Healing from a Liver Abscess
At 27 years old, I recently underwent a procedure to drain a 7cm abscess from my liver through percutaneous drainage. Three weeks have passed since the drain was taken out, but I continue to feel discomfort in my upper right abdomen as well as some pain radiating to my right shoulder. Is it typical to still experience pain for such an extended period following the removal of the drain? If this is normal, what duration should I anticipate for these symptoms to persist?
Answers (1)
2/13/2026, 2:40:35 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to feel concerned about ongoing discomfort after recovering from a liver abscess. Let’s break this down.
Main Points:
- Post-drainage discomfort can be common, especially in the recovery period.
- Pain in the upper right abdomen and shoulder may stem from various factors, including healing tissue or referred pain.
- While some discomfort can persist, it's important to monitor symptoms and assess the duration and severity.
Explanation:
Following the drainage of a liver abscess, it's normal to experience some level of discomfort as your body heals. The liver is a sensitive organ, and the procedure can cause irritation in nearby tissues. Pain radiating to the shoulder can be due to nerve pathways, as the liver and shoulder areas are connected through shared nerves (specifically the phrenic nerve).
Typically, mild to moderate discomfort may last for several weeks to a couple of months, but if the pain is worsening or accompanied by new symptoms such as fever, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), or significant changes in your health, these would warrant further evaluation.
Next Steps:
- Monitor Symptoms: Keep track of your pain level, noting any changes in intensity, location, and duration. This will help you identify patterns or triggers.
- Pain Management: Over-the-counter pain relievers, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can help alleviate discomfort. Be sure to follow the recommended dosages.
- Rest and Hydration: Allow your body time to heal. Stay well-hydrated and avoid heavy physical activity that could strain your abdominal area.
- Consult for Follow-Up: If your pain persists for more than a month without improvement or if you develop new concerning symptoms, consider seeking advice from your healthcare provider for further evaluation.
It's essential to listen to your body and address any changes. Healing can take time, and it’s okay to reach out for support if you have concerns.
Related Questions
Rash Concerns
I'm reaching out here to discuss a recurring issue I've been experiencing. As a 34-year-old male, standing at 5'10" and weighing roughly between 150 to 160 pounds, I fall within a typical demographic and honestly don’t consider myself particularly hairy. Every few years, I develop a rash on the left side of my tailbone, about the size of a silver dollar. It remains localized and hasn't shown signs of spreading. While it isn't painful, there are moments when it can be slightly itchy. I have noticed some improvement with antifungal cream, so that seems to offer relief. This has been happening since I was a teenager. My partner has jokingly suggested that my hygiene practices might be insufficient. However, I reason that if that were truly the case, this would be a more frequent occurrence, and I haven’t altered my cleaning methods over the years. I began to wonder if this could be an area of skin that changed due to past conditions, rendering it more prone to such irritations. If I’m honest, I should probably be more diligent about showering. However, even during times when I showered daily, this rash still appeared, at least as best as I can recall. Any insights or advice on this matter would be greatly appreciated!
Struggling with Chronic Illness: A 21-Year-Old's Desperate Search for Answers
At just 21 years old, I find myself in a challenging predicament. Standing around 5'6" and weighing 102 pounds, I understand that I appear quite slender for my age, but I assure you, I do not have an eating disorder. I am reaching out in hopes of finding some clarity regarding my ongoing health issues. I frequently endure severe illness, experiencing relentless vomiting even on an empty stomach—my body somehow manages to expel its contents no matter what. Unfortunately, medication has been ineffective; I vomit even those pills, leaving me feeling hopeless. My body often prefaces these episodes with intense pain, particularly in my chest, and I frequently become lightheaded due to the discomfort. There have been instances where I fainted, prompting visits to the hospital. They performed scans on my stomach, which resulted in normal findings, but when I requested further examinations, the doctors refused, opting instead to prescribe medication that only exacerbated my symptoms. After stopping that treatment, I faced another emergency situation characterized by relentless vomiting, chest pain, and numbness. The medical team deemed it minor, advised against blood tests, and sent me home with prescriptions that I chose not to fill. My boyfriend suggested that I document my vomiting episodes by taking photos to illustrate the severity of my condition, but in those moments of distress, I'm too disoriented to consider reaching for a camera. I feel lost and overwhelmed as no solutions seem effective. This ongoing illness hampers my ability to work or engage in any physical or mental activities, forcing me to confront the reality that I’ve lost jobs due to these debilitating conditions. I'm at a loss—what steps should I take next?”
