Kathryn
12-12-2000, 07:51 PM
I had surgery in March of this year for a very large benign tumor on my liver. It turned out to be a clump of coagulated blood vessels that wer on the verge of shutting down vessels coming and going from the liver. 60% of my liver was removed and it has since grown back... amazing. However, I still ache in my Liver side and feel this huge lump. I know it takes time to heal, but I was wondering if anyone else had anything to share on this one with their own experiences.
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Mountain Man
12-25-2000, 07:15 PM
Dear Kathyrn, I was so glad to read that someone other than myself has experienced this. Like you, I had surgery that removed over 60% of my liver. My surgery was in March of 1999. After almost two years, I still experience a grat deal of pain. Unlike you however; my liver has not grown back. (My internal organs have shifted so that it doea not have the needed room to grow back to it's original size.)
[This message has been edited by Mountain Man (edited 12-28-2000).]
[This message has been edited by Mountain Man (edited 12-28-2000).]
Kathryn
01-01-2001, 11:31 PM
MountainMan.... I wonder why your liver has not grown back. I was told it would. But, then I was also told that we only use about 30% of our liver total anyway. Did you have something wrong with your liver? Are you liver enzyme tests good or coming down to normal.
I still experience discomfort on my right side... but, I also feel that big lump of a liver protruding as well. I was wondering it it is causing presssure or pinching things around in there causing it to ache. My liver enzyme blood work has been getting better and better.
I sure hope you are getting along ok. I have started taking Milk Thistle for my liver... there is much to be said for it helping the liver.
Good luck..
I still experience discomfort on my right side... but, I also feel that big lump of a liver protruding as well. I was wondering it it is causing presssure or pinching things around in there causing it to ache. My liver enzyme blood work has been getting better and better.
I sure hope you are getting along ok. I have started taking Milk Thistle for my liver... there is much to be said for it helping the liver.
Good luck..
Mountain Man
01-02-2001, 08:49 PM
I was sure glad to hear from you , I have checked the message board everyday to see if you had replied. :)
You asked if I had something wrong with my liver........yes a blood tumor the same as yours. The doctor said I was very lucky,
if they had not found it, it would have ruptured and I would have bled to death before I could get to the hospital.
I was very lucky that it was found......they found it quite by accident. I signed up for a survey/study on acid reflux which I had been diagnosed with about 10 years before. Anyway it was a study with free meds and free doctor visits and it sounded good to me! They were supposed to have a new medication that could reverse some of the effects of reflux. I was willing to give it a shot. So I went in.
The doctor wanted to talk to me after the study tests were done. I did not qualify because my reflux was too far in progression. I had damage that no meds could fix. (Not even my new miracle drug.)
The bad news he gave me was that he had discovered a bacteria in my blood he was concerned about. They wanted to either take me on as a patient or refer me to someone. I decided to stay with them. The next week was filled with tests one of which was a CT scan. They discovered a spot on my liver and had to do exploratory surgery. It turned out not to be malignant but instead was another type of tumor than what he expected, but it was benign.
After that first surgery I had to have a CT scan every 2months then every 4 months and now every 6 months. In case it should develop again.
Then in December of that same year I had to have my gall bladder removed and the surgery was not simple. I had so much scar tissue that they had to do another major surgery to remove my gall bladder.
Now I worry everytime I have the slightest pain. Do you? It has been a rough two years.
Thank you for your reply.
You asked if I had something wrong with my liver........yes a blood tumor the same as yours. The doctor said I was very lucky,
if they had not found it, it would have ruptured and I would have bled to death before I could get to the hospital.
I was very lucky that it was found......they found it quite by accident. I signed up for a survey/study on acid reflux which I had been diagnosed with about 10 years before. Anyway it was a study with free meds and free doctor visits and it sounded good to me! They were supposed to have a new medication that could reverse some of the effects of reflux. I was willing to give it a shot. So I went in.
The doctor wanted to talk to me after the study tests were done. I did not qualify because my reflux was too far in progression. I had damage that no meds could fix. (Not even my new miracle drug.)
