Well, if you've been drinking since teens your liver has definitely been affected by the alcohol consumption. But, if you haven't been binge drinking you're probably okay. Its better to drink a few drinks every night than a lot of drinks (blackout levels) every so often. I think your pain very well may be muscular. If you're on a 3 day bender you're body is consuming copious amounts of alcohol and probably not a whole lot of water and nutrients. Your body is going to be very dehydrated and lack nutrients especially potassium which prevents muscle fatigue and aids recovery. Since, you used your abdominal muscles all the time, they are going to get very tired if you don't get restful sleep, water and nutrients. The pain is probably not your liver. However, getting it checked out will only appease your worrying and save your liver if it is actually damaged. I would however steer clear from telling your doctor that it only crops up when your drinking. If they find out your liver is compromised due to alcohol your definitely not getting a new one. (Unless your rich or famous)
has anyone that is feeling liver pain minutes after drinking alcohol done an ultrasound scan/test ?? and what was the results like?? I am having the same problem and liver function test were normal and the doctor "Garauntees!" there is nothing wrong with my liver. if there is "nothing" wrong with my liver then why would I feel pain at liver area after etc.. consuming alcohol(which i haven't been for few years already cos too much pain if I do even half a beer), and even if I take anti-biotics(I had to take flucloxacillin once 500mg 3 times daily for 1 week and I only lasted 2 days till I had to stop it!! because very uncomfort at liver area). and smoking marujuana also causes pain and discomfort . virtually "toxin" substances that goes into the blood and has to use the liver will cause discomfort/pain! . would an ultrasound scan do any good to find out why??. so strange!
I also have had similar symptoms as everyone has mentioned here. The first time I noticed the pain I went to the doctor like many of you here and had the blood, urine, and ultrasound and they said everything looked good. I didn't drink for about a month and then had just one beer. The pain was back but was not bad. Over the last few months the most I have had to drink was 2 beers at one time. But even at that level I feel discomfort. I should mention that I also drink 2-3 cups of coffee a day and probably a can of soda every other day. Since I seem to have zero tolerance for alcohol left I plan to just give it up completely since I no longer get any enjoyment out of it. I guess my question is whether anyone else out there has had to reduce coffee or soda intake because of this? Or if they have had to change their diet and avoid certain foods?
This is really interesting, i have had the same symptoms as everyone else here.
I have been drinking heavily for years, from 18 now (im 25) probably about 40/50 units a week at the worst, sitting at about 20 per week atm, a couple of bottles of wine a week.
I have had pain in my lower right abdomen/pelvice, it is always there, but is aggravated massivley by alcohol, (most of the time), some times it makes no odds if i drink, but if i were to drink a couple of days in a row, it gets much worse, and can take days to settle down, although it never actually goes away.
I am constantly gaurded about my right side, i cant let anyone touch me on that side at all, i literally jump out of my skin if anyone gets close.
When i first got the pain, i left it a couple of months thinking "it will go away" but it didnt, so i went to my Gp, he thought it was muscular as i had just moved house, so gave me some anti inflammetrys, these did help somewhat, but as soon as i stopped taking them, the pain was back. I also had a liver function test, this was normal.
So another trip to another Gp, he thought it could be a stomach ulcer, and gave me some proton inhibitors, these didnt make much difference at all, i could literally feel my T shirt rubbing my skin, like there was ball under my skin (stange i know), the pain stayed for months, and at one stage the pains ran right in to my groin and right teste, i could hardly walk, and driving was very uncomfortable.
Then i came down with a fever, shakes etc, and still the same pain (but worse) i went to the Gp again, who sent me to A&E with suspect appendicites, i was prodded poked, had urine, bloods, etc done, i waited there all day, they were about to chuck me out when the surgen came back and told me that i had a high CRP count showing an inflammation problem that had been present for some time.
My Crp count was 150mg/L which means "active inflammation, bacterial infection (40–200 mg/L)," It shold be less than 10mg/L...
Anyway, he kept me in saying i would have a CT scan and op in the morning to remove the appendix.... this didnt happen, the consultent was not convinced, and wanted to treat me as an out patiant whle doing further investigations.
So, since then, i have had, Upper GI Series, barium enema, and a CT scan, all of which show nothing.
So, i have seen the consultent yesterday, he doesnt belive in grumbling appendix, but wants to rule it out and/or do some investigation by laparoscopy, if it helps i will let you guys know if he finds anything when i get my appointment.
Good luck to all.
