Cirrhosis Support Group
Cirrhosis is a consequence of chronic liver disease, most commonly caused by alcoholism and hepatitis C. Ascites is the most common complication of cirrhosis and is associated with a poor quality of life, increased risk of infections, and a poor long term outcome. Liver damage from cirrhosis cannot be reversed, but treatment can stop or delay further progression and...
I have been reading posts for the last 3 months. I have ESLD and cirrhosis from idiopathic giant cell hepatitis. I probably have had it since childhood. In 2008, I developed HE and was hospitalized with a level over 400. I also had to stop working and go on disability. In 2011, I had the tips procedure to remove an old portal vein clot which compromised my portal vein. Since then, My HE is less severe although it averages 100-120. I take lactulose and Xifaxan. My ankle and foot edema got worse and I -am on 20 mg of lasix and 75mg of spironolactone . I have two lesions they are watching on my liver, gallstones, and. 3 pancreatic cysts they are monitoring. I also am prone to recurrent UTI 's and calcium oxalate kidney stones.
I am on the UNOs list. Right now, my meld has been fluctuating between 16-18.
I have been taking prednisone for 20 years to keep my liver enzymes near normal. I tested negative for autoimmune hep.
Susan
I am on the UNOs list. Right now, my meld has been fluctuating between 16-18.
I have been taking prednisone for 20 years to keep my liver enzymes near normal. I tested negative for autoimmune hep.
Susan
I'm curious about your use of prednisone. When first diagnosed I was on a pretty high dosage, but my doctors had me taper off gradually over about three months until I was off of it. Apparently the body produces its own, but if you're taking the meds then the body realizes it's getting plenty of prednisone and shuts down its own production, that was why they used the tapering down gradually method.
20 years of prednisone is way beyond my three months, does your body just not make its own? Don't mean to be nosy, but myself and others are still learning about liver disease and all info helps.
Some of the side effects I have are small cataracts on my eyes and osteopenia.
The prednisone kept me fairly healthy except for chronic fatigue from my diagnosis of some cirrhosis in 1990 until I developed HE in 2008. My form of hepatitis is exceedingly rare in adults. It is morre commonly called infantile giant hepatitis. I am now 51 and probably have had it most of my life. Fortunately it has been a mild chronic progression not acute.