I know this is an older thread, but I thought I would mention, I have had the same sometimes, and my liver was not even swollen. It turned out to be gallstones, which I passed. I get pains random but I think it is to do with IBS as well which I've had as long as Hep C. I think those two delights go together - Delightful as trapping your finger in a door!
I think Cinnemon gal stated that it is more common for people with Hep C to get gallstones, and not considered to be a problem as long as they do not cause excessive pain, or block a bile duct.
Either way, it will be interesting to know if it continues after EOT 12 weeks. :D
wmlj1960 said
May 8, 2016
Pablito wrote:
And, yes, I need to drink about twice as much water than I usually do since I started the trial.
That should be #2 priority in your life right now, right behind #1, taking your medicine as scheduled.
Pablito said
May 8, 2016
That's helpful Gracie. And good to know it doesn't stop you exercising...10k - that's impressive.
Gracie said
May 7, 2016
Hi Pablito,
I get pains with exercise too. Even if I do a lot of housework I get an achy kind of pain. I know it's not my gallbladder or anything like that as I just had an ultrasound last week and she said nothing new. I'm SVR and it happened during treatment and still happens now. Before SVR, it was more frequent and during less strenuous exercise. I'm running a 10k race tomorrow, and it won't hurt during, but will ache for awhile after. I think it's what you said, swollen or irritation. Our livers are damaged and increased blood flow through it might be causing a bit of inflammation. Who knows for sure. Hoping as my liver heals, this becomes less and less noticeable.
Pablito said
May 7, 2016
Yes, I will take it easy. I have been in fact. It's just that it was the end-of-season game for my 6-year-old son's little league soccer and to mark the occasion they asked the parents to play against the kids. In the moment, I forgot I was on treatment - which is a good thing, I suppose - and just joined in. I'm feeling it now. The parents lost, by the way!
And, yes, I need to drink about twice as much water than I usually do since I started the trial. Additionally, it's been unusually hot for this time of year in the UK.
Tig said
May 7, 2016
Getting your ALT/AST down in the normal range is the right first step. Once that occurs, it's an indication that the inflammation can begin to improve. It does take time. Just treat yourself right and do everything you can to improve your diet and overall health. If you're experiencing pain with exercise, maybe you need to just take walks until you're feeling better able to tolerate the strenuous stuff. Treatment won't last forever and you'll be able to resume your normal activity. Don't forget to Hydrate!
Pablito said
May 7, 2016
Hi Tig
I'm on a trial so I'll mention it at my appointment in 2 days. My LFTs are now normal...but only for the last 4 weeks after nearly 20 years of being abnormal. They've done tonnes of tests as part of the trial but I don't know if blood tests can check for gall bladder problems with this, but I'll mention it to the doc.
I think it's just that my liver has been enlarged from inflammation for years and, thus, the capsule you mention is irritated, especially when exercising. I suspect there have been some benefits to my liver so far from the trial, but it has literally just been a month so I wouldn't expect the liver swelling to have gone down my much in that short time.
Pablo
Tig said
May 7, 2016
Hi Pablito,
The liver itself has no pain receptors, the capsule surrounding the liver and supporting structures do tend to transmit pain if the liver is inflamed. If you have a recent ALT that is elevated, indicating some inflammation, that could be your answer. If you're trying to exercise with an inflamed liver, give yourself a break and stop. As your liver inflammation reduces, so will the discomfort secondary to that. Have you had your gall bladder checked?
We often experience issues with the gall bladder, spleen or pancreas, so you may be feeling that too. I had so much pain from my gall bladder they took it out. It wasn't working right at all. I still have the occasional pain, like a runners cramp, but there's nothing there. Just a cramp or gas, but nothing to put a finger on. Most people that complain to their doctors about it have ultrasounds or other imaging tests done only to find out there's no apparent reason for it. You can wait it out, take it easy on yourself and it will probably let up. Next time you see your doctor, mention it so it's on record and get his/her opinion. They may order some tests to check things out just to be sure. It never hurts to confirm there's nothing wrong! Good luck...
Pablito said
May 7, 2016
Thanks Dave. What a lovely lady she is, the one who does the blog.
Linuxter said
May 7, 2016
Hi Pablito,
I don't know if I welcomed you to the forum or not but if not, WELCOME ... We're glad you're here.
I get pains in my liver when I do moderate (or greater) aerobic exercise, and I was wondering if someone could explain this to me. I very occasionally get liver pains when not exercising but they are very rare. I got them today after playing a 10 min football (soccer) match with my young son and his pals. I used to be fit when younger, played port etc. And even for many years after contracting HCV I was able to go to the gym without problems. I no longer keep fit and the these pains are the main reason.
It seems logical to me that if your liver is swollen it's rubbing up against the rib cage, and with exercise-indcued heavy breathing my liver is being compressed. But I've read posts from people on here who do lots of exercise, including people with advanced fibrosis, and whilst they haven't specifically commented on liver pain I assume they don't get it much (otherwise they wouldn't be exercising); so I would be interested to hear about other people's experiences.
In terms of fibrosis my last 3 biopsies placed me at F0, but in the last 2 years I have become symptomatic and a recent fibroscan score was 9, putting me at F2/3. I'm on the Polaris trial (sof/vel/GS-9857) and am due my 4th weeks bloods on Monday so I don't know my current VL, but my week 1 LFTs had normalised. But I guess it's too early for any healing to have occurred yet...
