Aa
Abdominal Pain and Hep C
Ive had abdominal pain on the middle and middle left side of abdomen for 18 months now. Ive had every test available and cant find nothing. I have Hep C genotype 3a since 2007. Since doctors cant find anything structurally wrong, they write it off as being my HCV. My question is, can Hep C cause abdominal pain on the left side? They call it non-specific abdominal pain. Also, if it can, will it go away after treatment? I started Peg+Rib 4 weeks ago. The abdominal pain is hard to deal with and hope someone has some info on this. Thanks.
Best Answer
Pain in the ABD is very difficult to diagnose and one of the big reasons is because of referred pain. This is because the nerves of the ABD can cause the pain from one area to manifest in another area. An example is that sometimes acute appendicitis can cause shoulder pain. I doubt that this helps your pain, but maybe helps understand the difficulty of diagnosing non-specific ABD pain.Here is a search link with diagrams http://www.google.com/search?q=referred+pain&hl=en&prmd=imvnsb&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=Cw53UJ2KLa-UigKL9oGYBw&ved=0CDQQsAQ&biw=1366&bih=667..Mark
Please call help4hep and ask them for resources in or near your community. You can reach them directly through the website at www.help4hep.org. There are government subsidized free and low cost clinics in every State.
I have hep c and have for over 20 yrs now. I'm trying to get help for this disease but the treatment is so expensive and I have no insurance. My legs cramp, my stomach hurts all the time, my eyes are a very yellow color, my stomach stays swelled up all the time. I feel like I'm at my wits end with all of this. I have recently had to quit my job due to hurting so bad and staying so sick all the time. Where do I go to get help with this disease before it finally kills me? I'm tired of getting turned away and drs acting like its no big deal. I have went to the er and tests have been done. But unless I have insurance or the money to pay for treatments noone will help me. PLEASE HELP ME FIND HELP FOR THIS. PLEASE
I appreciate the feedback. My PCP started me on PPI (omeprazole) when the pain first started. Took them for 9 months to no avail. H-Pilori neg, 2 upper endoscopy neg, etc. I will keep searching for an answer. thanks again.
maybe368,
Thanks for the link. Referred pain looks like it could definitely be something to look into. Ive had past back problems and hernias...just maybe. Thanks for the feedback and info.
maybe368,
Thanks for the link. Referred pain looks like it could definitely be something to look into. Ive had past back problems and hernias...just maybe. Thanks for the feedback and info.
I would personally want a second opinion. Your gastro/hepatologist should be qualified to diagnose it if it is a gastro or liver issue but we all aren't right all the time.
Have you talked to your Primary Care Physician about the pain? They are the ones that should figure out what specialist you should be see. Maybe it is related to another body system besides the GI system. Nerve or muscle or something? Or they may think it could be GERD.
"crampy, achy, sometimes sharp and burning"
I know you have been tested for GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) and ulcers but...
GERD affects 25%-40% of the adult population of the United States to some degree at some point. About 10% of adults experience GERD weekly or daily. GERD is commonly known as Heartburn is a burning pain in the center of the chest, behind the breastbone. It often starts in the upper abdomen and spreads up into the neck.
NOTE: Not everyone with GERD has heartburn.
Sometimes the pain may be sharp or pressure-like, rather than burning.
Heartburn is usually worse after eating.
Worsens when lying down.
Other symptoms of GERD include the following:
Regurgitation of bitter acid up into the throat while sleeping or bending over
Persistent dry cough
Hoarseness (especially in the morning)
Feeling of tightness in the throat, as if a piece of food is stuck there
Wheezing
To confirm the diagnosis, physicians often treat patients with medications to suppress the production of acid by the stomach. If the heartburn is diminished to a large extent, the diagnosis of GERD is considered confirmed. This approach of making a diagnosis on the basis of a response of the symptoms to treatment is commonly called a therapeutic trial.
If I were you I would try a Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for 3 weeks to see if it helps. PPIs include omeprazole (Prilosec), esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid), rabeprazole (Aciphex), and pantoprazole (Protonix).