I have been drinking heavily for years, from 18 now (im 25) probably about 40/50 units a week at the worst, sitting at about 20 per week atm, a couple of bottles of wine a week.
I have had pain in my lower right abdomen/pelvice, it is always there, but is aggravated massivley by alcohol, (most of the time), some times it makes no odds if i drink, but if i were to drink a couple of days in a row, it gets much worse, and can take days to settle down, although it never actually goes away.
I am constantly gaurded about my right side, i cant let anyone touch me on that side at all, i literally jump out of my skin if anyone gets close.
When i first got the pain, i left it a couple of months thinking "it will go away" but it didnt, so i went to my Gp, he thought it was muscular as i had just moved house, so gave me some anti inflammetrys, these did help somewhat, but as soon as i stopped taking them, the pain was back. I also had a liver function test, this was normal.
So another trip to another Gp, he thought it could be a stomach ulcer, and gave me some proton inhibitors, these didnt make much difference at all, i could literally feel my T shirt rubbing my skin, like there was ball under my skin (stange i know), the pain stayed for months, and at one stage the pains ran right in to my groin and right teste, i could hardly walk, and driving was very uncomfortable.
Then i came down with a fever, shakes etc, and still the same pain (but worse) i went to the Gp again, who sent me to A&E with suspect appendicites, i was prodded poked, had urine, bloods, etc done, i waited there all day, they were about to chuck me out when the surgen came back and told me that i had a high CRP count showing an inflammation problem that had been present for some time.
My Crp count was 150mg/L which means "active inflammation, bacterial infection (40–200 mg/L)," It shold be less than 10mg/L...
Anyway, he kept me in saying i would have a CT scan and op in the morning to remove the appendix.... this didnt happen, the consultent was not convinced, and wanted to treat me as an out patiant whle doing further investigations.
So, since then, i have had, Upper GI Series, barium enema, and a CT scan, all of which show nothing.
So, i have seen the consultent yesterday, he doesnt belive in grumbling appendix, but wants to rule it out and/or do some investigation by laparoscopy, if it helps i will let you guys know if he finds anything when i get my appointment.
Good luck to all.
It's amazing when reading all those with the same problem. I'm a recovering alcoholic, I started at the age of 9 but got really into it by the age of 15. I'm now 52 and am 15 years clean. With the alcohol use I got cirrhosis of the liver. But I didn't know I got it until I went through surgery and need blood to replace when I lost blood. With that I got hepatitis which added to the problem of my past alcoholism. First, all pain can be caused by either the gall bladder or the liver. Scare tissue can be also blocking bile from leaving the liver which helps elimination. If you are constipated, find a cleanser that can help clean you out. That will help the pain. If you are worried, speak again to the doctor and have him check to see if you have cirrhosis of the liver, that usually means also going through a liver biopsy. Your liver is located under the right side of the ribs, under that is your gall bladder. So it could be either your gall bladder or the liver. My hep has been in remission for 8 years now, but I'm experiencing pain in that area myself and need to go for a liver biopsy because my cirrhosis can get worse. Food for thought, to prevent any further harm to your liver, stop drinking, period. You will be better off without it. Life is too precious to have health issues in the future, especially when I'm seeing that most of you are still young. Listen to your bodies and decide whats best for you in the long run. Further, caffeine and coffee can also set off the pain too. Cut out the intake of your coffee and soda and drink plenty of water daily. The water actually acts like a cleanser too so you are actually flushing out your intestines as well as your liver and gall bladder. And a bottle of water equals to 2 8 oz. of water. Hope that helps to you all. Good luck and God bless.
