Enlarged Liver

I am a 26 year old female and for about the last week and a half I have been suffering with a swollen liver. At first it was really obvious, i had like an extra bulge of skin (like two chubby stomachs), and hard. My husband is a nurse in training and measured it at 14 cms, which it still is at. I have been really careful with what i have been eating (basically taking out oils and greasy foods) which seemed to help the discomfort a little. I did try Boldo Tea for about 2/3 days (a Chilean herb that helps with the gall bladder) and that made a bit of the difference and softened it up a bit, but it is still swollen and uncomfortable and still won't go down. I believe my spleen was swollen for a few days at the beginning ( i know the feeling since i had a swollen spleen and liver when i had mono a few years ago). I also have noticed the last few days that i have really pale stools, but i'm not sure if that is relavent, but they were whitish in color more than typical brown. also i'm and lactose intolerant and i've never had alcohol.  any suggestions or possible insights? i have yet to go to the doctor due to the price, but i will if i have to- about 2-2 1/2 weeks ago i went to the hospital for severe abdominal pains, after various tests and a cat scan (they thought is was appendicitis) they sent me home with they had no idea what was wrong. sorry so long, but i am starting to get annoyed and worried..

[mikesimon]

I have had severe liver problems and a very swollen spleen but I cannot ever recall seeing a bulge in my abdomen and I was quite thin. I am not saying that I don't believe you but having never experienced that I can't comment.
Pale or white stools may well be an indication of a liver problem. Bile is what colors the stool brown and pale stools can be cause by the absence of bile which can be a very serious situation. I would get to a doctor and preferably a hepatologist or a gastroenterologist.

The following is from the Mayo Clinic:

"White stool at any age is not normal and should be evaluated promptly by a doctor. White stool is caused by a lack of bile, which may indicate a serious underlying problem in the liver or biliary tract.

Bile is a digestive fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. Stool gets its normal brownish color from bile, which is excreted from the liver into the small intestine during the digestive process. If the liver doesn't produce bile or if bile is obstructed from leaving the liver, stool will be white.

Medical conditions that may cause light-colored or white stool include:

    * Liver infections, such as hepatitis
    * Biliary cirrhosis
    * Gallstones
    * Anatomic abnormalities of the intestines or bile ducts present at birth (congenital)
    * Inborn errors of metabolism
    * Sclerosing cholangitis
    * Narrowing (strictures) of bile ducts
    * Cysts
    * Tumors
    * A side effect of certain medications, such as some antibiotics, antifungal drugs and antacids."

Good luck,
Mike