Finally got it in writing: cirrhosis

[MoodySunflower]

I had an ultrasound and blood tests two weeks ago. I went to a hospital in NW Portland, OR, was referred to this place by my specialist. The hospital releases test results online and I've been watching them trickle in. My blood tests, from my understanding, don't look too bad. I compared them with results from last year and I'm doing way, way, way better. Not perfect. But better. I plugged the numbers into a MELD calculator and my score is down 10 points from last autumn. (I went from 16 to 6.) So that's good.

I got the ultrasound report via email the other day and it's messing with my mind: I have cirrhosis. I knew I did but this is the first time I've seen it in writing and it's really messing with my head. I also have "trace ascites." (My last draining was 6 months ago. Going vegetarian has kept the fluid at bay.) I have not talked to the specialist yet -- I figure he probably hasn't had time to go over everything yet. So I'm left with Dr. Google and my own dumb brain, freaking out. I have so many questions. How screwed am I? What's my prognosis? What can I do? What's up with the trace ascites? Why was I on death's door last summer (ascites, jaundice, etc.) and I'm doing better now? Why do I have this pain under my right ribs? The specialist flat out told me I was lucky to get out of the hospital last summer. I don't get any of this.

I'm glad to be alive -- don't get me wrong. Just have more questions than answers. And a lot of worry.

[Kristian]

If you've stopped doing what was causing the damage in the first place then in most cases this will stop any further progression. Ok, so you now have cirrhosis confirmed. From what you describe in your earlier posts that's not too surprising. However your liver has now had chance to recover and now seems to be working reasonably well. If you keep off the alcohol then there is no reason why it shouldn't continue to do so. It's also not too surprising, given your earlier posts, that you still have a little bit of fluid around. Seeing trace levels still there is probably to be expected.

[mncold]

Hi MoodySunflower,

I'm not sure exactly what a diagnosis of cirrhosis really means.

Hubby has it and did the whole hospital liver & kidney failure in 2015.

Cirrhosis means that your liver all or parts has scar tissue and no longer works as well as it did, but unless the doctor lets you know how much of the liver is scarred one can hope the rest of the liver will continue to improve. So I would continue to keep an eye on it and not worry quite so much about that aspect. Hubby is doing well and his liver failure was in 2015.

We have not experienced the pain issue you have, but others here might and have their own suggestions.

I think as long as your blood work is looking better that is good.

Best,

Mary

[lyn3]

Hi sunflower..You are saying you have had the report you have cirrhosis, thats scaring on the liver which means that part of the liver isnt working and will not regenerate itself, The liver is a big organ and should you stop drinking you will stop the rest of the liver scaring.You said you knew it was cirrhosis, but you now have it on paper, does that mean you were told you had it before but never in writing. Guess that brings it home more in writing.Did you get this through drinking? if you did then if you stop drinking then your liver wont reverse the scaring but it will stop the rest of the liver from scaring, seems like some of it is still working, so thats good news. I dont get why you were in that bad way last year but better now, my husband is the same, he was close to death last year,all the symptoms you shared but now he is healthy looking (infact all his freinds have said that to him)..and nothings changed with his drinking etc..The reason you have the pain under your ribs is thats where the liver sits and its proberly inflamed..

My question is are you being sick ? do you get pains in your back as well as under your ribs. Are you rushing to the bathroom with diorahea .. Because they are usually a sign that you need to see your GP....A friend of mine was diagnosed with cirrhosis and he lived 5 years with it but carried on drinking, had he stopped drinking he would still be here today.

My advice would be is to stop looking on google because you wont get the right answers there and see your GP ,ask for two appointments tell them you need to discuss this in full so would take more than just one appoitment and demand answers, you have every right to know all the answers to your questions..All the best..