Hi there

I just recently been getting a lot of gas & having lost my mum late sept due to liver failure via hep c, thought I'd have a blood test for Hep C. Interestingly the result gave me clear for hep c but Dr said my platelet level in blood is 39, but should be 100-400, also possibly liver issue, which requires a scan.

I'm now finding it really difficult to digest the usual processed foods I eat, but the worst being a steak which caused a lot of pain left and right sides all night long & so have researched the right foods for someone with spleen / liver issues and now eating all foods I usually wouldn't! My next blood test is on the 30th dec and my ultrascan 23rd Jan. Needless to say I'm fairly concerned, especially when I'm up in the night, tummynrubling, lots of burping and trying to get comfy. I'm used to sleeping through & have a 5 month year old and a 5 year old to deal with. I'm praying it's nothing serious and have ordered a strong probiotic formula to keep tummy happy alongside a decent milk thistle supplement to aid symptom relief (have u tried any). But yeah overall it's deffo a time of uncertainty and concern. I'm not telling my 5 year old boy, he's already lost his granny and great grandmother in the last 12 months. Really hoping something can be done as I know something's not right. My pain is more left of the tummy button & feels like fluid or gas trapped in lower belly. Even getting strange pain in my hip joints. 

Anyway please don't be too worried, it doesn't do you any good & I know for me on a positive side at least this means better eating habits for life now. I had no idea what my poor liver was being put through.

Do you know what's caused your problem / can you share any more on what your doing in the meantime?

Best regards

Dan

Hi there

I hope things go well for you. The worry and waiting is awful! 

I have a 4 year old and a 16 year old and constantly keep trying to put a brave face on and not show any worry. 

It all started just noticing my bowel habits had changed and got night sweats at times. That is when they noticed the spleen enlarged. 

On boxing day I was sent to hospital and stayed in over night as I had dull pains near belly button and all around, they wanted to rule out apendicitus. 

I did mention my spleen to them and the Dr is certain these pains have nothing to do with the spleen. 

I did have a ultrasound and bloods but all positive. 

Was sent away with pain killers, told to ensure I go to my Hematology appointment to get bloods looked into still and the Dr is also sending me for a camera scan. 

I just feel full constantly, weak, cba mood and dull pains come and go. 

You take care and keep is upto date x

Hi,

Well, sounds like your Christmas has been a bit difficult, especially when you still need to be mum to your kids. I felt awful Christmas day after 2 hrs sleep.. Felt terrible & barely ate anything. Thankfully my 5 year old hardly noticed anything, but I've been discreet about it all.  I hope you had as good a Christmas as poss.

Sounds like there's a lot of positives there, and lots of hope. I'm glad to say I've had some relief in that I'm not feeling the pain in the same place (liver / spleen), it's now mainly to either side of my tummy around my hips & my back (like there's fluid in there?/pressure). Hot baths really help relieve symptoms, although I am still not feeling quite right as tummy and appetite not back as normal yet. I had another blood test, blood count is improving but not sure how much exactly. Urine test came up ok too.. 

My scan is coming up soon.

I was terrified during the night when all this started, it's totally challenged my perspective on life & made me take stock & challenged my faith. I also suddenly care a lot more about the NHS! 

I'll share anything helpful, could be we have a similar issues although in fairness the possibilities are probably massively varied. In the words of Dr Rajz be happy, be healthy & get well soon!

Keep in touch xx

Hi what was your outcome please? I'm in a similar situation myself

Hi, 

I went through many blood test, scans etc...my bloods all came back fine! But my spleen was still enlarged. 

I have to go back for scans 6 month to see how the spleen is. 

My pains all went by the end of January, I did change my eating habits so maybe this has something to do with my change of bowel habits. 

The Dr said even though is unusual to have a enlarged spleem it could just be how I am. But will continue to monitor every 6 months. 

They did find Polips during a scan, but too small to remove so I will also return to have these checked on. 

Jenna x

Hi, 

I hope everything is going well for you? 

X

Thank you so much for the response. I'm really glad you're doing okay! I'm seeing the haematologist on Monday, but unfortunately, my right supraclavicular lymph node is swollen and I have a lot of other symptoms as well including drastic weight loss so I'm really concerned. 
 

I was given a thorax, abdomen and pelvis CT scan which shown a "mass" in the right of my liver as well as some weird thing along the ligament so I was sent for an ultrasound. On the ultrasound the weird mass couldn't be seen and there was shadowing along the ligament which can apparently be normal but the ultrasound saw that my spleen is enlarged (13.3cm) so not massive but I'm honestly so unwell and I'm scared the cause won't be found. Sorry for rambling x

Hi Krissy. Can I ask how things went for you? 

I have all symptoms of enlarged spleen. Have been going on for 18 months now. I am due to have a scan this friday. I am very worried about what they may find. My pains are getting worse, I can't eat big meals at all anymore, have lost weight. If I fo eat a larger meal I experience excruciating pain in my left ribs, shoulder and back and when I try and take a deep breath, it's as though my ribs are stabbing something. My bowel habits have changed. 

I have been told IBS, stomach acid ect but the scan is to rule out bowel cancer. I really believe it's an enlarged spleen and hope there is nothing else going on as well as that. 

X

No you don't get pain from your spleen,iv got an enlarged spleen,due to hepitias c, and I don't really get pain,I just vomit once a week,and im very weak,and bruise easy,And really people deal with pain differently,as I went to my doctor,and I didn't feel any pain, just felt a bit un-well,so I reluctantly whent and thought I'd probably be waisting my doctors time,but it turned out I had hep c/ enlarged spleen,and diabetes,So yea people deal with things differently, but after that,it made me think about going to my GP a bit more frequently,some people don't get any symptoms with regards to your spleen,I'm no GP but from my personal experience,I would say it isn't your spleen,hope I helped a bit.