Fatty Liver

salamander
salamander Member Posts: 1,906
edited 8. Dec 2009, 07:31 in Living with Arthritis archive
I've just had an ultrsound scan and been told I have a fatty liver, probably from the steroids I've been on. I got pain under my ribs as well, which is why doc sent me. I've also got raised ALT (liver enzymes I think). Anyone else had this?

Comments

  • annie_mial
    annie_mial Member Posts: 5,614
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    sally36 wrote:
    I've just had an ultrsound scan and been told I have a fatty liver, probably from the steroids I've been on. I got pain under my ribs as well, which is why doc sent me. I've also got raised ALT (liver enzymes I think). Anyone else had this?

    Yep, I've been on steroids for a long time and I have this done every 18 months or so.
    Over 10 years I have been told exactly the same thing each time, so at least mine isn't getting any worse.

    Annie
  • salamander
    salamander Member Posts: 1,906
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Annie, that's reassuring. I was told it wasn't very bad - just something to be aware of and it would take about a year to go back to normal after stopping steroids.
    Thanks!
  • trisher
    trisher Member Posts: 9,263
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    sally36 wrote:
    Hi Annie, that's reassuring. I was told it wasn't very bad - just something to be aware of and it would take about a year to go back to normal after stopping steroids.
    Thanks!

    Hi

    After my blood results came back to my Rheumy I was told my liver was very high.
    I'm had a scan now waiting results plus I have been tested for another lot of blood tests.

    What they are looking for now is Hepatitis B Viral i think that was one

    The other is Hepatitis C I think that one is the Exposure to hepaptitis.

    I may have got what they are looking for around the wrong way.

    Trisher xx
  • salamander
    salamander Member Posts: 1,906
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    hi Trisher, yes, I've just had tests for hepatitis A,B & C too. Don't think I've got it as you feel really ill, lose loads of weight and more symptoms. Hope you don't have it. Ask them about your meds as well as it might be them.
    x
  • oneday
    oneday Member Posts: 1,434
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    this is interesting.
    i am going to have a scan because of pain under my right rib that goes across my stomach and also my back. Dr thinks its gallstones. I think its scar tissue from a previous operation probbly aggravating things.. I just wish i hadnt got it and it would go away!!Also when it was bad the other week my bowels just packed in and didnt work.
    Not taking any mediction that would affect liver, had blood tests not sure what for but they were normal.
    Has anyone else had similiar symptoms?
    p.s whilst researching gall stones discovered nsaids can cause them,great isnt it.
  • bailey27
    bailey27 Member Posts: 689
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Well I am so glad I read this thread. I get a horrible pain just abbout 2 - 3 nches from the middle of my chest right under the bottom rib. I always put it down with indigestion or a bad belly. A while back I got a stomach ulcer on the opposite side with similar pain so just thought it might be the start of something. I usually just drink a pint of milk, make sure I eat healthy and it usually goes. I still get the occassional pain there but not as much. I'll mention it next time I see the doc. Thanks. X
  • salamander
    salamander Member Posts: 1,906
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    bailey27 wrote:
    Well I am so glad I read this thread. I get a horrible pain just abbout 2 - 3 nches from the middle of my chest right under the bottom rib. I always put it down with indigestion or a bad belly. A while back I got a stomach ulcer on the opposite side with similar pain so just thought it might be the start of something. I usually just drink a pint of milk, make sure I eat healthy and it usually goes. I still get the occassional pain there but not as much. I'll mention it next time I see the doc. Thanks. X

    I thought mine was something to do with my stomach to begin with. Mine goes too, after a few hours. Pain seems random and not associated with food. I was worried because I'd had an endoscopy (for a blood clot in my throat from nsaid!) and thought it might have been something to do with that. The Dr who scanned me said that when you are on certain meds fat gets put down on the liver and can slightly enlarge it and the pain is from that and to have a repeat test in a year. Not dangerous at this stage just something to watch. Let me know how you get on.
  • harmony
    harmony Member Posts: 37
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    sally36 wrote:
    I've just had an ultrsound scan and been told I have a fatty liver, probably from the steroids I've been on. I got pain under my ribs as well, which is why doc sent me. I've also got raised ALT (liver enzymes I think). Anyone else had this?

    Hi Sally
    Me too. Dr's said it was down to being a combination of meds and over weight :roll: (not that old chestnut again :roll: ) my raised ALT has gone from over 70 to 6 since being on Humira :P but alas my weight is more :cry: never mind one day I will be that super model I always dreamed about being :lol: but as I'm nearing 60 don't think it will be in this life time :lol:
    Harmony
  • salamander
    salamander Member Posts: 1,906
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    harmony wrote:
    sally36 wrote:
    I've just had an ultrsound scan and been told I have a fatty liver, probably from the steroids I've been on. I got pain under my ribs as well, which is why doc sent me. I've also got raised ALT (liver enzymes I think). Anyone else had this?

    Hi Sally
    Me too. Dr's said it was down to being a combination of meds and over weight :roll: (not that old chestnut again :roll: ) my raised ALT has gone from over 70 to 6 since being on Humira :P but alas my weight is more :cry: never mind one day I will be that super model I always dreamed about being :lol: but as I'm nearing 60 don't think it will be in this life time :lol:
    Harmony

    Hi Harmony, interesting you say that. My ALT is 52, which is not very high but obviously enough for them to want to do more blood tests. Glad that yours has gone down but sorry to hear about the weight. I am struggling with weight gain too, put on a stone over the past 6 months. None of my clothes fit! However, feel very reassured by similar stories I keep hearing. Don't feel so isolated!
    S
  • woodbon
    woodbon Member Posts: 4,969
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello, My husband had a fatty liver when he was firs diagnosed with diabetes. I'm not sure what caused it but he had just started taking load of medication. The clinic changed the medication and his next test was back to normal and the blood tests he has every 6 months have not shown anything of that sort since, fingers crossed.

    I don't know if that is any help, but it seems to happen when the liver is working hard. Why don't you discuss it with your GP? You do have a right to know the facts and if its worrying you, they should be sympathetic. Love Sue
  • salamander
    salamander Member Posts: 1,906
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    woodbon wrote:
    Hello, My husband had a fatty liver when he was firs diagnosed with diabetes. I'm not sure what caused it but he had just started taking load of medication. The clinic changed the medication and his next test was back to normal and the blood tests he has every 6 months have not shown anything of that sort since, fingers crossed.

    I don't know if that is any help, but it seems to happen when the liver is working hard. Why don't you discuss it with your GP? You do have a right to know the facts and if its worrying you, they should be sympathetic. Love Sue

    Thanks Sue. I am seeing my GP next week so I hope she can explain it better to me. Only had scan on Friday so she hasn't had a chance to see the results, it was just what the doc who did hte scan told me.
    It's really helpful to hear other stories though, realise some of these things are quite 'ordinary' with all the meds.
    X
  • salamander
    salamander Member Posts: 1,906
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    woodbon wrote:
    Hello, My husband had a fatty liver when he was firs diagnosed with diabetes. I'm not sure what caused it but he had just started taking load of medication. The clinic changed the medication and his next test was back to normal and the blood tests he has every 6 months have not shown anything of that sort since, fingers crossed.

    I don't know if that is any help, but it seems to happen when the liver is working hard. Why don't you discuss it with your GP? You do have a right to know the facts and if its worrying you, they should be sympathetic. Love Sue

    Hi Sue, thanks for that. My gp said it was the general inflammation I have with the arthritis. She is very good and is very supportive.
    Sally x