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Posted 9/21/2011 7:39 PM (GMT 0)
I'm new to this forum so hello to all. I was wanting some feedback on Acites. For the last two years Ive had a pretty large abdomen until about six months ago. Six months ago I went to the ER because of sudden weakness, off balance, trembling, and fogginess. Doctors did blood work to include liver function tests, all was good. Since then I have lost 80% of the belly, probably due to not eating as much as I used to plus not drinking anymore. But, over the last six months I've had episodes like the first one I had, fogginess, off balance, trembling, tingling in arms, yawning, and legs feel weak. At first Doc said it was Anxiety, then depression. I know this is not the problem. 2 weeks ago he decided to do bloodwork with liver function panel. It looked almost exactly the same as it did six months ago, all levels were fine. I said are you sure my liver is okay and he said yes. I'm not sure what to think except I believe it is my liver function causing these episodes. My question is about Acites. If I had it would it go away that easily? If it was Acites I would have had it for a couple of years. I told the doctor I was concerned but he said my liver is fine. I do have weird symptoms that I'm not sure are related to liver disease like after grasping something with my hand it will leave red marks and an indentation, small red bumps on my back which doctor assured me was not angiomas, slight discomfort at diaphragm, I fatigue easily, and itchy eyes. Anyway, this Is a great for and thanks for letting me be a part of it.
Posted 9/21/2011 8:00 PM (GMT 0)
Hi OkieSooner,
Welcome to Healing Well. It is a great forum with lots of caring people. I am sure one of the moderators will be along shortly to welcome you. I do not have experience with ascites, but there are members that do...and I am sure someone will pop in to tell you about their experience. It is good that your doctor is assuring you that your liver is fine, but frustrating that you have distressing symptoms with no diagnosis. Again, welcome.

Emma
Posted 9/21/2011 8:15 PM (GMT 0)
Emma,

Thanks for your reply. I'm confused about the whole mess. I think my episodes might be hepatic encephalopathy but I don't know. Can these happen without other symptoms and a good blood test, or would I be having other symptoms too? If these episodes are hepatic encephalopathy, how far along is the disease when they appear to the point where one would notice them? Anyway a personal experience would be great. I searched other threads first to get some perspective but there are so many.

Thanks
Posted 9/21/2011 8:18 PM (GMT 0)

Hi, OkieSooner, and welcome to the forum.  (I'm guessing you are from OK!)  wink

You state that you are eating less these days.  Did you eliminate any foods that are high in sodium?  Even "normal" people can retain fluid if their sodium intake is too high.  Have you been exercising and sweating a lot?  You could lose water weight in this manner.

Aside from Liver Function Tests, did your doctor check for hepatitis A, B, and C?  Did he check for fatty liver?  There are also some autoimmune forms of hepatitis, and other liver diseases that affect the liver, like Primary Biliary Scherosis  (PBC.)  However, with most of these, there would normally be an increase in liver enzymes.  I did have hep C for over 20 yrs. before my enzymes started elevating.  Do you have any possible risk factors for hep B or C?

Some of your symptoms lead me to believe that you should be checked out by a neurologist (probably a hepatologist, too, though your PCP may be reluctant to refer you due to the normal enzymes.)

The symptoms you are having are not normal.  While it may not be your liver, something is going on.  I hope you will try to get a correct diagnosis.

Hugs,

Connie

Posted 9/21/2011 8:43 PM (GMT 0)
Connor,

Thanks for your input. I have been just eating less and mostly fruits and fiber bars, and occasionally I splurge and have a slice of pizza or something. However, I had an episode several weeks ago while eating a slice of pizza, now I'm scarred to eat anything bad. I do alittle exercise like walking several times a week. My GP said I was healthy enough to basically exercise harder but I tried a light jog the other day and an hour later I had one of those dang episodes. I was negative on Hep A B C. Don't think he tested for fatty liver unless it is somewhere in the blood test? What test is performed for fatty liver? Don't think PBC but again not sure what test that is. No risk factors for Hepatitis. I used to drink until Dec of last year, after the first episode I had. Could I have the portal hypertension or enough liver dysfunction causing these episodes? My doctor just keeps saying my liver function is okay, but I read through many threads where folks had no symptoms and blood tests were fine only to find out later they had liver disease. Thanks for all the info you give.
Posted 9/21/2011 10:05 PM (GMT 0)

Blood work can show fatty liver disease, though normally at least one of your LFTs would be elevated.  You might ask your doctor for an ultrasound to put your mind at ease.

Regarding hepatic encephalopathy, I've never known this to occur except in decompensated end-stage liver disease, which would have other symptoms.

Since you stopped drinking months ago, I doubt any possible liver disease could've occurred or you would have other symptoms.

See if you can get an ultrasound of your liver and gall bladder, and also a referral to a neurologist.  I do think whatever is going on is not likely to be liver disease.  If you drank heavily for many years, you could have some mild cirrhosis.  If that is the case, you can stop it from progressing (or slow down the progression) by eating a healthful diet (low sodium, no beef, fresh fruits and veggies as you are doing.)  NO alcohol.   Brisk walking is good exercise.

