All over pain

[Lifefan]

Hello I was diagnosed with decompensated liver disease and chirrohis in April this year I have a CT scan but they couldn't see my liver due to the amount of fluid and gallstones covering it but my main issue is I have chronic pain all over my body since being abstinent from alcohol. I asked if it was from the alcohol abuse and was told no but I would have been masking it. I've had liver function test and they say my liver is functioning well but my pain is getting worse. They do prescribe me nefopam but it's not strong enough. The pain is so bad at night sometimes I'm in tears . I just wondered if anyone else has had chronic pain and how they dealt with it. I do have an appointment with the pain management team at hospital but it isn't until January. I'm at my wits end I'm in so much pain

[BritishLiverTrust12 Moderator British Liver Trust]

Hi Lifefan,

We are sorry to hear of your situation, if you would find it useful to talk things over, our nurse-led helpline is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm on 0800 652 7330 (excluding bank holidays)

Best wishes

British Liver Trust

[Nerico]

Hi there.

Get straight to your GP and explain exactly how severe the pain is, tell the secretary/gatekeeper it's urgent and you need to be seen by them today or you will need to attend A&E (from what you've described if you called 999 they would probably blue-light you). If the meds aren't helping they need reviewing. A certain level of pain has to accepted with a chronic disease, but no-one should have to suffer like that when there are possible options. You have my sympathy, when I first came out of hospital after a near fatal attack of combined symptoms with bowel sepsis as a non-optional extra, I spent three days in bed, shrieking and crying from the pain. In hospital, they kept me in a blissful, pain-free blanket of morphine. Apparently. I wasn't there much.

Go to your GP, pester them and be proactive in stating how badly you need immediate help. Sadly GP's are so busy they don't have time to do routine reviews and follow ups, if you don't tell them they don't know. I know it's difficult to be assertive when you feel so bad but a good GP will know you're not making a fuss, you need help.

Good luck and take care, sending you positive thoughts.

[ok5677 in reply to Nerico]

I’m the same It’s horrid

[Nerico in reply to ok5677]

It is. When the only sensations you can experience are crippling pain, fear and desperation it's one of the worst places you'll ever be.

[ok5677 in reply to Nerico]

this is true and lack of sleep needs to gp blood tests were abnormal and next ultrasound they say it’s chorsis of the liver need quit smoking if ever get a transplant

[Lifefan]

I had a GP appointment and pleaded for stronger painkillers but she wouldn't prescribe anything other than nefopam because of the risk to my liver she just said I'm doing really well and everything is all in order as it my referrals to hospital and it's just a waiting game unfortunately and to stay positive. I asked for a blood test for peace of mind and she said no because my blood had tested fine and means my liver is functioning ok. I think they just won't prescribe opiates because of my addiction history. I do have an abdominal scan book next week so will see where I go after that

[ok5677 in reply to Lifefan]

still need help with it though