Enlarged spleen symptoms

[JT_Marlin]

Curious if folks here could describe what it feels like when youve had an enlarged spleen?

Thanks.

[Otterfield]

Hi. My abdomen was very swollen and it became increasingly awkward, rather than painful, leaning forward to put my shoes on. I also had an acid reflux cough which went on and on. My GP put me on Omeprazole for the acid, which didn't help. The cough disappeared when my spleen shrank on Ruxolitinib and my consultant suggested that the acid reflux had actually been caused by the pressure of my spleen on my stomach. I also found it hard to eat a normal sized meal and lost about 2 stone.

Hope this helps, Jennie

[JT_Marlin in reply to Otterfield]

Sounds awful - sorry to hear, though glad the meds helped out. Thanks for sharing. Curious to learn about the symptoms from a few folks to help understand if the discomfort on my left side is related to the spleen. Its only there periodically so hard to know...

[Inca in reply to JT_Marlin]

Hi there, Yes I had pain in spleen area & indigestion pain,now on Rux & spleen is reducing still often uncomfortable rather than painful,have gained weight since taking Rux round the waist & tum,which I don't like as I have always been slim and lead a very active life.My consultant is very happy with my weight thinks it's good obviously doesn't have female worries of shape !!Part of the things we put up with taking the medication,Best to you.

[GolferCL]

Hello

I had an enlarged spleen as part of my diagnosis. That and enlarged liver I recall. Pain was unbearable so finally went to GP. I was also feeling bloated and struggled with eating a full meal. Pain had started in my lower back with an ache, then felt like good old “period pain”, but eventually it was more over my tummy and belly button. GP didn’t have a clue, so sent me for an ultrasound. Et voila, diagnosed ET! All “fixed” with Interferon for me, blood counts all good.

Assume you’ve spoken to your consultant...?

Best wishes.

[JT_Marlin in reply to GolferCL]

Thanks Golfer. I have mentioned to my doc. He’ll take a look at our next appt in Nov. Helpful to hear the onset of your symptoms.

[MFBMT2011]

Mine was like a fleshy lump the size of a tennis ball protruding just below my left side rib cage. I noticed it whilst sitting and knew from my schoolboy biology days that there was nothing obvious that should have been there. It prompted me to go to the doctors and scans/blood tests led to an early diagnosis of Myelofibrosis from where I went to stem cell transplant. (18 months earlier my bloods had been normal)

The spleen did not cause me any other issues at that time. However I did have other symptoms like breathlessness, nosebleeds etc.

Chris

[JT_Marlin in reply to MFBMT2011]

Jeez - yeah good keeping an eye out and taking action. Thanks for sharing.

[Jenny_F]

Mine is on the upper side if normal and I also get acid reflux but I manage that with diet changes

[Louise2870]

Hi

When my spleen is enlarged I get transferred pain in my left shoulder above my chest and it’s painful to lie on my right side in bed. When it happens I increase my water intake and it usually eases after a few days.

Good luck x

[Cja1956]

Years ago when I first got diagnosed with ET, my platelets were only around 600. My doctor put me on hydroxyurea and anagrelide. Several months later, my platelets went back to normal at about 300. I stopped taking the medication on my own, and one day I started having stomach pain. At the end of the day, I experienced such sharp pain on the left side under my breast, I thought I was having a heart attack. I was rushed to the hospital and it turned out I had a splenal infarct. My platelets had jumped to 800,000. They kept me for 3 days. I’ve never stopped taking the medication again, although it’s been readjusted many times over the years.