View Full Version : Liver pain - a common Indo problem?
Hi!
I arrived 3 weeks ago and I've been ill for about a week now. It started with some milder stomach problems and nausea, so I thought, well it's the normal adjustment phase. Very well, after 2 days or so the stomach was Ok again but now muscle pain and fever built up and lasted for about 4 days. The fever seems gone now but I still have pain on my right side, in the liver area. When "Ma" (mother in law) heard about that she imediately recognized it as "liver pain" and orderd me rest, lots of water with some sugar for a couple of days.
Being my curious me, I quickly got on the internet (well as "quickly" as internet out here permits) and started scanning the net and came up with some horrendous results: Liver Fluke. A parasite common in Southeast Asia, that comes with (poorly cooked) fish and ends up living in the liver area where it can cause a lot of trouble, including liver cancer. I hope it's not that bastard I'm stuck with. I ate fish recently but it seemed well fried to me... but who knows!
Anyway, as my mother in law describes it, this "liver pain" is a common problem in here, does anyone recognize this and have some more information? Is this disease known in the west for instance?
Troubled minds :o
Kind Regards,
Don
Hi!
When "Ma" (mother in law) heard about that she imediately recognized it as "liver pain"
Do you remenber the exact indonesian words she's used?
Hepatits A?Well, I looked into that but I'm vaccinated for that and if I understand it correctly it takes several months to develop symptoms so that is pretty much ruled out concerning myself.
But Yes, I can understand if that is a common problem among the population here in general. Especially the older generations. But they have a vaccine program going for kids nowadays, dont they?
But they have a vaccine program going for kids nowadays, dont they?
They do. My kids had a shot (or several?) for it.
Im sure it will just be a bug. Think positive! Water infections can give you pain there too, especially in the mornings.
Go get yourself checked out :)
Knowing Indonesian procurement for public projects, I wouldn't be surprised if those vaccines contain nothing more that saline solution or a placebo...
Do you remenber the exact indonesian words she's used?
I think she actually just used the dutch? word "lever" to describe it. Could very well be an old "house remedy" for Hepatitus when I think of it. If I understand it correctly, Hepatitus normally heals after a week or two, unless it turns chronic.
By the way I must say that the response from this Forum is fantastic. In only 1 day I've got numerous responses on two entirely different topics. It feels great to be backed up by so many veterans (considering myself a noobie) and nice people in general. Thanks! :)
There are three types of Hepatitis: A, B and C.
A is spread through ingestion of contaminated food/water. It heals over a period of several weeks.
I think she actually just used the dutch? word "lever" to describe it.
OK, "different" then... I was about to point at you the following thread:
http://www.livinginindonesiaforum.org/showthread.php?t=2769&highlight=sakit+maag
which should warn you about the diagnosis made sometimes in Indonesia. :)
By the way I must say that the response from this Forum is fantastic. In only 1 day I've got numerous responses on two entirely different topics. It feels great to be backed up by so many veterans (considering myself a noobie) and nice people in general. Thanks! :)
Glad to read that. We indeed have a very lively forum here with many commun ity menbers willing to help.
Wait also for an answer from Omfafyd. He is a retired nurse and enjoys topics concerning health.
Hi!
I arrived 3 weeks ago and I've been ill for about a week now. It started with some milder stomach problems and nausea, so I thought, well it's the normal adjustment phase. Very well, after 2 days or so the stomach was Ok again but now muscle pain and fever built up and lasted for about 4 days. The fever seems gone now but I still have pain on my right side, in the liver area. When "Ma" (mother in law) heard about that she imediately recognized it as "liver pain" and orderd me rest, lots of water with some sugar for a couple of days.
Being my curious me, I quickly got on the internet (well as "quickly" as internet out here permits) and started scanning the net and came up with some horrendous results: Liver Fluke. A parasite common in Southeast Asia, that comes with (poorly cooked) fish and ends up living in the liver area where it can cause a lot of trouble, including liver cancer. I hope it's not that bastard I'm stuck with. I ate fish recently but it seemed well fried to me... but who knows!
Anyway, as my mother in law describes it, this "liver pain" is a common problem in here, does anyone recognize this and have some more information? Is this disease known in the west for instance?
Troubled minds :o
Kind Regards,
Don
Your liver extends across the abdomen from left to right, you may be describing Kidney pain, without more information about your symtoms I am merely guessing...
All abdominal pain especially accompanied with a fever confirmed at being 38 degrees or above should be investigated by medicos and definately not treated by the traditions of Ma...If you are that worried, see a Doctor and have an FBE done {full blood examination}
There are three types of Hepatitis: A, B and C.
A is spread through ingestion of contaminated food/water. It heals over a period of several weeks.
All types of Hepatitis are serious and need treatment. B and C in particular as they are passed through fluid exchange in particular blood. Serious complications can and do occur with all types as it is in essence inflamation of the Hepatic system.
Do not muck around seek proffesional advice.
This link will inform you better...
http://vsearch.nlm.nih.gov/vivisimo/cgi-bin/query-meta?v%3Aproject=medlineplus&query=hepatitis&x=0&y=0
There are three types of Hepatitis: A, B and C.
A is spread through ingestion of contaminated food/water. It heals over a period of several weeks.
Actually there are more, than a,b and c
Sometimes a will heal without intervention, but not always...
I had A as a kid so I am now immune.
Pain in the right side of the abdomen is a symptom of Hepatitis A...apologies for the mistake.
The link below is detailed in it's information of Hep A.
