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Liver Pain
I found out that I have HepC and am in the Cirrhosis stage. Ive been having this burning, achy feeling from my liver for awhile now. I have a few questions that someone may be able to help me with?
1. Does anyone know if this comes and goes away at different times or will it always be there.
I have to wait for the new HepC drugs to be released because the Interferon would be to hard on my Colitis.
2. My doctor only tells me to use Tylenol. Is Vicodin good to take also.
1. Does anyone know if this comes and goes away at different times or will it always be there.
I have to wait for the new HepC drugs to be released because the Interferon would be to hard on my Colitis.
2. My doctor only tells me to use Tylenol. Is Vicodin good to take also.
The liver does not have any feeling however the capsule surrounding the liver has many nerve endings.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fibrous_capsule_of_Glisson
Shyrl
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fibrous_capsule_of_Glisson
Shyrl
Wow! I sure hope your transplant comes to you soon. You've been through a lot. Especially with 6 cancer procedures. That must have taken a lot out of you. I'm really happy that the Hep C treatment went really well. That is great news. Hopefully it will be available soon.
I do have cirrhosis. I'm not sure if it is early. The doctor I have at CPMC told me that in 2-5 years my liver will start to fail.
My Varices were Small (<5 mm) found in the lower third of the esophagus.
Platelet count is now up to 106 from 95 three months prior.
Hope things go well for all of us. Especially for you. Thanks for your encouraging words/help. You have made me feel so much better on life!
Geoff
I do have cirrhosis. I'm not sure if it is early. The doctor I have at CPMC told me that in 2-5 years my liver will start to fail.
My Varices were Small (<5 mm) found in the lower third of the esophagus.
Platelet count is now up to 106 from 95 three months prior.
Hope things go well for all of us. Especially for you. Thanks for your encouraging words/help. You have made me feel so much better on life!
Geoff
I have been waiting for a transplant at UCSF for 3 years now. This year I have been not eligible for transplant because my liver cancer has gotten beyond the criteria for transplant. I have had 6 cancer procedures and am now waiting to the results from the last treatment and hope to be on the transplant list soon. I should be in the top 3 people out of 711 on the list. So I hope to get a transplant in September or October.
The Gilead treatment will be for you. Sofosbuvir and RIbavirin.
(I just finished 48 weeks of this same treatment in a special trial for 50 of us with cirrhosis and liver cancer. So far I have been undetectable for 48 weeks).
So you have early cirrhosis?
No enlarged spleen?
No varices?
What is your platelet count?
I am just wondering why your doctor has referred you to UCSF or CPMC?
How long do people live after transplant?
That depends on many factors. Especially how healthy generally you are before transplant in terms of other health issues. And we are all different. No one can say how long anyone one person will live. I have meet many patients who have had liver transplants 10,15,20 years ago. And the transplant process is much better these days so people should live longer in the future. The way we who need transplants look at it is when we get a transplant here in the Bay Area you are close to death so any time after transplant is a gift. Because we were suppose to die very soon after our transplants. If I can live 5-10 years I would be happy with that. And with my history of cancer that is all I probably will have. When you are close to death your thinking about life and longevity changes. Hopefully you have early cirrhosis and can cure your hepatitis C and never need a liver transplant. A liver transplant is only used as a last resort.
Good luck to you.
Hector
The Gilead treatment will be for you. Sofosbuvir and RIbavirin.
(I just finished 48 weeks of this same treatment in a special trial for 50 of us with cirrhosis and liver cancer. So far I have been undetectable for 48 weeks).
So you have early cirrhosis?
No enlarged spleen?
No varices?
What is your platelet count?
I am just wondering why your doctor has referred you to UCSF or CPMC?
How long do people live after transplant?
That depends on many factors. Especially how healthy generally you are before transplant in terms of other health issues. And we are all different. No one can say how long anyone one person will live. I have meet many patients who have had liver transplants 10,15,20 years ago. And the transplant process is much better these days so people should live longer in the future. The way we who need transplants look at it is when we get a transplant here in the Bay Area you are close to death so any time after transplant is a gift. Because we were suppose to die very soon after our transplants. If I can live 5-10 years I would be happy with that. And with my history of cancer that is all I probably will have. When you are close to death your thinking about life and longevity changes. Hopefully you have early cirrhosis and can cure your hepatitis C and never need a liver transplant. A liver transplant is only used as a last resort.
Good luck to you.
Hector
Thanks Hector!
I've had a Ultrasound, CT, MRI, Colonoscopy and a Endoscopy. I get a Ultrasound once a year and a MRI 6 months after the Ultrasound to screen for cancer.
I have a great doctor here in SF and he told me that my liver will start to fail in 2-5 years. (Don't know what will happen after that) I am on a acid reflux medication I take once daily and can tell a big difference from that already.
I am Genotype 3. I guess out of all the types, I am a bit lucky here.
Tylenol: Yes, he tells me that this is what I can take. He also is letting me use Marijuana in moderation.
How long ago did you have your liver transplant and how long are people expected to live with a transplant?
Thanks so much for your words of encouragement. I didn't think anyone would reply to my questions and when I woke there were two replies.
