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Avatar universal

Stomach pains and worries

Hi.  hoping you can help?  I have been under the doc now since Dec 2009.  I had to change docs practice in Feb 2010 as moved house 3 years ago and never changed.  Probs started late nov 2009 with slight dull discomfort under right side ribs.  Then over xmas felt terrible, kept waking at 2am with sweats and bloating, also yellow coloured stools.  Went to doc and had blood tests, all were clear except slightly raised alt in liver.  Had told doc that I definatley drink more than i should but also not dependent.  Just heavy social drinker.  Still felt ill through Jan and into feb so doc arranged ultrasound for main organs...all ok.

Still suffering but not as bad as xmas.  Symtoms are dull ache to moderate pains under rhs ribs near surface.  Seems aggrevated by drinking the very next day after just 1 or 2 pints.  Also makes me feel very tired.  Have also experienced pain lower on the same side near to where a belt would be.  Sometimes in the back opposite this.  Have  tried various IBS cures but nothing changed at all.  I do not believe its IBS at all.  Am obviously worried that I have liver damage although hope that bloods tests would have shown this.  Last bloods (8 weeks ago) tested 40 diff things so doc said.
please please help.  Matt
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Avatar universal
When stomach is at its worst the pressure of water in the shower feels sensitive?  Would a liver issue be this near the surface?

I don't think so. The pain usually associated with liver disease is more of a dull ache or some might describe it as a discomfort located in the upper right quadrant (URQ). When the liver is inflamed it swells. The liver itself has no nerves and so it feels no pain. But, when the liver swells it distends the capsule or sheathe that contains the liver. That capsule is called the Glisson's Capsule and it does have nerves. So when it is distended from the swollen liver the patient feels an ache or a discomfort. I have not read nor heard from anyone that the pain is sharp or a surface pain. I had severe liver disease which necessitated a liver transplant and I never had a surface pain. I had only a dull ache.

I agree with wq2 - see a gastroenterologist regardless of whether you have a liver disease. Your problem is likely some type of digestive disorder (bloating and yellow stools) and that is a gastroenterologist's territory.

Good luck,
Mike
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Forgot to say that I have not seen Gastroenterologist as my doc thinks that i have IBS!  He also prescribed anti depressant pills as he thought the cause is anxiety!  This is completely rediculas, I am not depressed or anxious!  All is well in my life!  I have not taken these pills.
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Avatar universal
Forgot to say that I have not seen Gastroenterologist as my doc thinks that i have IBS!  He also prescribed anti depressant pills as he thought the cause is anxiety!  This is completely rediculas, I am not depressed or anxious!  All is well in my life!  I have not taken these pills.

Matt
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi. Have had general U.sound checking liver, kidneys, pancreas, and gall bladder.  Main reason was that gall bladder was main suspect at xmas time.  Not sure about Doppler, think this is to do with blood pressure?  This is ok.

I should add that I am reasonably fit and well although could do a bit more excercise.  That being said am active outside of work hours, in and around garden etc.

When stomach is at its worst the pressure of water in the shower feels sensitive?  Would a liver issue be this near the surface?  I have had 2 docs in the last 7 months feel stomach, both said liver not enlarged?  

Should I being looking answers on the digestion pages?

Matt
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
wq2
Also, are you being attended by a Gastroenterologist?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
wq2
Did you have a imaging exam of your liver done, live a doppler ultrasound scan?
Helpful - 0
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