They block the production of an enzyme needed to produce stomach acid.
PPIs stop acid production more completely than H2-blockers. They are over the counter and can be purchased at any drug store.
The only downside is there are other conditions that can mimic GERD, duodenal or gastric (stomach) ulcers, also can actually respond to such treatment. Also, a type of infection called Helicobacter pylori, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (for example, ibuprofen), can also cause ulcers and these conditions would be treated differently from GERD.
But I believe you have been tested for these conditions by your gastro/hepatologist.
It is a cheap way to find out if you have the most common condition that causes Upper Quadrant pain.
Although I have had GERD myself I am NOT a doctor so any medical advice I give should be taken with a big grain of salt. ;-)
I hope you get to the bottom of this. A second opinion is always worth checking out even if they come up with the same odd HCV pain diagnosis.
Cheers!
Hector
Have you talked to your Primary Care Physician about the pain? They are the ones that should figure out what specialist you should be see. Maybe it is related to another body system besides the GI system. Nerve or muscle or something? Or they may think it could be GERD.
"crampy, achy, sometimes sharp and burning"
I know you have been tested for GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) and ulcers but...
GERD affects 25%-40% of the adult population of the United States to some degree at some point. About 10% of adults experience GERD weekly or daily. GERD is commonly known as Heartburn is a burning pain in the center of the chest, behind the breastbone. It often starts in the upper abdomen and spreads up into the neck.
NOTE: Not everyone with GERD has heartburn.
Sometimes the pain may be sharp or pressure-like, rather than burning.
Heartburn is usually worse after eating.
Worsens when lying down.
Other symptoms of GERD include the following:
Regurgitation of bitter acid up into the throat while sleeping or bending over
Persistent dry cough
Hoarseness (especially in the morning)
Feeling of tightness in the throat, as if a piece of food is stuck there
Wheezing
To confirm the diagnosis, physicians often treat patients with medications to suppress the production of acid by the stomach. If the heartburn is diminished to a large extent, the diagnosis of GERD is considered confirmed. This approach of making a diagnosis on the basis of a response of the symptoms to treatment is commonly called a therapeutic trial.
If I were you I would try a Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for 3 weeks to see if it helps. PPIs include omeprazole (Prilosec), esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid), rabeprazole (Aciphex), and pantoprazole (Protonix).
They block the production of an enzyme needed to produce stomach acid.
PPIs stop acid production more completely than H2-blockers. They are over the counter and can be purchased at any drug store.
The only downside is there are other conditions that can mimic GERD, duodenal or gastric (stomach) ulcers, also can actually respond to such treatment. Also, a type of infection called Helicobacter pylori, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (for example, ibuprofen), can also cause ulcers and these conditions would be treated differently from GERD.
But I believe you have been tested for these conditions by your gastro/hepatologist.
It is a cheap way to find out if you have the most common condition that causes Upper Quadrant pain.
Although I have had GERD myself I am NOT a doctor so any medical advice I give should be taken with a big grain of salt. ;-)
I hope you get to the bottom of this. A second opinion is always worth checking out even if they come up with the same odd HCV pain diagnosis.
Cheers!
Hector
Yes, the pain would be LUQ. The pain scale varies but is generally constant more or less. On average it is a 4 but can lower to a 1 and jump to an 8 at times. I would describe it as crampy, achy, sometimes sharp and burning. Its been a vary hard thing to explain to drs. I appreciate your feedback.
Ive had the works in tests and they have found nothing. That is why they are saying its probably just my Hep C. If so, will it go away after I finish TX. If its not my Hep C, should I be pursuing other avenues?
Ive had the works in tests and they have found nothing. That is why they are saying its probably just my Hep C. If so, will it go away after I finish TX. If its not my Hep C, should I be pursuing other avenues?
"Ive had abdominal pain on the middle and middle left side of abdomen for 18 months now. "
Where? Please see a map of the abdominal area and describe where the pain is.