Hello! Great info on this forum...thanks everyone for posting! I have had pain over the years similar to what has been previously described. At first I thought it was back pain (lower right), then I realized it was directly related to drinking. I thought liver, kidney...? Never went to the doctor. So I didn't drink for eight months and the pain slowly went away! Well, I started drinking again and now...I woke up this morning with lower back pain on both sides! Maybe liver and kidney!?? I am sure if anyone out there is drinking regularly it is not muscle pain. I have heard many drinkers complain of the same problem we are discussing on this forum. I think the bottom line is like some above has said...it is your your body giving you the warning sign...so pay attention! I know I need to change things up and I think to get alcohol out of my life is the best answer...and coffee too...coffee is really bad and has lots of serious side effects. So they sell us alcohol, coffee, soda, etc and make it all sound so good...but really it is all basically poison. Don't listen to the advertisers...listen to your body! I just bought a juicer (if you juice make sure you use organic produce or you just end up drinking pesticides, etc which are no better than alcohol or coffee) to try and get more enzymes and nutrients which help heal and cleanse the body and are vital to good health...and I plan on getting rid of the poison! It won't be easy because I am very social and around a lot of people who drink coffee and alcohol but I am going to try! Wish me luck! Thanks! :-D
I AM HAVING PAINS IN MY LOWER LEFTSIDE OF MY BACK WHEN I RAISE OUT OF BED OR OUT OF CHAIRS,LASTNIGHT I DRANK HARD LIQUOR AND BEER,I ALSO DRINK BEER DAILY,I AM ONLY 23..TODAY ALL DAY LONG IVE HAD THIS DISCOMORT AND PAINS AND FEELINGS THAT SOMETHNGS WRONG.UNLIKE THE REST OF U MY PAINS ARE ON THE LEFT SIDE,IM TRYING TO DRINK WATER,I HOPE THIS STOPS BY TOMMAROW SOMETIME,
So it would seem that I'm the "Old Fart" here. I'm a 53 yr. old male, been drink'n since I was 15. I got a severe pain in my right hand side just below my rib cage. It went away for most of yesterday then I drank last night and the pain is back and has moved more to the middle of my back.
From reading the other posts here I think it's my liver or kidneys. I'll give a couple of days of not drinking and see what happens. If anyone wants to email me, please feel free: ***this post is edited by moderator *** *** private e-mails not allowed **
Please read our Terms of Use
Thanks, Carl
From reading the other posts here I think it's my liver or kidneys. I'll give a couple of days of not drinking and see what happens. If anyone wants to email me, please feel free: ***this post is edited by moderator *** *** private e-mails not allowed **
Please read our Terms of Use
Thanks, Carl
I too am a heay drinker and have the same problem on my left side. I did have a doctor do a blood test and it revealed that I have an imflamed liver so it is related in my case in fact I only get the pain after drinking. I am trying hard to cut back. To other folks out there who have had liver blood tests with good results and still have pain be aware you can get a good liver blood test result but it can change over a very short time depending on your consumption so if had a good test result but get the pain a few days later things my have changed and you may need a another test.
I'm a 30 year old woman with a 16 month old baby boy. I have been a heavy drinker since I turned 21. Recently I cut back to about once a week I'll have 8 oz of wine only.
Well over the weekend I was on the way to Vegas and our car broke down 80 miles from Las Vegas and we had no water to drink in the August heat. I started to get dehydrated and upset, I had a headache and I couldn't stop thinking about water. A couple hours later I was able to get to water and I drank several small cups. During the weekend I drank a bunch of wine and alcohol and didn't drink much water. I also had 2 Aleve's which I rarely ever take aspirin but I didnt want a massive hang over from the alcohol.
When I got home on Monday, my right back side was a bit sore when I'd breath in deep, yet I had a good 10oz of wine anyway. I thought it was the crappy mattress at the hotel that did it, but as the days have passed (its Thursday), things have gotten worse. I'm drinking tons of water now, but if I burp my side hurts, if I yawn my side hurts... sometimes I think if I burp, my entire side is going to just split open!
I experienced numb toes while in Vegas. I also have puffy eyes when I wake up. I had some tests done in May and all my liver, kidney functions came back normal... I dont know what this is? I'm very scared.
I am a bit over weight and have lost a bit in the past few months, my doctor has me on phentermine so I dont know if that could be causing it either. I am 207 now and 5'9... before this diet, I was 221 and had lost my period for 5 months! I just am really scared, Im giving up alcohol too. I actually have more fun without it now and I can't afford to die when I have a young precious son and a great husband.
wow, so after all this online research I enter this conversation. im glad too that im not the only one lol, but now i know. I didnt realize that the effects of drinking could take place for people in their teens and twenties. I mean, it has much to do with the toleration of youth drinking, which as we all see has damning ramifications. at least im not as nervous knowing that i may not have kidney disease. It sucks not having health insurance though. God Bless America.
I am 55 years old, always a heavy vodka drinker, and started having the above-described right sided liver pain. I stopped drinking, and after a week the pain stopped. For 2 of those days I couldn't even sleep on my stomach, as it hurt too much. I ventured a small amount of wine, and all seemed okay. After another week, I tried a bit of more wine, and the pain started again, vaguely. For the past month, I only have one glass of wine a day, or none at all, and my pain seems to be under control. The writing is on the wall, I cannot drink anymore, and didn't have any trouble at all stopping. I attended a wedding last weekend, had a glass of champagne, 2 (weak) screwdrivers, and a glass of wine, and did okay. I have been so glad to find this forum. I knew instantly that my pain was my liver, and knew instantly my drinking days were over. Fine with me. Life is good!! :-D Love to you all!!
