Hey, no worries about people knowing what causes cirrohis here. My husband has cirrohis caused by PSC. My sister has NASH and my father died from cirrohis and he never drank.

As to the other things, everyone is different and disease effects everyone differently. There are no guarantees that everyone will get every symptom.

Oh and I obviously have some issues with spelling cirrhosis. Must be a mental block from not wanting to even mention the word.

I'm sorry to hear about your fathers death, I cant imagine what that feels like. I get scared, because I believe that no matter what I or anyone else does I cant stop this monster of a disease, the most things I worry about is liver cancer, esophageal varcies (I have them but have never had a bleed) and liver faliure. I was diagnosed when I was 16-17, I am now 19

Craig,
How often are you seeing your hepatoligist?
How often do you have Ct-scans or MRI's?
Have you been made aware of not taking Advil or any othet NSAID's?
Are you taking a blood pressure med to keep your pressure down in your varices?
Sammy

Hi Sammy, I see my hepatoligist every 4 months, I take Propranolol 40mg twice a day for the esophageal varcies. I have not had any CT scans lately, I missed my last 2 appoitments for these, but I see my hepatoligst on 25 October 2010.

Also I don't take any NSAID's,

Hey Craig. Welcome. I was diagnosed with NASH when I was your age (22 now) from being obese. You never hear anyone talk about liver disease in young people but it happens.

Hi mathmajor, thats true, many people think that cirrhosis only occurs in alcoholics and people in there 30-50's but this very untrue.

What makes me angry is that alot alcoholics dont even develop liver problems, but yet its young people who suffer, who havent even abused thier livers,it;s sad but it is true :(

Welcome, Craig. My fiance (will become my husband on October 9--the one year anniversary of THE CALL to let him know they had a liver for him) was diagnosed with Cirrhosis the first week of April, 2009 after experiencing mild swelling in his feet and ankles and belly. His family doctor sent him directly to the GI doctor who did labwork and a week later told him he had Cirrhosis. He has HepC (compliments of the Army back in the early 70's), and drank (sometimes more than he should), but as the doctors said, "it was most likely from the HepC albeit aggrivated by the alcohol, but the cause doesn't matter--fact is, you have Cirrhosis." It is frustrating when people automatically assume one is an alcoholic if they have Cirrhosis, but it is an opportunity to educate people. I was able to "educate" many, many people during Jim's illness not only about the numerous causes, treatments, and also the options available to those in need of a transplant (types of transplants--living donor, etc). We knew NOTHING until this happened and this site was a great source of information and comfort. Jim was blessed with a transplant on October 9, 2009, a little over 6 months after being diagnosed. His meld score was at 24 when he got his transplant and, thank God, he has not experienced ANY complications. Within 3 weeks of being diagnosed he had an endiscope (sp?) and colonoscope procedure done which showed no varices (what a blessing). Ascites was another story. His first "real" bout with it was about 3 weeks after diagnosis, and thus began his very frequent trips to the hospital for paracentesis after paracentesis, and he was never able to get it under control, even after his TIPS procedure. But in answer to your question, No, all people do not suffer from Ascites (fluid buildup in the belly area). And from what I learned on this site, not everyone bleeds with varices. Please go to Craig Cameron's website, Living with Liver Disease http://livingwithliverdisease.ning.com
Craig has done a lot of research and writing and has had great success with his own Cirrhosis through diet and vitamens. Others here have experienced some improvement as well. You will find Craig a great resource and I know he would love to hear from you.

Craig - I am so sorry I gave you Craig Cameron's old website address. Here is the correct one: http://livingwithliverdisease.spruz.com/

Hi klga, I fully agree with you on everything you have said, I am happy to hear your husband has had a transplant, and I will have a good look at the you suggested, Thank you for all advice & for being so kind ;)

Hi Craig,

Welcome. I am really sad to hear you have developed this illness at such a young age. I am fully aware that you can get cirrhosis from other illnesses and medical issues. It sucks that the stigma that attaches to Cirrhosis seems related to alcoholics. And you are right alot of alcoholics do not develop cirrhosis. But alot of them do.

Unfortunately in my case, mine was diagnosed from alcohol but I had other issues that I think contributed to my liver disease. I did not drink at your age at all and for most of my adult life. I was over 40 before I even started to drink and with some emotional issues and making the wrong and foolish choices I made I used alcohol as a crutch to not feel and to avoid dealing with what I should have been dealing with. It was irresponsible and not a thing I am proud of.

So after a drinking career of about 6 years or so I developed cirrhosis. That was my consequence for my behavior but it easily could have been from other things as well I was severely obese prior to 1999 when I had a gastric bypass so I was not treating my liver well for most of my adult life. I am so sorry that through no choice of your own you have been presented with this illness as well. It really does not seem fair.

But you seem to be well grounded and are taking an active role in getting as much information about this illness as you can. I believe that is a good thing. Watching your nutrition now and taking the medications you need to control your symptoms will hopefully keep you feeling well.

I have had very little issues with ascites and my symptoms are very mild. My first endoscopy in August 2008 showed varices at a stage one. My doctor said they are not even treated at that stage. My second endoscopy last February shows no varices so I am guessing they can improve. I have been lucky and since I quit drinking my cirrhosis has not affected me that much except for some swelling of the lower legs and ankles, my energy levels and some possible side affects from nutrition issues and medications I am on.

Good luck with your research and I hope things are well with you.
Jan

Hi Jan, Thank you :) I have been diagnosed with esophageal varcies (but have never had any bleed, thank god), I have Child Pugh A . I now take Ensure Plus to gain weight and help my nutritional needs.

The only symptoms I have at present are malnutrition, losing weigh & muscles, mild fatigue.

Hi craig have you had an endoscopy the camera is put down the throat into the stomach and some photos taken any sign of future problems can be seem

chiild pugh A is a good diagnosis means the liver is still functioning as normal or Compensated

I have had this diagnosis for 6 years now I did stop drinking and improved my diet

As suggested earlier Craigs site is very informative
I know he regards diet as an important part of recovery

Not something doctors seem to take into account
probably because they serve such lousy food in English Hospitals

Best Wishes

Hi lostonrye, I also think that diet is crucial for recovery and well being.

Is Child Pugh A not that bad? Im scared that cirrhosis will kill me.

Could you or anyone else please go into more detail about Child Pugh A

Thanks