End stage hep-c; cirrhosis; Significant Splenomegaly

[Veteran1]

I am in end stage hep-c and have cirrhosis, gastropathy and significant splenomegaly.  I am in severe pain and am trying to understand why.  I keep hoping that the Dr's will find something treatable so I can have some comfort.  They continue to test for everything but have yet to give me a diagnosis of the exact cause of the pain.  One Gastro specialist told me that it's the Gastropathy, which causes a change in the stomach lining due to portal vein hypertension and blood flow.  Another told me it may be my enlarged gall bladder but test fail to show a problem with the gall bladder, which is functioning efficiently.  

The pain is on the right side, near the bottom of the rib cage closest to the navel.

Is anyone else in the end stage and experiencing this type of pain?  If so, has it been diagnosed?

I've had Hep-C for 40 years.  Originally diagnosed as non-specific hepatitis when I was discharged from the Army in 1969, and positively identified as Chronic Hepatitis in 1992, geno-type 1A.  I've been through all known protocols and have been unresponsive to all treatments starting with Interferon, then Interferon with Ribaviron and then Peg-Intron.

I would love to find a way to eliminate or reduce the pain.  Right now they have me on morphine, 90 MG per day.  I would rather not be dependent on this drug.

I appreciate any responses.

[Xhrles]

Had the same symptoms for a long time. The doctors never had an answer to what it was other than liver disease. Felt like I'd been run through. Started useing a product called Fatigue Relief Plus from natural wellness. Not pumping the product. It helped the pain go away in a few weeks. Began using alpha lipoic acid from GNC 300mg last summer and it helped with the pain and the fatigue. Only time I feel it now is if I eat heavy or run out of pills. Good luck  and god bless.

[Veteran1]

Yes, they've run pretty much every test.  Hidescan, ultrasound, barrium, endoscopy, and even a colonoscopy.  Nothing they will commit to as a diagnosis.  Damn upsetting to me.  I keep telling them (the VA hospital I go to in Bay Pines, Florida) that all I want is a diagnosis and if it's something that can be treated then please do it.

Thanks for the feedback and concern.  Best of luck to you, too.

[justme53]

Sorry to hear of all you troubles. Have they checked out your pancreas? I had a similar problem a couple months ago (I'm on tx) with pain in te same area, but also radiating to the back, so they did a stat ultrasound to rule out pancreatitis. They were more concerned with that than the GB issues. I am also a Stage 4/cirrhosis.