Liver pain

[tripthelightfantastically]

Over the past month or so I have had strange pains in my liver area. Sometimes a mild stabbing pain, sometimes a dull ache. It comes and goes but is mostly absent. I am constantly tired (although this could easily be peri-menopause).

I drink on average 30 units a week but in the past it was more. I am late 40s. I am too embarrassed to approach my GP.

Do you think this type of pain is serious and likely to be related to my drinking? Has anyone had anything similar?

Could be your gallbladder but you must not take the advice of strangers on the internet where your health is involved. If you’re worried about going to your GP go to a walk in centre or even A&E. Your GP would not judge you by the way.

I don't think anyone on MN is qualified to make a call on whether the pains are serious or not. Please speak to your GP, there is nothing to be embarrassed about. Having watched my FIL die of liver cirrhosis I would encourage you to take any liver pains seriously (even if you are not sure if the pains are your liver). The earlier liver problems are treated, the better the chances of the liver healing.
Your GP will deal with all kinds of "embarrassing" health issues all day, please don't be embarrassed about reaching out about this!

I don't know but the tiredness should probably get checked out. Could you approach your gp about that?

You need to get checked out . Don’t be embarrassed. If its early liver damage ( fibrosis ) then you may be able to reverse it

The liver itself doesn't have any pain receptors, but the membrane around it does - so that may be inflamed or your liver could be enlarged significantly enough to cause pain in the membrane or neighboring structures - but I would imagine that you would see other symptoms (chalky/light coloured poo, yellowing of the whites of your eyes (i.e. jaundice) for example) by now if that was the case.

They'll do a blood test initially, and then possibly a bog-standard ultrasound of the liver and surrounding area, and/or a specialised scan to see if there is any fibrosis (partially reversible) or cirrhosis (non-reversible) present.

But, as others have said, there are other reasons that could be responsible for the pain - gallbladder issues for example.

But don't take my word for it - book an appointment right now, before you talk yourself out of it. Do not be embarrassed, well, be embarrassed (although there is no reason to be), but don't let it stop you seeing your GP - the earlier something is diagnosed, the easier it is to treat.

Thanks all - I know you are right & that I should get to the doctors....

I have a similar pain and I am wondering if you have been checked and what was the outcome?