...as a side note, I have over the last 2 weeks experienced non-exercise related liver pains. They haven't worried me though: I don't know if this is scientific interpretation, but I have conceived of this as my liver fighting the fibrosis now that (hopefully) my VL is low (or, super-hopefully, non-detectable).
I know this is an older thread, but I thought I would mention, I have had the same sometimes, and my liver was not even swollen. It turned out to be gallstones, which I passed. I get pains random but I think it is to do with IBS as well which I've had as long as Hep C. I think those two delights go together - Delightful as trapping your finger in a door!
I think Cinnemon gal stated that it is more common for people with Hep C to get gallstones, and not considered to be a problem as long as they do not cause excessive pain, or block a bile duct.
Either way, it will be interesting to know if it continues after EOT 12 weeks. :D
That should be #2 priority in your life right now, right behind #1, taking your medicine as scheduled.
That's helpful Gracie. And good to know it doesn't stop you exercising...10k - that's impressive.
Hi Pablito,
I get pains with exercise too. Even if I do a lot of housework I get an achy kind of pain. I know it's not my gallbladder or anything like that as I just had an ultrasound last week and she said nothing new. I'm SVR and it happened during treatment and still happens now. Before SVR, it was more frequent and during less strenuous exercise. I'm running a 10k race tomorrow, and it won't hurt during, but will ache for awhile after. I think it's what you said, swollen or irritation. Our livers are damaged and increased blood flow through it might be causing a bit of inflammation. Who knows for sure. Hoping as my liver heals, this becomes less and less noticeable.
Yes, I will take it easy. I have been in fact. It's just that it was the end-of-season game for my 6-year-old son's little league soccer and to mark the occasion they asked the parents to play against the kids. In the moment, I forgot I was on treatment - which is a good thing, I suppose - and just joined in. I'm feeling it now. The parents lost, by the way!
And, yes, I need to drink about twice as much water than I usually do since I started the trial. Additionally, it's been unusually hot for this time of year in the UK.
Getting your ALT/AST down in the normal range is the right first step. Once that occurs, it's an indication that the inflammation can begin to improve. It does take time. Just treat yourself right and do everything you can to improve your diet and overall health. If you're experiencing pain with exercise, maybe you need to just take walks until you're feeling better able to tolerate the strenuous stuff. Treatment won't last forever and you'll be able to resume your normal activity. Don't forget to Hydrate!
Hi Tig
I'm on a trial so I'll mention it at my appointment in 2 days. My LFTs are now normal...but only for the last 4 weeks after nearly 20 years of being abnormal. They've done tonnes of tests as part of the trial but I don't know if blood tests can check for gall bladder problems with this, but I'll mention it to the doc.
I think it's just that my liver has been enlarged from inflammation for years and, thus, the capsule you mention is irritated, especially when exercising. I suspect there have been some benefits to my liver so far from the trial, but it has literally just been a month so I wouldn't expect the liver swelling to have gone down my much in that short time.
Pablo
Hi Pablito,
The liver itself has no pain receptors, the capsule surrounding the liver and supporting structures do tend to transmit pain if the liver is inflamed. If you have a recent ALT that is elevated, indicating some inflammation, that could be your answer. If you're trying to exercise with an inflamed liver, give yourself a break and stop. As your liver inflammation reduces, so will the discomfort secondary to that. Have you had your gall bladder checked?
We often experience issues with the gall bladder, spleen or pancreas, so you may be feeling that too. I had so much pain from my gall bladder they took it out. It wasn't working right at all. I still have the occasional pain, like a runners cramp, but there's nothing there. Just a cramp or gas, but nothing to put a finger on. Most people that complain to their doctors about it have ultrasounds or other imaging tests done only to find out there's no apparent reason for it. You can wait it out, take it easy on yourself and it will probably let up. Next time you see your doctor, mention it so it's on record and get his/her opinion. They may order some tests to check things out just to be sure. It never hurts to confirm there's nothing wrong! Good luck...
Thanks Dave. What a lovely lady she is, the one who does the blog.
Hi Pablito,
I don't know if I welcomed you to the forum or not but if not, WELCOME ... We're glad you're here.
Here's an interesting read on Liver Pain ---> http://www.ihelpc.com/can-my-liver-feel-pain/
Dave
I get pains in my liver when I do moderate (or greater) aerobic exercise, and I was wondering if someone could explain this to me. I very occasionally get liver pains when not exercising but they are very rare. I got them today after playing a 10 min football (soccer) match with my young son and his pals. I used to be fit when younger, played port etc. And even for many years after contracting HCV I was able to go to the gym without problems. I no longer keep fit and the these pains are the main reason.
It seems logical to me that if your liver is swollen it's rubbing up against the rib cage, and with exercise-indcued heavy breathing my liver is being compressed. But I've read posts from people on here who do lots of exercise, including people with advanced fibrosis, and whilst they haven't specifically commented on liver pain I assume they don't get it much (otherwise they wouldn't be exercising); so I would be interested to hear about other people's experiences.
In terms of fibrosis my last 3 biopsies placed me at F0, but in the last 2 years I have become symptomatic and a recent fibroscan score was 9, putting me at F2/3. I'm on the Polaris trial (sof/vel/GS-9857) and am due my 4th weeks bloods on Monday so I don't know my current VL, but my week 1 LFTs had normalised. But I guess it's too early for any healing to have occurred yet...
...as a side note, I have over the last 2 weeks experienced non-exercise related liver pains. They haven't worried me though: I don't know if this is scientific interpretation, but I have conceived of this as my liver fighting the fibrosis now that (hopefully) my VL is low (or, super-hopefully, non-detectable).
Pablo