New diagnosis for cirrhosis/enlarged liver

[Wellbefore]

Hi I’m after some advice my doctor ran some blood tests back in March which came back with a high alt count I used to drink a lot around 2 bottles of wine a night which I stopped doing about 3 years ago I still had a drink but only a few glasses of wine at the weekend my doctor told me to stop drinking any alcohol and repeated the blood tests 4 weeks later the results were higher than before don’t think they believed I had stopped drinking she repeated the bloods and still high so sent my for a ultrasound scan and came back that I have enlarged liver with texture of known cirrhosis

I don’t know how bad it is yet and have been referred to a specialist my doctor told me to be careful what I put in my body with no further advice

I don’t know what to ask the specialist who I’m going to see in October any advice would be a great help

[Hidden]

Hello and welcome,

I am sure our forum members will be along to share their experiences.

It may be worth having a read around on our website at sections that are relevant to you. It is a while until October, so if you develop any new symptoms , please do return to your GP.

I have attached a link you may find useful - questions for your doctor.

britishlivertrust.org.uk/qu...

Trust9

[Koosh]

Hey,

It can be pretty overwhelming to get that news. I think GPs might be more cautious to offer specific advice because liver disease can be complex. You've obviously helped the situation by avoiding alcohol for starters. Diet is also important but it can vary a bit depending the type of liver disease. I have cirrhosis and have to aim for 75g of protein per day. Carbs are important too, avoiding processed meat, canned soups and other canned food because they're high in salt... Jeez, I did love the salt. The less salt I used, the less I found I craved it. The specialist may advice something different for you though or get you in contact a dietician. People with other conditions, like diabetes, could get different advice. There's a download on diet on this page that might be helpful for you just now - britishlivertrust.org.uk/in...

Exercise is good, whatever you can manage - again that varies from person to person. Whatever you can manage will help - you'll know your own limits. Like you don't need to be doing a 5m run every day. I think people can feel like they need to push it or feel guilty if they can't manage a full on gym workout. Gentle exercises in the house or a ten minute walk, or even less, will help if that's what you can manage.

The best advice will come from the specialist, but definitely being mindful of diet could help in the mean time. I'm terrible at asking questions to be honest 😬 usually have more questions after the appointment. Which is okay, usually can get answers by phoning secretaries. Maybe asking what symptoms to look out for that could indicate a deterioration and what you can do to help it. Some times taking someone with to the appointment is helpful if you're comfortable with that - they might think of something there and then that you don't.

Think I might have rambled enough (apologies!) Hope I've helped a bit.

Take it easy and I wish you the best of luck at your appointment,

Kx

[Wellbefore in reply to Koosh]

Thank you Koosh for your reply I am finding it very overwhelming to be honest The doctor did say I had cirrhosis but don’t know if I’ve had any symptoms as I have other health conditions that give some of the same problems fatigue and joint pain I have a telephone consultation with the specialist in October so I think it’s going to be a long process to find out how bad it is

Thanks for the link I will definitely be taking a look at this

Many thanks

[Koosh in reply to Wellbefore]

Happy to sort of help in some way 😏 I imagine some of the symptoms would over lap. Do you find it worsens the symptom? Fatigue is no fun at all. I hope you don't have to wait too long to get some answers.

❤

[Wellbefore in reply to Koosh]

I’m not sure if it has made symptoms worse but get home form work and the fatigue hits I’ve got 3 herniated disc’s in my neck that have trapped nerves in both my arms lots of pain meds and I get vertigo as well the leg pains have been going on for quite a while now but have got worse over the last few months again not sure if it’s to do with the cirrhosis or the disc in my lower back hopefully the specialist will be able to get me some answers ❤️

[kensimmons in reply to Wellbefore]

October has come and gone, any updates?

[Wellbefore in reply to kensimmons]

Had the telephone consultation with liver specialist he sending me for blood tests and a fibroscan then will see me again after so still in the dark

[kensimmons in reply to Wellbefore]

Good luck! Please keep us posted!

[Wellbefore in reply to kensimmons]

Had fibroscan and blood tests done just waiting for consultation with results

[Wellbefore]

Got a call yesterday from the gastroenterologist team and booked the fibroscan for today The nurse was brilliant she explained the scan to me the stiffness score was 3.4 and the fat score was 340 I think so not sure what this means for me

I did ask the nurse if it was cirrhosis and she said nowhere near so looking hopeful

She also did the blood tests for me as I hadn’t got the blood card from the consultant

So just waiting the consultant to follow up with the results keeping all my fingers crossed 🤞

[kensimmons in reply to Wellbefore]

Good luck!

[Wellbefore]

Had crappy luck the fibro scanner wasn’t calibrating correctly so the results are probably wrong got to wait for a new appointment for the next scan said if I haven’t heard call them in the new year