What symptoms did you have before your diagnosis?
Symptoms before the cirrhosis' diagnosis - British Liver Trust
Symptoms before the cirrhosis' diagnosis
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Anita3176
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40 Replies
•
My partner started with just swollen legs.Things progressed rather quickly after diagnosis so don't put off seeing a GP if you have any worries.xx
I started with jaundice then had Hepatic encephalopathy then had a Mallory Weis tear then upper GI bleeding followed by adema then got diagnosed with cirrhosis. Phew! That’s enough for one lifetime lol. Oh! Then got osteoporosis and osteoarthritis as my body was eating my bones. Then umbilical hernias. I think that’s it?
Cheers,
Brett
• in reply toBrett11
I'm amazed you're still alive Brett 😲
Brett11• in reply to
I refuse to go till I open my 50th birthday pressies on the 28th June this year.
• in reply toBrett11
Happy birthday Brett hope all is well
Waaaaa! I missed your birthday, Brett. Best wishes and all that. I do wish we could insert gifs and jpegs and emoticons. I will remember next year because my sister-in-law was also born on the 28th of June. She's 55 but looks, at most, as if she's in her mid-20s. She became a vegan about 5 years ago. Maybe that's the secret? She's already the youngest among us (my brother will be 64 in December). In 30 years, when she's 85, all of us will be long gone. I hope she's reserved a place in an ashram or a Zen monastery. Problem is that she keeps injuring important body parts...
Cheers! Hope you found a healthy way to celebrate!
Brett11• in reply to
I forgot to mention the Wernicke's encephalopathy
I didn't have anything particularly, but had had 2 deep seated and difficult to treat infections. Both times I had abnormal blood test results and my liver function tests were within normal levels. First time they put it down to the cocktail of anti-biotics and painkillers plus infection. Second time (different GP) wasn't happy so asked hospital specialist for 2nd opinion they asked about Liver function tests then said to go for Ultra sound which discovered enlarged spleen.
When I subsequently had a consultation with the liver specialist I was told my abnormal blood results were indications of Liver disease that I had had it for years and that was the cause of the enlarged spleen.
Once I started on an improved diet a lot of things that I had previously blamed on existing conditions diabetes and arthritis also improved showing how complicated and interconnected body systems are
Hi Anita,
You may find our publication 'Cirrhosis of the liver' useful to read;
britishlivertrust.org.uk/li...
However, please remember everyone is different, so if you are concerned about potential symptoms, we would suggest you see your own doctors for a medical assessment.
Best wishes
Trust1
I was just exhausted constantly and because I was 33 my GP took it seriously thank god
Hi Anita, if you feel you have potentially got symptoms related to liver disease PLEASE go to your doctors and get checked out.
6 years ago today my hubby was admitted to hospital following a massive upper GI bleed from varices and that was when we found out that he in fact had advanced cirrhosis of the liver. As a life long tea-totaller and previously super fit long distance walker it came as a massive shock to learn the diagnosis. His liver has been damaged due to auto-immune liver disease.
For some years leading up to his eventually diagnosis he had various symptoms which may or may not have been due to liver disease (his then GP put them down to anxiety). He had severe sleep disruption (still does), clubbing of his finger tips, super long nosebleeds, felt exhausted all the time, had irregular bowel habit, horrendous heartburn type pain and more. In the weeks running up to him eventually vomitting loads of blood he was feeling generally uneasy and couldn't get comfortable when lying down and was passing blood from his back passage.
Overnight 22nd - 23rd April 2102 WHAM massive, life threating bleed and subsequent hospitalisation where a biopsy and scans together with jaundice and deranged liver function tests proved he had cirrhosis.
Get checked out, it might not be as bad as you fear but if it is then you can get help/treatment to look after your liver going forward.
Katie
Jaundice, which appeared in my eyes first. Lack of appetite, but no nausea or vomiting.
Later on, shortly before being diagnosed, my skin became jaundiced and I developed Ataxia.
I didn't have any liver pain.
