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Recurring liver issues
In October 2020 I was diagnosed with stage 3 liver fibrosis. In November 2021, the fibrosis was gone and by 2022 my enzymes were well within normal range. In May 2025 my enzymes shot back up very quickly after a bad reaction to a small dose of fentanyl post op. An ultrasound done did not indicate fibrosis but showed my liver measured 18.4 cm. I was referred to hepology, which I had no clue was a thing, in 2020, I was just sent to a GI Dr. I am scared, my father passed in 89 at the age of 42 from pancreatic and liver cancer and my mother died in 2015 from lung and liver cancer at the age of 65. I just turned 49. My appointment is September 15 and the referral was made in May. I have severe abdominal swelling to the point I look very pregnant and it is very painful at times. I want the specialist to just admit me and run whatever test needs to be run to get to the bottom of this, but I feel like this will make me look stupid or whatever. I am tired of waiting for appointments and having to take off constantly for scans, and test because they don’t have an opening. I am tired of hurting and always feeling bad. Am I wrong for wanting to be admitted and have the test run?
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Short answer, no! It is frustrating to make appointments these days. You may be better off going to a large teaching hospital or Mayo if you can. You are more likely to get things done at one time. Your distended belly sounds like it may be ascites. Here is some information on that. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14792-ascites
Wishing you wellness.
I live in Mississippi and I don’t there is one in the surrounding states. We moved to Arizona when my father was diagnosed with cancer for him to get treatment at the Mayo there. All of my doctors are with the University Mississippi Medical Center which is the only teaching hospital in our state. I am praying this doctor listens to me. My boyfriend is going with me because he was around in 2020 when this first happened. He also has no filter or tolerance when it comes to doctors being dismissive. Thank you so much for your response because I have been so dismissed by the doctors I saw when this first started that I just don’t trust any.
How did the hepatology appointment go? Seems like you would get the best answers there. A gastroenterologist is also trained to recognize liver issues and would refer you to hepatology for a work up. Have you had an MRI? Any answers about fluid building up in your belly? I am sorry you are experiencing this and glad you have someone to go with you. Hoping your appointment is early this month. Wishing you well.
You need to be your own advocate. If you think you need to be admitted tell your DR.
@kimmie925, I hope that your upcoming appointment will be a step toward you getting some answers with updated diagnosis and (fingers crossed) treatment. From my experience, this might not be a one-stop-event. I hope that you and your boyfriend will have a meaningful conversation with the doctor.
I would like to share this link with you. Mayo Connect members have shared their thoughts and experiences about their first appointments.
- Your Tips on How to Get Off to the Best Start with a New Specialist
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/your-tips-on-how-to-get-off-to-the-best-start-with-a-new-specialist/
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What are you doing to prepare for the apppintment?