Hugs,

Connie


Posted 9/21/2011 11:10 PM (GMT 0)
I did ask to have an ultrasound but my doctor said I didn't need one. I would be willing to pay out of my own pocket to have one if I could find a place that would do it without a referral. Anyway, thanks for all your help and patience.
Posted 9/22/2011 1:08 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Ok! Something you said alerted me. You stated you ate Pizza. Find a doctor that will at least do an ultrasound on your gall bladder, liver and maybe spleen. We know our own bodies and it sounds like you have something going on that is not normal. I have had gall bladder problems in addition to liver issues. When my gall bladder flairs up I have swelling in the stomach from gastritis. Have they tested you for Hep C? If not, get that done, too. Good luck and let us know how you are doing. I am fairly new on this forum so I rely on the ones who have been there and lived!!
Hugs
Mitzi
Posted 9/22/2011 2:35 AM (GMT 0)
Mitzi, I have been looking to get an ultrasound but have contacted one place who said they would not do one without a referral. I'm going to keep checking around, maybe I will run into a place that will do it. Thanks!
Posted 9/22/2011 3:28 AM (GMT 0)

Mitzi, he stated he was tested for hep C and was negative.

However, Okie, she had a good point.  See if you can get a referral to a GI doc.  He would then be able to look at the gall bladder and other organs (you'd likely get an ultrasound or CT scan.)  Tell your doctor that you still have concerns about your health and would appreciate a referral to a GI doc.  Don't let him refuse to do it.  It's your body and your health.

Hugs,

Connie


Posted 9/22/2011 5:41 PM (GMT 0)
What I don't understand is why you need a doctor referral to get an ultrasound done. It's frustrating. I even told the ultrasound folks I would pay upfront. Other than a biopsy is ultrasound the best test to have done to check liver, spleen, gallbladder, etc. Come to think of it, I had a chest x-ray three weeks ago for one of my episodes but I don't think it would show anything having to do with liver.
Posted 9/22/2011 7:51 PM (GMT 0)
OkieSooner,

Almost all specialist want you to be referred by a primary care doc.... So if you are unable to get a GI referral and your doctor won't continue looking for the cause of your symptoms...then I would find a new Doctor and start over. I am also an Okie and that has happened to me...I got a new doc and I am in much better hands now....Good Luck!
Posted 9/22/2011 8:43 PM (GMT 0)

Welcome to the word of managed care, Okie.  Do you have an HMO?  If so, everything must go through a primary care doc.  I agree that it may be time to change docs.  open enrollment for next year will be starting soon.  So that would be the time to change docs, if they won't allow you to do it now.

Hugs,

Connie

Posted 9/22/2011 9:53 PM (GMT 0)
Connie,

You folks are correct, I probably need to change my PCP. But, the process to do so takes so long plus my current doc for my insurance is the only one in town I can use. I had another episode today so I am going to call tomorrow and make an appt. When I talk to him I am going to be more forceful with him this time to refer me. With all the things I've started to notice I'm almost sure it is liver problems. I looked through the threads to find someone's personal experience with encephalopathy and whether or not it can precede all symptoms and abnormal blood work but I did not find. I will keep looking.

Thanks to all
Posted 9/22/2011 10:56 PM (GMT 0)

Okie, why is the doc you are seeing the only PCP in your town that you can use?  You could definitely change docs in Oct./Nov. when open enrollment starts.

I don't think you will find anyone with hepatic encephalopathy who does not have ESLD.  I have hep C, cirrhosis, and liver cancer, yet I've never had HE.  That's because my liver hasn't decompensated.  It's when one goes into liver failure that the HE appears.

Hugs,

Connie

Posted 9/23/2011 1:23 AM (GMT 0)
Connie

Im sorry for so many questions but my mind is racing and I'm curious about how things work. I appreciate all your help. So, can you be in liver failure with a normal blood test? This is all so confusing but thanks for shedding some light for me! :)

OkieSooner
Posted 9/23/2011 3:20 AM (GMT 0)
In a word, NO.

Hugs,
Connie
Posted 3/13/2012 7:24 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Okie,

I would get a new doctor right away and don't go to a primary care (PC) doc in the box.  Get a referral if you can from your PC doc to a reputable gastrointerologist (GI) and get a CT scan.  If you have acites or are overweight, the sonogram may not work.  They won't see anything due to the size of your abdomen.  The problem with drug induced (if it is alcohol or something else) is that it can happen over a very long period of time, and often, alcohol (like mine), is hard to pick up with liver enzymes because they are often only slightly elevated.  If you are overweight, they may just assume your liver symptoms are from something else.  They will just tell you to change your lifestyle then. 

But, you gotta rule out the chronic illness problem so get a CaT scan!  Meow!

 

Posted 3/13/2012 7:30 AM (GMT 0)
Here is a site that might be helpful.

http://www.medicinenet.com/drug_induced_liver_disease/page8.htm
Posted 3/13/2012 4:30 PM (GMT 0)
Mr. B, she said that she is having a hard time getting a referral from her current doc. I also agree that an abdominal CT with contrast is the best way to go.

Hugs,
Connie
Posted 3/13/2012 6:45 PM (GMT 0)
Also, forget the GI and go see a hepatologist.
Posted 9/4/2022 9:57 AM (GMT 0)
i have ascites maybe no other conditions quit drinking 2 wks ago mild case no othe symptoms except constipation is this a bad sign?
Posted 9/4/2022 10:01 AM (GMT 0)
how do i post a new ascites problem i am ancering another post how can i post my problem up front?
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