Gallbladder? Hepititus? Worried!

[cometSuicide]

Hi everyone, Im hoping someone here can give me some reassurance. About a year ago I had a burning/gnawing pain in my stomach that went right to my back that started while drinking soda. It didnt happen again until several months later, again triggered by the combination of soda and something fatty like cheese. I stopped drinking soda and was fine until I started having these attacks that felt like pressure in the center of my chest after eating a fatty meal or a day of junk food. It would radiate all the way into my back amd was largely uncomfortable and frightening. It would slowly move downward and then dissipate almost instantly. These attacks came at night or late evening and have kept me from sleep. During them there would be a lot of stomach rumbling and belching and pain when breathing. My last such attack came with nausia and sweating and dissipated almost immedeately after drinking some water with apple cider vinegar. Some pain lingered and I went for a blood test after seeing a doctor that same day. It was discovered I had elevated liver enzymes, particularly the ALT and AST and the enzyme responcible for causing jaundice.

Today my doctor talked to me about the possibility of it being caused by infectious hepititis and not gallbladder because I lack the steriotypical localized pain despite the fact that my mothers gallbladder also went bad when she was my age and had it removed. However it just doesnt seem to fit with my attacks. (plus my partner is clean and we only sleep with eachother)  I have some lingering stomach grumbling and tenderness when I press on my belly. Can anyone relate to this? I cant get an ultrasound for two weeks and Im extrmely worried. Any info is appreciated!

[fntn]

You so right. Once you know the deal, fixing it can start. Fortunately, the issues involved with this all have solutions, so you'll be as good as new soon!

[cometSuicide]

Thank you for your reply, the second round of blood work testing for the presence of the virus hasn't come back yet and I'm scheduled for an ultrasound on the 18th. Hopefully they can get to the bottom of this, not knowing what's wrong is the worst part and I just want to identify it so I can begin to remedy it.

[fntn]

Your doctor is proceeding wisely and the ultrasound should provide some valuable information on what's bothering you. I'm guessing that he also ran the necessary blood tests to screen for the main viral hepatitis diseases, A, B & C? I'm also guessing that this were negative as well?

You mentioned soda, junk food and fatty foods in your message. We all eat these of course, but these are some of the main items that cause fatty liver disease. The ultrasound should be able to determine of you have this. It can cause some of the symptoms that you describe: vague RUQ pain and issues with digestion of fatty foods. This is primarily due to liver congestion of bile as the liver parenchyma becomes increasingly steatotic and enlarged. This will lead to your elevated Ast, Alt and Bilirubin that you've noted in your blood work.

Again, this is speculation based on limited data. The ultrasound must be done to allow your doctor to make a firm diagnosis. Let us know how you are doing, be well.