I'm new here, but I've had liver cirrhosis for over a year

[Smyally]

I am new to the group and just wanted to introduce myself and say hi. I had 3 liver transplants way back in 1995, and lived a normal life for around 20 years. At the back end of 2015 was told I had developed cirrhosis of the liver through being on medications for so many years ( my original liver disease was an acute reaction to some antibiotics I was taking for kidney infection). Over the last year I have had a lot of bleeding due to varacies. The doctors put a stent in my liver to control the bleeding which worked for while. I also had two periods of hepatic encephalopathy last summer ending up in hospital for a period each time and sepsis due to being prone to infection. I got a lot out of visiting this page and reading about other people's experiences during my bad times last year ( I had times where I felt very down emotionally), but felt too ill to join up and make posts at the time.

Now I am at the point where I am starting to feel a bit better, my liver has stabilised (it will never get better but for now it has stopped getting worse) and through good friends and support at home I am starting to rebuild a new life very slowly. I can now walk my dog most days and use the bus to get to local places and I'm learning new creative skills to use at home on days when I feel tired. I would like to know if there is anyone who I can help just by sharing my experiences now( better late than never) and also anyone who's experiences can help me if and when I get down times in the future

[Identity75]

Welcome. Am sure your post and future posts will benefit not only others but yourself too. Glad you are doing well.

[Geffy22]

Gosh youve been through the mill. I am so pleased you are now able to get out a little.

Keep posting updates - i dont have a liver prob (not that i know of anyway!) My hubby died last March due to decompensated liver - antibiotics - at the ripe old age of 50, so l'm here to read about other people and offer good wishes.

All the best xoxo

[Smyally in reply to Geffy22]

Really sorry to hear about your husband. It can be such a wicked disease and yet there is still so much ignorance about liver disease and cirrhosis. Sending best wishes

[matt137]

Hi there and welcome. theres a wealth of knowledge on here and also always someone to make you feel a bit better about the worries that come with cirrhosis. Glad youve finally joined the club... Matt

[Brummi]

Welcome, sounds like you are doing ok now. You are right there is a wealth of help on here, keep on being positive.

[Hidden]

Welcome,

We hope you find the forum a supportive place to visit.

Your knowledge and experiences may also benefit others in a similar position.

Please remember The British Liver Trust have many useful publications on our website and information regarding support services.

Warm wishes,

Rebecca

[Gaynorlowson]

So glad ur feeling better hope it continues. Wow 3 liver transplants that must have been hard for you u I've just had one 9 weeks ago to think of having another one is daunting, you must be superman lol. Look forward to your future posts x

[Smyally in reply to Gaynorlowson]

I hope things are going well for you after your transplant. I found the couple of months were the hardest each time, so hopefully you wil/are making good progress. And no not super human, just lucky to have had great consultants and surgeons lol.

[RGBushey1]

Hello Everyone: I am curious about the antibiotics that caused more, significant liver damage that were mentioned about. I had been convinced ciprofloxacin hurt my liver after it was prescribed for a spider bite.about 10 years ago. Today, I have done further reading, and I am thinking the Cipro was more likely hurting my right-side kidney instead. On the other hand, the left-side of my body did not experience any pain. So that argues against kidney damage, I would think. Regardless, would anyone who had a bad liver /kidney(?) reactions to antibiotics mind sharing which ones they are? Any other thoughts would be appreciated.

[Smyally]

I took nitrofuren anti biotic for a kidney infection. Within a couple of weeks I had turned jaundice and had a cute liver failure. Doctors did tests and managed to rule out every other reason but they couldnt rule out the antibiotics. On the leaflet with the antibiotics it did say " can cause liver failure" as 1-1000000 chance

[Jimmywaz]

I can relate so much I won’t get into a big story now as I’m a bit down today, it’s been a year for me since hospital, it feels like there’s a year gone, how many left now? Transplant? Symptoms worsen? Are am I getting better? Not going to lie it’s a nightmare for me, very lost... but with help, support, info and other people’s stories sometimes can help.

[Worriesalot in reply to Jimmywaz]

How does it affect you?

[Worriesalot in reply to Jimmywaz]

Sorry nobody’s replied. I can’t get diagnosis, had really good day Friday and then woke up with blurred vision and shaky, same since, improves as day goes on. I suppose it’s live a day at a time. Get out in the sun and chat to people if you can.