Hi. I am having acute pain in my liver area,right under and below my right rib area, especially when I cough or flex my stomach. The area is slightly swollen as well. Usually this happens a day after consuming alcohol, but I don't consume that much that often either. I'm pretty young (20), I exercise alot, don't drink alot or smoke and particicpate in boxing where I sometimes get hit in the liver but this doesn't seem to relate to the times when I get the pain (but drinking does). It's been getting progressively worse, and this time (today) I'm really worried, as I can't even think about flexing or coughing without SERIOUS pain!
I've seen my doctor about my liver a few times, once after returning from Cancun earlier this year, and found that I have a chronic high bilirubin count. I had all the other Jaundice symptoms (yellow eyes etc.) He told me this was not a problem and that I shouldn't worry, or even change my drinking habits (a doctor!), because I have had high bilirubin counts all my life as my record turned out (so it's normal for me), and was born with Jaundice because I had a differant blood type than my mother. All my other liver panel test results were fine (I thought hepatitis, which I came back negative, then and recently as well) and I even had an ultrasound which turned out fine. Now this problem seems to be getting worse and worse, and today I am really worried. I know I've been told not to worry about it, but I'm wondering if I should go get a second opinion or something.
Please, if any of you have any thoughts or info, please let me know. It would be greatly appreciated
Go to a GI specialist and let them do all the test and if you are not satisified get a liver biopsy to be sure..otherwise don't worry needlessly..godd luck, Lisa
Go see a hepatologist at a very good hospital.... not a GI! Make it a major facility.... Pitt, Cleveland , Mayo... somewhere really good. GI's may not know enough to help. A LIver specialist seems like the right person! How high is your billi?
I also would not drink any alcohol or take any meds until I saw a doctor again!! Keep the blood clean so they can run tests and figure out what is going on!
Get yourself to another doc asap as this one really does not even know what the heck he is talking about,honestly.He is not doing you any favors here.He is giving you very bad advice.anyone with any sort of liver problems should NOT be drinking any type of alcohol as alcohol destroys liver cells.what a putz.his non caring additude is not something you need right now.please find a new doc who will aggressively work to try and help you.I would also stay away from boxing until you get an okay from your new and improved doc.Taking a hit in a "wrong" spot could possibly cause some major problems for you.Keep us posted.Marcia
LOL. HEY MARCIA....say what you really feel!!! i agree though.what a putz! get a board certified hepatologist at a good hospital and let us know what happens...
Thanks for the help guys. He's my primary care physician, and usually pretty thorough, but I think I will try and get a referral to a hepatoligist, as soon as I can. I just hope it's not serious, or that it IS somehow boxing related!
I wouldn't panic, but I would look into it in further detail if it is something that is causing you pain and worry.
I too have chronic hyperbilirubinemia and just had a third blood test so my doctor can confirm my having Gilbert's Syndrome, which is a genetic syndrome affecting 1-5% of the population. I am waiting on the results to see what they say. The past two blood tests had all other normal readings (including liver enzymes) but both my total and conjugated bilirubin were really high. I notice during periods of stress my sclera (the whites of my eyes) may look *slightly* yellow. I also have IBS-related symptoms I am unsure is caused by the gilberts but I feel really sick whenever I eat very fatty food or drink alcohol (both of these are hard on the liver) so I avoid them completely, and feel okay!
Gilbert's syndrome is caused by a lack of a liver enzyme needed to break down bilirubin which is a bile pigment, and a by-product of the break down of red blood cells. Since the bilirubin doesn't get broken down adequately, this pigment circulates in the blood, potentially causing jaundice. It has not been proven to have any adverse health effects however.
Re: Acute Pain in Liver Area, bilirubin, HELP! 
