Hello lovely people its been almost a year since my diagnosis of cirrhosis. I'm due my first annual checkup tomorrow. Wish me luck!
I do check in here regularly but don't often post, just reading others with similar problems helps me feel I'm not alone on this journey.
Thank you for reading. Tink x
Have you been having 6 monthly ultrasound scans to keep a good eye on your liver? A cirrhotic liver is more prone to lumps and bumps and potential liver cancers. The purpose of the 6 monthly ultrasound scans is to catch these early before they cause problems and when they are at a stage that can be treated. If you haven't had ultrasounds every six months I would be tempted to request these at your appointment.
Hope all goes well.
Katie
Thank you katie.
I did have a scan earlier in the year and the doctor did say I was over due and had probably slipped through the net. I have been told not to eat before my appointment tomorrow so assume this is because the nurse will be doing a fibro scan. Is this the same as a ultrasound scan?
Thank you for the advice I or my partner will defiantly be asking this question tomorrow xx
Make sure you keep on top of medics, appointments can and do go astray or unordered. It's something we've learned. 6 monthly ultrasounds, 6 monthly bloods including AFP. If appointments don't come then get in touch with consultant/consultants secretary. We've learned you have to take ownership of your health.
We learned after waiting 8+ weeks for a biopsy result appointment only to be told there wasn't one in the pipeline, many times the 6 month ultrasound not ordered and had to be chased up and referral to t/p clinic supposedly done Jan 2013 - by June 2013 we chased it and found it hadn't been done (consultant off sick himself and no one had picked up his paperwork).
Make sure you ask about continued monitoring going forward, don't get left in a file on the shelf.
All the best today, Katie
BTW. Fibroscan and Ultrasound are done in a similar way but provide different type scans. Fibroscan measures liver fibrosity whereas ultrasound monitors liver, other abdominal organs and for presence of fluid.
You are sooo right Katie
Hmm slipped through the net... not good! Ive noticed on the paperwork i got it says things like its down to me to do x,y,z. I say to myself hmmmm
Hi tinka
Good luck!
Hope all goes well
Hi. Yes I agree with AyreshireK and also along with your routine bloods which should be done every six months you should have a blood test for AFP. this is also a marker for early liver cancer. Good luck. Take care xxxx
Thank you for your well wishes and advice. Very much appreciated.
Well its good news!
My stiffness score has dropped from 18 in the red area to 9 in the lower orange area. All that home cooking and exercise had paid off xx
Great stuff. No idea what stiffness score means but you’re obviously doing the right thing. Keep it up. 😊
Thank you Twosmiles. It was the numbers given to me after my fibro scan. My nurse explained it as "your liver is less stiff."
I'm extremely grateful to be able to make some changes to my condition.
If things keep going in the right direction I might only need to see my hep nurse once a year x
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