A few months ago on a Sunday evening I noticed some back pain setting in. I couldn't sleep that night everything was so uncomfortable. I began vomiting almost every 3 hours and couldn't keep any water or food down. The pain became unbearable and I went to the hospital on Tuesday. They checked for kidney stones with an ultrasound and didn't find anything and blood tests didn't help either. The pain was definitely associated with my kidneys but I never discovered what it was. It got progressively better after visiting the hospital but I wasn't feeling 100% until the next weekend. Undoubtedly heavy alcohol consumption from the week before played a part in this but I found it odd that I had no hangover and felt fine until Sunday evening. Probably dehydrated too. I learned my lesson and won't pull a bender like that again.
Well just to come back on this topic...
I posted before as a guest (Posted: 3/25/10 4:26 PM) my lower right side pain is all but gone, well its still abit tight but i know have a 3/4inch scar... my appendix was removed and confirmed to be abnormal, took a couple of months for the pain to ease but its alot better now (result) !
On the flip side, i still get back pain (which i thought was related) just under my right shoulder blade and radiateing down my back on the right side only.
I went to see a back/spinal specialist yesterday who had a gander and thought all looked well, i also had some X rays done so he could observe the spine and see if there ws anything wrong, i shall await the letter and see whats what i suppose.
I did also have some physio on my back, but tbh, it didnt really help.
Again, the all too common thing that sets it off is alcohol, not only that but i now have an almost constant heavy ache from my right hand side just belowe and under my ribcage, its not just me... its there all the time, i only noticed it after a tens machine physio sesion really, it really hurt to breath in and my whole right side pounded.
Sad isnt it ? 25 almost 26 years old, i have no idea if my liver is at fault at all, but i cant seem to stop almost nightly drinking of about 8 units (ish) i have a wife and two lovely kids...
One day this will come to a head i suppose..
I dont like my GP and find its very hard to get a sympathetic oppinion, i work hard to support my family and live with all my aches and pains, worry is constant as some of yu may or may not know.
Again, i will update if i here anything really, or if i find a way out of my constant want for things that are bad for me.
I posted before as a guest (Posted: 3/25/10 4:26 PM) my lower right side pain is all but gone, well its still abit tight but i know have a 3/4inch scar... my appendix was removed and confirmed to be abnormal, took a couple of months for the pain to ease but its alot better now (result) !
On the flip side, i still get back pain (which i thought was related) just under my right shoulder blade and radiateing down my back on the right side only.
I went to see a back/spinal specialist yesterday who had a gander and thought all looked well, i also had some X rays done so he could observe the spine and see if there ws anything wrong, i shall await the letter and see whats what i suppose.
I did also have some physio on my back, but tbh, it didnt really help.
Again, the all too common thing that sets it off is alcohol, not only that but i now have an almost constant heavy ache from my right hand side just belowe and under my ribcage, its not just me... its there all the time, i only noticed it after a tens machine physio sesion really, it really hurt to breath in and my whole right side pounded.
Sad isnt it ? 25 almost 26 years old, i have no idea if my liver is at fault at all, but i cant seem to stop almost nightly drinking of about 8 units (ish) i have a wife and two lovely kids...
One day this will come to a head i suppose..
I dont like my GP and find its very hard to get a sympathetic oppinion, i work hard to support my family and live with all my aches and pains, worry is constant as some of yu may or may not know.
Again, i will update if i here anything really, or if i find a way out of my constant want for things that are bad for me.
I posted before as GettingBetter on 10/6/2010, and wanted to respond to the above person. It sounds to me like your problems are not solely due to drinking, but that the drinking aggravates your problems. Your young age is part of the reason why I say this. Its very important to like your GP, and you need to switch, if possible. You say you drink about "8 units" a night, but I don't know what that means. As for myself, I have totally cut down on my drinking, and if I do drink, its wine. I know for a fact that I can no longer drink vodka, because even if I have a tiny, tiny bit, my symptoms flareup. With the wine, I am symptom-free. Yea! I have been feeling very, very good. Another question to you -- do you exercise regularly? I swear by exercise, and have worked out all my life.