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 recently told I have cirrhosis of the liver. I am a 39 year old female and scared I was told I am going to die soon.
My my story started years ago I have always been over weight and told I had a fatty liver for about 10 years what I n3ver realized that it can turn to cirrhosis. Then about 5 years ago my platelets went down, they range from (80 - 100) dr always thought I had low platelets.
Well december 18 I had gastric sleeve to help loose weight, that is when the dr noticed I have a firm, nodaler liver sign of cirrhosis, I have had an ultrasound since and it was cirrhosis as well. My blood test where good except my ggt it was a5 160.
Right now my side effects are low platelets, my feet and legs ge5 swollen especially when it’s hot, sometimes I have pain in my liver area. I a.m really scared.
My thoughts are with you as you deal with the initial shock of finding out you have cirrhosis. I found out about a year ago when I ended up in the ER with what they told me was esophageal and gastric varices. Like you, my primary care doctor told me I had a fatty liver but that was 30 years ago when I was still a teen. I was told to watch my diet but no other follow up happened.
You will find lots of scary stuff online . . . As long as you have a great doctor (hepatologist if possible) that you feel comfortable with, keep up with your appointments, follow dietary restrictions to the letter, and abstain from alchohol you will help your doctors help you. It may take you seeing several before you find the right one, but it makes all the difference in the world.
I have found that this link helpful and may answer your initial questions . . .
http://www.med.umich.edu/hepatology/images/Cirrhosis%20Patient%20Toolkit.v2.pdf
It can be initially overwhelming with talk of symptoms, what you may expect if your cirrhosis worsens, and transplants . . . but know that there are lots of very supportive people going through the same thing and many ways to find help.
Hope this helps you!
Is cirrhosis and end stage liver failure the same thing, he said early stage does that mean compensated or decompensated.
I wish I had asked him about exercise can I still do weight/strength training.
How have you been feeling?
If your cirrhosis does not present complications like ascites, bleeding varices, hepatic encephalopathy (HE), kidney impairment, etc. then you may have compensated cirrhosis - you would need to see your doctor for tests/procedures that rule out any decompensation. If compensated, then you and your doctor may be able to stop or slow the scarring and damaging your liver further.
If your cirrhosis presents the issues above or any other complication that is generally irreversible with medical management other than transplant, then you may have decompensated cirrhosis. In this case, it would be end stage liver disease (ESLD). Really the only way to get out of ESLD, is a liver transplant, for now.
Most of us also need to take medications to help our liver function in it's new state - sometimes called "deranged state". Medications for portal hypertension, for stomach acid production, and for the reduction of ammonia in our systems. Again, your doctor will determine any regimen for you.
Since I had pretty severe variceal bleeding due to portal hypertension, my doctor recommends light to moderate exercise and does not recommend weight training. Your situation could be completely different since you are in early stages of cirrhosis.
I have good days and not so good days. Good days - I feel fine and am able to do everything I did prior to my diagnosis. Not so good days - usually associated with extreme fatigue and some pain in the upper right quadrant of my liver. Both are pretty common. Dealing with the not so good days while still working a demanding full-time job and all the things that daily life throws at me are the biggest challenges.
Sure hope this is helpful. Discussing this unfortunate and life changing diagnosis with others also helps me deal with it. Good luck in finding the best doctor you can and keeping your cirrhosis in the early stages!
Here is another link for you . . .
https://liverfoundation.org/for-patients/about-the-liver/the-progression-of-liver-disease/#1507303172079-17f30c0c-4fe2
Welcome. Sorry for your circumstances. You and I have a similar story. I too was overweight and told I had fatty liver. I also had weight loss surgery. I was very stupid after my surgery and after a while, I did not follow through with my Drs appointments...actually, I felt so good...I never went to any Drs.
Needless to say, I am sick now with cirrhosis. I should have gone to a physician when I started not feeling well but being a nurse, I basically treated myself. Last year I ended up hospitalized and that's where my fight began.
I have treatment for ascitis with monthly paracentesis procedures.
I know it's Scarey what you are going through but hopefully you caught it early enough and it will not progress.
Do your research. Follow up with your Dr's. I see a liver specialist (hepatologist). I also see a GI Dr. but feel more comfortable seeing a specialist because my disease is more advanced.
Good luck with everything.
Welcome. Sorry for your circumstances. You and I have a similar story. I too was overweight and told I had fatty liver. I also had weight loss surgery. I was very stupid after my surgery and after a while, I did not follow through with my Drs appointments...actually, I felt so good...I never went to any Drs.
Needless to say, I am sick now with cirrhosis. I should have gone to a physician when I started not feeling well but being a nurse, I basically treated myself. Last year I ended up hospitalized and that's where my fight began.
I have treatment for ascitis with monthly paracentesis procedures.
I know it's Scarey what you are going through but hopefully you caught it early enough and it will not progress.
Do your research. Follow up with your Dr's. I see a liver specialist (hepatologist). I also see a GI Dr. but feel more comfortable seeing a specialist because my disease is more advanced.
Good luck with everything.