Liver Pain
I still get liver pain – regularly and fairly frequently.
I first experienced this pain shortly after I was diagnosed five years ago. At first I thought I was just imagining it or was just ‘favouring’ my liver now that I was aware I had a serious illness. When it began to occur off and on over a few weeks, I accepted it was actually because my liver was ailing. Then I became frightened about it. Surely something serious was happening, confirming my new fears that I would die of this disease. When I finally managed to speak to someone in the hospital (my first clinic appointment hadn’t taken place yet) they were less than concerned and I was somewhat reassured by their indifference to my new pains.
It has now been 21 months since I completed 48 weeks of combination therapy treatment. And 31 months since I cleared the virus (in Week 12 of my treatment). There is no inflammation in my liver - according to my regular Liver Function blood tests. My ALT (an enzyme secreted when the liver is inflamed) is at level 17 (normal is 0-40). It has been this sort of level consistently since I completed treatment.
However, at times I experience a dull ache in my liver area. Other times I sense a sharp pain that comes on quickly. The whole area can become tender to the touch. This doesn’t happen every day - but several days a week.
I was concerned enough to discuss it with one of the GP’s at my surgery practice a few months ago. She expressed some surprise at how tender the whole area was to the touch. She arranged a sonar scan as I wanted to rule out the possibility of liver cancer. She said she doubted that there is cancer but was agreeable to eliminating this as a possibility. I had the scan the day before I went to the US for a month. The scan technician said there was nothing to worry about, so I haven’t been back to the GP – to be told the same thing. (And I am assuming if the final report contained something concerning the GP surgery would surely contact me.)
So, medically checked out - no liver cancer, no inflammation, no obvious explanation for my experience. It’s something I now live with. I don’t have Hepatitis C but I still have some of the trappings.
It’s also something that people who do have Hepatitis C live with. It is a symptom common to many. A good number of people speak of experiencing pain in the liver area. Various people have described it:
• like an ache located from the upper right hand side of the body through to the back shoulder blade
• like a pulled muscle that never goes away
• Sometimes it’s more noticeable than others and when it aches I get tired
• like having my ribs pinch the inside of skin and the only way I find comfort is to stand and walk around.
• I did not realize where this pain was coming from until I had my biopsy
• a gripping sensation or ache on right side for over 10 years
Most doctors will tell say you can’t feel pain in your liver – there are no nerves to feel pain. Someone’s doctor, however, added there are two nerve endings in the liver, one of which goes to the right shoulder. (Pain in the right shoulder is often reported after a liver biopsy)
The GP I saw recently acknowledged that liver inflammation can cause discomfort which can be experienced as pain. That my liver is not inflamed and yet I experience an ache or pain is a mystery to the GP. And me.
But there it is. One way I try to deal with these aches and pains. I regard them as ‘growing pains’ that indicate my liver is healing and re-generating. It’s better (healthier) to focus on a positive rather than a negative thought.
If you experience an ache or pain in the liver area it is of course something to bring to your medical team’s attention. But like me (and others) you may not get a reassuring and certain medical response. This can lead to varying amounts of worry and anxiety. I am writing my thoughts and knowledge on liver pain today to say you are not alone in your experience. While that won’t make the aches and pains go away I hope it is of some reassurance that it is a very common Hepatitis C symptom.
July 24th, 2007 at 12:20 pm
Ron - thanks so much for writing about this. Yesterday I was feeling pretty despondent about the pain in the liver area that I get, quite frequently. I don’t remember getting this before I started treatment, or even during it, but I get it a lot now. Your post reassured me that maybe I did clear the virus after all. (I’ll find out one way or the other in September: not knowing possible bad news is bliss, in my mind at least.) My liver, having lived with the virus for over 30 years, may just be protesting its absence. Thanks again.
July 24th, 2007 at 2:24 pm
Hi MYS
There are a number of issue that don’t get discussed enough so I am now going to get down to focusing on them.
You comment has reminded me. One way I try to look at these aches and pains - they’re ‘growing pains’ which indicate my liver is healing and re-generating. It’s better to focus on a positive rather than a negative thought.
Wishing you well
Ron
July 26th, 2007 at 2:40 am
Hi Ron
15 months after end of 24 week treatment 9 month after svr and get a bit of an ache, more or less constant, rhs above hip towards back. Did not have it prior or during treatment, am reassured by your healing theory. Liver reacted to interferon on treatment, alts went from 50 to 700 and back down to 50 month after tx. I think I am due back for an anual check and I will try to get some sort of scan. Pretty sure the virus is gone but liver has been damaged in the process. Glad I spotted your blog. Sorry about your spat with Martin. Your two good selves, Jonthan Coleman really helped me through the waiting and the treatment.
Wishing you all the very best, and hope your feet are dry.
July 26th, 2007 at 10:29 am
Hi Mac
Good to hear from you. Yeah, the liver pain can be a nuisance - so concentrating on the positive helps. Hope your annual checks are good.
Wishing you well
Ron
July 28th, 2007 at 2:12 am
Hi I ran up on this looking for something else but I am so glad I did. I have had pain in my liver (right under my ribs on the right) for over a year I was dignosed about 7 years ago and tried treatment then It did not work. Anyway i had asked my Dr. about it and was told the same thing you have said that you could not feel any pain in your liver so I thought I was just worried but when I was on treatment they went away or I did not notice them as much. I go back to do my 3 month blood work in 34 days and I feel a little better about it now that I found someone else that has went through this too.
So I want to thank you for putting this on here.
