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Liver/Gallbladder Problems

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Posted 7/10/2017 1:13 AM (GMT 0)
I was diagnosed with Chronic Lyme in 2007 after being sick for a year. I've gone into "remission" twice since then, but lately have been experiencing some scary symptoms.

In addition to suffering from my worst Lyme symptom, dizziness and lightheadedness (feeling like I could pass out at any second, all the time), I'm experiencing, at least twice per week, upper middle abdominal pain that is quite severe. My stomach and sternum harden and bloat, and it is only relieved by using a heating pad for several hours. This lasts for at least 6 hours each time it happens.

It seems to either be my Gallbladder or Liver, and after reading my blood test from last year, I'm concerned for my Liver.

My Liver Panel results from last year:

Total Protein 9.0
Billirubin 1.05

Around this time, a test I had done also said I have "possibly fatty liver". My regular GP never said any of this to me, I'm just now finding it out after getting print outs of my tests.

Does this sound like a liver/gallbladder issue? If so, is there anything I can do at home to help strengthen them?
Posted 7/10/2017 1:39 AM (GMT 0)
First of all, welcome!

I'm not sure what this could be. Do you maintain a pretty healthy / clean diet?

My acupuncturist recommended I take desiccated liver supplements and ox bile to support my gall bladder while on abx. I seem to be doing well with them. I think they just help support both organs.

Do you still see an LLMD?
Posted 7/10/2017 3:20 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Disneylove - welcome!

Sorry you've been well and now are experiencing these issues.

Have you had the liver function tests done as well? ALT,AST, AP?

and an ultrasound of your liver?

I also have the same question as mm57553 -are you still seeing a LLMD?

Since you are new here, it would be useful for you to take a look through the thread at the top of the page: "New to Lyme?..Start Here!" It's got a ton of useful information.
Posted 7/10/2017 4:03 AM (GMT 0)
Oh gosh middle of the abdomen is strange. Gall bladder is generally under the right rib cage. But it also can be sudden and rapidly intensifying pain in the center of your abdomen, just below your breastbone. Back pain between your shoulder blades.

The pain caused by the liver is usually felt in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen and sometimes radiates into the back. Liver pain can often times be confused with abdominal or digestive issues.

The pain felt due to liver disease does not usually originate in the liver itself because it has no actual nerve endings. The swelling and inflammation of the liver pushes on its covering tissue or liver capsule causing pain. A dull back ache or abdominal pain could be caused by this type of liver swelling or inflammation.

I have 2 relatives that were at family functions that ended up in ER for gall bladder removal. Both of them thought they were having a heart attack. It came on that fast.

One had just eaten a super sweet chocolate cake with chocolate icing, super rich. And the other had just had lobster with melted butter on it.

We joke in our family about eating donuts and saying they are gall bladder tests.

I so dislike pain. So my heart goes out to you. But personally, I don't think you should mess around with this. I think it is time to go see a doctor and get a real medical opinion.
Posted 7/11/2017 4:06 PM (GMT 0)
I no longer see an LLMD because I just couldn't afford it anymore. It was costing me over $600 per month and that's without supplements, etc. I am on the Zhang protocol but cannot see him in person because I live in Florida.

I had an ultrasound last year that covered my liver and gallbladder, and both were said to be fine except for a "possibly fatty liver", according to the report. On a separate report from the same day, it said I had a Gallstone, but the hospital said that may have been an error if it didn't show in the ultrasound report.

I've never had the Liver function tests done. Are there specific names I can ask my GP to run?

The pain is also sometimes relieved by Pepto Bismol tablets, but I suppose the gallbladder and/or liver can cause nausea as well.
Posted 7/11/2017 4:26 PM (GMT 0)
There are a number of things this can be.

Gallstones can be seen on the ultrasound but sludge in the gallbladder sometimes cannot. That might require a Hida scan.

But honestly there are many things this could be and since Pepto Bismol helps, it could be GERD. Or you could have a hiatal hernia.

This is why you really should see a doctor. Your heart is close by this pain, so that is another reason. Not that I suspect that.

Pain is not NORMAL.

Now is the time to get checked out. Emergency surgery or emergency actions are not fun. Both of my relatives were carted off in an ambulance and had emergency surgery. My Mom was in Florida about to board a cruise ship..... cruise cancelled.

So go to your GP and have him check you out. Better to plan for this than have it be an emergency where you are unable to plan on anything.

Good luck and let us know what the doc says.
Posted 7/11/2017 5:18 PM (GMT 0)

DisneyLove said...
I no longer see an LLMD because I just couldn't afford it anymore. It was costing me over $600 per month and that's without supplements, etc. I am on the Zhang protocol but cannot see him in person because I live in Florida.

I had an ultrasound last year that covered my liver and gallbladder, and both were said to be fine except for a "possibly fatty liver", according to the report. On a separate report from the same day, it said I had a Gallstone, but the hospital said that may have been an error if it didn't show in the ultrasound report.

I've never had the Liver function tests done. Are there specific names I can ask my GP to run?

The pain is also sometimes relieved by Pepto Bismol tablets, but I suppose the gallbladder and/or liver can cause nausea as well.

Liver Function tests that I have done:

Alkaline Phosphatase
Bilirubin
AST
ALT

There are more - but that's a start.
Posted 7/11/2017 7:20 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, DisneyLove. I've experienced the upper middle abdominal pain too, with the hardening and bloating. I went to the ER one day because it got so bad and had an abdominal sonogram done but it showed nothing except for sludge on my gallbladder. Had a hida scan on my gallbladder which came back ok. Bloodwork for liver and pancreas came back ok, although I was pretty convinced I had pancreatitis. Still not sure what could be causing the pain but I've decided that maybe it's a mobility issue and my stomach isn't emptying as fast as it should be. Or maybe I have a pseudo blockage. Lyme can cause both of those things to happen. I've also thought it could be SIBO but I don't know. I'm still looking for answers, but have already seen two gastros and they weren't much help. Hope you figure it out soon!
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