Those with underlying Liver disease are more prone to potential serious consequences.
http://www.health.vic.gov.au/ideas/diseases/hepa
I don't recall pain, but I do recall being told that I was really pale or jaundiced, pucat is the term in BI, urinating the color of Coca-Cola and being really tired and sleepy. I was about 7 years old.
I don't recall pain, but I do recall being told that I was really pale or jaundiced, pucat is the term in BI, urinating the color of Coca-Cola and being really tired and sleepy. I was about 7 years old.
I aquired Hep B when I was 19 and went deep yellow, everywhere, skin eyes and urine.
In those days the Medical authoritiesunder special Health Laws transported patients immedietly by Ambulance to a specialist hospital and I was actually locked in a room for about 3 hrs before a Dr came and discussed my case with me....wtf was going on... :eek:
I was then placed in a special isolation ward with others suferring from the same disease and spent the next 6 weeks on holiday from my studies.
Luckily for me, I suferred no long term effects and am now Immune and as an nurse never had to undergo the Vaccinations recommended for Health Workers.
Your liver extends across the abdomen from left to right, you may be describing Kidney pain, without more information about your symtoms I am merely guessing...
All abdominal pain especially accompanied with a fever confirmed at being 38 degrees or above should be investigated by medicos and definately not treated by the traditions of Ma...If you are that worried, see a Doctor and have an FBE done {full blood examination}
Hi and thank You for your reply!
Just a question: Isn't kidney pain normally felt in the back? Because this pain is clearly on the front, but to the right. But when I think about it I was having similar pains on the left side a couple of days ago but I dismissed it as part of my ongoing stomach disease. Is there a way for me to "diagnose" whether it's my kidney(s) that hurt or not?
I know I should head for the Doc but I'm really out in the Kampung here and well... I don't have too much confidence in the Dokter out here to be honest. I'm not even sure he can do a thorough blood test on his own without sending it places. I might have to go to Situbondo (45 min) or even Jember (2 hours) to find a good clinic but I dont know any clinics there...
Hi and thank You for your reply!
Just a question: Isn't kidney pain normally felt in the back? Because this pain is clearly on the front, but to the right. But when I think about it I was having similar pains on the left side a couple of days ago but I dismissed it as part of my ongoing stomach disease. Is there a way for me to "diagnose" whether it's my kidney(s) that hurt or not?
I know I should head for the Doc but I'm really out in the Kampung here and well... I don't have too much confidence in the Dokter out here to be honest. I'm not even sure he can do a thorough blood test on his own without sending it places. I might have to go to Situbondo (45 min) or even Jember (2 hours) to find a good clinic but I dont know any clinics there...
Your correct about your kidney being on the side and to the back but the pain can be referred...see my post re your right sided pain below...you mention 'ongoing stomach disease', and previous pain on your left side, in this case I strongly advise you to see a Doctor who will give you a referral for one of the clinics who then actually take the blood and send it off to the lab.
Self diagnosis is not recommended in any case especially abdominal pain!
Better to be safe than sorry in my opinion.
I'm off home to Australia tomorrow so I won't be able to support you for a few days at least...
GO TO A DOCTOR!... at least you should get a firm diagnosis hopefully, and then take some of the stress away.
Good luck.
Thank you!
I will take your advice, although I'm feeling fairly well now. Better safe than sorry!
littleiyut
07-07-09, 02:56
I'm off home to Australia tomorrow so I won't be able to support you for a few days at least...
GO TO A DOCTOR!... at least you should get a firm diagnosis hopefully, and then take some of the stress away.
Good luck.
Wow Om:)! I hope you'll be back by the time I come back from indo. Have a nice holiday for all your family.:)
Thank you!
I will take your advice, although I'm feeling fairly well now. Better safe than sorry!
You should take omdafyds last advice GO SEE A DOCTOR. With all due respect you are assuming it is liver pain on an Amatuer diagnosis. It may not be your liver that is causing the pain.
Donfuego , I would recommend you to go to a doctor but don't take the medicines before checking them at www.mims.com , and checking the information of the sickness the doctor discovered , in the internet . In the book I have , "The Johns Hopkins - Symptoms & Remedies" , the near I see from what you described is : "Hepatitis - viral , A , B , C ,.." , symptoms : general discomfort , fever , fatigue , loss of appetite , nausea and vomiting , aching muscles or joints , abdominal discomfort or pain , jaundice , dark urine and pale stools . Liver fluke is not in the book . If you missed any other symptom , write it here and I will continue my reading of the book .
On previous experience I would also advise taking mother-in-laws' diagnoses with a healthy dose of skepticism. Just as your own grandma may have insisted that eating sugar might lead to worms, or that if both ends of a skin rash join together you will drop down dead, older people here have some strange ideas about illness. I'm fairly amazed she didn't diagnose 'masuk angin' or put the problem down to drinking frigid water.
On previous experience I would also advise taking mother-in-laws' diagnoses with a healthy dose of skepticism. Just as your own grandma may have insisted that eating sugar might lead to worms, or that if both ends of a skin rash join together you will drop down dead, older people here have some strange ideas about illness. I'm fairly amazed she didn't diagnose 'masuk angin' or put the problem down to drinking frigid water.
Well put but he might start using coins and dukuns, he should seriously take omdafyd's advice and see a real doctor. Masuk Aning, liver pains, what if it is something else? Either way if it is his liver he needs a doctor ASAP IMHO.
On a side note I was asked by one of my Brother-in-Laws why Bules don't get 'flu when they drink ice?:confused:
Please. A little more respect. People's beliefs are sacrosanct. If ibu mertua believes in masuk angin, dukuns, coins, etc. we need to respect that. We don't want to push our own personal beliefs in the efficacy of the scientific method and Western medicine on others.
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