Hope you are doing good,
Dawn
July 28th, 2007 at 5:44 pm
Hi Dawn
I think there are lots of things like this that the medical profession don’t necessarily know - yet. There are hundreds of people who report pains in the liver area - too many for it to be just a case of imagination!
Good luck with your next set of blood work.
Wishing you well
Ron
July 30th, 2007 at 4:26 pm
Hi there. My mom has HepC. What was the exactly treatment have u folowed? I am from Romania and i am sure out there you might have a better treatment.
July 30th, 2007 at 6:28 pm
Hi Anca
I did the combination therapy - Pegylated Interferon and Ribavirin for 48 weeks as I had genotype 1. You can read more about this treatment here
http://www.hepc.nhs.uk/about_hepc/treatment.html
(this is a government website) and here
http://www.hepcuk.info/data/usercontentroot/home/treatments/Treatment%20Overview.asp
(This is the Hepatitis C Trust charity website)
Wishing you and your mom well
Ron
August 3rd, 2007 at 12:12 pm
Thanks all-I too experienced pain in liver area prior to treatment.It disappeared during treatment and has returned since I stopped meds.I was convinced that the virus had returned until reading this-am now feeling slightly less concerned.I’m awaiting pcr test results am now 3months post treatment.Like the idea of it being the liver healing Ron but why same pain as 2years before?
August 4th, 2007 at 10:06 am
Hi SB
Good luck with the PCR test.
Not sure it is the same sort of pain. Over time I’ve got used to there being a difference to it - sometimes an ache sometimes a pain. Don’t know is probably the answer.
Wishing you well
Ron
August 4th, 2007 at 8:21 pm
Thamks Ron.
I know what you mean,sometimes like a pulled muscle sometimes like a heavy liver-mostly an ache sometimes a pain-bit like a dull toothache as am always aware of it.
Glad you’re feeling so much better generally. x
January 30th, 2008 at 4:15 am
Well,
I have this liver pain too. The Dr.’s say it’s not enlarged, but somethin’ is going on.
I was diagnosed 10 years ago and my genotype is not one that responds well to treatment so I haven’t gone that route.
It’s a dull ache, once in a while a sharp pain, under right ribs and occasionally a little on the left too. When it’s not hurting it feels like a very small hand is tickling it, or like there are large bugs (yes, I know there aren’t) there.
I find it extremely distracting, it’s been constant for about 3 months.
I like your positive thinking… but I’d love to hear from someone who has found a way to get rid of it!
Thank you!
Hope
January 30th, 2008 at 10:39 am
Hope
I am certain we would all love to hear a way to get rid of it! I suspect there probably isn’t - that’s why I decided to try to find a way I can live it.
But maybe someone will suggest something in reply to your comments - let’s see!
Wishing you well
Ron
February 9th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
Hello everyone. I have the same exact feeling. It comes and goes.
At times when I get plenty of sleep, I don’t really experience it. However, there are times when I don’t get enough sleep and I feel it more often.
I’m a Hep B carrier and had blood work done and doc said my liver is fine. I too was told that the liver doesn’t feel pain.
I have a sagging bed so I thought it might be because of that. I still feel it. I often have gas and had a GI look me over and found nothing wrong.
I exercise more often than before and I feel much better when I exercise.
I thought I was crazy. I searched the internet for months and I’m glad I found this. I’m glad that I’m not alone (not happy that we’re not feeling “well” but I guess people love company).
February 9th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
Hi Wayne
Correlation between liver pain and lack of sleep?? That’s an interesting one. I am now going to watch out and see if I spot a pattern there. Thanks for the comment
Wishing you well
Ron
February 11th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
Thanks Ron,
I’m wondering if any of you experience night time restlessness? I experience this about twice a year. I can’t sleep straight. I’d sleep for 2 hours, wake up and try to sleep again.
Also, I feel tingling around the abdominal area.
March 27th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
hey all
oh my god im so glad ive found ppl with the same prob as me!
im only 18 but been having this pain in my liver area now for at least 8 months 1st i fought it was my ribs but it must be my liver as ive been to the docs n she told me she thinks it might be my liver as that was where i was describing the pain from
its like a contant ache there and its doing my head in im only young and want to enoy my life but all i fink about is this problem! its doing my head in! i just wanna feel myself again.
anyway i got a scan booked dunno when my dc said it cood take up to a few months so looks like i just got to wait which is frustating!
i sometimes have a pain in my lover right side in my abdominal , do any of u think its conected? cos im worried :S
please some1 rite bk or add me on msn to help me i just need 2 talk to some1 whoes like me.
scarlett_williams_3@hotmail.com
thanks
x
March 29th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
Hi Scarlett
The best person to talk to really is your GP. I’m wondering why your GP would order a scan (what kind?) when some blood tests would reveal if you have any problems with your liver or have HepC. Quicker, easier and cheaper. Perhaps that’s a question worth asking your doctor.
You also say you have a pain in your right abdominal area and ask if it’s connected with your liver pain (the one you discussed with your GP). Scarlett that is where your liver is - what sort of conversation did you and GP have, I am wondering.
Instead of chatting on MSN it sounds like you should get back to that doctor and get some stuff sorted out more clearly.
Wishing you well
Ron
May 30th, 2008 at 2:56 am
I too have sensations in my liver. Not really pain, more like little pinches and at times a feeling of largeness or swelling. My doc. wants my gallbladder checked with a HIDA scan. Hep c can sometimes cause gallbladder problems, stones, sludge, etc. Hope this helps.
Jeanie
June 15th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
Hi Jeanie
Well it shows there are a number of people who still experience liver pain - post treatment.
I hope your HIDA scan goes well
Wishing you well
Ron