Worried

[8101958]

I have none alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver. Yesterday I saw my radiologist and this was just the second time I have been. He said my liver was about the same but just before I left he said that the next stage is when my liver shrinks and I will possibly get cancer! Then he said but you are a long way from that. Now I am worried sick and terrified. I don't even know what stage I am at although I have no symptoms apart from feeling very tired sometimes but that could be my diabetes. I will appreciate your help and advice thank you. I don't drink alcohol because I am allergic to it. I have improved my diet and I am taking more exercise. I have started drinking coffee because I have read that is good for your liver. By the way I am new here.

[AyrshireK]

What a crazy thing for a radiologist to say - he isn't even qualified to comment on your liver disease.

With cirrhosis there is a slightly increased chance that you can develop cancers in a cirrhotic liver and that is precisely why you have 6 monthly ultrasound scans (or better) so that any changes can be picked up early & treated. You should also have 6 monthly blood tests to check your Alpha Fetoprotein level - this is a tumour marker and should flag up any issues.

With non-alcohol related cirrhosis you are less likely to develop HCC than someone with viral hepatitis, alcohol or drug related cirrhosis or things like haemochromatosis.

This radiologist should not have said something like that and get your anxiety levels up like that. As your liver appears to be compensated and stable and you've made positive lifestyle changes to improve your liver there is no reason your liver can't go on being fine for years to come. My hubbies consultant has patients with a cirrhosis diagnosis who have been stable for 20+ years. My hubby himself is 8 years into his journey and just has his scans, blood tests and regular monitoring.

Keep doing all the good things for your liver.

Katie

[8101958 in reply to AyrshireK]

Oh thank you so much Katie your reply means the world to me. I feel very reassured and relieved. I don't know whatever possessed the radiologist to say that. Thank you once again Katie.

[AyrshireK in reply to 8101958]

You are most welcome. It sounds like your liver and health are overall not too bad just now, fatigue with liver disease is really common just make sure you listen to your body - rest when you need to and make sure you fuel to keep your muscle and energy levels up. Snack between meals - carbs and protein are really important and as you have a diagnosis of diabetes too you should see if you can get an appointment with a liver specialist dietician who can advise on eating to manage both conditions.

My hubby has cirrhosis due to auto immune hepatitis, he's life long t-total and as I said earlier has had his diagnosis since April 2012 - fatigue and sleep disruption are by far his most obvious symptoms. He has recently had bloods that flagged borderline diabetes and we got fantastic help from the liver specialist dietician as hubby had previously been deemed malnourished so has to eat to prevent weight and muscle loss and also to prevent his cirrhosis induced diabetes from getting any worse.

Best wishes, Katie