Worried

[urzz1871]

I am a 41 year old male. I have always drank but only ever lager. Maybe 2 cans a night after work each night in the week and 7 or 8 cans on a Friday and a Saturday. Was getting little twinges under my right ribs and in my side so haven't drank for 2 months but the twinges are still there. Not painful just like a niggle and last from a few seconds to sometimes a few minutes. Not every day either. Apart from that I am fine, same appetite, no weight loss, no yellow eyes or skin no itching but I keep. Using Google and am terrified I have liver cancer or cirrhosis. Google isn't clear but it says pain is the first symptom. I keep crying as I don't want to die. I have doctors Friday but am scared

[BritishLiverTrust11 Moderator]

Hello

This is a question that your own health care professional is best placed to answer, as only they have access to your medical records.

We suggest talking this through with your own doctor or health care professional in the first instance.

Until your appointment, if you [are in the UK and] 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)

Best wishes

British Liver Trust

[Grassroots112]

See a doctor, get some bloods taken and maybe a scan and in between that start moderating your diet more, especially the drinking. I’m a recovering alcoholic and did serious damage to my liver after a decade of heavy drinking, 9 months without drinking and eating a healthy diet with good regular exercise and my liver had improved massively where my prognosis in my own doctors words is excellent, and I have went from likely decompensated cirrhosis to now fibrosis, although I still require further scans and still have a scarred liver. But your liver is an amazing organ, it can heal, remodel, and repair itself. Start now and you will see improvements, good luck!

[urzz1871 in reply to Grassroots112]

Hi thanks for your advice. I have the doctors Friday and I will definitely go but do you mind if I ask if you had other symptoms? I literally have like a niggle not really pain would say maybe 2 out of 10. It's not constant and can sometimes go a couple of days with nothing. I have no other symptoms at all just wonder if you had anything else that was obvious. My wee is fine and so are my stools. Same appetite no sickness. I am just so scared

[Grassroots112 in reply to urzz1871]

I had all kinds of issues because by that point I was hospitalised I was jaundiced, had ascites and other issues, with any health concern it’s always best to get seen to be a professional. Looking back, about 2 years back I had a dull kind of pain around my right side, just below the rib cage towards the back. It only recently went. My doctor is adamant the liver doesn’t display signs of pain so it wasn’t that, but while the liver itself may not feel any pain or display pain to feel, if it’s enlarged or damaged, areas around the liver may be extra sensitive and that’s what I personally feel was the pain I was experiencing. Again I always best to see a professional where your own health is concerned so it’s seems you’re proactive at least in regards to your own health which is always good as you have to be your own advocate and don’t worry ever thinking it’s probably nothing which it probably isn’t, but it’s best to know so good luck.

[Staryy40]

I have the same symptom, my blood test showed there was increased gamma and I’ve got an ultrasound this Thursday , I’m terrified of what they’re going to find , been drinking very heavily for 10 years

[urzz1871 in reply to Staryy40]

Hi I went to my doctor Friday. Felt all over my belly and side and said it all felt normal. Said he wasn't concerned and that he was certain it was nothing serious. Told him how much I was worrying so he said he would book me an ultra sound but wouldn't be for a month or 2. Did you have to wait this long. He never done any blood tests. What sort of symptoms do you have

[Staryy40]

I went to the drs with unexplained bruising that kept coming up when I hadn’t hurt myself. I had a really big one so they sent me for blood test on my kidney, liver and blood count and that’s when they found out the gamma in my blood was high which is a sign of liver problems when I told the dr how much I drank she was very concerned and referred me for the scan. I gave up alcohol totally 3 weeks ago but now have pain on my right side ,

Maybe you should ask for a blood test as well , I’m trying not to worry but it’s all I can think about and google really isn’t helping

[urzz1871 in reply to Staryy40]

What did you drink and how much if you don't mind me asking ? I don't have any bruising or anything and haven't drank for over 2 months just have a niggle every now and then on my right side. How long did you have to wait for you ultrasound as I have been told up to 2 months which makes me think the doctor really isn't concerned as surely they would have me in sooner

[Staryy40 in reply to urzz1871]

I used to drink vodka then stopped that but I would have 6-7 beers (pint cans) 6 days a week, Its been like that since I was 30 (10 years) I hate saying it out loud when it’s put like that I just don’t know what I expected, I felt fine, didn’t drink in the morning, go to work etc so I thought I was fine. I just hope it’s not too late for me to change things. It was 4 weeks for the scan.

[urzz1871 in reply to Staryy40]

Its really odd because the niggle I have is only since I stopped drinking. I don't know whether it's my liver healing as I have always drank since I was about 18. Not so much in the week but would have a few at weekends. Sorry to ask again but is your wee and poo OK. Mine are both normal colour, I even brought a liver test off amazon last week which you use urine to detect anything and it all came back normal. I kept googling stuff and it was all so scary so i have stopped now. Like you I just hope it's not too late I will honestly never drink again to be OK.

[Staryy40 in reply to urzz1871]

Same !! The pain on the right only started since I stopped as well , I hope it does mean it’s healing. Yes my wee and poo are normal as well. I feel exactly the same I won’t drink again I just want to get better

[urzz1871 in reply to Staryy40]

Its so strange isn't it. I hope your scan goes OK, please let me know how it goes. Try not to worry to much, I know it's hard but your doing the right thing getting it checked out.

[Staryy40]

thank you I will let you know how it goes, you try not to worry as well