Rose was asking in chat about RUG pain. Now while RUG is an acronym for Right Upper Quadrant pain, and this disease often progresses to the point its Chronic. There is some specific differences and different meaning to each of us. Can you share what RUG means in your own situation? When the docs use the term, it can be dismissive.
RUQ is term medical providers use for Right Upper Quadrant pain. Being as I am an NP, I use it frequently in my charting. Typically RUQ pain indicates Gallbladder or Liver pain.One has to determine when it occurs, i.e. All the time, after eating, eating certain foods, does it radiate into the flank or back, is there nausea or vomiting associated with the pain, is it better after voidng or having a BM, is it sharp pain, dull, achey, stabbing, colicky, crampy, constant, occasional, or any other contributing factors. My husband has PSC and if he has any RUQ pain, we know its his liver because he had his gallbladder removed almost 20 years ago. Its certainly a symptom one should not ignore. Discussing with doctor is wise.
I wouldn't call it pain, but I've had RUQ discomfort off and on since my diagnosis. I asked my Doctor about it and he dismissed it as occasional drainage / blockage issues. Aside from pressure from an enlarged spleen it's really the only physical symptom I've encountered from PSC.
I started doing yoga about 6 months ago and it's rarely an issue anymore, which seems to fall in line with my Doc's comments. I guess all the twists, flexing, etc, keeps my insides mobile and flowing, for lack of a better way of putting that.
I am in the same boat as CJ. I feel occasionaly a “pinchy” feeling. It’s not really pain. If I am more active, I don’t seem to have it as much. It is my only symptom as well.
I was hospitalised twice a few years ago with RUQ pain, my gall bladder was removed a few years prior so that wasn’t the culprit. My Gastroenterology/ hepatic team treated me for pain and bacterial cholangitis ( thooght to be caused by a PSC obstruction) although my infection was never proven, I was still treated as such. The pain was intense enough to effect sleeping, working and I dropped a lot of weight ( eating ANYTHING seemed to bring on the pain, I started back on a diet of plain rice and steamed veggies). This all lasted for months then just seemed to subside.
Now I get tenderness and occasional sharp take your breath away RUQ pain, usually means I need to rest or take better care of myself for a bit.
RUQ is more of a non specific term, meaning pain could arise from multiple structures in that area (liver, GB, pancreas and parts of the bowel) to me it reflect your doctors lack of specific info rather than trying to be dismissive,
Hope that helps
I have not yet experienced any Rug/ruq but your GI or hep specialist can give you pain meds to help with this pain.I hope this helps you.
My ruq is infrequent. When it arrives, it is more discomfort than pain, although it sometimes (rarely) will cross the line, When it does, the pain is maybe a 1 or 2 on a pain scales where 10 is the worst. When I get the ruq, I sometimes will think, "Well, there goes another duct".
What is weird is that I sometimes get luq, which makes be a bit worried about my pancreas.
Jeff
The liver does not have pain receptors. But it is enclosed in a sac that does. Also the liver touches the diaphragm which is very pain sensitive. When the liver becomes inflamed, as when there is a bile duct infection, the sac and the diaphragm cause the ruq pain. I was told this by a doctor. I’ve had several doctors insist your liver does not feel pain. I’ve had this pain many times in 15 years of psc. Sometimes it lasts a few minutes and goes away. Sometimes, if I have a bile duct infection, it lasts until I get antibiotics. I would not worry about ruq pain unless you also have a high fever or the pain persists.
Hi All,
I just read all the responses and I'm curious....my RUG is usually a heavy, weighted feeling, much like having a water balloon in my ribcage, it then spread to my back. I wouldn't necessary say "pain" but definitely discomfort especially when it is inflamed and pushing against the ribcage. Normally fever and hospital visits are not far behind once this happens. My doctors (Connecticut) have allowed me to do Home IV treatments of Antibiotics whenever I feel this coming on. It usually includes major fatigue (worse then the daily fatigue LOL), severe itching, and body aches. I've been doing these treatments and have managed to prevent hospital visits for over 2 years now. I am on daily Levaquin, and they treat w/Rosephin during bouts. JUST got on the transplant list 8/4/15 for because of all my infections.
RUQ radiating to the back is when I call my GI who has prescribed Cipro on the 3-4 times this has happened. To me, the RUQ is one thing, the pain radiating to the back takes it to a different category.
Not sure what to say about your being listed. Congratulations just does not seem quite right, but it is the next major step in your journey.
Jeff
Lousy Liver Lisa said:
Hi All,
I just read all the responses and I'm curious....my RUG is usually a heavy, weighted feeling, much like having a water balloon in my ribcage, it then spread to my back. I wouldn't necessary say "pain" but definitely discomfort especially when it is inflamed and pushing against the ribcage. Normally fever and hospital visits are not far behind once this happens. My doctors (Connecticut) have allowed me to do Home IV treatments of Antibiotics whenever I feel this coming on. It usually includes major fatigue (worse then the daily fatigue LOL), severe itching, and body aches. I've been doing these treatments and have managed to prevent hospital visits for over 2 years now. I am on daily Levaquin, and they treat w/Rosephin during bouts. JUST got on the transplant list 8/4/15 for because of all my infections.