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 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 agian later. It's been on and off.
I need serious advice here please.