The bad news he gave me was that he had discovered a bacteria in my blood he was concerned about. They wanted to either take me on as a patient or refer me to someone. I decided to stay with them. The next week was filled with tests one of which was a CT scan. They discovered a spot on my liver and had to do exploratory surgery. It turned out not to be malignant but instead was another type of tumor than what he expected, but it was benign.
After that first surgery I had to have a CT scan every 2months then every 4 months and now every 6 months. In case it should develop again.
Then in December of that same year I had to have my gall bladder removed and the surgery was not simple. I had so much scar tissue that they had to do another major surgery to remove my gall bladder.
Now I worry everytime I have the slightest pain. Do you? It has been a rough two years.
Thank you for your reply.
Kathryn
01-05-2001, 07:55 AM
Well, for heavens sake... you have also been through quite an ordeal. It is a very major surgery. I'm sure we share similar tummy scars.
They took out my Gall bladder at the time of my surgery, so it was that whole side of the liver that was removed. Mine was discovered by accident as well. I was having trouble with a little incontinence with my bladder and bowels.. and the urologist told me I was fine, but, he saw something higher up on my scan and I needed to have it checked. Went to the liver Doctor and he confirmed thinges and sent me to the surgeon. The surgeon was so totally great. He scheduled me for surgery within 2 weeks and the rest is history. I had a long recovery time. I ached so bad and it kept draining... my husband was a champ in taking care of me. I have never done so much needed couch in a long time. Even though my liver enzyme tests come out ok, it is still achy on my right side. I'm going to ask for a follow. I haven't had any follow up scan's like you and think that would be a good idea.
I'm sure glad they found this tumor in both of us before a more serious problem developed. Life sure dishes out some trials, doesn't it.
You can reach me at StarDust248@Home.com
They took out my Gall bladder at the time of my surgery, so it was that whole side of the liver that was removed. Mine was discovered by accident as well. I was having trouble with a little incontinence with my bladder and bowels.. and the urologist told me I was fine, but, he saw something higher up on my scan and I needed to have it checked. Went to the liver Doctor and he confirmed thinges and sent me to the surgeon. The surgeon was so totally great. He scheduled me for surgery within 2 weeks and the rest is history. I had a long recovery time. I ached so bad and it kept draining... my husband was a champ in taking care of me. I have never done so much needed couch in a long time. Even though my liver enzyme tests come out ok, it is still achy on my right side. I'm going to ask for a follow. I haven't had any follow up scan's like you and think that would be a good idea.
I'm sure glad they found this tumor in both of us before a more serious problem developed. Life sure dishes out some trials, doesn't it.
You can reach me at StarDust248@Home.com
tina ballerina
02-13-2001, 06:06 PM
hi kathryn, hope you can help me , i've just been to see a liver docter, as my enzymes have been raised for some time, and i have been in a great deal of pain. I have had 5 scans, 4 x-rays, endoscopy and an ERCP and they have nothing not even a grain of sand. But i am still being told it could be gallstones. how can this be possible, and if so why are my enzymes getting higher. I have been told, it could also be sludge, I was told that if they take the gallbladder out this COULD stop the pain, they are not sure.
your opinion would be greatly appreciated.
your opinion would be greatly appreciated.
Kathryn
02-16-2001, 12:06 PM
Hi Tina Ballerina, wow, I have no idea. we need to research a little more on this one. It sure doesn't explain why you have the pain still or even what they are going to do about it. I think you should be seeing that doctor again and insist on further testing... elevated liver enzymes tells me something is going on and that in itself is scary. I'm sorry I can't help you much on that one. But, I'm willing to keep my ears and eyes open about any info that may be of help. Perhaps Maybe the online Merck manual would help...
Gumbi
04-01-2001, 04:28 AM
I am a type 1 diabetic and last March I had my gall bladder removed along with a liver biopsy. My levels were high. They found a spot on my liver. They don't know what it is and left it there. I have terrible pain in my right side, front and back and it shoots up through my right shoulder blade to my right shoulder. I also get pain in my left side as well. Sometimes the pain is extremely intense, to the point where it catches my breath. Any ideas?
