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 was diagnosed yesterday with cirrhosis. I was diagnosed last month with Hep C. I'm thinking I've had the Hep C for 30 years. I did a routine physical with blood work with my family physician and that's how all this came about. I didn't have any symptoms to suggest I had a problem. (no tiredness, no achy joints,no bleeding, no yellowing, etc.) I had an endoscopy yesterday and that's how my doctor told my I had cirrhosis. I had a ultrasound earlier with my family dr. and it showed no focal defects on my liver. When I met with the GI, he wanted to do the endoscopy to see my liver. He did find Grade lll varices in the lower third of my esophagus and took a biopsy for gastritis. The paperwork he gave me just shows the esophagus and not my liver and mentions nothing about cirrhosis on the paperwork. He said I did not need a biopsy because he could tell I have cirrhosis. I'm just wondering how do I know the stage of cirrhosis without a liver biopsy. Is this normal? I see him in two weeks. I also don't know the outcome of my blood work yet of what kind of Hep C I have. I'm just wondering if this doctor is right for me or not. Any experiences shared would be greatly appreciated.
I realize that doctors are busy people but, not too busy to bill for their "services" which are sometimes lacking. You need to at least sit with the doctor for however long it takes for you to understand what you have, where you are with the disease, how you got the disease and what the treatment plan is going to be. Any doctor worth his/her salt will welcome the idea of a second opinion if it is only for another doctor to look over your test results.
As for the endoscope being able to tell you have liver cirrhosis, seems to me that test can indicate varicee, how many and where located and how large they are, but, as for being able to judge the degree or stage of any other disease such as cirrhosis or even gall bladder stones, it would take a much more specialized test to specifically look for the answers.
Getting the news that one has cirrhosis is a horrible thing to go through let alone going through it with such little information. None of those "results or suspicions" should be discussed until concrete proof has been obtained through proper testing.
I hope this helps. Do take it to heart. Realize, cirrhosis is not an automatic death sentence and many, many patients who have the first stages of the disease can overcome that disease through proper diet, meds and care. The liver is remarkable insomuch as it is the only organ that can and does "regenerate" itself. Once, however, the liver has cirrhosed lesions, that cannot be reversed but can be dealt with.
Do let us know how this turns out. In the meantime, don't be afraid to ask questions and make suggestions to your doctor. Specifically ask for tests that will give "for sure answers" and not guesses. Even the best doctor can only offer his/her opinion....the rest is always just guess work. For any doctor to suggest that a test as simple as an endoscope can tell him for sure that you have cirrhosis is ludicrous unless he/she has x-ray vision and supernatural skills........(some doctors would have you believe that they are gifted in that way but few really are)LOL.
You have much going for you and hopefully, you will be able to find answers and have a plan developed for you to remain as well and in good health as is possible for a lifetime to come. Many have been diagnosed with serious liver involvment who have seen good recovery. My thoughts and prayers are with you............Hugs and prayers..........CarolLentz
A physical exam can indicate cirrhosis by size & hardness, but that alone is not sufficient for diagnosis. The labs would be very important. Ultrasound does not diagnose cirrhosis, either, but is used more frequently to rule out tumors. A possible consequence of hep c is liver cancer so we are screened for that regularly, do not worry about that. Severe liver scarring, such as seen in cirrhosis, is the most common cause of esophageal varicies that result from portal hypertension. Yours were listed as grade 3, the most severe.
I'm assuming your combination of exams indicates to your dr a diagnosis of cirrhosis, those findings would not present in earlier stage liver damage.
Sadly, it is very common for victims to have no symptoms until late stage liver disease.
I've done my best to answer your questions but your dr is the best source. I hope you have/find one that you develop a comfortable relationship with.
We are living and I mean Living with cirrhosis. You are in good company, my friend.