I'm new here, but I've had liver cirrh... - British Liver Trust

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

Smyally profile image
13 Replies

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

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Smyally
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13 Replies
Identity75 profile image
Identity75

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

Geffy22 profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
Brummi

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

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 profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
Worriesalot in reply to Jimmywaz

How does it affect you?

Worriesalot profile image
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.

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