Stage 4 alcoholic liver cirrhosis stage 4 - British Liver Trust

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Stage 4 alcoholic liver cirrhosis stage 4

Rodjackwill profile image
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I was diagnosed in July 2016 with stage 4 cirrhosis due to alcohol also osophical varices where I had 6 banded and glued, I am now 15 months sober but struggling every day to do just the simplest of tasks, I saw my gastrologist for the first time in a year which I think is a disgrace but he told me I need new ultrasound and fibroscan, apparently my liver function has stabilised and I'm a grade A, can anyone give me more info in my grading please, I'm 40, thanks everyone

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Rodjackwill profile image
Rodjackwill
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AyrshireK profile image
AyrshireK

Stage 4 liver disease = cirrhosis. It can then be described in a scale called the Child Pugh Score which is an older method of describing the degree of liver damage (and prognosis of mortality etc.). It runs from A - C with A being the least amount of damage to C being the most severe. A fairly simple explanation of it is on WIKI with the details of how they score they ascertain the score. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child...

I wouldn't get too hung up on the scores on the doors - no one is average, no one persons liver disease experience is the same as anyone elses & a great many patients never get told these figures/scores etc.

It is good news that you liver health has stabilised, not so good that it has taken a year between appointments. The protocol for monitoring patients with cirrhosis is 6 monthly ultrasound scans, blood tests including the AFP (tumour marker) plus regular endoscopy exams (especially as you've already required banding).

Katie

Rodjackwill profile image
Rodjackwill in reply to AyrshireK

Thanks for the reply so soon, I'm going to have a look up on what you have said as I definitely need answers to what symptoms to look out for because it does feel like I'm suffering every day, I should have said that I also have (CAD) Conary artery disease) and also a type 2 diabetic but insulin dependent

AyrshireK profile image
AyrshireK in reply to Rodjackwill

The British Liver Trust page on cirrhosis is really good britishlivertrust.org.uk/li... - I found it really useful when my hubby was first diagnosed with cirrhosis following a massive upper GI bleed in April 2012 - his is down to Auto-Immune Liver Disease. He initially had 7 varices banded then over the next couple of years his consultant eradicated them via repeated bandings (42 in total). He was listed for transplant in 2014 but delisted after 10 months when he was deemed to be stable and not matching the criteria for listing any more.

His major symptoms have always been chronic fatigue, non-refreshing sleep, sleep disturbance over night leading to physical and mental exhaustion, lack of drive, lack of energy, lack of concentration, memory difficulties, slowness of movement etc.

He has 6 monthly consultant appointments with his specialist at the transplant hospital (Edinburgh) and in between also sees a local gastroenterologist - so sees a consultant every 3 months for close monitoring. He also now has an annual endoscopy and 6 monthly ultrasounds - bloods every 3 months.

He is on a special diet to maintain muscle mass and fuel him as that is one of the big problems when your liver isn't working properly, it uses your muscles for fuel. He got built up from 8 1/2 stone to 11 stone as a 'reserve' when they were planning for transplant.

Going forward you obviously need to maintain your sobriety plus look after your liver. The BLT also has a good page and downloadable leaflet on Living with Liver Disease which you might find useful. britishlivertrust.org.uk/li...

Your other health issues - especially you heart problems might pose an issue if transplant was to be a considered treatment option BUT it would be thoroughly looked into and investigated during the rigourous transplant assessment so never say never. You are still very young at 40.

Wishing you the best of luck,

Katie

Gabby1973 profile image
Gabby1973

Cirrhosis and kidney hurts

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