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...
Ok everyone, I have been here many times asking questions regarding my husbands condition and I am often vague or unsure of what is going on because I never really had any diagnostics to back up my suspicions as to what degree of severity his liver disease is at. So recently we went through a SSI review regarding disability and as some of you know it is a pretty dragged out process. Well, he was denied for the second time because apparently he has no indication of liver cirrhosis. So this is where I am confused.Here are a few of the doctors comments stemming from various hospitalizations found on the SSI report. Any insight would be appreciated. thanks!
Feb 2004- this was not in the report and was way before me but I know he was hospitalized for a major varcie bleed that almost killed him. No doctors report for some reason though!
Jan 2008- An EGD showed that the claimant had a grade 1 varices, portal hypertensive gastropathy, diffused gastritits, and Mallory Weiss tear.
March 2008- Complaints of a seizure. He tested positive for alcohol and Lipase test was elevated.
June 2008- Presented to ER for dizziness. Lipase test showed only mild elevation and liver function test result showed mild abnormalities with no emergent treatment needed. Chest x-ray and CT scan of the head were normal.
April 2009- Examining physician noted that laboratory tests were inconsistent with liver cirrhosis.
October 2010- Admitted for nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea with black stools. He had elevated hepatic enzymes. An EGD showed moderate erosive esophagitis and severe portal gastropathy, but normal duodenum. A CT showed fatty liver with enlargment of the left lobe of the liver with some nodularity which could be associated with liver cirrhosis. Liver function test results showed elevations of ALT and AST.
An impartial medical examiner examined the case and reported the following: Dr. ? summarized that my husband has liver disease, including hepatitis, from alcohol abuse. He also stated that my husband had varices and have since cleared up therefore there is little evidence of cirrhosis. He further stated that liver function tests showed only mild elevation.
I realize this is alot of information but I am so confused about the diagnosis. SO is he as sick as I was told or not? Back in 2008 a doctor told me that he only had 6 months to live. And now I read this report and it appears so conflicting. I am sooo confused on what to believe. Is it possible that since my husband has controlled his drinking since 2008 that perhaps his liver has had a chance to recover? He still drinks but not nearly what he used to consume. I know that he shouldnt drink at all but believe me the road to recovery is a tiring one. Those who know my story know how much i battle for sobriety. He has improved but we still have a long road ahead. Anyway thanks for the help!
Feb 2004- this was not in the report and was way before me but I know he was hospitalized for a major varcie bleed that almost killed him. No doctors report for some reason though!
Jan 2008- An EGD showed that the claimant had a grade 1 varices, portal hypertensive gastropathy, diffused gastritits, and Mallory Weiss tear.
March 2008- Complaints of a seizure. He tested positive for alcohol and Lipase test was elevated.
June 2008- Presented to ER for dizziness. Lipase test showed only mild elevation and liver function test result showed mild abnormalities with no emergent treatment needed. Chest x-ray and CT scan of the head were normal.
April 2009- Examining physician noted that laboratory tests were inconsistent with liver cirrhosis.
October 2010- Admitted for nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea with black stools. He had elevated hepatic enzymes. An EGD showed moderate erosive esophagitis and severe portal gastropathy, but normal duodenum. A CT showed fatty liver with enlargment of the left lobe of the liver with some nodularity which could be associated with liver cirrhosis. Liver function test results showed elevations of ALT and AST.
An impartial medical examiner examined the case and reported the following: Dr. ? summarized that my husband has liver disease, including hepatitis, from alcohol abuse. He also stated that my husband had varices and have since cleared up therefore there is little evidence of cirrhosis. He further stated that liver function tests showed only mild elevation.
I realize this is alot of information but I am so confused about the diagnosis. SO is he as sick as I was told or not? Back in 2008 a doctor told me that he only had 6 months to live. And now I read this report and it appears so conflicting. I am sooo confused on what to believe. Is it possible that since my husband has controlled his drinking since 2008 that perhaps his liver has had a chance to recover? He still drinks but not nearly what he used to consume. I know that he shouldnt drink at all but believe me the road to recovery is a tiring one. Those who know my story know how much i battle for sobriety. He has improved but we still have a long road ahead. Anyway thanks for the help!
"due to cirrhosis of the liver?" If not, I am wondering if your husband has another condition(s) that may have similar symptoms as cirrhosis. Also, was the doctor qualified to make that "prognosis".........Are there any doctor's notes available from this doctor to back up his statement? What testing did he do, etc.?
If it were me, I would make an appointment with a gastrointerologist and request a blood work-up and whatever other testing he would need to confirm or deny cirrhosis. This will at least let you know if you have any hope of his getting a disability. It is not easy to get a disability even when you have proof of cirrhosis....it depends on the MELD (measure for end stage liver disease) score and a complete work-up with blood work and written report by a liver specialist along with a plan of treatment. Again, there are other diseases and conditions that can cause some of the same symptoms either all or in part, as liver cirrhosis.
The impartial medical examiner gave credence to the posibility of cirrhosis disease but nothing conclusive. He, most assuredly, was going by the medical information and facts that were presented to him. The independent medical doctors are not "hired" to diagnose a disease but to gather already available information and formulate an opinion based on that.
If a person has cirrhosis disease and continues drinking, the condition and symptoms would escalate over time until the patient reaches end stage. Even "slowing down" the alcohol consumption won't do much if there was, in fact, cirrhosis.
You are in my prayers and I just want to say that you are to be commended for your concern and efforts. Most of the time, patients with cirrhosis go through a period of denial and the only way to either confirm or rule out the diagnosis is to go through proper testing by a qualified physician. It is sometimes the care giver who takes the situation in hand and gets it done. I don't think folks can continue to "re-apply" for a disability using the same diagnosis until there is new and greater evidence. I hope this helps some.
