I have had abd/back/chest pain (pressure type - it feels as if my organs are
being pushed up into my ribs) for about 4 weeks now. It particularly hurts
when I lay on my right side. It seems to be getting worse though. Last
night I layed on my back as I've been having to do and the pain became
severe through my entire lower/upper back and my entire abd. I had an
ultrasound which showed "fatty liver" and "?enlarged". The tech who
did the test said that the portal vein was below baseline but this
wasn't mentioned in the report. I have had a history of elevated liver
enzymes and ferritin for about 8 years. When I tried to get a diagnosis
of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, the dr. said that even though I had the
symptoms of it that he couldn't diagnose me with it because of all my
other problems, i.e., possible chronic liver disease,
progressive ischemic disease, among others. He recommended a liver
biopsy.
At the time I was on Coumadin and so a biopsy wasn't done--a CT Scan was.
He said at that time that it was "fatty liver". This was 1 1/2 years ago.
I've had the CFS symptoms for 2 years. Since my new symptoms of pain began
my liver enzymes have increased and my blood sugar has also. The blood
sugar was never high before. I was referred to a gastro dr who said that
"fatty liver" would not cause the pain and that it must be from something else.
I told him that I really wanted to find out if anything was wrong with my
liver that would cause all of the symptoms I've had. He said he couldn't do
that, but that he'd find out about the pain. I told him I wasn't interested
because I wanted a dr. to try to determine the cause of my total illness
not just the pain. I have lived with CFS symptoms for 2 years and just
recently quit my job. I can't get disability because I don't have a diagnosis.
Anyway, I went to a new primary care physician yesterday (to top it off my
doctor had just relocated when this all came about). He feels that it could
very well be my liver--in fact he put down a diagnosis of hepatitis. He has
also ordered a CT Scan to check the liver and also to see if there is an
aneurysm (I have a history of fibromuscular dysplasia with stroke, aneurysms,
renal angioplasty). I am hoping that you can give me some info on
pain symptoms related to liver disease/fatty liver/hepatitis. Also how do the
ultrasound, CT Scan and biopsy differ in relation to what can be told from
them on your condition. What does it mean when the portal artery is below
baseline, since I have a history of vascular disease. Any other information
would be appreciated. Thank you for your time in reading this.
Reply: --------------------------
I don't think that you have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
Fatty liver can be from many things including too much alcohol and diabetes.
I have no idea why YOU have fatty liver. I strongly recommend that you
continue to pursue medical care. My intuition tells me that if you are able
to see the same family doc or internist regularly for several visits you will
get closer to a diagnosis. The only tests I recommend if you haven't had
them yet are Hepatitis C antibody and HIV testing.
Stick with a good doctor. I think you'll get to the bottom of your problems.
Good Luck.
--
Paul Hunter, MD - Family Doc.
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