Scared - Liver & Pancreas Disorders Message Board

dragonsbeauty · 07-25-2005, 03:38 PM

I am setting another post, because I dont think that I was clear enough in the last one. I need some help. I am scared to death, and when I call my doctor, it seems like the people who I talk to dont want to talk to me about this issue. The only person I can talk to is my doctor, and shes always busy. I go to see her on Friday. Then I know I can ask tons of questions. Well, last week, I started feeling pretty bad. Not like sick or anything, but sluggish, as well as pains in my right side, below rib cage, as well as the left side, but this didnt happen until after I had an ultrasound done on that side. The other pains have been going on for quite sometime. But here recently it seems like its a constant thing. I have GI problems, GERD, Acid reflux, I have depression as well as panic disorder, I have irritable bowel syndrome, which has resulted in dirrhera <--misspelled I know sorry). But anyway, I have had hair loss, not signifigant amounts, but abnormal amounts when I wash my hair. Leg pains, and ankle pains, acne, which now its clearing up. Hot flashes, and one day last week, I had a mild temp of 99.5. That was when I went to the doctor, it scared me. So I had the tests done, and they said that from the ultrasound test that my spleen was mildly enlarged, and that I had some fatty tissue around my liver, but they seemed not too concerned about it. They were concerned with the fact of the spleen being slightly enlarged. Well, I asked her after I heard those results what the blood count was like and she said it was normal. Anyway, she sent me to have a CT done. I had to wait all weekend for the results, and today I got them. The nurse told me that everything on the CT was fine there was no abnormalties. Then I asked her about the blood work again and she said that my liver count came out to be 40. And the normal count was supposed to be from 8 to 36. That was the only thing that she gave me and she told me that everything else was fine. However, I am still waiting on a cholesterol test and such. Well, I still have these dull pains. And I have a huge hemmorrid that is slight uncomfortable. My stools are greenish in color, and are quite choppy. I have a pain near my belly button on the right side... not sure what that is, and tests only said I had tons of gas, which I forgot to mention I have gastritis. I am 27 years old, I am obese as they say.... I carry my weight well, but over the year I have developed what they call the liver roll. Fat around my stomach area, just under my breasts. I have this pain in my right side, that tends to be bothersome at times, And it goes through to my back. Its not intense and on the pain scale it would be like a 4 or a 5 in pain. I feel bloated a good bit, and the pin near my belly button hasnt seemed to stop. Not sure what I can do to make it stop. I have been eating more veggies these past few days, and it seems that its appeasing the pain to some degree, but still the pain is there. I went and bought dr cabots book yesterday called The Liver Cleansing Diet. And are willing to start it. I have also been nausious, like in the evenings. I try not to take too many prescription meds. I do take benzos whenever my anxiety acts up, and I do take nausea meds whenever I get that way, I was on birth control for a while, then I was off and on it for a while, then I stopped it a few months ago. I take nexium on occasion. Other than that, I really dont take too many things. Can anyone help me, I am a major hypochrondiac, and I am terrified that this could be something more serious. The pain on the left really worries me as well. I NEED HELP. None of this is making sense to me.

happyelf · 07-25-2005, 04:50 PM

Hi dragonsbeauty--
I know you're really scared. Sounds like you've been thru it and back lately. First things first--I'm assuming the "#40" they gave you as being high when normal counts are 8-36 is your AST liver enzymes. Most hospitals, clinics and labs use the scale 7-45 (sometimes 40) for that number-and that just depends on where you are in the US--or even if you're outside of the US. ANYTHING can elevate that # a lot of exercise, a cold, flu, and medicines--OTC & prescripts. It can take a month or so being TOTALLY off any meds before that number goes back down to the lower "normal" range value. When you're overweight at all you can develop fatty liver-which is no big deal-but it can also elevate your #'s. Did they mention what your ALT was? That # is usually anywhere from 5-60 or 65--again depending on what range the lab uses. They don't do anything for fatty liver-just tell you to watch your diet and maybe lose some weight. I'm 5'4" 125lbs and have fatty liver-and a pretty big fat nodule on it too--some of us are predisposed to it genetically.
The liver has amazing regenerative abilities--it can regenerate itself after total liver failure(as mine did) and I'm here today...my # 's were in the high 1000's when they should have been no higher than the ranges above.

