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Pain every morning in liver area...Don't know what's causing it...



I have had a similar pain just below my ribs on the right side for several years - this was years after I had my gall bladder removed. I was prescribed Esomeprazole about 10 years ago and am still taking it - as long as I remember to take it the pain isn't bad at all. My doctor tells me that it could still be gall stones, gall bladder or no gall bladder. My liver is said to be enlarged and fatty and I'm told there is nothing I can do about that. My spleen was also said to be enlarged, but then I was told that it was not. I'm Type 2,on insulin, Victoza and Metformin and still, after about 7 years, not able to control my blood sugar levels. I also get quite serious pain in my left upper chest but this, I'm pretty sure is a stomach problem. I get a bit fed up being told that there is nothing I can do about my liver/spleen/stomach and weight (ballooned to 16 stone on gliclazide but once off it did manage to lose 2 stone and then stuck). If your health professionals are reasonable, it would certainly be worth talking to them though and hoping that they are up to date with recent developments, which my ones don't seem to be. Still, we have a new diabetic nurse with whom I have an appointment on Wednesday which gives me a little hope for a new attitude.
 
Hi I'm kaz,
I've been told that I'm a diebetic 2.
I also have sleep apnea problem which I've had 9 years. Two years ago my doctor told me that I'm very close to be a ago I lost near 10 kilos
 
Hello Fred,
I see this is a dead thread, but I really hope you read this comment. I only created this profile to write this. I don't know what is/were happening to you, but exactly the same is happening to me. My doctor doesn't seem to be very good at finding what it is. He is looking at the stomach but I, like u, have the feeling that it could be the liver. I even checked your "drink much water" termporal solution and to my surprise it worked. Please tell me if you found out what the problem was, and how are you now? Its been 2 long years with this.
 
Hi glad I found this thread as I have similar. I was convinced it was gallstones after reading the symptoms online. The pain goes from excruciating to manageable but still with painkillers. Had a scan last wed for stomach and all came back clear. Been put on tabs in case it's ulcer whilst still being looked at. So frustrating as I'm awake most of the night in pain and sleeping during the day, pain is worst at night. I used to drink quite heavy due to anxiety etc but don't drink at all now as I had also thought the 2 many be linked. Bloods all came back clear. I do drink quite a bit of water but will increase it to see if it helps. Need to get this sorted quick as off work at the minute, thankfully they have been great.
 
What has your gp said?
 
I used to get this too. I always thought it was the liver throwing out excess glucose in the morning. I only ever got it when I had fatty liver. I found it strangely comforting to know the liver was doing it's job but struggling with it. If I ever get it now I know I have had too many carbs and need to reduce them. Of course I may be wrong, but to me it's the liver saying 'help, have fewer carbs so I can catch up'.
 
ickihun said:
What has your gp said?
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They 're stumped to be honest. Just process of illumination. I've been put on ulcer tabs as symptoms similar and back at docs on wed. When I thought it was gallbladder I followed the advice to cut out triggers..fat, alcohol, spicy foods etc and it's def helped but not completely. I'll try anything at this stage. Had 3 hours sleep last night and shattered, some night I get none.
 
Have you got a fatty liver? Have you had an ultrasound?
 
I have a fatty liver and just been diagnosed with cirrhosis non alcohol related
 
Angie-B said:
Have you got a fatty liver? Have you had an ultrasound?
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I had a ultrasound that didn't show up anything. Was admitted to hospital on Friday after pain was getting worse, endoscope confirmed I have inflammation of the stomach lining. For now I have tabs etc but they have also taken a biopsy. Doc feels the back pain is a separate issue and further tests are planned. For now home again and have to say the stay in hospital was the worst I've ever experienced, pain wasn't managed at all and also left fasting until 11.45 at night when they decided the endoscope would now be delayed until the next day. The senior nurse couldn't have been more unhelpful if she had tried and I was really glad to be home, still in a lot of pain but I'd rather manage it myself.
 
There are blood tests that can be done to rule out liver problems. Unfortunately GPs in UK seem to only do limited tests.

I went to see a private luver soecialist with a friend last week that has had some really high LFT results. The GP did some more but only my arranging an urgent private consultation has now got the GP doing more blood tests.

