Hep B, gall bladder etc?

Hello all,
I have really learnt a lot from this site since I was diagnosed of Hep B virus in October last year.

I have had Liver Function tests about three times since I tested positive to Hep B, the lastest being last week.
Various clinics, different doctors, all results show normal liver functioning, including the LFT I did last week and the scan I did this morning

Meanwhile, I have been having pains in various parts of my abdomen and chest (like under right ribs,sometimes left ribs, back, sometime shoulders)  since November. I also have been having headache and get weak after little mental or physical stress or did not sleep well. All these things come and go. Sometimes, after taking enough rest and sleep, it goes, but comes back later. I have been living with this since November last year.

All my complaints about these body pains have not been taken seriously by doctors, especially when my Liver Function tests keep showing normal. But I'm worried, I'm thinking something is wrong, but these doctors keep saying these things have nothing to do with Hepatitis. They keep saying it's because I'm too fearful since I discovered I'm Hep B positive. I was even referred to a Neurologist to calm me down, and that one told me that the pains are anxiety symptoms.

I honestly doubt the pains are anxiety syptoms (symptoms) because I've not been that anxious and fearful, especially with all those good news I read here, with people that say they've been living with it for 20-30 years with no major problem. I sleep very well except when work stress make me sleep late and wake up early at times. I don't think. So I doubt it's because of anxiety.

Not convinced, I spoke with my main doctor last week. We did LFT again and it was normal and we further did upper abdominal scan at a reputable radilogical centre and here is the report of the consultant radiologist that did the scan for me:

LIVER:
-The liver is not enlarged, measuring 13.8cm in its A.P diameter. It shows a normal uniform architecture. No definite intrahepatic mass lesion is seen.
-The gall bladder appears contracted and thick-walled but no definite mass lesion is seen.
-The intrahepatic ducts are not dilated
-The pancreas appears normal

SPLEEN
-Normal splenic size and architecture
-No intrasplenic mass lesion is seen


KIDNEYS
-The kidfneys are normal in size and position
-Both show good corticomedullary differentiation


He said I'm okay, altogether. But curious to know teh implication of 'gall bladder appears contracted and thick-walled', I spoke with him further and he said it was beacuse I ate shortly before I did the scan.

But coming here to read about about gall bladder, I read that it could have something to do with Hep B.
I'm a little confused. Could the 'contraction and thick-wallness' of gall bladder be due to the teh fact that I just finished eating as the Dr said or has anything to do with Hep B?

Also, from what I have read here about people saying they have/had gall bladder problem, I'm also having pains in my lower ribs region. I also have headache almost on daily basis, though it goes after resting very well, but comes again later. It's been on and off.

I need serious advice here please.

[bowser86]

All the pains you mentioned is exactly i am exeperiencing right now. I have been diagnosed in 2005 during my pregnancy until now i am still normal. I did ultrasound, Ct scan this year as well as MRI 2 weeks ago and it appears everything were normal. The doctor told me about the pain could be something else but i do not trust him i do not know why. He always told me that i should have no symptoms.

About the gall bladder problem i really don't know what it is. But try to ask your doctor and have a second opinion bcuz it could be something else. Have a nice day.

[Dimidine]

So how have you been coping with the pain? When did it start? Do you have headache too?

[cajim]

my abdomen and chest (like under right ribs,sometimes left ribs, back, sometime shoulders)

--If the pain goes everythere, it is mostly not related to HBV.

"I honestly doubt the pains are anxiety syptoms (symptoms) "

--I seriously.

Gall bladder has anything to do with Hep B?

--No.

"I need serious advice here please. "

--From your doctor.

[bowser86]

I didn't drink any pain reliever. I just sit and relax and it will go away soetimes maybe because i am woried too much, ithink too much about HBV or any pain i felt i always think it is because of HBV. I had headache too for no reason sometimes it feel like empty head, sometimes it feels like my head is really heavy and empty mind no good reasoning and worse is being forgetfullness. Even rightnow i still have a backpain and i still keep moving, working around the house.

[Dimidine]

@cajim,
Thanks very much. Your comments have always been very useful. Good to know gall bladder has nothing to do with Hep B. But I read many people with Hep B here talk about pain relating to gall bladder?

@bower86
I feel exactly the same. After relaxing and sleeping, the pains go or reduce, but come back later.
I also think it's because of HBV, but Docs keep saying it's not. Could it be a coincidence then than the pains started shortly after testing positive to Hep B? That's my worry. And how will the pains go permanently, because it's affecting my productivity in office as I easily get tired and stressed?

[bowser86]

i am alwys stress and very sinsitive. i easily get mad for small things. i do not want to be like this. HBV *****! did you start treatment now or not. i don't have treatment yet.