Liver Diagnosis - Does Any of This Sound Familiar?

[LeiL]

I know the entire world is in a health crisis but I’m wrought with anxiety and just want the truth so that I can come to terms with my mortality. I’m a 61 year old female who was diagnosed with Fatty Liver/NASH in 2014. At that time I estimate my alcohol consumption to be less than 8 drinks a year but was hypothyroid due to having a total thyroidectomy in 2008. I received my diagnosis over the phone during the same period of time I was being evaluated for Gastric Cancer. No real guidance given by doctors for liver issue just stated “you are consuming too much energy and try drinking 4 cups of coffee a day.” This wasn’t a problem because for me the cancer diagnosis had consumed my thoughts but I did adjust my diet.

I’m currently experiencing excruciating right side upper quadrant pain to the flank and back. Also, for the first time in my entire life I’m experiencing GERD with pain radiating to the right shoulder. I’m suffering “baby kicks” in the liver area and also “muscle spasms.” The pain has been so bad that it generated three trips to ERs. The real abnormality is that anytime I eat anything or take medication I immediately experience gustatory rhinitis. All LFTs are fine. The only health indicators that is now not normal are elevated blood pressure for the first time and l an increase in total cholesterol to 211 (5 months ago the levels were well below normal). Triglycerides have increased slightly but still well below 100 however TSH went from the overactive levels to 2.2 (a first this high). Doctors reluctantly prescribed blood pressure medication and Prilosec. Thyroid medication is being changed from Synthroid to Tirosint since I’m having malabsorption issues. My Gastro doctors refuses to admit that this has anything to do with my liver condition worsening and went as far to say the liver doesn’t generate pain. She stated that my liver wouldn’t progress to cirrhosis in 9 months. I believe there are plenty of evidence to the contrary. Gastro also sees no real need to learn the health of my liver because it will change nothing.

In 2017, my first Fibroscan score was 4.3 and I though I was in the clear. In June 2019 the second Fibroscan returned 6.5 and I was told “you are fine, live your life and stop worrying.” Between 2017 and 2019 I gained about 25 lbs and I decided to lose the weight with supervised by a medical doctor weight loss clinic. My previous elevated liver enzymes went to normal in less than two months. Between April and Christmas 2019, I lost 60 pounds, placing in the middle of the desired BMI range for my height. Then got a call that my Gastric Cancer may have returned in addition to cysts on pancreas. I went into a total stress hyperdrive planning for my demise. I had numerous and numerous MRIs, MRCPs, CT scans and endoscopies. On 7 Jan 2020, I was told that the gastric cancer had not returned but the pancreas requires constant surveillance. After hearing that I have no idea what I ate because immediately went on a cruise to relieve stress.

However, I fear that I’ve triggered a mechanism that has sent my liver to cirrhosis.

[Hidden]

Hi

I'm so sorry you are struggling.

It took 2 years to diagnose me with nafld((,had to go private for a diagnosis , totally against the grain) consultant said he would take me on in his clinic on NHS as I'd spent enough!!! November 2016 biopsy showed Nash!! February of this year fibroscan diagnosed me with compensated cirrhosis. I have got and have had for at 6 years right side liver pain, through to back and shoulders. I was told my liver disease was caused by meds from my drs over the years, the pain is because my liver is very fatty and enlarged stretching the capsule around it which causes the pain. Next time a Dr tells you your liver doesn't feel pain tell him or her about the capsule, it is agony. Davianne/David will tell you the same. Pm me anytime. Love and hugs Lynne xxxx 😘

[LeiL in reply to Hidden]

Thanks so much for relating your experience. I don't understand why doctors still give the line that "liver has no pain receptors."

[Hidden in reply to LeiL]

Yes, I know!! A GP at my surgery who I'm not keen on said you know more than me after he'd said the liver doesn't feel pain as did one of the nurses!!! I soon put them straight, it's not them who have got the pain!! Take care and stay safe. Love and hugs Lynne xxxx 😘

[Alterity]

Sounds like gallbladder to me, but I'm sure they all ready got rid of that. I know way back they could not diagnosis my gallbladder because it was diseased and not stones. That's when they found my fatty liver back in 1983. Liver does have pain, but really not what your describing. Get a second opinion from another specialist. They are right it doesn't move that fast, but maybe they did get the right diagnoses the first time. maybe you were future along. I'd be looking more into the cancer has moved to some place else in your body rather than worried about the liver. Sorry, just the way I feel. Good Luck.

[LeiL in reply to Alterity]

Thank you for the response. My gallbladder was removed at the same time my stomach tumor was removed. Dr. Goggle says that I have a possibility of Sphincter of ODDI Dysfunction but that doesn’t explain the malabsorption of my thyroid medication and now high cholesterol.

[janeytrace]

This sounds very familiar to me i read all the way through the only difference is i dont have the cancer but my liver fibrosis is in the cirrhois range. The best advice i read and have noted made any difference though slight because i'm not strict enough with myself is to follow the DASH and Meditterenean dit mix. it is on the British Liver Trust website. also. it says which foods to avoid, I don't believe in eliminating any food groups but minimising the ones like sugar and carbs which tend to cause inflammation which in turn causes more pain and gastric upset. I'm not keen on dairy but it is quite soothing to the gut also for energy filter coffee is advised, I've given up creamy costa coffees and filter coffee is cheaper.

[LeiL in reply to janeytrace]

Janeytrace,

How long did you suffer before finding out the true cause of the pain. Also what test did you do to determine the level of cirrhosis?