liver pain

[eblessed1982]

has anyone experienced liver pain and if so what does it feel like? I am compensated cirrhosis and my blood work as of 5 months ago was completely normal. Getting it checked again in a month for follow up.

I am not sure if I am just anxious or if I should be concerned but once in a while I get a quick pinching sensation that last for 1-2 seconds underneath my right rib cage area where I believe liver is also located. It’s Sporadic as to when it happens however it happens. Anyone who’s had pain in liver region?

[NieceByMarriage]

The liver apparently does not have its own pain receptors so any pain in the area is either referred pain or results from an inflamed liver pulling on surrounding tissues.

That said, I have had many episodes of discomfort/pain which appear to be related to my liver (minimal fibrosis, no cirrhosis, but chronic Hep C - recently cured with antivirals).

I have had various types of pain. The most common is a feeling of discomfort/fullness, usually after periods of sitting down. This is in what would be the main central area of the liver. It has been like that for years and initially I thought it might be to do with gallstones and would go when I had the gallbladder out. But it didn't. Now that the Hep C is cured it seems to be lessening.

Sometimes I get a feeling like a cramp under my ribs but very close to my sternum. This is always triggered by movement, usually in the gym, and I thought for a long while it was my abs cramping. But it only ever happens on the right hand side. It lasts a few seconds max.

Sometimes I get a very, very sharp pain on the right but lower down and further round the side. That, again, is always triggered by movement. It lasts only a second but hurts like heck and makes me squeal.

I have been completely unable to replicate either of the pains triggered by movement (or I would have gone to see a physio to see if there is some mechanical cause). These pains also seem to be happening less frequently now the Hep C is cured.

I think it quite likely your pains could be related to the liver but as long as they are short lived and not accompanied by other symptoms (nausea, for example) I would not personally do anything other than monitor when they occur and mention them to the doctor on a routine visit. If you find a trigger (movement, a food type) then of course you can remove the trigger and see if that helps.

[eblessed1982 in reply to NieceByMarriage]

Thanks so much for all this great info. Best of luck to you with your health

[Lukeliver in reply to NieceByMarriage]

I too get the pain you describe on the right of the sternum although only mild and generally after a hard day.

I had the pain in the same area however much more severe when my ALT was 1000 plus.

[NorbertGrubbins]

hello - I too have compensated cirrhosis and do occasionally get some pain or discomfort very much as you describe. It never escalates and I just take it as part of having a liver that has some limitations. A few slow deep breaths and carry on. Have you mentioned it to the hepatologist? They may be able to advise you more specifically based on your health records and of course always see a dr if you are getting concerned. Good luck!

[MisterX]

No pain receptors in the liver as others have mentioned but could be something else.

I’ve had pain there as wel and it was gallbladder related. Mention it to your doctor. Could be stones or “sludge”.

Best of luck.

PS compensated w normal blood results is good - keep up the good work!

[LolaBow]

Hi, I have compensated cirrhosis, and I get like a stabbing pain (quick and sharp) in the liver area now and again, which takes my breathe away, it's happening about more often just lately.. I'll mention it to my consultant when I go again in 3 months time, unless it's gets more frequent then I will try to speak to a doctor about it.

[Lukeliver]

I regularly suffer with this pain.

I seem to of had it ever since my biopsy? Did you have one?

Mine seems to be worse after lifting or exerting myself.

Can even feel it after scrubbing cooking trays when washing up.

Had two ultra sounds and cone back that all is well so I’m lead to believe it’s straining of the muscles which may have been effected when I had a biopsy.

[eblessed1982 in reply to Lukeliver]

Yes I did have a biopsy when I was diagnosed this past April. Wonder if that is why. Thank you for your response.

[Lukeliver in reply to eblessed1982]

Further to this , the day my biopsy was carried out I was told that they were using a new method of only taking one sample rather than two however the needle is bigger in order to take a bigger specimen. My hospital was stepping hill who were advised by Leeds.

did you know which method you had?

Makes me wonder if the new method makes a difference.

[eblessed1982 in reply to Lukeliver]

They told me that I had a few samples taken so I believe more than one. Mine is at Cleveland clinic

[Maddog2024]

I get the exact same things. I’ve told my specialist about it a few times and she said its not usually related to cirrhosis. She finally had me get a ct scan to make sure nothing else was going on and it came out negative. I believe its psychosomatic and the worrying might be causing these short pains. Ive noticed they are less frequent now after the ct scan. But I do still feel a little pinch sometimes.