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Posted 10/14/2011 11:52 PM (GMT 0)
Hey all...

I had been searching around the net for "liver pain" which led me to this wonderful forum of caring and compassionate people. God bless all of you for the strength and support you give each other!

I am a 32 year old male. I quit drinking when I was 25. I have alcoholism in my family, so that is why it was pretty easy for me to realize it was time to stop at a relatively young age.

about a year ago a friend of mine introduced me to __________ which I have enjoyed on and off for about the past year.

For the past few months (since end of July or so) my job got a lot more intensive and extremely stressful. I never have been an all-day smoker -- but it has been something to help unwind at the end of a long day or stressful week.

Last weekend I was smoking with my friends and I had some back pain and took 3 ibuprofen while we were smoking. This was not smart.

Sunday I woke up and felt completely different. Like... something was just off - I had that sensation in my jaw that one gets before getting ill, and I had some discomfort in my upper right quadrant as well as my back. I am now wondering if the original back pain was actually liver pain. I should note that I am an avid runner as well, and in good shape, and have tweaked my back before while running and thought this was the same type of situation.

Anyway the pain had been radiating mostly in my back along with some nausea and general discomfort. Sometimes it helps to get up and walk around. I also have noticed that my stool is that sickening pale clay color I've read about, and it appears that a lot of it in it is still wholly undigested food. I don't have other symptoms such as jaundice or lethargy, just the general pain, some lack of appetite/nausea, and previously mentioned toilet issues (sorry for the details).

I have experienced a liver flare up before a long time ago in my drinking days, and I immediately knew this was a similar situation. What scares me is that I haven't had a drop of alcohol in years, so to suddenly feel this pain and discomfort again is alarming.

I have really focused on my health and diet. For the past week I've started taking milk thistle, drinking hot water with lemon each morning, and have been eating plenty of fruits and vegetables. I also should note that I did a fair amount of binge eating in my days while high -- pushing all kinds of horrible greasy, processed foods through my body, but luckily I have a really fast metabolism (I'm 6'0, 150 lbs).

I took this past Monday off of work this week and rested and managed the pain. A heating pad really helps, and going out for a run helps with my nausea, but it is now Friday and while I can say that I've improved over the week, I still can feel the pain in my upper right quadrant, although it is significantly less now, but definitely still present.

To make matters worse, my job is sending me out of town through Wednesday of next week, and I know that I should get in to see my doc and get blood tests done to see what is going on, but I'm afraid. I'm afraid of my condition worsening while I'm out of town traveling around with my bosses. I'm afraid of going to my doctor and having to admit about my cannabis use, I'm afraid of my insurance company finding this out and not getting covered, I'm afraid of my job then finding out from the insurance company and the potential disaster that could happen (getting laid off, not having insurance, and possibly having some form of hepatitis to deal with).

More than anything I'm just generally afraid and dealing with a lot of anxiety about this and the darn business trip next week. Too much stress... ugh.

sad

Anyway -- I wanted to reach out here to this wonderful community, if only to use it as a place to vent out my worries. Believe me, I know how irresponsible it was of me to not take care of myself since this summer, and now it looks like I am paying the consequences. I have no qualms throwing the drugs away and totally focusing on my health. I guess I had really hoped (and prayed) that this would resolve itself over the week, but now it is the weekend and this trip is looming... ugh.

I plan on really taking it easy this weekend and resting. Do you think it is possible that I will recover? It's only Friday, so if I have to I suppose could go to the hospital to get blood tests done (my GP is strictly 9-5, M-F).

If you've read this far then I am already indebted to you... if anything even writing all of this out in a safe forum has been cathartic in its own way.

Anyone have any advice? Comments? Please don't lecture me about the drug use, I've already been beating myself up over it enough this past week... shakehead

Thanks in advance...



I am sorry I had to edit this thread, Please read the forum's rules.......#2.

Post Edited By Moderator (hep93) : 10/15/2011 11:38:07 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/15/2011 12:32 AM (GMT 0)
Well ....I know that if you have these issues ....ever drinking or using drugs again wouldn't be wise .....just saying ..not trying to nag ...just a few questions ..if you don't mind if so then forget I asked ....do you have hep c ? Have you ever had a liver biopsy ? Have doctors ever said you have early signs of liver disease ...I can see why being worried about job ..traveling ....the drug use being detected ...my husband hid many of his signs and symptoms from me in fear I would find out how sick he really was ...which clearly he hid well til April when he had a varisse bleed and nearly died ....I found out then from doctors that he had hep c and he was basically dying ...or would die shortly ....they did tips procedure in April and he basically fought for his life for 6 months ....he just recieved a transplant and is doing well ..but a lot of recovering ahead of him .... Anyways my point is he hid it in fear of me knowing and leaving him and it almost cost him his life and put me through a roller coaster of medical scares he doesn't remember ...so don't put it on the back burner .....I'm 35 and my husband just made 40 ...it effects younger people too ! A moderator will be along shortly to welcome you . This forum has been my sanity and my comfort .....we are internet family ..so welcome green guy ......
Posted 10/15/2011 1:39 AM (GMT 0)
This is just me thinking out loud

But I stay clear of the drug long enough to pass a screen before doc appt unless an emergency

Then I'd see a primary care doc

My money is on gall bladder

If they find stones or a clogged duct they'll operate. Quick recovery

If they find liver disease. Then deal with it. Come here often. Lots of good ideas

Good luck. With clean living and healthy diet you should live long EVEN if you have liver disease!

