pain in left side

[Meanies]

Hi have Chorrosis of the liver and have been good up until today. I have felt discomfort in my left side and it goes up the left side of my back to my neck.

I did contact my local gp who is going to do bloods on Tuesday as there extremely busy. Will it have something to do with my diagnosis? Or anyone experienced the same thing?

[AyrshireK]

What has your spleen looked like on recent scans? The pain you are getting is more than likely due to an enlargement of your spleen which is very common in cirrhosis. The left shoulder pain is probably referred pain from the spleen.

In the post on bruising earlier this week you mentioned you were getting bruises easily and it's probably the case that the two are linked ..... enlarged spleen gobbling up your platelets.

My hubbies spleen measured 19.5cm and platelet count of only 22 some years ago. When he had an embolization operation on aneurysms in his splenic artery his left shoulder pain was so bad he needed iv morphine.

Katie

[Meanies in reply to AyrshireK]

I’m not sure what my spleen was I think it was around 17 although not sure. I went through all the tests for transplant a couple of months ago and they decided I didn’t need one yet. Would it decline so quick? I have been stable for 2 years and doing great. How would I get my spleen checked?

[AyrshireK in reply to Meanies]

They'll measure your spleen when you have your 6 monthly ultrasound - it's very common for it to get enlarged and there won't be any treatment for it. Your platelet count will reveal whether they are reduced in number which again is common with cirrhosis.

[Meanies in reply to AyrshireK]

Will it be another hospital stay ?

[AyrshireK in reply to Meanies]

No, they don't do anything about an enlarged spleen . It's just another cirrhosis 'symptom'.

If however they investigate and find other issues like blockages, clots then maybe there would be some intervention. Tell your specialist about the pains.

Katie