Hugs and prayers...........CarolLentz
"due to cirrhosis of the liver?" If not, I am wondering if your husband has another condition(s) that may have similar symptoms as cirrhosis. Also, was the doctor qualified to make that "prognosis".........Are there any doctor's notes available from this doctor to back up his statement? What testing did he do, etc.?
If it were me, I would make an appointment with a gastrointerologist and request a blood work-up and whatever other testing he would need to confirm or deny cirrhosis. This will at least let you know if you have any hope of his getting a disability. It is not easy to get a disability even when you have proof of cirrhosis....it depends on the MELD (measure for end stage liver disease) score and a complete work-up with blood work and written report by a liver specialist along with a plan of treatment. Again, there are other diseases and conditions that can cause some of the same symptoms either all or in part, as liver cirrhosis.
The impartial medical examiner gave credence to the posibility of cirrhosis disease but nothing conclusive. He, most assuredly, was going by the medical information and facts that were presented to him. The independent medical doctors are not "hired" to diagnose a disease but to gather already available information and formulate an opinion based on that.
If a person has cirrhosis disease and continues drinking, the condition and symptoms would escalate over time until the patient reaches end stage. Even "slowing down" the alcohol consumption won't do much if there was, in fact, cirrhosis.
You are in my prayers and I just want to say that you are to be commended for your concern and efforts. Most of the time, patients with cirrhosis go through a period of denial and the only way to either confirm or rule out the diagnosis is to go through proper testing by a qualified physician. It is sometimes the care giver who takes the situation in hand and gets it done. I don't think folks can continue to "re-apply" for a disability using the same diagnosis until there is new and greater evidence. I hope this helps some.
Hugs and prayers...........CarolLentz
"due to cirrhosis of the liver?" If not, I am wondering if your husband has another condition(s) that may have similar symptoms as cirrhosis. Also, was the doctor qualified to make that "prognosis".........Are there any doctor's notes available from this doctor to back up his statement? What testing did he do, etc.?
If it were me, I would make an appointment with a gastrointerologist and request a blood work-up and whatever other testing he would need to confirm or deny cirrhosis. This will at least let you know if you have any hope of his getting a disability. It is not easy to get a disability even when you have proof of cirrhosis....it depends on the MELD (measure for end stage liver disease) score and a complete work-up with blood work and written report by a liver specialist along with a plan of treatment. Again, there are other diseases and conditions that can cause some of the same symptoms either all or in part, as liver cirrhosis.
The impartial medical examiner gave credence to the posibility of cirrhosis disease but nothing conclusive. He, most assuredly, was going by the medical information and facts that were presented to him. The independent medical doctors are not "hired" to diagnose a disease but to gather already available information and formulate an opinion based on that.
If a person has cirrhosis disease and continues drinking, the condition and symptoms would escalate over time until the patient reaches end stage. Even "slowing down" the alcohol consumption won't do much if there was, in fact, cirrhosis.
You are in my prayers and I just want to say that you are to be commended for your concern and efforts. Most of the time, patients with cirrhosis go through a period of denial and the only way to either confirm or rule out the diagnosis is to go through proper testing by a qualified physician. It is sometimes the care giver who takes the situation in hand and gets it done. I don't think folks can continue to "re-apply" for a disability using the same diagnosis until there is new and greater evidence. I hope this helps some.
Hugs and prayers...........CarolLentz
"due to cirrhosis of the liver?" If not, I am wondering if your husband has another condition(s) that may have similar symptoms as cirrhosis. Also, was the doctor qualified to make that "prognosis".........Are there any doctor's notes available from this doctor to back up his statement? What testing did he do, etc.?
If it were me, I would make an appointment with a gastrointerologist and request a blood work-up and whatever other testing he would need to confirm or deny cirrhosis. This will at least let you know if you have any hope of his getting a disability. It is not easy to get a disability even when you have proof of cirrhosis....it depends on the MELD (measure for end stage liver disease) score and a complete work-up with blood work and written report by a liver specialist along with a plan of treatment. Again, there are other diseases and conditions that can cause some of the same symptoms either all or in part, as liver cirrhosis.
The impartial medical examiner gave credence to the posibility of cirrhosis disease but nothing conclusive. He, most assuredly, was going by the medical information and facts that were presented to him. The independent medical doctors are not "hired" to diagnose a disease but to gather already available information and formulate an opinion based on that.
If a person has cirrhosis disease and continues drinking, the condition and symptoms would escalate over time until the patient reaches end stage. Even "slowing down" the alcohol consumption won't do much if there was, in fact, cirrhosis.
You are in my prayers and I just want to say that you are to be commended for your concern and efforts. Most of the time, patients with cirrhosis go through a period of denial and the only way to either confirm or rule out the diagnosis is to go through proper testing by a qualified physician. It is sometimes the care giver who takes the situation in hand and gets it done. I don't think folks can continue to "re-apply" for a disability using the same diagnosis until there is new and greater evidence. I hope this helps some.
Hugs and prayers...........CarolLentz
I don't know if fibroids can be present if fatty liver disease (as opposed to cirrhosis) or not. I should think that there are other causes possible for his early testing to show fibroids. One thing that I can think of off the top of my head is whether or not the doctor who did the diagnosis was actually qualified fo give that diagnosis or was it just a "possibility" that he thought of. Again, proper testing by a GI can clear it up. With a MELD score of 4 I absolutely know that he is not "ready" for transplant or even treatment other than to stop his drinking, periiod, and mend his diet/exercise program. He is very fortunate. Sure wish I could have that situation as opposed to the one I have. And, even mine is not to the degree that transplant is imminent. That can change, of course.
I hope you get an answer regarding the fibroids and what it means from one of the others on this site who are so much more qualified than I am. Hugs and prayers........CarolLentz