Cicrosis

[aaaaaaaaaaaadergt]

I got cicrosis and I dint realise that 4000 die per year and onl 700 get a transplant does sound promising

[eekk]

Many people also live many many years with it too

[AyrshireK]

If you do all you can to look after yourself and your liver (no alcohol, no smoking, no illicit drugs, good diet, low fat, low salt diet, exercise and full compliance with your doctors treatment and monitoring) there is a good chance you can stop further damage and potentially heal your liver to a degree.

Many people live long lives with cirrhosis and not everyone with it will necessarily need a transplant.

You just need to do all you can to live your best life even with the condition.

Doctors should monitor you 6 monthly with a scan to check for lumps, bumps and liver changes, 6 monthly bloods. Routine, regular endoscopies if you have portal hypertension.

We liken life with cirrhosis as like a roller coaster with up and downs (goid days and bad days) and you just have to go with the flow and ride the roller coaster - make the most of good days.

Katie

[pushthrough in reply to AyrshireK]

Hey Katie and anyone else. Do you feel like the mortality rate and life expectancy is extremely unreliable because most people continue doing things that damage their liver after diagnosed. Like continue drinking? Including those who never seek treatment or never diagnosed

I feel like mainstream in the states essentially causes extreme panic when people “google it” in hopes to get people to stop drinking or whatever else caused it. I have been a digital marketer for 9 years so I also know the value of selling fear.

Yes cirrhosis is very serious and I would not wish this on anyone but I feel better than I have in over 10 years aside from the mental toll this disease also causes.

I say all that as I await my appt this after noon with my hepatologist. But the good news is I don’t have hepatic lesions. Seeing that on a mri report is always relieving. Kinda like winning the lottery. 😀

Thanks for always encouraging and helping everyone. Even though we never met your words helped me through tough times almost 2 years ago.

G.

[AyrshireK in reply to pushthrough]

Yes, I think talk of life expectancies is misleading. No one can predict what will tip even a compensated liver over the edge nor can they say for sure that someone with ongoing alcohol use will suddenly keel over. A whole lot depends on what the person does to protect their liver going forward.

Hubby is 10 years in and stable - his consultant has patients 20+ years in, members of AIH page are 30+ years in and with their condition controlled their cirrhosis isn't getting worse.

Katie

[oxaram]

I was diagnosed 30+ years ago and I'm not kicking the bucket just yet.

[JHvanN in reply to oxaram]

Wow this is amazing! Absolutely don’t want to pry so don’t answer if I’m being too nosy, but I am genuinely curious: did you just change diet and lifestyle or what did you do to keep it under control?

[oxaram in reply to JHvanN]

I was still young when diagnosed, my condition is not alcohol related. I abstain from alcohol, I try to eat and live healthy, avoid salt and fatty food, and exercise. Maybe I'm a bit lucky too.

[pushthrough in reply to oxaram]

That is amazing! Oxaram. I’m curious as well being 40 and having it for two years.

[Nip1]

I myself was diagnosed with cirrhosis 15 months ago and stopped drinking, smoking immediately. I eat healthy avoid salt, I'm on a low fat diet and exercise daily. My bloods are now normal and my doctor said my liver had completely healed although scarring will always remain.I agree with Katie by saying if you start to make changes and look after yourself then there is always that chance of living a normal life and possibly avoiding a transplant.