Since being diagnosed, and after a 10 day stay in hospital, I developed Ascites, then later found out I have Osteoporosis in my spine and Osteopenia in my hips and also slightly varicose veins in my esophagus. (I'm only 49!)
If you are at all worried I would definitely see your Dr as soon as possible as the liver is a very forgiving organ that can carry on working without much symptoms, even when it's damaged.
My husbands symptoms prior to cirrhosis diagnosis were... adiction to alcohol, denial, fatty liver detected. abdominal pain .....pancreatitis diagnosed. , persistent nose bleeds, oedema, 2nd bout of pancreatitis, jaundice, hallucinations. Cirrhosis diagnosed followed by end stage cirrhosis followed by liver failure, kidney failure, broncho pneumonia to death.
My first symptom was vomiting what seemed like 47 litres of blood onto the floor of the Home Baking aisle in Tesco's.
Which was nice.
I think I left at least 4 people with Post traumatic stress disorder! 😂
Daveangel, for many of us who participate in this forum, that's a very amusing image. It just occurred to me that this kind of vomiting is not at all the same as tossing one's dinner. The latter activates my puke reflex. I have to exit the site. Someone else must clean up the mess. The bloody vomit thing elicits a different response. I've never witnessed another person vomiting blood, but my first thought would be... EBOLA!!! RUN FOR THE HILLS!!! Guess I've spent too much time living in sub-Saharan Africa. When I am the one vomiting blood, there's a certain macabre fascination. WHERE did the blood come from? The last time this happened, I ended up in the ICU. A 10cm hiatal hernia had opened up. By the time an endoscopy was done, the damn thing had closed up again. It can't be removed; too dangerous, I am told. That was 6 months ago. A change of diet (mainly NO acidic food or drink, which includes much more than I would have thought) seems to have kept it from exploding again. I knew about the hiatal hernia in 2007, at which time it was 2cm and could have been excised. But I loathed and despised my GI doctor, so after several offensive comments from him, I walked away. Shoulda found someone else.
Sorry your one made me laugh as I think thing like that
No need to apologize, Faithfull. I meant it to be humorous. In the face of so much horror, one must maintain a sense of humor. If you see another of my posts, and it amuses you, I probably intended it to be so. If I did not, well, I'm still very happy to give someone else a chance to laugh.
I just needed cheering up so I read your post again . Still laughing about the last bit the thing is I have really got it and ADHD complex so complex no holding back now we gone back in the day when the receptionist says is it urgent then you explain by force and still two months later still can't get past her
Another laugh to you, Faithfull! Which "last bit" do you mean? Firing my GI doc? What an a**h*** he was. I now have a PCP who has finally figured out that I often say things that are meant to be amusing. Several times she has had to leave the room, so as not to appear too non-serious in front of nursing staff. It's great fun to make others feel like laughing. Makes ME feel good, too! I have a macabre and wacky and wild sense of what's funny. Maybe I should start a new post relating the conversation I had with another gastro-guy who performed an emergency endoscopy on me in January. I think they all assumed I was having a bout of HE, when I really was just being my obstreperous self.
I wasn't aware of any until I had a massive variceal bleed similar to Dave. This apparently stressed my liver and I then had ascites start while in hospital. This was resolved by the TIPPS procedure.
Feeling tired all the time. Also I couldn't seem to get warm, even on regular visits to the tropics. Didn't realise I was seriously ill until I vomited blood one night. Urgh!
