Fibroscan

[Rodjackwill]

Hi all, I’ve got Stage 4 liver cirrhosis and I have a fibroscan and ultrasound appointment next Wednesday, could anyone please let me know what this entails as I also have heart disease and I’m on very strong blood thinners. Thanks

[AyrshireK]

Ultrasound scan is basically what you see pregnant women getting to check on health of baby - quick and painless. A bit of gel is applied to your tummy (or the probe) which is rubbed around your abdomen and kidney area - images appear on a screen which the radiographer/sonographer watches and takes stills from.

Fibroscan is similar - a probe is pressed around your liver area and various readings are taken which gives a score relating to density of the liver.

Neither are anything to worry about.

All the best,

Katie

[Rodjackwill in reply to AyrshireK]

Thanks Katie

[vedantsbabe]

on what basis do u know that it is stage 4 liver cirrhosis

[Rodjackwill]

July 2016 I threw up two pints of blood where I was rushed into hospital I had an endoscopy where I had 6 varices banded and glued, after numerous tests and nearly losing my life I had 4 gastroenterologists and other specialists come round to my hospital bed and told me I had stage 4 liver cirrhosis, I was in hospital for 12 days, I had to keep going back every 3 months but I missed one appointment and had to get re referred so I haven’t been for a long time, I’ve been sober 15 months

[Miche49uk in reply to Rodjackwill]

Hiya Rodjackwill

Firstly, well done not drinking for 15 months, I take it they said alcohol was the culprit?

As Katie said, neither of those procedures are invasive, I found the fibroscan less so but even an abdominal ultrasound doesn't hurt. Neither will interrupt or be detrimental from a heart or blood thinners point of view, I assume they are just seeing how your liver is fairing.

Best of luck,

Michelle x

[PGoodrum]

I’ve had both and the is nothing to worry about with either, what I do find a little strange is why they have waited so long to do them? What hospital is dealing with your care?

[Rodjackwill in reply to PGoodrum]

I’m under QE in London mate

[PGoodrum in reply to Rodjackwill]

I’m under the liver team at The Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh and one of the first things they did was ultrasound followed by Fibroscan

[AyrshireK in reply to PGoodrum]

My hubby is under Edinburgh and he's never had a fibroscan at all. He had an ultrasound at point of diagnosis at Ayr back in 2012 and every 6 months since then.

[Vroom2017]

Fiberoscan is like an ultrasound. Non evasive. Fasting for 12 hours no prep to drink. They use a wand much like when your having an ultrasound. Has a little of a small impact as they take photos. Does not hurt and no side affects.

[Hidden]

Hey RodJack. Curious how they told you that you have cirrhosis without a fibroscan . Did you have a biopsy?

[Rodjackwill in reply to Hidden]

Yes plus I’ve got oesophageal varices (6 band and glued) nearly died in July 2016, I’m two years sober today but still struggle on a daily basis.