mike with liver cirrhosis

[giles111]

liver cirrhosis what helps you and what is the best way to tackle it mike

[RodeoJoe]

Hi Mike, is it you with the cirrhosis? Stopping alcohol is probably a good idea, absolutely necessary if that's the cause. Cirrhosis is often a slow burner, I was diagnosed 15 years before transplant and even then apparently it was already pretty bad. It's important to get yourself checked for varicose veins on the esophagus, and then make sure you attend your regular checkups. At checkups they'll take the bloods which will give an indication of it's progression. Salt is not so good for the liver, so best to avoid.

[giles111 in reply to RodeoJoe]

thanks for that ,I gave up alcohol as soon as I new I had cirrhosis ,and feel a bit better ,I still get light headed ,and dizzy did you have the same syptoms ,I take vitimins and holistic vitimins too,and like you said no salt ,how do you feel now you have had your transplant rodeo,and are there thing that used to help you with cirrhosis sos about the spelling ,and thaks very much for the mail mike

[RodeoJoe in reply to giles111]

I feel really good, I started improving straight after surgery. I had the operation in the November and did a 25 mile charity bike ride in the following April. Doing really well, haven't felt this good in decades. I got back to work after 6 months (realistically could have been before) and so far this week I've cycled to work and back 3 out of 4 days (20 miles round trip).

No I didn't really take any precautions before transplant until I had to go on the list. At that point things do change and diet, vitamins etc become vital.

If I'm honest I pushed on for years ignoring symptoms, I was really in denial and petrified of a transplant. But it saved my life and gave me my life back.

[giles111 in reply to RodeoJoe]

That is great news, im glad to here it ,I had some good news today as welli had my first blood test 8 weeks ago and the doctor called me ,and said come in straight away ,when I got there he said you have cirrhosis ,and I was shocked a bit ,he showed me the blood test on his computer ,I was over 200 on one count and should be 40 ,and the other 240 and should be around 40 ,he said you will need a transplant ,I have been so worried he said there is a long waiting list ,and I looked on the net ,they don't like to give them to people who had alcohol related cirrhosis, i stopped drinking smoking ,from then and still haven't touched any ,i got lots of vitamins and milkthistle tumerik garlic you name it ,i got it most the information from the internet, i am due a scan still and ive been a bit down in the dumps ,i went for a blood test last week and the doctors today ,he showed me the new blood test and im 42 on one and 46 on the other ,he said your liver is working ok according to the blood test i waqs over the moon ,i said to the doctor i thought i was going to die and he said so did i haaa no lie ,so im very happy to .i think there must be some damage ,maybe im wrong ,i still get light headed and no energy,but he said it could be withdrawrals syptoms from the alcahole ,the doctor was as supprised as me .i said have you got the blood mixed up with some one else ,iI just cant wait to get this scan .and it dosent dampen the blood results ,well thanks again for the mail rodeo .im glad you are well again ,and keep up the exercise ,i have been walking 4 5 mile every day to ,ill let you know the results of my scan ,hope it don dash my hopes thanks again mike

[RodeoJoe in reply to giles111]

Good for you. You're doing what you can and it's working. Be careful with the alternative meds, my rule of thumb is I think they don't work for a liver thats got cirrhosis, (like pissing on a house fire) and at worst can be detrimental. But thats just my opinion (I've always been a sceptic).

[giles111 in reply to RodeoJoe]

me to but every doctors report on cirrhosis recommended milkthistle and other I mensioned ,Iand I thought well ive got nothing to loose so took them I just hope the scan is as good as the blood test,,im glad you are all fixed up ,rodeo ,and can have a normal life now ,must be real happiness for you ,im just keeping my fingers crossed for the scan ,thanks mike

[Deb3822]

Hi, I was diagnosed with cirrohis nearly 3 yrs ago. It's only now that I've been seen since diagnosis. Long story short, I having touched any alcohol but eaten what I've wanted and my LFT and bloods all came back normal. I've gone from a hospital bed being told that I had 2-5 yrs to live to being told, "you can forget your bucket list for a while and renew your passport" lol. I do drink a lot of the cheap energy drinks as I suffer from B12 deficiency and they contain 50% of your RDA. I have been told that I will need 6 month check ups and to carry on as normal. Do what your doing my friend, stay off the alcohol and you could lead a normal life like me. Oh, I'm on a diet now seeing that I'm going to be around for a whlie lol

[giles111 in reply to Deb3822]

hi debs ,im still waiting for a scan ,my blood at firs was 2000, I stopped drinking whent on a special diet ,after 8 weeks went back for another blood test and it was normal 42 ,I was surprised ,I would like to see the scan now ,just hoping ,I haven't got to much damage .thanks for the mail mike x

[Deb3822 in reply to giles111]

Hi again my friend, good luck with the scan. Stay positive and don't expect to be told anything there and then. Keep calling and asking when the appointment will be, don't be like me and put your life on hold. If your walking a lot now, download pokeman go, it's great fun when your out walking and takes you to local spots you didn't even know existed lol. Keep me updated xx

[giles111]

hi debs ,I went for my scan Thursday ,the lady who took it was nice ,I asked her if there was any damage and she said it looked fine ,I thought with normal blood and ,the ultrasound nurse saying im fine was it,then 2 days later I got a letter say to got to see a docter back to the hospital ,one minutute im wanting a transplanet ,the next im fine,and now they tell me to go to see the doctor after the scan ,don't look like good news to me ,talk about put your life upside down ,thanks mike