Cirhorris of the liver

[Carebourn]

Hi everyone, I was diagnosed with the above with grade 2 cirrhosis of the liver. I had raised varacies but no bleeding. I was referred to Royal free for possible liver transplant but when I attended ( 6 months abstinence) I was told my liver had regenerated but I had about 10% scar tissue and did not need transplant. I have now been free from alcohol for almost 8 years but recently saw a documentary where a patient who had been clean for 10 years suddenly deteriorated quickly and died of liver failure. His partner was sure he had not relapsed. It has scared me and I just wonder what my prognosis is. I eat a healthy diet for 85% and the rest I enjoy. Any comments would be appreciated. I would add I am a 63 year old male otherwise fit.

[Hidden]

The staff at the Royal Free are experts in their field, we can only share experience. Good luck with your health, stress will add but is unavoidable.

[Carebourn in reply to Hidden]

Hi Snoutie. Thank you for your reply. I will ask for a check up just to calm me down as this will hopefully reassure me all is ok.

[Hidden]

I think you should be having regular 6 monthly checkups done on your liver. Due to the scar tissue it is possible for tumours to develop, while this may well be benign, they can develop into malignant tumours.

There may well be other reasons for this poor persons liver failure though. Do you happen to remember what the program was called, or what channel it was on please?

[Carebourn in reply to Hidden]

Hi Richard. Thanks for your comments. The documentary is called “ Rain in my Heart “. You can catch it on BBC I Player or You Tube. Powerful programme. Have the tissues ready.

[Hidden in reply to Carebourn]

Many thanks for that, have now got the program up on BBC iplayer.

[Hidden in reply to Carebourn]

I have just downloaded a copy direct from the BBC. The copy posted up on YouTube is of rather poor quality. I'll try and re-post this program back up again as I think it's well worth watching. Thanks again for the heads up.

Warning: this documentary is over an hour and a half long, and contains very strong language. To view, please copy the following link into your address bar. (youtube.com/watch?v=KjW83H5...(Not working as expected?)

[Hidden]

Agreed. 6 month followups is usually the status quo minimum for anyone with cirrhosis. As for the 10% scar tissue: Not sure how any doctor could accurately assess the percentage of scar tissue you have with out opening you up and taking a look. Even then how does one quantify a percentage? Doctors are funny with their throwing around of arbitrary numbers sometimes. Not sure about the person who you are referencing in the documentary but it's not impossible for that person to have had an underlying liver issue that was not alcohol related. It would not be the first time a doctor made the assumption that alcohol is the culprit of liver disease in a drinker without further investigating. It also wouldnt be the first time a secondary or alternate primary cause was missed on blood work or scans. A member of this forum just posted yesterday how he had a liver transplant due to an Alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency. Something that he was tested for and yet still was missed and subsequently led to years worth of damage that could have been avoided. So needless to say there are always many many factors at play and possibilities are vast.

As snoutie said the Royal free are experts and working with them is the best any one person can do. Wish I could be of more help but we are not doctors and can only share our personnal experiences as far as advice.

Best wishes

- Phoenix

[Carebourn in reply to Hidden]

Hi Phoenix thank you for your comments. I had regular scan every 6 months as well as Endoscopy ( to check for vareces). However after 5 years I was signed off ( NHS in UK). I think I will go and chat with my GP and take it from there.

[susieanna]

I too can say that the Royal Free have excellent expertise in the field. It appears that all is good with you. I see no reason why shouldn't carry on to live a healthy and long life. If you are concerned at all though, perhaps ask Dr about this, maybe get a re_ referral for another check up. And then have everything fully explained so that you understand it all. Good luck.

[Carebourn in reply to susieanna]

Hi Susieanna. Thank you, yes I will go to my GP and ask for a check up and scan.