Enlarged spleen?????

[cjohnson]

Hi everyone

Following on from my liver scan, resulting in a fatty liver, have been to docs today and also been told I have an enlarged spleen - it seems to be one thing after another at the moment and I'm starting to get really down about it all and panicking that I am on a downward spiral! Would appreciate any information anyone has on enlarged spleen and whether it is related to diabetes. Hope someone can help :cry:

 

[ChocFish]

Oh gosh it never rains but pours, I think the most common cause for an enlarged spleen is probably a sign that the immune system is struggling a bit, also you said you have fatty liver disease so the enlarged spleen is the result of this. There are lots of other reasons of why people (and animals) get an enlarged spleen, but I really do think that in your case it is due to diabetes/fatty liver, so just keep on track with your diet and bg control to help your immune system back on track.

I know I have been going on about the benefits of drinking kefir, but its very cheap to brew your own kefir and since I have been drinking it I have had not thrush, digestive problems, colds or anything like that at all, its really one of the best pro-biotics around so do give it some consideration.

What did your doctors advise you to do, treatment or whatever, did they not tell you any resons for this happening? Or maybe you were too shocked and surprised to ask all the questions, if so then please do make an appointment, or even a double appointment with your doctor and get answers to all your questions.
How are you bg readings, how are you feeling in general, pretty worried and run down I should imagine, huh?

All the best

Karen

 

[cjohnson]

Hi Karen

Yes feeling pretty rubbish at the moment. Was too shocked to ask questions because I knew about fatty liver (told me at scan) but not spleen so it was a bolt out of the blue! Doc wasn't sure whether enlarged spleen was normal with liver (which she said was pretty fatty!) as she hadn't come across this before so she is writing to the Liver Consultant at local NHS trust to ask for information/guidance unfortunately I don't know how long this is going to take. Burst into tears at work because I read a bit on internet (can be very dangerous) and directed me to Hodgkins disease/cancer/all nasty things and once you start looking at symptoms for something they always seem to match what you have however reassured by your post, so thanks for that.

BG usually around 8.3 in the morning - only test once per day at the moment unless really high in the morning (if I have succumbed to a sweet and sour chicken). Due to see dietician next week for first time so that could be interesting with all the different problems I have. I'm on metformin 2 x 500 per day. Only diagnosed about 8 weeks ago and then bg was only 11.5 at highest which, having read a lot of threads, seems quite low compared with others on the forum.

I am so glad that I found this website and forum because sometimes there is no-one else to ask and if like me you are in shock it is not until later that you think about what you should have asked. I think I will have to wait until doc has heard from specialist but if I haven't heard in 10 days will make appt as you say and go and see her because when I asked what I needed to do she said nothing until we have heard back.

Sorry about the long post but so good to be able to 'talk' to someone about it.

Thanks again
Chris

 

[ChocFish]

Hi Chris

Please dont feel that you have to apologise for long posts or anything, we are all here for one another.

I know that you dont drink alcohol, but two of my clients both heavy drinkers were diagnosed with fatty liver and enlarged spleens, their doctor told them that these two sometimes go hand in hand, well both clients attended AA and other therapy and to cut a long story short, both are recovering alcoholics, they havent touched anything alcoholic for almost 2 years now and their liver function has improved dramatically so have their spleens.

I know that enlarged spleens can have other causes too, but I think that by now you would have some definite other symptoms as well, my money is all on that it is linked with diabetes and that you can be really healthy again.

Are you reducing carbs or low carbing at all, your readings are still a bit too high, and as I said do all you can to strengthen that immune system, healthy food, plenty of good veggies, protein, nuts, seeds, some fruit, etc, drink green tea and kefir, all this will help you know.

Of course you were knocked for six when you had the diagnosis, but I dont think that your doctor has to wait for too long for a response from the specialist, in any case you can chase that up youself even, just ring the consultants secretary and ask to confirm receipt of your doctors letter, then ask how long before they will reply, and keep on at them.
I also think if there was any serious cause for concern the medics would have chased this up too, and either wanted to carry out more tests or even admit you into hospital.

Please dont sit there over the weekend worrying yourself silly, I know it is not easy, but it doesnt do to worry ahead of things, chances are they turn out totally different anyway, just deal with things as they come along. And of course I hope and pray that you will be better really soon too.
Love

Karen x

 

[cjohnson]

Thank you so much for your encouraging and caring reply - had to get the tissues out again!

Not really low carbing as I should but will really put my mind and heart into it now! As you say I shouldn't worry before anything happens but I think today was just the culmination since diagnosis - think it has properly hit me now about being diabetic whereas before I don't think it had really sunk in. Thanks so much for your advice - will put into practice and be patient. Will let you know how I get on.

Thanks again
Chris

 

[ChocFish]

Chris, anytime

Re low carbing, if it is any easier for you just do it slowly, reduce a little at first till you get used then reduce more, it all depends on your bg readings.

And yes I know where you are coming from, it is scary and a real shock to hear you have things wrong with you, there was a time when I couldnt walk, so badly affected with neuropathy, I had other complications too, too sensitive to mention in this forum, but today I am a different person, very fit and healthy and no longer depressed.

There is hope out there, trust me and you will be so encouraged once you got started on doing all things that are good for you and you start seeing results for your efforts. You can do it, and you will do it, if I can then anyone can, I know that for sure.

