Very scared again

[Foi24]

Hi, I posted here a few months ago and people were so genuinely nice to take the time to respond.

Last year I had multiple tests because of symptoms of cirrhosis I have (they are not terribly obvious to others, they are to me). Amongst all the tests I had, the Fibroscans came back at 3.33 or so but ELF was 9.2. I have been on antidepressants since July last year. Yesterday I noticed a new spider angioma on my chest and paid for a new Fibroscan the same day (!) It came back at 4.88. I understand it is still in the normal range but it is going up. And I have a new SA. I am trying to be positive and strong (especially as kids are back at home) but it is very very hard. I haven’t drunk one drop of alcohol since April 2023 so why is my FB score going up? Could the antidepressants be the cause?

Thank you for reading my post

[AyrshireK]

Your fibroscan hasn't gotten worse - it's still very much in the normal range. Yes the kPa figure is a teeny bit higher but this is probably due to the patchy nature of the liver - there is no way they can take all the readings from exactly the same spots as previously so a slightly different median result has shown up. Since it is still a good result there is no increased cause for concern and you just need to keep on with all the healthy lifestyle habits.

[Foi24 in reply to AyrshireK]

Thank you AyrshireK for taking the time to respond to me. Last year I had 4 different Fibroscans in about 3 months (each done by different people) and the results were consistently about 3.3 so I think there definitely is an increase in my liver stiffness that isn’t due to the way the scan was done. I know medicine is metabolised by the liver but me stopping the antidepressants is not an option. I am worried though that the stiffness is going to increase still but apart from not drinking, eating healthily I don’t know what else I can do. I was really hoping there wouldn’t be an increase, That increase combined with the new SA is just crystallising all my fears that I have cirrhosis or am heading in that direction.

[Roy1955]

Totaly wrong!Fibroscan is not like taking your temperature, the readings are NEVER NEVER NEVER the same.

Not even if they use the same machine and do them 5 mins apart.

Fibroscan is a guide to the livers general health and yours is well below any level of concern.

That "increase" is totaly irrelevant

Also i bet the mark you think is a new spider angioma is NOT a spider angioma!

[Foi24 in reply to Roy1955]

Thanks Roy1955 for taking the time to respond to me. It is surprising and I don't think down to 'chance' though that all the Fibroscans last year gave the same readings. And it definitely is a SA; the central dot with lines coming of it are unmistakable. It is extremely faint, but it is there. I also have some other pains which might not be due to the liver or could be; my elbows, my heels are very painful. I am going to stop the antidepressants as continuing to take them will increase my worries more then they will help I fear.

[Roy1955]

Looking at your other post multiple Drs have confirmed you don't have cirrhosis.I repeat, fibroscan is not like taking your temperature, it varies according to the positioning of the probe, gives 10 readings that will all be diferent and the average of those is the result.

If you get the same result from two fibroscans it's coincidence not science.

PLEASE DO NOT COME OFF ANTIDEPRESANTS.

Health anxiety is a real illness and needs treating.