As for the pain--ask your doc Fri whether the left side pain could be from the enlarged spleen. That may be the case. Your spleen can be enlarged due to a minor cold or flu also--any bacterial or viral infection can do that.
Have they checked your gallbladder for gallstones or gall"sludge" ? That can cause the pain you're describing on the right side--that's the right area too. Keep notes (or a pain journal if you have time--who does anymore? Mine would be on a napkin!! lol) about when you feel this pain--after eating-how long does it last, what did you eat before it happened? That will help the dr diagnose too. Unfortunately I don't know much abt gastritis and IBS--except that it's very uncomfortable and not much fun to have. You have my sympathy hun--that alone is rough--but throw in all this other stuff on top of it and you're dealing with a lot.
Try not to panic--I know it's easier said than done--at this point you're very aware of every little change in your body. Which is good--but can be bad...Stay aware of the what's going on--document it and share it w/your doc when you see her. I'm happy to answer any questions you might have--and also--there are a lot of GREAT ppl here on the boards w/a ton of knowledge.
Take care and let me know what happens....
Gina

happyelf · 07-25-2005, 04:54 PM

Oh yes--forgot to add--the gallbaladder "sludge" won't show up on the scans--it's not stones--but just what it's called "sludge" that lays in there and create all kinds of problems like stones do--like little crystals laying in the gallbladder and the tubes and ducts that go into it. I think they can do a hida scan (diff than the ultrasound) and that may show sludge I just saw your other post and realize you were checked for gallstones. so--I'd ask for the hida scan if this keep up.
gina

dragonsbeauty · 07-25-2005, 10:47 PM

Do you think that what I am going through is simply liver dysfunction? I know that diet and exercise may help or will help. I am just worried that there is something more severe going on.. Dispite what the scans say. I will call my doctor tomorrow and get the actual readings. The numbers on the blood counts etc. Then I am sure I will have a better idea of what may be going on.

All I know is that the CT said that my spleen wasnt enlarged but prior that, the ultra sound said it was mildly enlarged. Then it also said that I had fatty tissue around the liver...what could that possibly be???? That is the other thing that I am worried about. Could this just be fat? Or could it be some sort of growth like cancer? So many questions.... I am scared.. and I havent tried to worry much over it...

Tonight, I tried a different approach to things. I havent had the money to go and buy a lot of health foods. But, tonight I had fish, marinated in jamacian jerk sauce, baked, green beans, and sautaed mushrooms in worcestershre sauce. I dont know if that was healthy. But. ...

Here is the other thing.. for the past 4 months, all I have done was eat out. I rarely cooked anything. maybe on a rare occasion. All the foods I would eat were bad for you. Mcdonalds. Etc. I also didnt exercise. I dont now, but plan to. Do you think that this could have some effect on whats going on with me now? Also about the fat tissue around my liver.. what could that be?

OhioMOM · 07-26-2005, 03:22 PM

maybe it will all remedy itself with diet and exercise........ be diligent with the doctors. have them follow up on things. liver function tests can fluctuate. dont be alarmed over 40 be alarmed if it continues to climb... in the meantime read up on liver disease, watch the foods you eat(cheeses and dairy, red meat are hard on liver) and pick up some mainstream reading too, like Wormans Liver Disorders Book or Palmers book on liver disease. Seek information from the American Liver Foundation too, they are filled with info! most important, you know your health better than anyone, so whether it becomes simply a matter of changing your diet and exercising, or whether you find you havea chronic problem, do what you have to do to get well! xxoo sarah