MamaLama
Posted 10/15/2011 2:45 AM (GMT 0)
Greenguy, welcome to the forum. I think ML said it all in a nutshell. I would bet that it's a gall bladder problem as well, or possibly kidney issues. I have never heard of anyone damaging their liver from smoking ______. The real problem with it is that it's illegal. Also, the liver doesn't usually experience "pain." Sometimes there's a feeling of fullness. If there is actually pain, it's in the last stages of End Stage Liver Disease (ESLD.) Or if someone with known cirrhosis continues drinking. So I think you are barking up the wrong tree. I applaud your stopping the alcohol and the drug, though. I recommend you stay off both at least until you get a definitive diagnosis (continued abstinence would be best.) Wait until you have a diagnosis to even mention your cannabis indulgence, and then only if necessary. It might not need to be mentioned, and you are right--it could compromise your insurance, which you will need if there is something physical going on. Try to calm down.

Hugs,

Connie
Posted 10/15/2011 4:08 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome Green Guy,

  Just saying you are soooo lucky to wise up relatively young.  My hubby started clean living 15 years ago, with HEP C.  He was able to do OK until Feb of this year.  SO...even if you have Hep C, you CAN live a good and healthy life for a long time.  Best to you and keep in touch.

Angie1953

Posted 10/15/2011 4:49 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Green Guy!

My bet is on gallbladder as well.  A big symptom is back pain (also right shoulder blade pain).  So make an appointment for when you get back and have blood work done and hopefully an abdominal ultrasound. 

Everyone else had some great advice so I wish you well and try not to stress out...it doesn't help anything nono

Posted 10/15/2011 7:38 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you all so much. My mom just had her gallbladder out, you would think I would connect the dots...

It's just because I've had some fears about the previous damage I surely did to my liver in my drinking years..

Thank you for your compassion! My worries are greatly alleviated and I'll definitely make an appointment to see my doctor as soon as I'm home to find out what this is and get it taken care of...



Hugs to you all!
Posted 10/15/2011 12:15 PM (GMT 0)
Oh. I forgot

Theymake great kittle pills fir anxiety -- that are legal. Without buspar I'm a wreck!!!

ML
Posted 10/15/2011 2:56 PM (GMT 0)
Your first problem was taking any ibuprofen, much less 3 at a time. What you tell your doctor is privileged information, so only the two of you share that. Smoking ___ will not make your liver fail. Every doctor I've spoken to says the same thing; it's against the law, but it won't hurt you.  And yes, it sounds like a gall bladder problem.

Post Edited By Moderator (hep93) : 10/15/2011 11:44:53 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/15/2011 5:52 PM (GMT 0)

Folks, I have been reminded that discussion of illegal substances is against the forum rules--thus the edits.  I sometimes mention my drug use in the distant past (25 and 42 years ago, depending on the drug), in relation to my hep C and other liver problems.  But it's not recent.

Rules (DON'Ts):

 1. No discussion of any illegal activity or threats of violence. (ie. illicit drug use or exchange, threats of suicide or self-injury, or threatened or intended physical harm).  

 

2. No discussion of medical marijuana use.

 

Hugs,

Connie

Posted 10/15/2011 6:38 PM (GMT 0)
Thank God I was able to get some support before the censoring... it was still much appreciated.

I can understand the sentiments of not wanting to discuss recreational drug use - to an extent. But I think the context I was writing was certainly not meant to be offensive or controversial.

However, I do respect the rules and do not want to disturb this community, perhaps I will look for a more open minded forum that discusses addiction and alcoholism, which are very real diseases, just like Hep C.

I appreciate the help folks and best of luck to all of you. You are all good people.
Posted 10/15/2011 9:00 PM (GMT 0)
Greenguy, IMO a drug is a drug is a drug. Alcohol just happens to be legal, but causes more damage that the drug that must not be named. I hope you will come back and let us know the results of your doctor visit.

David, also...insurance companies can get access to one's medical records. One has to agree to this before signing up for insurance. I also had to agree to have Mayo access my medical records from Shands. HIPAA rules have provided more privacy, but there are definitely exceptions.

Hugs,
Connie
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