Kathryn
04-02-2001, 07:09 AM
I think I would be concerned about that spot on my liver. It doesn't seem likely that they would actually ignore it. I think I would make it a point to have this investigated. I would call a doctor and not wait too long. I would insist on tests... even if your liver enzyme tests look good. I would ask for something. With so many liver diseases and conditions out there you can't be too careful. Be well
steve hall
04-04-2001, 04:52 PM
mountainman: have you seen the site www.bioforce.co.uk (http://www.bioforce.co.uk) theres a tintchure there for reflux called centaurium just wondered if youd tried it.....im a lot better though i have other probs which i think are liver related....feeling hot in the face after eating...strange body odour which i can smell in my urine...also gastritis so no more booze(((
Tonice217
02-14-2005, 03:11 AM
Hi Kathryn,
Was your tumor called a Hemangioma? I was in the hospital this september 2004 for a ruptured bladder and when they took a CT scan they found a very large hemangioma on my liver. The doctors in the local hospital were very concerned that if i would fall, i could bleed to death. they sent me to sloan kettering and the liver specialist said to leave it alone unless it bothers me. i am scheduled for another CT scan and an appt to see the doc at Sloan in March. I have noticed that my abdomen is swollen for me. on the CT report it said acsites in the liver area. my abdomen is more swollen than in september. did you have other symptoms? The only other symptoms that i complained about was never being hungry. I would truly appreciate any answers. My best, Tonice
Was your tumor called a Hemangioma? I was in the hospital this september 2004 for a ruptured bladder and when they took a CT scan they found a very large hemangioma on my liver. The doctors in the local hospital were very concerned that if i would fall, i could bleed to death. they sent me to sloan kettering and the liver specialist said to leave it alone unless it bothers me. i am scheduled for another CT scan and an appt to see the doc at Sloan in March. I have noticed that my abdomen is swollen for me. on the CT report it said acsites in the liver area. my abdomen is more swollen than in september. did you have other symptoms? The only other symptoms that i complained about was never being hungry. I would truly appreciate any answers. My best, Tonice
izwdsht
03-04-2005, 02:01 PM
:wave:
I just had an MRI on my liver on Wednesday on my Liver. I had a sonogram recently to check for gall stones, which I have. They found a spot on my liver. The doctor says it was probably a collection of blood cells. I'm very anxious to get the results back. I just hope its nothing serious!
I just had an MRI on my liver on Wednesday on my Liver. I had a sonogram recently to check for gall stones, which I have. They found a spot on my liver. The doctor says it was probably a collection of blood cells. I'm very anxious to get the results back. I just hope its nothing serious!
cmparkhur
03-05-2005, 01:21 AM
I just had a CT scan last Wednesday due to a 7cm x 5cm liver lesion that was discovered on an ultrasound the week before. I haven't received the results yet and I am terrified. I called the doctor's office, but they told me that the copy of the results had not been received. I originally had the ultrasound because I was having a mild discomfort under my right rib and the doctor thought it was gallstones, but apparently there weren't any to be found. I also notice that I am having yellow stools (not to be gross). I am 29 years old and I just had a baby 6 1/2 months ago so I am thinking the worst and I'm driving myself crazy.
rotlude
03-06-2005, 12:46 PM
cmparkhu-- With your young age, I am thinking you probably have one of three things: liver adenoma, hemangioma, or focal nodular hyperplasia. Were you ever on birth control pills? Adenomas are caused by birth control pills. I have one that is 7.5 cm on my liver which I have had for 10 years and through one pregnancy. I am currently 32. You can find out more information on the internet by typing in the above terms I wrote. Your doctor may order an MRI scan which can better determine the exact size and which lesion it could be. He/She may also order a biopsy if x-rays are inclusive (I never had a biopsy, just an ultrasound and nuclear medicine scan to determine mine). Your options may be to have surgery depending on which type of lesion and where it is located. If surgery is suggested, perhaps ask about having laparoscopic surgery which is less severe. I am looking into having laparoscopic surgery on mine now. SUpposedly, the recovery period is better also. Try not to panic too much until you get your results. I can also tell you though to stop taking any meds with ibuprofen in them as they can tend to cause you pain. I was told to only take Tylenol for pain. Please keep me posted as to your results and if you have any questions on adenomas check out the post "Liver Adenomas Due to BCPs" or you can ask me in a post. Good luck.