anyone with abdominal discomfort previous to liver mets dx?

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bcisnofun
bcisnofun Member Posts: 488
edited June 2014 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

Hello - hoping someone out there could answer this question for me.  I have had not pain, but more an "awareness" or feeling in the area just below/behind my bottom rib on the right side.  It's been there on and off for a few weeks.  I'm going on vacation next month and don't really want to scan before that.  I know most people say they had no symptoms of liver pain or discomfort/awareness prior to a liver mets dx, but for anyone who did, can you tell me what it felt like?  What is all the time or did it come and go?  Mine is better when I lay down and early in the day, but worse as the day goes on.  I work out a lot and my MO thinks it's just ab muscles.  But I've had sore abs in my life and this doesn't really feel like that.  Any info you can give me would be appreciated.

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  • Jennt28
    Jennt28 Member Posts: 2,021
    edited May 2012

    That's how I felt a few years ago. It turned out that my gallbladder was not functioning properly. Had the gallbladder removed and no problems since. It's not necessarily mets :-)



    Jenn

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  • bcisnofun
    bcisnofun Member Posts: 488
    edited May 2012

    Thanks Jenn!  Isn't it weird to really hope your gallbladder is a mess? :)

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  • Dutchie
    Dutchie Member Posts: 112
    edited May 2012

    Never felt my liver mets but sure as heck felt my gall bladder stones... A simple blood test can indicate gall bladder disease. The fact that it gets worse makes me think gall bladder because the pain gets worse when you eat anything with fat in it. So as you eat all day it could get worse. But hey I'm not a doctor just hoping its something simple for you. Like I said I found my liver mets on a scan but never felt it. Good luck!!!!

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  • bcisnofun
    bcisnofun Member Posts: 488
    edited May 2012

    Thanks so much for taking the time to answer Dutchie!  Best wishes to you. 

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  • jan-m
    jan-m Member Posts: 88
    edited May 2012

    Hi bcisnofun.. I have also  "had not pain, but more an "awareness" or feeling in the area just below/behind my bottom rib on the right side" it started after chemo, had an ultrasound and turned out that I have a "fatty liver".  My first year check up (blood work) showed that my liver enzymes were higher than they should have been.  Had another ultra sound.. turns out that fatty liver will do that as well as mets.  

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  • bcisnofun
    bcisnofun Member Posts: 488
    edited May 2012

    jan-m  thank you so so much for your reply.  That makes me feel better.  Do they do anything for a fatty liver?  Do you know...What blood test/result shows liver function?  Thanks again!

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  • jan-m
    jan-m Member Posts: 88
    edited May 2012
    Hi bcisnofun I have been told that fatty liver is reversible (by gp)and also told that it isn't reversible (by onc)  I do know though that it feels so much better when I eat better Tongue out lots of fruits and veggies.. I'm not much of a drinker but alcohol is not good for a fatty liver. Sorry can't help you with which blood test shows the liver function but I would imagine that you probably get the same tests as me.  Get the tests and find out for sure.  Take good care! 
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  • Karen3
    Karen3 Member Posts: 307
    edited June 2012

    Hi bcisnofun

    I have had abdominal pain / aches for a while which radiates to my back. It sounds as if it's a bit higher than yours though - above the belly button, just below the sternum, central to left mostly. At one point I could not breathe in fully without it hurting. They suspected gallstones but an ultrasound ruled that one out. They tested my pancreatic enzymes and they are abnormal (amylase is elevevated but lipase is fine) - until they did the tests I never suspected my pancreas! Anyway, I have an endoscopy shortly and then possibly CT. Meanwhile, I have cut fats down considerably i.e. steamed veg and white fish/ fruit now and the discomfort is hugely reduced! So, try diet changes and see if that serves to relieve your symptoms. I know that liver pain is usually on the right so I can understand you jumping to that conclusion. But, try not to! There are all sorts of benign conditions we are susceptible to - just like anyone else. I am not sure about you, but my body is doing all sorts of wierd things at the moment BUT in the last two years I have had breast cancer twice, several ops including my latest BMX and chemo/ radio etc etc. There is no wonder my body is playing up. We BC gals go through some pretty harsh treatment. Wishing you all the best and lets hope the tests reveal a B9 condition. Meanwhile make those diet changes and see if it helps. Karen X.

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  • bcisnofun
    bcisnofun Member Posts: 488
    edited June 2012

    thanks jan-m and karen3!  karen3 - please let me know how your tests come out.  Mine is totally weird - I swear it moves from below/behind my last rib on the right to just below my breasts toward the right/center of my chest.  Also it comes and goes.  Usually I can relieve the discomfort if I just sit taller and it never hurts when I lay down.  Maybe that means something is swollen in there.  Food doesn't seem to affect it.  Karen3 - are you sure yours isn't a gallbladder issue?  I don't want to go through the tests until after our vacation later this month.  If it's mets it is what it is and waiting a few weeks hopefully won't make a difference.  isn't it crazy that pre-bc, I would have thought nothing of this.  Seems like bc affects our minds as much as our bodies.  Thanks for your support and thoughts!!!

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  • jan-m
    jan-m Member Posts: 88
    edited June 2012

    bcisnofun have a great vacation!! Where are you off too? 

    I also get relief from sitting taller and I always feel better if I lay down.  Please let me know how your tests go and your vacation too!  How long are you going for?  Have fun!!  

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  • Karen3
    Karen3 Member Posts: 307
    edited June 2012

    Hi bcisnofun,

    In response to your questions.....they tell me that my gallbladder is fine as it is showing up as normal on an ultrasound and no stones seen. I have just had another blood test and pancreatic enzyme amylase is still abnormal but everything else is fine - so I think it's got them scratching their heads!! Meanwhile I too have back pain that is all the time and can be worse on a night when I am in bed. Breathing is a bit better but it still hurts a bit. So who knows! I am due for an endoscopy a week next Wednesday and if that doesn't reveal anything I am not sure what they will do'; possibly leave it and see what happens next! I had a clean PET/CT last October so I dont think it can be anything other than a B9 condition. I will keep you informed and I hope you get some relief from your health issues too!

    Karen X

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  • Live-Laugh-Love
    Live-Laugh-Love Member Posts: 6
    edited June 2012

    Hi bcisnofun~ I had a very similar pain a few months ago.  I finished rads in January and I was diagnosed with pluerisy b/c of the pain in my right side.  They thought it was a SE from the rad.  I continued to have pain in my right side and went back to the ER, who completed many tests but everything was negative.  My dr said it was probably my ab muscles and some left over scar tissue.  It has gotten better over the past month or so and I'm finally thinking it was just strained muscles b/c I started a zumba class not long after completing rad. 

    I completely understand where you're coming from though b/c I thought the same thing! I just reached my 1 year anniversay but ever ache and pain makes me want to think mets!

    Hang in there and remain positive! Hopefully you'll get answers soon  Smile

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