Luke’s Liver

[Lukeliver]

Good evening all.

Since January I have experienced liver issues which was initially thought to of been caused by a virus and assumed I’d make a full recovery despite my liver being inflamed and having highly elevated liver counts after a course of Steroids My levels did return to normal and I seemed to be on the mend so I was Weened of my steroids.

Within weeks of coming of the steroids my levels did rise and again my liver became inflamed, I’ve now been diagnosed with Autoimmune hepatitis and again I find myself on a steroid cause and soon to be introduced to immune suppressant drug.

Throughout my liver becoming inflamed I experience immense pain in my chest as my ribs meet. I’ve also noticed that this tends to happen after I’ve lifted heavy objects or been bent over as I work in construction..

Can any one relate to these pains?

It feels more of a mechanical issue caused by strain?

I also had a liver biopsy at the height of inflamtion back in February which is also causing me pain that I can only describe as a stitch sensation in my right hand side. Has anyone else experienced ongoing pain from biopsy site?

[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.

Here is a link to information about autoimmune hepatitis on our website which you may find helpful:

britishlivertrust.org.uk/in...

Best wishes

British Liver Trust

[Lukeliver in reply to BritishLiverTrust11]

Obviously this has been my first port of call however I’d love to hear if anyone who has actually experienced this rather than treated it has had any similarities.

Many thanks.

[NieceByMarriage]

I've not had a biopsy. I had random, vicious, ripping/tearing type pains in my right side and also a general feeling of discomfort/fullness in the liver area when sitting for a long period. I have Hep C and am hoping all this will stop when the medication course is complete. But in terms of a mechanical issue - I wanted to address this because I am into fitness/weightlifting. And in my case, before the Hep C diagnosis, I wondered if there was a mechanical issue. But I could never, ever replicate the pain with any movement and it never came while I was actually lifting heavy stuff. I came to the conclusion it was not mechanical. But if I have any hint of a mechanical issue I will always go straight to a physiotherapist to see what they can find. If you think your pain is mechanical I would suggest you consider trying a physio to see if they can find anything. If they can't then it could be the liver. The liver does not have its own set of nerve endings, apparently, so it can throw out pain in unexpected places when inflamed.

[Lukeliver]

Thanks so much for your comments.

It’s not that I’m un accepting of my new Diagnosis it’s just when I experience the pain in my chest it seems as though my liver inflammation then follows.

The pain I first experience whilst being sick then later after physically lifting or things that involve bending over.

I read online that you can have a herniated liver which pricked my ears when thinking about my pains. It’s a extremely rare phenomenon however so is Auto immune hepatitis 🤷🏼‍♂️.

Always been generally fit and well with no health conditions until this all started in January.

Reasonable diet, rarely drink however work long hours so possibly neglecting my body from rest got me here.

Since all this I’m following my consultants advice and keeping as well as possible however I love my work and don’t really want stop what I do but the pains are severe and debilitating.

Thanks again, best of luck with the treatment.

👍🏻