(New Here) Does the pain improve?

[SylvanGrey]

So, a brief history. I'm a 46 yo female, overweight, zero alcohol use. A few years ago I was bending over cleaning something off the floor and something "moved weird" inside of me, just below my ribcage on the right. It didn't hurt, but there was a scary feeling of "this should not be happening". After that, I began to experience pain in the area if I "did too much". Too much wasn't really a lot. When preparing dinner I would often be in a lot of pain by the end, desperate to finish up and go sit down. The pain had a lot to do with upper body movement. I could walk for miles with my arms down at my sides, but anything that involved standing, twisting, and using my arms would eventually lead to pain. I've never timed it, but I would say on average I had about 30-40 minutes before I was experiencing consistent sharp, burning pain in my right side.

I went to my doctor a couple of years ago. She did a bit of poking on my ribs, but when I couldn't show her exactly where the pain was, she just moved on. Unfortunately, I'd never poked around on myself to pinpoint the location of the pain, and I wasn't in pain at the time. Now, I really regret not being more vocal and insisting that the pain be taken seriously.

I really try not to bend over much since bending over is what caused this problem in the first place. But, I was bent over looking in a cabinet in November and the "something moved weird" thing happened again. After that, the pain in my right side has been much worse. I tried to make an appointment with my doctor, but she was booked so I chose to see another doctor at the same practice. She did a much more thorough job of poking around on my abdomen. When she poked down on the area just below my ribcage on the outer edge of my body, it hurt. The same place hurt when she poked, going in from the side of my body. I'm guessing that poking that tender area is what caused me to be nauseous 24 hours a day for seven straight days. On the eighth day, the nausea began to let up a bit, taping off to that point where now - eight weeks later - I experience nausea a few times a week.

She ordered some blood work to check my liver and kidney functioning and an ultrasound. The blood work was fine. The ultrasound found scarring on my gall bladder. A HIDA scan showed that my gall bladder is functioning normally. I had some x-rays to see if anything was wrong with my bones since my rib is tender. She ordered more bloodwork specifically on my liver. (She also checked my thyroid and vitamins D and B12 since I've also been experiencing dizziness and faintness.) A nurse called and said that the bloodwork showed there was something wrong with my liver. She said something about fatty liver and NASH, although I don't remember exactly what. Now, I'm just waiting to see a gastroenterologist.

Ugh, I was supposed to be brief. Right now, the pain is my biggest concern since it is significantly limiting me. I have to spend most of my time sitting in a recliner. Folding some laundry throughout the day and prepping dinner are about the limits of my abilities. I can't prepare dinner for the family on the stove - standing around and stirring are too much. All I can do is chop some vegetables and put them in an instant pot. Some days I can't even do that. Yesterday was a great day. I was up chopping vegetables and then getting my son off the school bus - I was on my feet for an hour and twenty minutes! I was in pain, but not bad enough to be desperate to sit down. I even threw in a load of laundry before I went and sat down. But, I'm paying for it today with increased pain just in general.

I've read about NAFLD and NASH and it usually describes dull pain as a possible symptom. Not sharp, burning pain. (And I do have other pains - in the lower center of my ribcage it will feel like my stomach is in a knot, a small sharp pain on the outside left, pain in my back.) I would just like to know that this pain is going to get better. If I lose weight and follow that NASH diet as closely as I can. I can't even exercise - although I'm going to go to a local gym and try a recumbent bike to see if that causes pain. I'm so afraid that this pain won't improve and I'll be tied to my chair for the rest of my life.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[one2one]

Now take a deep breath, it’s a minefield but don’t start to panic.

I’m pleased you got to see another GP, at least now you are going to get to learn the in’s and out’s of your condition. Make notes of questions you need to ask, also notes on what changes you’ve made so far since being referred, then they will be able to assess you and give you the guidance you need.

We’re all so different, with symptoms, as you will realise reading through other people’s stories on the forum.

Now diet .... most tend to follow a Mediterranean type diet. It will surprise you how much good food you can indulge in. Plenty of veggies, and fruit. Meats etc, my choice is fresh chicken, turkey, lean pork medallions and fish, oily types best. salmon being my favourite, but of course there are plenty to choose from. Avoid any (processed) foods.

White bread flour & rice. Also alcohol

Keep well hydrated, water, as much as you can comfortably drink, coffee, it all helps to get rid of toxins. Plus there’s also no added sugar juices.

This is just a sample of can and cannot dietary needs. Hopefully it will be helpful for you. 👌all best wishes chrissie

[nash2 Partner]

There are a lot things that can cause abdominal pain but with the liver, although the liver has no pain nerves itself, it is covered by a tough membrane called Glisson's Capsule which has plenty of nerves. A sick liver is often enlarged and is commonly the source of that pain which may come and go as the liver changes size. If your liver is sick a lot of other organs get stressed so you can have pain in many ways so it is very individual.

The goal is to eliminate the things in your diet that are causing inflammation. If you can do that and the liver has a chance to rest the pain should become more manageable. It is important to get a good diagnosis. There are a lot of things that can cause liver problems. These comments relate to NASH and do apply generally to health but can't be taken as a medical solution. Here is a link to our approach to food but everyone is different so you have to find out what things your body likes and which it doesn't.

fattyliverfoundation.org/na...

Wayne

[KarenHoyt]

Liver pain is scary. You’ve got a strong will to have endured it for so long. I wonder if there is a spasm effect happening? We’re all different etc... but if there is any pressing on the liver from swelling, it could be muscle type spasms. What I’ve learned is that normal bloodwork can be deceptive. Continue to sleuth it out. Stay calm and connected here. Research - and like Wayne said, make a list for your doctor. The gall bladder scars but normal blood work? Lots of questions. You’re not alone. Check out my website for support also. XO Karen

[Arian2]

Yes if you stay on nash diet lose weight pain should improve .

No sugar or any processed foods.

Only veggies and good stuff . Low sugar . No white flours or rice .only whole grain in moderation as long as you are losing weight . The pain should improve . It could also be psychological stress making it worse since you paying attention to it so much so relax.Must lose at least 7 to 10% of you body weight .Do it stay blessed

[MDGSydney]

I went to these guys and their bloodwork was very extensive

lowcarbdownunder.com.au/res...

Currently dowm 8.5kgs from 118kgs and laying right off the booze.

Michael

[NASHSKINNY]

For years I mistakenly thought I had gas, but it was my liver. The pain would happen when I bent over. Boy it hurt! After getting the diagnosis of NASH I cut out sugar, white rice and white bread for the last 2 1/2 months. I also upped my vegetable intake. Now I am feeling a big difference and those sharp pains are going away.