Big, big comforting and healing and encouraging hugs just for you

Karen x

 

[cjohnson]

Just to update anyone reading this thread

I have taken Karen's advice and reduced carbs by about 2/3 rather than go cold turkey and take out all carbs and since doing that today bg 6.9 this am and just tested now and down to 6.0 so I am well chuffed. Am also feeling a lot more positive than I did on Friday and a lot of that is thanks to Karen's posts. Am seeing dietician for first time on Thursday so will see what she says - although from reading most threads I can expect to be told to eat carbs till they are coming out of my ears however seen results with my own eyes (and meter) so am going to carry on with what I am doing. Also hope this will help me to lose weight as definitely in very top end of overweight. Will post again after I have seen the dietician :wink:

Chris

 

[cjohnson]

Just an update if anyone still viewing this thread

Have heard from specialist and he wanted loads more blood tests doing and has asked me (via my gp) loads of questions about whether I have had blood transfusions etc in the past. Anyway have had the blood tests and am now waiting for a clinic appointment for a liver biopsy :cry: :cry:

Still worried sick about this but trying to keep positive. At least I know I can come on to the forum and have a good winge without being shouted at :lol:

CJ

 

[hanadr]

I'm not very knowledgeable about spleens, except that I know you can do pretty well without one, however, I do know a little about fatty liver. It's caused by a high carb diet. That's what's done to those poor geese, who are stuffed with grains to provide Fois Gras, which means fatty liver.
I would suggest that you take your carb consumption as low as you can manage. Certainly cut sugars and reduce starches. Whatever happens, it can't hurt and Might help.

 

[Trinkwasser]

I'm not very knowledgeable about spleens, except that I know you can do pretty well without one, however, I do know a little about fatty liver. It's caused by a high carb diet. That's what's done to those poor geese, who are stuffed with grains to provide Fois Gras, which means fatty liver.
I would suggest that you take your carb consumption as low as you can manage. Certainly cut sugars and reduce starches. Whatever happens, it can't hurt and Might help.

Agreed, some intensive monitoring

http://www.alt-support-diabetes.org/NewlyDiagnosed.htm

should help to reduce the carb consumption to a level which no longer spikes the BG

Fatty liver is far from unknown with Type 2 and can be reversed. Not so sure about spleen issues, but it certainly can't hurt!

 

[cjohnson]

Thanks for the encouraging replies guys. Have definitely been down over the last week and haven't felt up to much in the way of posting and the chat room. It is very difficult to be positive when one thing after another keeps cropping up. I will post when I have seen the consultant and let you know how I have gone on. Will be putting some pressure on to get an early appt so I don't have to wait too long :!: Thanks for the liver trust website Sarah I have seen it but will have another look and also look at the low carbing one, thanks Trinkwasser

 

[Norm]

I was diagnosed as type 2 in May of this year and mentioned to the doctor that I had a constant pain in the left side of my abdomen for over 6 months. He didn't seem concerned so I have ignored it. I stll have it and cannot lie on my left side for more than a couple of minutes. Do you think this could be my spleen and should I be concerned? The pain is very slight and doesn't really trouble me.

 

[ChocFish]

Hi Norm, I think you should mention it to your doctor again, you say it doesnt trouble you, but it must do if you cannot lie on the affected side for longer than a couple of minutes; and that is just not normal, esp if it has gone on for half a year now.

Dont be too alarmed though, I think if it was something sinister you would know by now or the pain would be much worse, maybe its just something muscular even, its possible that you tense up that side of your abdomen during the day all the time because of this ache, but are not even aware of it, then when you go to bed and relax you feel the ache and it makes you wonder about it again, so you have this awareness of it.

I hold relaxation classes and this kind of thing happens to many people, even if they think they are not particularly tense. I have one woman in one of my classes and she kept thinking that she is going to have a heart attack as her left arm was hurting all the time, so automatically, without realising she held the left arm really tense and not relaxed and this caused muscular pains and it was like a vicious circle.

But please do get yourself checked out and let us know that all is well with you.

All the best

Karen

 

[cjohnson]

Hi
I've very little pain at the moment and not from spleen side but from liver side. Have got date for appt with specialist now - 30 December - happy new year eh

CJ

 

[cjohnson]

Hi to anyone who reads this thread

Update - have seen said specialist this morning and what a nice bloke he was too. Anyway upshot is nothing to worry about (after worrying for last six weeks!). Spleen not really enlarged and although have got fatty liver I am already doing the right things to sort it out so he was really encouraging and I just feel great now - what a great end to what has been a really tough year. Anyway happy new year to all!

CJ :wink:

 

[Katharine]

Great news!

 

[Mandy76]

Hi I think I have enlarged spleen. Past several days I have been really sick. I’m not sure what this could be, but while reading these post it might be enlarged spleen. I have managed to get an appointment tomorrow with my doctor. I really can’t stand it anymore. I have diarrhea and fever. Also I have this pressure on my left side and I feel bloated. Any similar experience?

 

[Mandy76]

Well my doctor has done some test and I have to say his face was not too happy. He said he will take some blood for testing, but he thinks it might be connected with liver of spleen. I have been eating spicy food last week and I think that this might have been a cause to my problem. Do you have any more suggestions?

 

[cugila]

We can always offer suggestions and we can probably scare you half to death with a lot of them !

The best thing for you to do is wait for a proper diagnosis by your HCP's and then take things from there. I certainly would not offer any suggestions at all.

Ken