Re: Fatty Liver

Posted By HFHSM.D.-rf on September 01, 1998 at 23:35:45:

In Reply to: Fatty Liver posted by Anne on August 28, 1998 at 01:15:10:






I have been suffering abdominal discomfort on the right side, just under the bottom ribs, for approximately three years.  This discomfort is always there.  It never goes away.  At times, the discomfort becomes pain and moves into the mid to lower back.  I have had numerous tests, the most recent being a c.t. scan.  I was told that I have a cyst on my liver and kidney and that these are nothing to worry about.  I was told that I had higher than normal fat deposits in my liver. (In the last five years, I have gone from 105lbs to 190lbs.)  I was advised that my thyroid is underactive and that I should be taking medication to correct this. The specialist feels that if I lose some weight that the abdominal paid will disappear.  My skin has a yellow tinge to it.  In fact, he asked if I ate a lot of carrots.  This does not seem to be a concern to him.  I do not drink any alcohol, nor do I smoke. I am 53 years old.  Dilantin is the only medication which I am presently taking.  The specialist has basically closed the books on me.  However, the pain is still there.  I am not one to complain and do not frequently run to the doctors with minor complaints.  I understand that without the benefit of the scans etc. you are at a disadvantage, but can you offer an opinion or could you suggest some questions that I should be asking so that I am assured nothing serious is being overlooked.  Thankyou.
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Dear Anne,
Large cysts of liver or right kidney can sometimes cause an aching pain on the right side.  Hepatomegaly (big liver [in your case possibly due to fat deposition in the liver]), by itself can cause abdominal pain.  Small intestinal disease must also be considered.  Ask the physician if he thinks that small intestine or colon inflammation e.g. Crohn's disease could be causing your pain and whether a small intestine or colon xray would be useful.  Also ask the physician if he thinks that your pain may be related to irritable bowel syndrome andif so whether you should try increasing the amount of fiber that you eat.
This information is presented for educational purposes only.  Always consult your personal physician for specific medical questions.
HFHSM.D.-rf
*keywords: abdominal pain
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