays)
Also, In addition to the suggestions from members of the forum, here is a link to some information on our website about preparing for appointments, including questions to ask your doctor, which you may find helpful.
I would explain to your GP that you are concerned about your histotical and currents isses and asked to be referred to a Hepatologist. In the mean time suggest to your GP that you would like an Utrasound. This can check for lesions, nodules as well as suggest cirrhosis may be present. The Hep would no doubt ask for a barrage of blood tests along with a biopsy and ultimately a Triple Phase CT scan or similar.
Given current waiting times the initial way forward would be I suspect bloods & US arranged by your GP.
BTW there is an incredible amount of very usrful and informative information on the British Livet Trust web site along with details on how to get in touch with the wonderful Liver Nurses.
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