cerebella’s atrophy

[Dolphin71]

I was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis in 2019. I’ve had regular bi annual scans and a liver biopsy, which have confirmed that the scarring in the liver is no better nor any worse. However I’ve not been feeling too good for the past few months and my GP kept fobbing me off with blood tests (even though they all came back as abnormal). Long story short I fainted whilst out walking and had horrendous facial injuries, as a result I was taken to A&E and after further tests I was transferred to the stroke ward and was required to have a CT scan which came back ok…. I was then asked to have a MRI scan which showed shrinkage of the brain causing clumsiness and unsteadiness. My question is could this have been caused due to excessive drinking in my earlier years and is it connected to liver cirrhosis?

[lonmallin50]

When l was drinking with cirrhosis l used to pass out only after a couple of pints (not drunk) about 4 or 5 times got clumsy and unsteady on my feet getting confused alot they put it down to hepatic encephalopathy its when the toxins in the bloodstream that the liver cant clean out and build up and go to your brain causing me to pass out only for a few seconds but i land on the floor when i did stop drinking it stopped but i was still getting confused a lot there is a few on here that suffer from it but lm sure they would have picked this up when you see your doctors though if your getting confused alot it just might be worth asking thanks Lon

[Dolphin71 in reply to lonmallin50]

Thank you for your really. I will discuss this at my next hepatology appointment

[ThreeSmiles]

Hi Dolphin

I had very similar symptoms but never fainted fortunately.

Before my Transplant I was sent on a Falls Awareness course (or some such similar name 😀) which taught you the best ways to get about - very good in that respect. However I also had a brain MRI scan, which I was shown - brain shrinkage and lots of what I call “white fluff” everywhere! They had several names for it but I think the one that’s recorded is simply Cerebal Atrophy.

I’ve also got lousy balance, e.g. if I look up to the sky I fall backwards. If I walk in the dark I always have to hold on to something- usually lean on the wall.

I am still the same 5 years after my TP.

Was it caused by alcohol - I was never told - in fact my brain has never ever been mentioned since that discussion over my MRI nearly seven years ago now!

Hope you feel better soon 🤞.

Miles

[Dolphin71 in reply to ThreeSmiles]

Thank you for your reply. Sounds like your transplant went well for you ❤️. I will try working on improving my balance and continue to abstein from alcohol. Kindest regards Satti

[ThreeSmiles in reply to Dolphin71]

Abstaining from alcohol is definitely recommended Satti 😀👍. I left it too late - I had my TP over four years after stopping - and I’ve now gone nearly 10 years. Not saying it’s been easy - it hasn’t- but dread to think where I’d be now if I hadn’t stopped! Well actually I know exactly where I wouldn’t be 😂.

Miles