Very confused!

[Jaygee87]

I wrote here before about my fatty liver and am very confused by my results..

I've been told that bloods don't show advanced fibrosis but then my ultrasound shows slight irregular liver contour - borderline cirrhosis.

I'm so upset about it all as I'm still in the dark about whether I have cirrhosis or not.

If I have borderline cirrhosis does that mean I have it? How can I not have advanced fibrosis but borderline cirrhosis ?

[AyrshireK]

They are probably saying that your bloods are ok, they arn't significantly out of whack so you don't have a struggling liver but your ultrasound does show "slight irregular liver contour - borderline cirrhosis". I'd go with that as the diagnosis.

You are probably sitting in F3 which is borderline/incomplete cirrhosis. As discussed in an earlier post you can change this, anything up to full blown cirrhosis is regarded as reversible but you will need to tackle your NAFLD and try to do everything possible to look after your liver going forward.

Katie

[Jaygee87 in reply to AyrshireK]

Thank you Katie.

I've got myself so worked up as when I think of cirrhosis its irreversible so seeing that has just made me think that's it now, I've got it and I've ruined my life.

Nowhere in the letter does it even mention it. All it says is my FIB4 is normal and ELF is normal etc. Its only mentioned about the borderline cirrhosis in the small print to the doctor.

I've been working so hard to lose weight. I've lost a stone so far and I'm continuing to lose it and have upped my exercise, but I feel like its gone too far now.

[AyrshireK in reply to Jaygee87]

Don't work yourself up - even cirrhosis is now deemed reversible (to a degree) - this is an excerpt from the British Liver Trust page on Cirrhosis. "Until recently, it was thought that a liver with cirrhosis could not be healed. This is usually the case because most diseases that cause scarring of your liver (fibrosis) are long-term and difficult to ‘cure’." "Making lifestyle changes and cutting alcohol out of your diet may help delay progression.

Many causes of liver disease can now be treated much more successfully than before to stop or at least slow down any decline in the condition of your liver."

Keep on the good work of the weight loss, exercise plan etc. and by this you are giving your liver the absolute best chance of recovery. As mentioned before even a cirrhotic liver can be lived with for many, many years without issue (my hubbies' consultant has patients on his books who have had it for 20+ years and arn't near deaths door or needing transplant).

Concentrate on what you can do now to make the positive changes and don't panic the 'what ifs'.

My hubby has had cirrhosis now for almost 9 years (diagnosed April 2012), he is doing sufficiently well to not be listed for transplant - ok he's no where near 100% fit but he does ok. We make the most of good days and we keep an eye on things but we don't dwell on it day in, day out nor panic about what if's. We live each day the best we can.

Katie

[Jaygee87 in reply to AyrshireK]

Thank you for your thoughtful reply. I am just so saddened by it all right now. I have been moping around all day as I feel like I'm still in limbo with it. I am going to look a fibroscan I think as the consultant doesn't want to see me for 6 months and I would feel better with another scan.

Can I ask what caused your husbands cirrhosis? Does he have to take daily medication?

[AyrshireK in reply to Jaygee87]

Hubbies cirrhosis is due to auto immune liver disease - he takes daily medication but it's to deal with side effects from cirrhosis like lactulose/rifaximin for HE, medicine to support his non-viable spleen, medicine to protect his stomach lining and his calcium levels. He also takes a very small maintenance dose of steroids to prevent his auto immune condition from causing further damage.

As your Fib 4 and ELF are all looking good and your scan has highlighted a small amount of change I really do think you need to stop stressing about it and just get on with life and look after your liver the best you can.

Katie

[confused71 in reply to Jaygee87]

please dont give up you can slow down or halt progression --its very scary I felt helpless I did all the research possible and i am not going to get cirrhosis without a fight

[Onesmallstep1969]

Cirrhosis was once thought of as irreversible. Now, doctors and many, many studies have shown that, if you stop the underlying cause of the liver disease, the cirrhosis can reverse (regress), partially if not completely. Even a partial regression is a victory, as it may change your treatment protocol. Perhaps, for example, you can avoid yearly endoscopies or 6-monthly ultrasounds, and of course, the needless worry.