Hep B with cirrhosis - update after 3 years

[TimothyB]

Hi all,

I registered here over a year ago as I was probably suffering from a depression due to the fears and anxiety after having being diagnosed Hep B with cirrhosis. Many thanks for many kind words, I have been feeling reasonably well. Here is my update:

Initially, my fiberscan reading was pretty bad: 47. The consultant tried to comfort me by saying it was not the highest score she had seen.

After 3 years of treatment, I was recently told to have a fiberscan and the reading was 7.9. I asked if I could ever get it below 5, which is the threshold to determine whether a liver is healthy or not in terms of stiffness. The consultant could not rule out the possibility. I was very happy to say the least.

If you also suffer from cirrhosis caused by Hep B. Healthy life style is very important. Don't stop doing exercises all together I was told by my consultant. I also take Milk Thistle tablets. Two capsules with the medicine I am on and two in the evening. I hope it helps. The biggest challenge so far has been the emotional burden caused by the condition and I hope I will eventually deal with it.

Thanks for reading!

[Hidden]

What a result! That puts you in F1-F2:

Have you cured the Hep-B?

Congrats on a long a healthy future!

[TimothyB in reply to Hidden]

Hi, ralph,

Thanks!

Unfortunately, it is very rare that Hep B can be cleared completely at this stage. There are few lucky ones, but I was told by my consultant in the beginning that it was impossible for me (I think it is to do with the genotypes of the Hep B). By the way, I am on Tenofovir.

Now, Hep C can be cured completely with the new drug (Harvoni or Sovaldi). I am waiting for such miracle for Hep B patients.

[pear-shaped]

Such splendid news!

What is milk thistle tablets used for?

Pear

[TimothyB in reply to pear-shaped]

Hi Pear,

Milk thistle is a herbal supplement. It is also eaten as vegetable in Europe.

I have attached a Wikipedia link for you to have a read.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silyb...

[Anne48 in reply to pear-shaped]

Hi Pear

Not sure how it helped in my progress, but I also take Milk Thistle as a supplement, it is actually prescribed in some European countries for liver disease. Should probably ask Consultants advice. Best Wishes. A xx

[pear-shaped in reply to Anne48]

We are going in again this week... So will ask

Thank you!

[Bolly]

Very good news Timothy. I also have Hep B and cirrhosis and have been taking Tenofovir for about 3 years now. I was a 12kpa when I had my fibroscan, so thats early cirrhosis and confirmed my biopsy. I've not had another fibroscan so dont know if it has improved, but I did have another biopsy a few years later which suggested some of my liver had no cirrhosis. I did take Milk Thistle for a while but found it had no effect on my liver enzymes at all, so I stopped. Oh and the liquid Milk Thistle is preserved in alcohol, so thats a no no. Always a good idea to run past your specialist any alternative meds or vitamins you are taking so that they are aware in case your blood test results change.

[Emjaycf in reply to Bolly]

Hi is this still active? Badly needed answers

[TimothyB in reply to Emjaycf]

What would you like to ask? You can start a new thread to attract more readers perhaps?

[Aqsa10]

Hi you mentioned milk thistle tablets with medication you were already taking can i ask which medication that was the name and was that for cirrhosis?

[TimothyB in reply to Aqsa10]

I have been on Tenofovir, I have now stopped taking milk thistle as the liver stiffness improved further according to the latest scan. Hope it helps!