To many sympoms diagnosed ur ago early cirrohosis new hospital as of me state of mind and hospital thought I just give up drinking it's all long but with increased fatty liver sober 3yrs feeling so ill now as of there neglect to say I have no scars on fibro scan not seen again had camera down stomach biopsy showed some ulcer ing and gastrodeu
Can't spell it dr useless said I was stupid to think I had it as the amount of drink inking would not cause it . She the nut case drink dependent 20yrslitre cheap whisky day or vodka and more and the overdoses . I'm not been treated as I told truth dammed if I do dammed if I don't tell truth I'm ashamed enough but just to make you laugh am I telling truth and I'm being told that is a joke the only ex alcoholic being told no it's not drink confused it gets worse .the mental health put me on anti sycotic PTSD that made me want to kill me self read the warning that the suicide al thoughts could get worse I never had them I had a trance shock emionaly wreck 40mg Valium what they trying kill me off as its to expensive dealing with complex anything I'm laughing as it sounds unreal but seriously I'm frightened left to me own devices of healt
Awww, Faithfull, come back to us. Have you taken any medication since you posted five hours ago? If you're being made to take medications that make you feel suicidal, talk with the doctor you trust the most, ASAP. Do you live alone? Is there anyone you can talk with right now? I'm concerned. And I'm in the U.S., in Texas! My horse can't swim across the Atlantic. Not much I can do but make you laugh. I'd say a liter/day for 20 years could result in cirrhosis. Sounds as if the docs are telling you it's early stage, and you quit 3 years ago, so the shrinks are the ones turning your head around. 40mg of valium is a LOT of valium. that would knock me on my ass for sure and would mess with my brain. You need what we call an "advocate." Do you have those in the UK? It's someone who is familiar with you and your particular issues and will do battle for you when the establishment is knocking you around and you don't have the strength to fight back. Hang in there.
You did make me laugh it's having ADHD I talk about million things me Ritalin don't work under pressure 120mg day they say I need harpoon knock me out . Sorry I feel really bad thought I was in trouble I don't ever want to make anyone worry I feel so Lonlely thanks for being there xx
• in reply toFaithfull
Faithfull -
With regards to the above post advising you to stop taking medications. You should not take any advice about medications from a forum member, if you have concerns about prescribed medications and are struggling, then we would suggest that you should see your own doctors AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. If you cannot get to see them then you could consider going to A&E at hospital and getting medical advice.
Warm wishes
Trust1
Faithfull• in reply to
I'm sorry about post but the fear of being left a yr with the liver and everything else and I can't sit stand have to be near bed as I'm so
Thistle09• in reply to
Trust1, I knew I shouldn't tell anyone to go off their meds without consulting a doctor. I certainly wouldn't do that myself. MY BAD!!! SORRY, so very sorry. I have edited the post. I stay up into the wee hours to chat with this group, as you're about 6 hours ahead of me. My brain is tired by then. For instance, it is now 12:20AM in Central US.
• in reply toThistle09
Thank you Thistle09 We do appreciate your edit and also your continued support and empathy.
warm wishes
Trust1
I'm sorry about post but the fear of being left a yr with the liver and everything else and I can't sit stand have to be near bed as I'm so i ll they make you sit 6hours I can't in this pain everywhere .
Faithfull, you did nothing wrong. I was the one Trust1 was chiding, and s/he was right. You should take your meds AS PRESCRIBED and consult with a doctor before making any changes. I have edited my original post to say what I'm saying now.
I do understand what you mean about not being strong enough to stand or sit for long periods of time. Can you, or someone on your behalf, talk with the doctor's office to explain why you need to schedule an appointment first thing in the morning, or at some time when you don't have to wait? This is the sort of thing an "advocate" would do -- someone whom you designate to speak for you when you're confused or tired or feeling too ill.
• in reply toFaithfull
Faithfull why don't you call the helpline? we can have a chat.
I can't help it as the older I get Me ADHD has some good me behaviour slowed down as walking but me hyper high in me head talking out loud and argue-in with meself
And laughing at me own jokes so you do make me laugh .
This is true I see phyciatric dr yrs ago I told him look you can leave but I have to take me everywhere it's doing my brain in the panick attacks got diagnosed another disorder to add to me real one women protests of public disorder .
Quite amusing, Faithfull. 
I often feel that way. Another person can walk away from YOUR issues, but those issues are always following YOU. The bad news: I've had panic attacks and they're frightening. The good news: I KNOW when I'm having a panic attack. This is standard shrink talk, so LAUGH, but recognize what's happening and MOVE ON.
(((HUGS TO YOU!))) K
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