Prevention

[Dort1234]

Morning.. I would like to ask is there anything I could do or take to prevent further complications as when I was diagnosed I only presented with ascities and obvious symptoms loss of appitite extra. I have read of experiences people have had of oesaphageal varices and hepatic encephalopathy and Many more horrendous things. My question is are they to follow or can I do anything to prevent them I have my hep Dr this month but worried i wontt get in all my questions. Thanks ...

[RHGB]

Well, the first thing you can do is not drink alcohol. I must ask, you mention loss of appetite, which usually returns when you stop drinking, so that would be my first question.

Not everybody experiences all symptoms, it depends on the individual and their condition.

Your question is not wholly clear, you don't say what you were diagnosed with and what has happened so far.

[Dort1234 in reply to RHGB]

Thanks sorry about that. I had posted the other day of my overall story and assumed people have read and didn't won't to repeat myself. Thanks to you I was wrong and will make my post more clearer. I was diagnosed with cirrohsis at Xmas with the onset of ascities and the symptoms leading up to that was obvious looking back weight loss hair falling out completely knackerd all the time. It was awful not been able to eat but Thank God appetite came back with a bang and I have gained the two stone that I had lost. I stopped drinking once diagnosed over six months and my God is not easy as I was alcohol dependent and that's what caused my cirrohsis. A cystic lesion was found on my pancreas in april and my appointment with hep Dr isn't till this month so that's all I know on that. So was worried I am waiting for other things to happen to me and just wanted to know any precautions I should do. to prevent Any more..

[AyrshireK in reply to Dort1234]

Eat healthily, remain booze free, exercise if you can (even when fatigued a bit of a walk is really beneficial). Low salt diet, snack frequently - little and often is key to remain fuelled - protein and carbs if you have issue of weight/muscle loss.

Not a lot you can do to prevent other major symptoms apart from not damaging your liver further.

BUT do make sure your doctor has a follow up and monitoring put in place (don't be fobbed off) - you need 6 monthly ultrasound scans (they will pick up any issues with portal veinous flow which might predict whether any varices are likely to form) as well as looking for any potential tumours or such like in the liver, 6 monthly bloods is pretty standard and should pick up problems with kidneys, liver function and any toxin build up. If you arn't going to the toilet regularly (they do say 3 - 4 times a day) you might want to ask about a prescription of lactulose which will help remove toxins from your body - hopefully preventing any onset of Hepatic Encephalopathy symptoms.

Learn to monitor yourself (don't become obsessive about it) but any changes in body shape (ascites or oedema returning), changes in toilet habit (stool colour ...... particularly in reference to any blood which might indicate a bleed) and any significant jaundice etc.

You need to take ownership of your health, it might be that appointments don't come on time or scans don't get ordered etc. Be a squeaky wheel .......... ask politely, chase up. Don't just sit back and think "Oh it'll be coming i'll just wait!" It might not be coming and might not have been ordered (it's happened many, many times to us).

Fingers crossed, now that you are booze free and taking steps to improve your lifestyle you'll give your liver the best chance and some of your issues may well reverse.

Hope that helps a bit, best wishes with your consultation.

Katie

[Dort1234 in reply to AyrshireK]

Thanks katie. Should good information again. Yes im o lavtolose dince day one but habe read some people are taking rifaxin for help in remove more toxins I am eager to ask ask doctor about them as I have A lot of staggering in my walk it embarrassing thought maybe a build up of toxins might be the cause in brain no issues otherwise forgetful and memory loss was aways there i think lol..thanks again..

[AyrshireK in reply to Dort1234]

Yep ask about Rifaximin, my hubby been on that since transplant assessment in 2014. Can't say we've seen any difference in his confusion, memory issues, sleep disruption and stuff which might be attributed to HE but its also certainly got no worse.

"staggering gait when walking; tendency to fall" are listed on the BLT site as symptoms associated with cirrhosis.

If you've not seen it before then you might want to take a look at the British Liver Trust page on Living with Liver Disease at:- britishlivertrust.org.uk/li...

It might help you with your journey and give you more guidance on looking after yourself.

Katie

[Dort1234 in reply to AyrshireK]

Thanks again i will do. But have to say reading your posts have educated me a lot. Thanks again.