Where in the LUQ?
http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&sa=X&biw=1680&bih=925&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=70pwH0fVkplLGM:&imgrefurl=http://armymedical.tpub.com/MD0918/MD09180020.htm&docid=A6wsJ1HtSok17M&imgurl=http://armymedical.tpub.com/MD0918/MD09180020im.jpg&w=918&h=1188&ei=f2B2UN_2FaWUiAKR_oCoBQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=991&vpy=144&dur=3920&hovh=255&hovw=197&tx=128&ty=157&sig=104399144875687762607&page=1&tbnh=113&tbnw=81&start=0&ndsp=51&ved=1t:429,r:6,s:0,i:145
What is the character of the pain? Generally vague, not well localized, dull, sharp, comes in waves, burning, crampy, etc.
How intense in the pain? Is it constant or varies in intensity?
Hector
Where? Please see a map of the abdominal area and describe where the pain is.
Where in the LUQ?
http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&sa=X&biw=1680&bih=925&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=70pwH0fVkplLGM:&imgrefurl=http://armymedical.tpub.com/MD0918/MD09180020.htm&docid=A6wsJ1HtSok17M&imgurl=http://armymedical.tpub.com/MD0918/MD09180020im.jpg&w=918&h=1188&ei=f2B2UN_2FaWUiAKR_oCoBQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=991&vpy=144&dur=3920&hovh=255&hovw=197&tx=128&ty=157&sig=104399144875687762607&page=1&tbnh=113&tbnw=81&start=0&ndsp=51&ved=1t:429,r:6,s:0,i:145
What is the character of the pain? Generally vague, not well localized, dull, sharp, comes in waves, burning, crampy, etc.
How intense in the pain? Is it constant or varies in intensity?
Hector
The doc is a gastro/hepatologist. I say he was "writing it off" as the Hep C because he couldn't find anything through testing. I get what your saying with the spleen because its in the general area however CT, MRI showed normal size. Ultrasound showed fatty liver but thats on the right side where theres no pain. Ive been told Hep C can cause severe muscle cramping/pain but I havent found any literature on it. What are your thoughts on that? I appreciate your feedback, thanks.
Gastro ruled out acic reflux, ulcers, etc. I had the upper and lower scopes with pill cam swallow. It wasnt until those tests came back normal that the gastro said, "well, sometimes Hep C causes non-specific abdominal pain" The abdominal pain is constant and sometimes accompanied with nausea. Thanks for the feedback.
If your spleen is enlarged it could be creating pressure which you feel as pain.
You say your doctor write it off. Is your doctor a GI or a hepatologist experienced in liver disease ?
Hep C itself does not cause the problem but the effects of advancing fibrosis and cirrhosis can cause these symptoms.
Danniboi, I had intense GI pain after treatment that lasted for a few weeks. I found tummy massages, eliminating hard to digest foods, like seeds, nuts, cheese and too much wheat, helped as well as taking a walk after meals.
Heating pads worked on the pain itself.
You say your doctor write it off. Is your doctor a GI or a hepatologist experienced in liver disease ?
Hep C itself does not cause the problem but the effects of advancing fibrosis and cirrhosis can cause these symptoms.
Danniboi, I had intense GI pain after treatment that lasted for a few weeks. I found tummy massages, eliminating hard to digest foods, like seeds, nuts, cheese and too much wheat, helped as well as taking a walk after meals.
Heating pads worked on the pain itself.
It would be hard to diagnosis if the only symptoms you have is abdominal pain.From what you say sounds like the stomach area.A shot in the dark here could be acid reflux? Gerp?ulcers?All of these have other symptoms than just abdominal pain.Keep in mind that during treatment any type ailments you had pre treatment can accentuate during treatment or may go away.
I have the same problem but for me it started post treatment.I'm a G3 who finished treatment 9 weeks ago.
Best of luck to you,there are a lot of knowledgeable folks in this forum that maybe better in helping you.
Best wishes
Dannyboi7
I have the same problem but for me it started post treatment.I'm a G3 who finished treatment 9 weeks ago.
Best of luck to you,there are a lot of knowledgeable folks in this forum that maybe better in helping you.
Best wishes
Dannyboi7
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