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 cirrhosis and if this is true then its really gonna suck! Here's a portion of an article I was reading this morning.
Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver that involves the formation of fibrous (scar) tissue associated with the destruction of the normal architecture of the organ. It is the result of long-standing injury most commonly due to alcohol in excess but there are a number of other important causes (see below).
The destruction of the normal architecture and the loss of liver cells prevents the liver from functioning normally. It plays an important part in digestion of food but it also has a major role in metabolising drugs and making proteins, including those that help the blood to clot.
Cirrhosis is a serious condition. Only 30 per cent of patients with this problem will survive five years after diagnosis and the outlook is worse if the cause is alcohol and the patient continues to drink.
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When first diagnosed 9 1/2 months ago I was in the to be at the begining of the final stage. Since then my bilirubin is 2.1 vs 1.7 or lower. Ast is 37 vs 35 or lower. RDW is 16.3 vs 15.0 or lower. Platelet count is 78 vs 130-400. Amonia is 36 vs 11-35 thanks to xifaxan. Everything else is within range. This panel now reads much better than when I was first diagnosed. No change in what stage im in now has been mentioned but even if im lucky enough to be in the 30% that make the five years then how much can I really expect 10 years? Im 39.
Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver that involves the formation of fibrous (scar) tissue associated with the destruction of the normal architecture of the organ. It is the result of long-standing injury most commonly due to alcohol in excess but there are a number of other important causes (see below).
The destruction of the normal architecture and the loss of liver cells prevents the liver from functioning normally. It plays an important part in digestion of food but it also has a major role in metabolising drugs and making proteins, including those that help the blood to clot.
Cirrhosis is a serious condition. Only 30 per cent of patients with this problem will survive five years after diagnosis and the outlook is worse if the cause is alcohol and the patient continues to drink.
====================================================
When first diagnosed 9 1/2 months ago I was in the to be at the begining of the final stage. Since then my bilirubin is 2.1 vs 1.7 or lower. Ast is 37 vs 35 or lower. RDW is 16.3 vs 15.0 or lower. Platelet count is 78 vs 130-400. Amonia is 36 vs 11-35 thanks to xifaxan. Everything else is within range. This panel now reads much better than when I was first diagnosed. No change in what stage im in now has been mentioned but even if im lucky enough to be in the 30% that make the five years then how much can I really expect 10 years? Im 39.
There are people out there living with cirrhosis for 10 years and not know it.
I am 49 years old andI have a prominent gastrointerologist in the city of Chicago.
He told me that I could live to grow old with a compensated liver.
He said it is really not known, and that by far was it a death sentence.
He told me he plans on having me around for a long time.
I was diagnosed with a fatty liver in1992, it took 17 years for it to turn into cirrhosis.
Now I have cirrhosis and I have no plans of not growing old.
Maybe with more pains, maybe driving my family crazy.
But I have not been told differently.
Of course you need to take care of that liver.
Good Luck
Sammy.
http://livingwithliverdisease.spruz.com
Good luck and keep smiling!
But there are some rules: Eat a sensible diet (preferably under advice from your doctor). Keep clear of alcohol and get advice before taking any medication (which includes staying away from aspirin and NSAID's). Oh, and no smoking.
My figures have improved no end over the past two years (from a MELD of around 40 down to 8!). Diet is (almost) everything.
There are plenty of people around in their 70's with cirrhosis. By the time I get to my 70's, just think how far medicine will have advanced... we already have drugs being developed that show good progress towards reversing fibrosis. All going well, I'm pretty certain they'll be generally available before another ten years passes.
My husband is 43 and was diagnosed with Cirrhosis just over 1 year ago. The ascites (belly/water swelling) was the first real sign.
I was very upset at first, all the informaiton on the internet made me very upset, very much similiar to the statement you made above. I was freaking out wondering how I would support our family, being a widow at 39 and checking our life insurance policies, etc.
Once I joined this site we got so much support. My husband immediately stopped drinking, stopped smoking, he does not take any medications unless he checks with his doctor, even over the counter stuff.
Today, he has a new job, he is full of energy, his liver has regenerated, he is a new person and he loves life.
Don't let all the negative information on the internet get you down, people do get better, as Sammy556 mentions as well. Your mind set and attitude mean everything. Don't drink, think positive and take care of your body. As klga says, please visit Craig's website, he has a ton of information and helped my husband to no end when he was first diagnosed.
Chinup my dear, you are around the same age group as my husband and I. Everyone is different but I've come across a lot of people on this site who have done extremely well.
xoxo. Take care.
Randy
I was given 5 years in 2004. after my last scan and blood test's just before Christmas
I was told looks ok for 5 years. its just a fairly safe estimate to use
for compensated cirrhosis
Does not mean I can drop dead from a heart attack tomorrow.
Medical guesstimates, are only usually accurate for certain conditions. and liver disease is not one. Just because the liver is so often able to recover by itself given a healthy diet and no toxic substances like Alcohol