[sheri44 in reply to AyrshireK]

i had cirrhosis & HE i couldn't walk straight and had many falls. my own family thought i was taking too many painkillers as i was sleeping so much too, forgetting everything was a problem too, it was only when it was explained to my family what was happening to me they let up on me. I would be shouted at at 44 yrs old that i had taken too many painkillers. Felt like a child. I also lost my appetite. I lived on pineapple & watermelon. Was the only thing i could stomach without feeling or being sick.

[Dort1234]

Thanks Sheri. Can I ask did your walk straighten up? . I'm fine now in the appetite could eat all around.me now. Was awful for months not eating I would literally cry hoping I could eat because I knew how important it was .

[jojokarak]

Hi as Sherri I had H.E and no appetite, ascites, varices, I couldn't be left alone for 2 years before my transplant because I was a danger to myself. I must say though take a positive that your appetite is returning I didn't get mine at all before I lost all my muscles and was skin and bones. The wobbly walking could also be down to tiredness as I never slept more than 2 hours at a time unless I was having a H.E episode. As has been mentioned fresh diet, no salt and getting exercise is the best medicine and you may be able to stall any more damage and give your liver a fighting chance to maybe even repair itself x

[Dort1234 in reply to jojokarak]

Thanks jojokarak. I've been with family in England since diagnosed at Xmas my children are living with there dad in ireland and has been my home for 13 years. My hep Dr is on the 14th after a four month Walt. My plan is to return to Ireland after appointment. I am so worried about the staggering as I live on my own over there. I would see kids every day but not when I was drinking. Well that's stopped since diagnosed so will be there every day but as for getting there is a different story I lossed licences when drinking and would have half an hour walk and as you can imagine it's rural ireland and would be walking on road to get there as there are no paths in the village.god I'm scared thinking about it. I have no support when I get back there. There dad will bring me to appointments mind you ha don't know that yet lol. He ows me that I gave him three beautiful children I lost custody due to my drinking. Sorry for babbling but just hope and pray this staggering goes away or I will be tied to the house having no confidence walking on my own..

[AyrshireK in reply to Dort1234]

What plans do you have for medical follow up in Ireland? Your liver is going to requre regular monitoring as we've already discussed - are you going to be close to a liver unit or a hospital with sufficient liver knowlege to look after you going forward. What is the health service situation in Ireland ............ I know a lot of folks with Auto Immune Liver Disease struggle to get proper care. St. Vincent's University Hospital in Dublin seems to be the only liver & transplant unit.

A lot to consider. But I do wish you all the very best.

Katie

[Dort1234 in reply to AyrshireK]

Thanks Katie. As I had two months in hospital in ireland they treated me after Xmas so they said them selves if i had complications get to them straight away. If i wasnt going to england with family i had no say in it they were bringing here any way for support and am I glad they did. The hospital is over a hour away in car. I will get hep Dr here to transfer medical notes to doctor and have reguler bloods and set up a liver doctor like you said its in Dublin which is over four hours away. So when a appointment comes up will use public transport. I know already before I see hep Dr here they found a pseoudo cyst on my pancreas as I got a copy of letter sent to my Gp here. I made the discision to plan to get treated in ireland as I could be waiting weeks or months here for appointment and end up really ill and not see my kids so I'm going back while I'm pretty normal. Fingers crossed won't turn out that way but not taking a chance. I'm desperate to see them. I wouldn't dream of going back only for them because medical help here is literally onyour doorstep...

[robbin68]

Hi.. This article is very informative regarding diet and supplementation.

liverdoctor.com/liver-problems

I don't buy product online, but visit my local health food store 'practitioners' as I'm confident they have good quality items. Most docs never discuss these things, so we have to educate ourselves, but be careful to let them know what we are taking as far as supplements. I'm in the U.S., have PBC, AIH and cirrhosis, but fending off alot of symptom thru nutrition. Get lots of rest, light exercise as much as possible, and eat well. Juicing is great- greens, beets, vegetable protein - if you can get a Nutribullet it is fantastic!

Best to you,

Robbin

liverdoctor.com/liver-problems

[Dort1234]

Thanks robin. As I'm staying with family when I return home I will definitely getting a bullet as I've read of many having juices I will look on that site and thanks again best wishes to you...