Just told I have fatty infiltration of the liver - Liver & Pancreas Disorders Message Board

mogatu · 01-13-2006, 06:29 PM

With slight enlargement..... A little history. After an acute gallbladder attack in May of 2005 and a subsequent trip to the ER, I was immediately admitted for surgery where they removed the gallbladder which I guess was in horrible shape and simply loaded with stones. Anyway, since about September I have had nothing but stomach discomfort and outright pain in my upper abdomen. The thing is that the pains are very similar to gallbladder attack pain actually. finally went to the doctor who ordered an upper abdominal ultrasound and lots of blood work. Talked to the doc today who said all looked good EXCEPT for a "fatty infiltration of the liver and slight enlargement, also with some slightly elevated ALT (I think?). but then he informed me the people generally don't experience any pain or symptoms with this condition. I hate when they use the term "generally" cuz it's so dismissive and vague....it's like OK, so GENERALLY people don't experience pain, but that doesn't mean NEVER, does it? So I was like, well WTH are you telling me? What do I do? Folks, I'm really kinda p.o'd right now cuz I kinda feel like he left me up in the air, like is there something wrong with me or not??? My husband seems to think since I called and asked for the results and interrupted him in the middle of the day, that perhaps that's why he was so brief. He thinks I should schedule a follow up appointment and get the low down on all this. but then I'm like, why? He basically acted like I had nothing wrong with me (which I DESPISE when doctors do that to anyone), or maybe I should take my records elsewhere. What's funny is, I never had any trouble with my stomach before the gallbladder attack, and what? NOw I'm having all this abdominal pain and discomfort and he's basically telling me that "perhaps it's just a muscle" or in so many words even psychological? Someone please let me know about this fatty infiltration of the liver and if I have anything to really be worried about. Any opinions or facts on this matter would be most appreciated. Thanks!

inyourdreams · 01-14-2006, 07:58 AM

I was diagnosed with fatty infiltration of the liver about 14 years ago. My liver area hurt so bad I could hardly bend down. My sugar level was also jacked up because of it. They were going to do a liver biopsy on me, so instead I just watched the junk food, sugars and artificial sweeteners and when I went back, it was gone---and so was my pain and the liver enzymes were back down to normal.

I just started doing liver flushes about 3 months ago and remember all those stones that were in your gallbladder? Well, I have taken mine out without having to have surgery. If they would have cut your gallbladder open after surgery, they would have seen the same thing I pass on a monthly basis. Stones are made of bile salts and cholesterol.

Fatty liver is not something that is brought on by what you eat---it's how your body is metabolizing what you eat. You need to watch your carbohydrate intake because carbs are sugar and sugar is broken down in the liver. I also would suggest doing a liver flush or getting on a routine of doing a flush every month (you can do this without your gallbladder).

I have read that if a liver is so fatty that it shows up on ct scan, that there could be up to 20,000 stones in it. When I read that I couldn't believe it---but then I remembered how sore my liver was and now I do believe it. No stones--no pain.

I've posted yesterday on a liver flush recipe, but do your own search and see what you find out. It truly is an amazing approach to liver health and all-over health. Fatty liver is called non-alcoholic steattorhea (sp) and it can eventually lead to scarring or hardening of the liver if not taken care of.

sawlogger · 02-02-2006, 07:05 PM

Mogatu, I like you have been diagnosed with a fatty liver. I am considerably overweight and I guess this is a result of that. I have been having pain in my stomach and abdominal area as well as the gallbladder area for months. Everything I read about fatty liver states there is not much pain with it. I cannot believe this to be true. I have had a lot of tests and fatty liver is the only problem. I am glad to hear that other people also get pain with this condition. I am waiting to see a gastroenterologist next month for the scope but for now they are saying it is the liver and to lose weight.

Pika · 02-07-2006, 11:36 PM

I agreed fatty liver would cause pain, pain and pain........ ! Doctor is wrong and he'll change his mind and notice he is wrong when he gets one.

I was diagnosed with an early fatty liver from an ultrasound in 2005. No stone. I would like to complain that I have pain over the right upper abdomen. This is happened when I was prescribed an beta-blocker drugs. I didn't take it now. Over a period, it is fine and back. Yesterday, it has a knife cut pain like from the same spot toward back and down a little bit. My stomach is blowing up like 8 months pregnancy!

I am still on the waiting list for my gastroscopy.

My sugar is leaking in the urine with ++++ high. But the blood glucose only show up 6.6 without fasting. I wonder is my liver playing up or someway playing up? It was starting in 1995 onwards like this. I had once with a fever which show my liver enlarge as well. But did not show on the current ultrasound.

Pika.

imaworrier · 02-08-2006, 12:40 PM

If you look on the thread about right-sided pain on this board, you will find a lot of people with pain and a fatty liver. My doctor didn't even bother calling me with the results of my ultrasound. Just had the nurse call yesterday and tell me the doctor is mailing me my u/s results with explainations attached. They are so callous and uncaring. Would 2 minutes out of her day to tell me what it showed have killed her? Now I have to wait for her to mail it, and I have constant discomfort and pain.