So today I went for my ARFI scan. This is for people who have non alcohol related liver disease. I had previously had 3 fibroscans, the last one in Decmber indicated cirrhosis. My bloods are totally normal, apart from my cholesterol and was shocked it had progressed so much. In March I saw a different consultant who said yes according to your fibroscan you have cirrhosis, however i am sending you for this scan. there are only 2 radiographers qualified to do this procedure plus my original appt had to be cancelled due to the one I was due to see being poorly. The scan started off as a normal scan then I had to lie on my side. Lots of breath in,hold breath outs but simple and nothing to be afraid of at all. My consultant had given him all my information so I felt at ease. I said my 3rd fibroscan result was a shock . He stated that he is not a big fan of it, because it can collect only data. No guarantee its even from the liver either. Intestines, lung, other organs cannot be identified so its a guide but not conclusive at all. He had the honour of doing the presentation for this scan to NICE. Unlike the fibroscan the liver is identifiable and it is visible on screen. He is the one who actually does the report too. I said ,a little tongue in cheek, I suppose you cant give me an idea on the results. Its a good job I was lying down because I would likely have fell over.His area of specialism is the liver, there fore works closely with the hematologist. Yes he could tell me, what he saw, and my liver is NOT cirrhotic!!! he explained he had to do a lot of mathematical calculations with the report but its a great result. I will see my consultant on the 12th, but i feel so relieved. I am not posting this to gloat, hopefully it wil re assure people.
Hazelxx
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Radnor
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I definitely will be Alf, once I get my hip sorted, got an apt through for hip specialist as well yesterday, This Thursday and no Im not a private patient . Yesterday really was my lucky day !
That’s brilliant news, and good for your doctors putting you forward for it. How sad the fibroscan can be so unreliable, there a lot of people who rely on a result from them. I’ve heard of these scans can I ask where you had this done.
Royal Liverpool Liver Unit.. Iasked my GP to refer me there as I wasn't getting any contact from the gastro. consultant who I saw. I trawled the net looking for a hospital in travelling distance that had a specialised unit for all things Liver. I didnt go on forums chats or the like,I hadnt found this amazing site then. I used purely the hospitals own site to discover all this. My GP agreed without question because he too was baffled by my normal bloods yet I had been told I had severe fibrosis. This scan is only for NASH sufferers, so not for everyone. I even checked out the consultants as well. The consultant radiologist I saw explained that its a cost issue too. Hospitals have already invested in fibroscans,there are only 2 of them who can perform this test too. All done on the NHS I mentioned to my GP Choose and book. but he put up no arguments anyway. He is an excellent Dr. Te only downside is thhat everyone is catchin on, so appointments are hard to get.
I haven't come down off this news yet. I spoke to my best friend on the phone she said she could here the happiness in my voice. I hide my wories raly well, but obviouusly not my joy lolxx
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