RUQ pain

[snickers2815]

I have had this RUQ pain for about 5 years and have been to the doctor on more than one occasion and x-rays of the chest and abdomen have come back showing nothing wrong. It started out hurting just every now and then but over the last year and a half it is a continuios type of pain with alot of pressure under my rib cage almost like something is there trying to get out. Sometimes the pain is very severe at night. I quit going to the dr because they made me feel like I was crazy. I had some blood work done for life insurance and had elevated liver enzymes. ALT-53, AST-41,SGGT-60, alkaline phosphate-110, bilirubin-1.9, bun-20, with all of this my cholesterol was good Total-152, HDL-60, LDL-82, and my Triglycerides were only 43.
I am so tired of the pain , I know I am not imagining it , but I hate to go and be told there is nothing wrong again. I am only 34 years old (white/american indian- female)I do not want to spend another five years wondering if it will get even worse....what would be my next step to ask for when I go to the doctor? What are possible reasons for this type of pain there? Sometimes also in the mornings My legs will itch so severely that I will use a brush on them, this usaully subsides within 60 minutes or so but, seems to be worse when the pain has been bad the night before. This has only developed over the last 6 months or so.
Please help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
***@****
Thank you very much

[cuteus]

I would suggest getting tested for all types of hepatitis, which means going to a gastroenterologist. Ultrasound of the abdomen wouldn't hurt either, since x rays are very limited as a diagnostic tool.

[rifleman]

Ditto on Cuteus' advice.  Your AST & ALT are a little high, indicating that something might be going on, not to mention the RUQ pain and itching.  These things are typical of chronic persistent hepatitis.  I'm not a doctor (actually, I am, but not a medical doctor, so don't ask me for any prescriptions) but my ALT was 56 (high) and my AST was 36 (upper normal) last March.  I also have 1.3 million hep c viruses per mil. of blood. I don't have any other symtoms, but the point is that the high enzymed indicate some kind of trouble brewing.
DJL

[BronxRican007]

What's SGGT?

[dutch_boy]

I would agree with Cuteus to go and get a hepatitis panel done for A,B,and C asap.  In my case I had this nagging pain in my RUQ for several months (4 +-) before I went to my doctor and demanded a Hep C test.  In my case I played my own doctor as they didn't see a need in the Hep C test as my other blood work all came within normal "levels". I only had slightly elevated AST and AST but within normal range.  It was the RUQ pain that had me convinced something was wrong and I demanded the test and sure enough the Hep C test came out postive resulting in this long journey of treatment.  Get that test done even if the doctor doesn't think this is your problem. If it is negative at least you can move onto what else is causing the problem for you.  In my case I am so fortunate I listened to my body and this pain is what got me to be proactive.
I wish you an answer about what is causing your pain very soon. I know this is scarey in addition to feeling terrible from the pain...I've been there. Hang in there.
Scott

[bluepeng]

I hate that pain.  Anytime I'd be enjoying life and things were OK, along came the pain to remind me of the disease.   It was like a radiator knocking.  I still have it even on TX.  My doctor has assured me over and over again not to worry about this.  I'm monitored closely and at 12 weeks was clear.  But still, the pain is there.

[Moeymitt]

I, also have the same pain and although I have had Hep C for 30 years now, dx 3 years ago, the pain just started 7 months ago. Mine also gets bad at night and wakes me up. What it does for me is keeps me out of denial of this disease. I can be going along feeling fine and then the pain comes and reminds me of what I have to deal with. I also went to two different GI's and both said it was unrelated to the liver. I don't believe them. I wish I could take something for it. I am in the process of finding yet another doctor...

[LvdByGod]

don't forget to get checked for other forms of liver disease and cirhosis too.  hep c is not the only thing that can cause liver inflamation (inflammation) and cirhosis. make sure to get a ct scan too. that can show liver enlargment and spleen too... as well as other soft tissues and organs.

watch your liver enzymes and if they go up at all i would get a biopsy done. that's me. better safe than sorry.

[snickers2815]

Thanks for all your advice , I have an appointment for 1:45 this afternoon.

[snickers2815]

stands for Gamma Glutamyltransferace (SGGT).My friend who is a nurse practioner says it is a marker or a Hepatitis B Surface Antigen.