Hope and so determind

[55spenc]

Hello all.

Consultant advised me on 22/10/22(Tattooed in my head) I am F4 with Cirrhosis (not sure level of Cirrhosis) My Fibroscan was 23.6, 18.6 is the start of F4. Prior to the appointment not had a drink in 3.5 weeks at all.

Had Bloods on same day of appointment, received results Friday 28/10/2022 and ALP/LFTs were perfect, Kidneys perfect, white cells perfect. Got home from appointment and joined the Liver Trust, after spending a lot of money on my new future Mediterranean diet.

Not touched a drop again since appointment and its not so bad, (Except Saturday) this is because Saturday is/was my favourite day to unwind with friends in the pub and today 29/10/2022 i broke the news as to why my life NOW has to change forever.

Some wont be required in my life no longer and the others, will go to hell before i do. I WILL beat this. No matter what i will reverse this to a level where i dont have the concern in the front of my head as i do right now. Its going to be a long long long journey but no matter what I WILL Succeed.

For all of your souls out there who are going through the most traumatic diagnosis as well i welcome all positive/negative thoughts from you if this can physically be achieved. I would appreciate all feedback on my STATS as stated para.1

[Crossover25]

did you have any symptoms?

[55spenc in reply to Crossover25]

Hi, 2019 I was Diagnosed at F2 took no notice as i thought i didn't drink a lot. I didnt but it was constant and most days, 4 Pints of Guinness, then had a routine test for my Psoriasis Drug i used by weekly and then it showed up. There are no tell tale symptoms for Cirrhosis. Are you worried? If you are go for a fibroscan and ultrasound. (dont delay)

[kurtymac in reply to 55spenc]

Yep, unfortunately medicine and schools are failing people. They say just don't drink x amount daily and you're good. But it's not, alcohol damages liver cells and DNA. The liver needs a rest from time to time to regenerate and heal. Constant drinking even small doese daily doesn't give the liver that time it needs to heal, which eventually results in fibrosis.

[Liver007123]

I was just diagnosed last week with cirrhosis as Fibroscan was very high 26.3 was a big shock I was told by letter and don’t have an appointment to discuss until January I have no clue what stage it is at as it just said cirrhosis secondary to Nash

[55spenc in reply to Liver007123]

Hi, Mine was 23.6 and it is in the range of F4 Cirrhosis, dont know how much scarring there is but my liver is compensated. Complete abstinence NOW is required. Please do it. Forget Christmas, if you wish to see another one.

[Liver007123 in reply to 55spenc]

I actually don’t drink well when I was younger I did the normal social drinking but haven’t touched any for 30+years Hiw woukd I know if mine is compensated do you know ??

[AyrshireK in reply to Liver007123]

Compensated/decompensated depends on what symptoms are present.

Compensated means the remaining healthy parts of the liver 'compensate' for the damaged areas and the liver is able to manage the most 'essential to life' aspects of it's 500 different jobs - it often still brings with it some symptoms. Decompensated is when it is struggling to even do it's major jobs.

Sometimes it's classified:-

Stage 1 cirrhosis - no varices/no ascites (compensated)

Stage 2 cirrhosis - varices/no ascites (compensated)

Stage 3 cirrhosis - ascites, +/- varices (decompensated)

Stage 4 cirrhosis - bleeding from varices, +/- ascites.

Katie

[Liver007123 in reply to AyrshireK]

Thankyou so much

[55spenc in reply to Liver007123]

Hi, You must insist that you are seen immediately as this is Mental Torture and Malpractice. Insist immediately

[Liver007123 in reply to 55spenc]

Iam going for an MRI next Sunday and I will ask to be seen once he has the results Thankyou

[55spenc in reply to Liver007123]

Good luck please let me know😘

[Liver007123 in reply to 55spenc]

as soon as I know I will let you know Thankyou 😊

[55spenc]

Hi No sorry

[Roy1955]

Same scores as mine and I was diagnosed because of routine tests and I quit right away, Five and a half years ago and still no major symptoms.

[55spenc in reply to Roy1955]

Hi Roy, when was your last scan that told you still had cirrhosis, I dont mean to be naive i need educating.

[Roy1955 in reply to 55spenc]

Once your diagnosed with cirrhosis that does not change and you always have it, the future scans are not checking to see if it's got worse (or better).The 6month check ups are more to see if there's any growths in your liver (cancer) so they can be dealt with before becoming inoperable.

Cirrhosis increases the chance of liver cancer hence the check ups!

I had my 11th routine scan last week, awaiting results.

Also my consultant has switched me from ultrasound to MRI to get a better look.

The "best" thing about cirrhosis caused by drinking is that if you quit the cirrhosis usually stabalises and the liver continues doing its job.

My consultant now says I will die "with" cirrhosis and not "because" of it.

[55spenc]

Thanks Roy for clearing that! my diagnosis was stable from the off and have completely given up the drink!