liver concern

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jenjenl
jenjenl Member Posts: 948
edited January 2017 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

On 12/28 the pain started in my upper abdominal area. above the belly button to the right but below the ribs. The pain is not constant/all day but frequent occurrences through the day. I have not observed any patterns such as pain occurring after eating, or sleeping on one side or with activity or when pressing down on the area. The pain is a little harder for me to describe – some times a sharp ache and sometimes it feels like pulling. I had a chest scan early September so not sure how far down the chest it goes to see the liver area. The only thing it said "small hiatal hernia is present. The visualized upper abdominal organs show nothing significant"

I saw my onc mid December and labs seemed good or they didn't say anything:

August labs ALT = 26 / AST 26

December labs ALT 38 / AST 31

(i don't have access to my labs before August online - recently moved)

I'm seeing my Onc tomorrow but was curious if anyone had any feedback on what pain in the liver feels like or any potential other things it could be.

Here we go...

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  • ErenTo
    ErenTo Member Posts: 343
    edited January 2017

    I had something similar over a year ago, same spot you describe. At the time I was taking low dose aspirin every other day. I thought it might be connected so stopped the aspirin and the weird pain went away. Have you started taking a new medication or supplement lately by any chance? Good thing you're seeing your MO soon, it's always better to get checked.

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  • Luvmydobies
    Luvmydobies Member Posts: 766
    edited January 2017

    Hey there Jen! Do you think maybe it's the hernia that's the problem? Have you asked anyone on the Calling All TN's thread? Maybe someone has had something similar that was nothing? I have similar pains in the ribs and below area and my Onc said it sounded like post mastectomy pains and I hope and pray he's right!! I also have truncal lymphedema which I've heard can cause pain. Sometimes mine is on the side and back area too. I see may my Onc Feb. 6th. I've had this since October 2015 so I assume if it was my liver I would know by now! Keep us posted! XO!!

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  • Kiks1
    Kiks1 Member Posts: 254
    edited January 2017

    I had almost the same thing over the holidays. In fact it was there for a few weeks but I never paid attention because it is not constant. I had a chest scan in late November also and , funny, was wondering the same thing ( whether it went far enough to pick up anything on my liver). Anyways, I was so tired the day after Christmas that I started really being concern about this ache. I didn't have an appointment lined up and the earliest I could get in was a week later (this was 2 days after Christmas). I was so distraught because I was dx a year ago over the holidays and missed out on the season. I decided that I was going to walk into an ER and get an answer. So, dr told me chest cts usually only see the top part of the liver. They ordered a full ct of the chest and abdomen again. Everything came out fine. Guess I had a kidney infection but those were my symptoms. I did have a low grade fever towards the end but not for the first few weeks. So don't panic just yet.

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  • jenjenl
    jenjenl Member Posts: 948
    edited January 2017

    Erento - i do take equate sleeping aid basically a mild benadryl. I've ve been taking them longer than i care to admit. Not tylenol PM, which i know is bad for the liver.

    LUV - the hernia the scan indicated isn't where this pain is but ill be happy if it is!

    Kiks- interesting i've had a kidney stone for over a year in the right kidney lower pole. It just won't come out. Usually when it gives me pain its in my back but ill definitely will be mentioning that!!



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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited January 2017

    That pain an be gall bladder, gas pain, lactose intolerance, lots of things. Hoping you get answers so that are not worrisome

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  • jenjenl
    jenjenl Member Posts: 948
    edited January 2017

    oncologist ordered an abdominal scan for Thursday morning.

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  • Luvmydobies
    Luvmydobies Member Posts: 766
    edited January 2017

    Jen, I'll keep you in my prayers and be in your pocket Thursday!! Did the Onc sound concerned??

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  • jenjenl
    jenjenl Member Posts: 948
    edited January 2017

    I didn't really ask or probe.

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited January 2017

    Hoping it's all clear! keep us posted.

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  • bcincolorado
    bcincolorado Member Posts: 5,758
    edited January 2017

    Hi,

    I am on Femara after 5 years on Tamoxifen. The past several labs I have done I had high ALT as well. Onco worried. He had me do a PET scan and I didn't "light up" so that was good so we waited. Labs still bad. He's still worried. Now sonogram and more intense labs. He said the numbers with that liver enzyme can also be from bone as well as liver even though it is technically a "liver" enzyme. Now I'm waiting on appointment for follow up to see what the next outcome or treatments will be. so it does happen, but it can be from your bones too. FYI.

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  • jenjenl
    jenjenl Member Posts: 948
    edited January 2017

    Thanks for that feedback. I had a clear bone scan in September so hopefully i can rule that out. I hope they pinpoint the source of your issue.

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  • Luvmydobies
    Luvmydobies Member Posts: 766
    edited January 2017

    Jen, just wanted to tell you I'm thinking of you today and praying for benign results! Please let us know how you do today

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  • bcincolorado
    bcincolorado Member Posts: 5,758
    edited January 2017

    Jen hope your tests came out ok.

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  • sbelizabeth
    sbelizabeth Member Posts: 2,889
    edited January 2017

    Gentle hugs, Jen. How are you doing?

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  • jenjenl
    jenjenl Member Posts: 948
    edited January 2017

    Many thanks for the follow ups. Scan went fine, called for results today (24 hr turn around). No cancer. They think it's the hernia but are a little perplexed that i don't feel the pain around my belly button but further to the right. The oncologist didn't have a desire to explore further since it was not cancer related. They scheduled me an appointment with a general surgeon for Tuesday for her to look at the scan further and confirm it's from the hernia. So, I'm obviously pretty pumped. Again, many thanks!

    xo

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  • bcincolorado
    bcincolorado Member Posts: 5,758
    edited January 2017

    Hi Jenn,

    Glad to hear not cancer. I'm sure facing a possible hernia repair isn't what you wanted either, but it is sure better than another cancer! Congrats again!

    Paula

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  • Luvmydobies
    Luvmydobies Member Posts: 766
    edited January 2017

    Great news Jen!!!

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited January 2017

    Great news

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  • sbelizabeth
    sbelizabeth Member Posts: 2,889
    edited January 2017

    YAY!

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