Cirrhosis

[Luca17]

what was your first symptoms of cirrhosis before being diagnosed if you don’t mind me asking thanks

[Richard-Allen]

This is unfortunately an impossible question to answer. We are all different so some people develop certain symptoms while others don’t.

As the liver begins to struggle, it may have difficulty performing some of the 500 different functions it constantly carries out. Because of the buildup of scar tissue a person may become diabetic as insulin can’t get through to the liver. Other people may begin to feel fatigued and tired all the time.

The liver doesn’t have any pain receptors so it can’t tell you when it’s struggling. However, the liver is surrounded by a thin membrane called the “Glisson Capsule”, now this does have pain receptors. As the liver becomes enlarged, this membrane stretches and a person can feel pain and discomfort.

Some people don’t experience any warning signs that the liver is struggling, until one morning when they look in the mirror and notice that the whites of their eyes have turned yellow.

This is why liver disease is sometimes known as, “The Silent Killer”.

[AyrshireK]

Hi again Luca, what is the situation with regards to your tests you've been having for over a year now? In previous posts you mentioned a possible fatty liver diagnosis but then went on to have many tests, scans etc. You have also frequently asked about other people's symptoms - you can't compare like for like, as Richard has said everyone has an individual presentation with liver illness and therefore you can't try and self-diagnose based on comparing yourself with others.

The only way to find out if you have liver illness is to have a proper medical work up.

Katie

[Luca17 in reply to AyrshireK]

just having 3 monthly bloods tests the now always high last one was a bit lower gamma so repeat In November but I’ve stared with this cough dry worst at night when a sleep making me bring up undigest food with phlegm had for 8 months all docs do are fiddling my tablets

[AyrshireK in reply to Luca17]

A night time cough isn't necessarily liver related. Most commonly it's either acid reflux (treated with omeprazole or similar) or a thing called post nasal drip - a referral to ear nose and throat might help investigate that further.

I don't have liver issues but do have a night time cough, went to e.n.t. and the put a camera up my nose to investigate. I was given omeprazole which sorted it out. An additional pillow on your bed can sometimes help too by raising your head higher and gravity stops the refux.

With all your 'liver investigations' have you ever had an endoscopy to check your oesophagus/stomach?

Katie

[Readlots]

A cough is a common symptom of liver disease but doesn’t necessarily mean cirrhosis. Sipping water throughout the day might help.

[Hidden]

For me it was unexplained exhaustion and fatigue, I worked all over the country as an internal auditor, I don't drink, smoke or do drugs, my one vice was maintaining a healthy body and going to gym regularly. When I worked across the country I would always return to Cambridge, my home base. I had a very good GP while living in that catchement area and whenever I moved jobs or contract roles, I would fall out of that catchment area and have to register with a new GP. After working in Oxfordshire I returned to Cambridge and my immediately picked up an abnormality in my bloods.

[Yellowsydney]

my first and only symptom of liver disease, NASH, was vomiting up nearly all the blood in my body. Blood tests, scans were all normal.

Hilary

[Tucson1]

My wife showed absolutely no symptoms at all until she became jaundice and developed ascites. At that point she was diagnosed with decomponsated liver failure and passed 4 months later from C. Diff sepsis complications. If anything, her sleep patterns changed about 6 months before her diagnosis and she seemed fatigued. We just though it was due to menopause. I miss her dearly everyday! She was a wonderful, beautiful woman😔

[BritishLiverTrust4]

Dear Luca17

If you have concerns regarding symptoms, this is a question that your own health care professional is best placed to answer, as only they have access to your medical records.

We suggest talking this through with your own doctor or health care professional in the first instance.

Best wishes

British Liver Trust

[Luca17 in reply to BritishLiverTrust4]

don’t u think I know that if they wasn’t useless u would not be on here cheers

[Foxdud in reply to Luca17]

no need to be rude !!

[pushthrough]

many have 0 symptoms or very few. My main one that set the alarms off was dark coke looking urine followed by extreme exhaustion.

[lonmallin50]

i went yellow just got gradually worst over a few weeks