Take care,
-Geoff in SF
I've had a Ultrasound, CT, MRI, Colonoscopy and a Endoscopy. I get a Ultrasound once a year and a MRI 6 months after the Ultrasound to screen for cancer.
I have a great doctor here in SF and he told me that my liver will start to fail in 2-5 years. (Don't know what will happen after that) I am on a acid reflux medication I take once daily and can tell a big difference from that already.
I am Genotype 3. I guess out of all the types, I am a bit lucky here.
Tylenol: Yes, he tells me that this is what I can take. He also is letting me use Marijuana in moderation.
How long ago did you have your liver transplant and how long are people expected to live with a transplant?
Thanks so much for your words of encouragement. I didn't think anyone would reply to my questions and when I woke there were two replies.
Take care,
-Geoff in SF
Thanks for the helpful words. This is a scary time when you first find out about all this. Its a lot to take in. Does last stage mean that you will have to have a liver transplant?
Hector knows stuff. lol. His advice has helped me through the last 3 years.
I know what the doctors say about the liver can't feel pain BUT I hurt under my ribcage sometimes. If I eat fatty or salty food, it can feel heavy there. I think it's because of swelling and pressing other organs too.
It scares the fire out of me for some reason. I was having it bad and made some changes that helped.
I also do not take anything for that pain. I am end stage and have had to make some hard choices in order to live. I hope this helps. xoxo Karen:)
I know what the doctors say about the liver can't feel pain BUT I hurt under my ribcage sometimes. If I eat fatty or salty food, it can feel heavy there. I think it's because of swelling and pressing other organs too.
It scares the fire out of me for some reason. I was having it bad and made some changes that helped.
I also do not take anything for that pain. I am end stage and have had to make some hard choices in order to live. I hope this helps. xoxo Karen:)
Correction: Question 1 is:
Does anyone know if this pain comes and goes away at different times or will it always be there?
Thanks,
Geoff
Does anyone know if this pain comes and goes away at different times or will it always be there?
Thanks,
Geoff
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Your gastroenterologist or hepatologist says it is liver pain?
Liver pain is rare. It is usually caused when the liver has inflammation and pushes into nerves and other organs. Cirrhotic livers usually harden and shrink in size. Second in those with liver pain it is usually experienced as a dull pain nd can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sweating. Liver pain can also radiate to other areas of the body such as the right shoulder. Pain from other abdominal organs can also be mistaken for liver pain.
Have you had imaging done. Ultrasound, CT scan or MRI was any anatomical cause for the pain found?
The most common cause of burning, achy pain in the upper abdomen is Acid Reflux. Otherwise know as G.E.R.D. (Gastroesophageal reflux disease). a condition in which the stomach contents (food or liquid) leak backwards from the stomach into the esophagus (the tube from the mouth to the stomach). This action can irritate the esophagus, causing heartburn and other symptoms. Have you been examined for G.E.R.D.? It can be treated with over-the-counter meds you can by at any drug store.
Are you being seen at a liver clinic or a liver transplant clinic?
Have you been having surveillance for liver cancer every 6 months? As a male with cirrhosis caused by hep C it is very important to be monitored for liver cancer with an AFP blood test and an ultrasound.
"I have to wait for the new Hep C drugs to be released because the Interferon would be to hard on my Colitis."
If you are genotype 1 and have never treated you can treat without interferon probably in early 2014. If you have genotype 2/3 you can also use the future therapy.
"My doctor only tells me to use Tylenol."
Patients with cirrhosis have fewer analgesic options then people with healthy livers. Tylenol/Acetaminophen is used for mild pain relief. Persons with cirrhosis should normally only use Tylenol (Acetaminophen) for pain relief. Talk to your hepatologist regarding and meds, vitamin, supplements before you talk them.
So yes you should ONLY take Tylenol as your doctor recommended.
It is safe if you take less than six 325 mg tablets each day (2,000 mg per day). Of course never mix it with alcohol.
Vicodin is an opiate (narcotic) and is used to relieve moderate to severe pain. It also has Tylenol/Acetaminophen in it. (Acetaminophen is sometimes listed as "APAP"). It is addictive and can cause symptoms and complications for patients with cirrhosis.
Opioids are common precipitants of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) and hospitalization, and thus they should be avoided in patients with cirrhosis, especially in those with portal hypertension and encephalopathy. Opiods also cause constipation which can trigger hepatic encephalopathy (HE). The liver is the main site of metabolism for most opioids. Another thing to keep in mind if you become addicted to any drug or alcohol you will not be eligible for a liver transplant until you have proved your sobriety which is usually a 6 month wait.
Patients with cirrhosis should NOT take Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID) such as Advil (Ibuprofen), Motrin (Ibuprofen), or aspirin-type drugs. In cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension, the greater concern with NSAID use is the associated renal impairment, in particular hepatorenal syndrome which can be fatal. NSAIDs can also cause bleeding in patients at increased risk of bleeding as a result of low platelet counts and coagulopathy associated with advanced liver disease.
Best of luck to you!
Hector
UCSF liver transplant patient with HCC