The GP had also ssupposedly looked at her meds and suggested one that she had beeen on for 10 years could be the cause. Thee liver specialist ruled this out.

Friends GP did arrange an uktrasound, that was clear.

However, when going through other meds it was suggestted by the liver specialist to stop a hormone tablet that she had been put on as in rare cases iit can cause liver problems. Her gynae cant do hysterectomy as her wom. Is stuck to scar tissue from other internal operations with colon and bladder.

She hd to stop hormone pills immediately-, bloods in two and four weeks and baack to specialistha in 5 weeks. Then if no improvement or the extra bloods dont show anything, thuen she will be put back thru nhs for urgent biopsy. He has assured her that lier can repair itself from certain mcauses.

So, loook at any other drugs you may be on, and check whether GP has done all the relevent bloodtests.
 
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I've had similar pain issues in my upper abdomen for years so I can understand a bit of what you are going through. If you need to be in hospital again please speak up about poor care such as inadequate pain relief and a long period of having no food.

These are basic medical needs and they can have a big impact on your health. Every senior nurse has a manager, and also had doctors who can step in if needed. Pain has to be hit hard early on or it makes your health worse.

During your fast, were your BGs taken regularly? I always ask for and receive IV fluids with glucose when I have to fast in hospital. Even dropping to 4.5 makes me feel miserable, and who needs that when you're already suffering.
 
 
Hi yes all blood test we're done regular. I had to speak up eventually as I couldn't believe how long I had been kept waiting. Was admitted as a emergency and explained the endoscope could happen at any time that day, by mid evening I repeatedly questioned if it was still happening, in the end I said can you speak to the doctor, if you can't I am happy to do so as I am diabetic and need to plan if and when I can eat. The pain management I don't know how many times I spoke with them to say the morphine wasn't touching it. Only when I again asked to speak to the doctor and said I would not be going for a endoscopy in this pain, was I given a further morphine injection. Very poor they were and unfortunately I have to go back for other tests etc. Seems to be the way now that I am continually pushing my doctor or hospital for something that you would expect as standard.
 
I want to reassure you that this doesn't need to happen again. When being admitted to hospital, a nurse comes over with paperwork, asks questions and takes notes. At that time, when you say you are a diabetic, they are meant to take note that you must be given glucose if you will be fasting and your BG drops below a certain level.

As soon as you notice this being ignored, you need to ask to speak to a doctor. The same goes with any request for more pain relief. In my experience, doctors are more likely to understand that not enough pain relief actually makes you more ill. Some nurses don't understand that. It's very poor nursing practice to let a person stay in pain, especially with the medical issues you were having. When a doctor writes in the notes that the patient asked for more relief and they agreed, it is harder for the nurses to ignore the order.

I know it can be hard to organise at short notice, but if you can take a support person with you to hospital, this also helps ensure they take better care of you. Ideally, you would have people taking it in shifts to be there as an advocate and monitor when needed. Not many of us have enough family and friends willing and able to do that. My family are willing but they tend to be a bit relaxed about things, like the nurses.

Good luck and keep speaking up for your needs.
 
Thanks Jenny, I will definitely be more vocal if I am ever admitted again. It was my one fear of pain not being managed that delayed me going into hospital. If it happens again I'll make sure the doc is aware and not be robbed off. Thanks again
 
Since taking ibs meds mine has gone. Have you ibs?
 
@-FRED- I'm not sure if you're still a member but my ultrascan found nothing but fatty liver which I've had for years.
Ive gone on buscupan/mebeverine for IBS and mine has gone.!!
 
ickihun said:
Since taking ibs meds mine has gone. Have you ibs?
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I think you might be onto something here. I have had IBS for decades and at times I've had pain like the OP's.

In my case, the pain was coming from the bowel, which does sit quite high in the abdomen at each side. Sometimes my lower ribs on one side are sore and I'm pretty sure it's referred pain from the bowel.

Bowel pain is very easily referred to other areas, making diagnosis even harder. It can literally refer to the opposite side of the abdomen, or even into the upper back, chest, or one or both legs.

The first thing a doctor usually asks if he or she thinks it might be IBS is what your bowel habits are like.

There are several different types of IBS, too.

Ideally, I think an upper and lower endoscopy should be offered, to rule out other problems. There are other less invasive tests they can do too, such as x-rays and ultrasound.
 
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