Diagnosed with Non Alcohol Cirrhosis

[Dogmom1968]

Hi everyone, I was recently diagnosed with stage 2 non alcoholic cirrhosis and am having a lot trouble accepting my diagnosis. It could be because my dad died of alcohol cirrhosis 21 years ago and I know how bad it can get. I have very few symptoms right now and am just being monitored. I know my prognosis is probably good because I don’t drink but I can’t process this diagnosis.

[AyrshireK]

What have they identified as the cause of your cirrhosis? Ok it isn't alcohol related but what has caused it? If you can identify the cause and it can be dealt with then hopefully you can stop any further damage from happening and potentially even reverse some of the damage.

Katie

[Dogmom1968 in reply to AyrshireK]

Probably fatty liver disease. I’m on a low sodium diet and am taking the prescribed medicine and no alcohol at all. I was scheduled for an esophageal banding procedure last week and the doctor didn’t have to do the banding because the endoscopy showed I already had some improvement. I am happy about that.

[RhyneraRhy]

Hello,

I am sorry about your current diagnosis and I wish you well as you navigate this new reality. Do you mind if ask whether by stage 2 cirrhosis you mean F2 (Stage 2 fibrosis) because I know there are 4 stages of fibrosis (scarring) F1- mild . F2- moderate, F3- severe and F4- cirrhosis? I am just asking out clarification. I too have a fatty liver and I am waiting to get evaluated there is just so much stuff online that can be confusing. Also what symptoms did you have? I currently have intermittent right abdominal pain.

[Dogmom1968 in reply to RhyneraRhy]

Yes I have stage 2 fibrosis. I have only seen my liver doctor once so far and he said I just need to be monitored for now. For about a year before my diagnosis my blood work from my primary care doctor showed that my platelet count was low . I finally went to a hematologist and my testing started and it was discovered that my spleen was enlarged. At that time I was having abdominal pain. Cirrhosis was the last thing I thought I would have because I didn’t drink much. The doctor does say I have stage 2 fibrosis but they are also calling it cirrhosis

[RhyneraRhy in reply to Dogmom1968]

Thanks so much for responding. So you are at stage 4 then but they are monitoring for now? Sending well wishes your way.

[Dogmom1968 in reply to RhyneraRhy]

No, I’m sorry, I meant stage 2.

[BritishLiverTrust8 Moderator British Liver Trust]

Dear Dogmom1968

Here is the link to information about non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) on our website, which you may find useful

britishlivertrust.org.uk/in...

Best wishes

British Liver Trust

[Marydel63]

OMG, we are in the same boat. Except I am 5 years older than you. My dad died at 64 Alcoholic Cirrhosis. I never drank at all!! Been told that I had a fatty liver like in my early 20’s. Not to worry about it as it was nothing. Fast forward in 2016 diagnosed with Cirrhosis from NAFLD. Like it was horrific news to hear and to come to grips with. Initially I went through basically stages of grief. Complete fear of death and not being there for my children.

Basically Educating yourself is the best thing to do. Continue with follow-ups and get the cancer screening .

Hang in there

Best

Mary

[Dogmom1968 in reply to Marydel63]

Hi Mary,

Our stories are very similar. How has your cirrhosis progressed over the last few years? It has been very hard for me to process and accept this diagnosis. I never even knew I had fatty liver, but the doctors say that it is the reason for my cirrhosis. It’s so hard losing a family member to a disease and then finding out you have it. My dad died at age 63. I’m so scared of my symptoms getting worse but I think it progresses slow when there is no alcohol involved. I’m seeing a GI doctor and a liver specialist so it’s closely monitored.

Kristie

[Marydel63 in reply to Dogmom1968]

Hi so I was officially diagnosed in 2017 via biopsy. My labs have pretty much been in normal range. Which shows how amazing the liver is. I thought for sure it was a death sentence. So every six months I have Liver MRI to check for liver cancer. Plus my pancreatic duct is slowly enlarging so they are keeping an eye on that. My meld score seems to go up a point every year. I hope that I will remain compensated. I still can’t believe it. What are your hobbies and interests? I enjoy crafts fishing beach combing

[Marydel63]

I live in Massachusetts

[Dogmom1968]

hi, I live in Florida and I volunteer with shelter dogs and enjoy anything outside. I have anemia as a result of the cirrhosis and I’m always tired now. I feel like I can barely make it through a day of work. I feel like my prognosis is good because I’ve not drinking but I’m still very scared. I was just diagnosed in January so it’s still very new. I was recently scheduled for a banding procedure but it wasn’t needed because my varices had improved. I’m very happy about that. My doctors here are great. Tampa General Hospital has a highly rated transplant program.