Navigating the Challenges of Kidney Stones
My history with kidney stones dates back a decade, but the specifics of my past experiences are a bit foggy. Recently, however, I have been dealing with some concerning abdominal issues. For the past few weeks, I've been experiencing pain on the right side of my abdomen. Almost two weeks ago, I saw significant blood in my urine, prompting me to believe I had passed a kidney stone. Following this incident, I sought immediate medical attention, where the blood tests returned normal results, and the analysis of my urine seemed to be fine as well. A CT scan revealed no presence of kidney stones. Shortly after, I began to notice persistent discomfort. A few days later, I woke up with severe pain in my flank and lower abdomen on the right side. I returned to the hospital, where the doctors suspected a urinary tract infection or a kidney infection, possibly related to the undetected stone. Consequently, they prescribed antibiotics, specifically nitrofurantoin, which I've been taking for the past three and a half days at a dosage of four 100mg tablets daily. While I find myself battling exhaustion and occasional nausea—common side effects of the medication—I am still managing some flank and lower abdominal pain. If I did indeed pass a stone as I suspected a week ago, it has now been several days since that event. If what I am experiencing is merely a post-stone discomfort, I'm prepared to handle it. However, I can't shake the concern that I might be developing another stone or some other condition. I have already scheduled a consultation with a urologist to explore this further. To give you a bit of background, I am 36 years old, female, reside in the UK, do not smoke, abstain from alcohol, and do not regularly take any medications.
Back Pain and Numbness Post-Surgery
I am a 38-year-old woman, standing at 5'5" and weighing 125 pounds. Currently, my medication includes ibuprofen and gabapentin, and I do not consume alcohol or use illicit substances. In October, I underwent surgery due to a herniated disc and Cauda Equina syndrome. The neurosurgeon successfully decompressed my nerves, which was a positive outcome. However, I’ve been experiencing persistent pain and numbness, which my doctors have indicated is to be expected following such an injury due to possible nerve damage. Generally, I’ve been coping relatively well with these symptoms. Last week, I visited my doctor for a scheduled appointment regarding steroid injections. During the examination, he expressed the need for nerve testing prior to proceeding with any injections. I am entirely agreeable to this approach. However, I awoke the following morning to intensified pain. My primary concern centers around the severe back pain and increasing numbness that seems to be worsening. Prior to my last appointment, I could only detect numbness in my vaginal area when touched, but now it appears to be expanding from my labia towards my anal region, inner thighs, and buttocks. Additionally, I have lost sensation while urinating. I still feel the urge due to pressure in my bladder, but I no longer have the sensation of actually voiding. What began as minor numbness, primarily localized towards the right side, has progressed considerably over the past week. Is it possible to experience Cauda Equina syndrome again? Should I be concerned about these developments? I would prefer not to visit the emergency room unless absolutely necessary, as I do not want to misuse anyone's time if these symptoms are typical following my injury. Thank you for any guidance you can provide. I have uploaded the MRI results of my initial injury, as well as a follow-up MRI conducted in December; I'm uncertain if sharing them here is permissible.
Inquiry Regarding Vaccination and Health
Greetings! I am a 37-year-old woman who received a diagnosis of stage 3 breast cancer in the middle of 2024. Currently, I am undergoing treatment with Abemaciclib and Letrozole. I intended to pose a question to my oncologist during my last visit, but it slipped my mind. This isn't pressing, so I’m hoping to avoid reaching out to my oncology team unnecessarily. To provide some context, my blood cell levels have not returned to normal post-chemotherapy and remain somewhat on the lower side due to the effects of Abemaciclib. Just a couple of weeks ago, my absolute lymphocyte count was 0.7, and my absolute neutrophil count measured at 1.05. With travel plans in the near future, I've received the flu shot and am now considering additional vaccinations, such as a booster for COVID-19, pneumococcal vaccine, and hepatitis B. A blood test from my pregnancy indicated I no longer had immunity to hepatitis B, and I had intended to get vaccinated after giving birth, but then cancer intervened. My first question is: Given my low blood counts, do vaccines still provide any benefit? Would the advantages outweigh the costs and the discomfort of additional injections? I’ve endured quite a few needles, yet they still aren't my favorite thing. My second question is: After undergoing AC-T chemotherapy, am I still immune to the vaccines I received in my childhood? I’m particularly curious about whether I still have protection against measles, especially since I’m planning a trip to Disney. I appreciate any insights you can share! Thank you!