question about cirrhosis

[Brownie1122]

Has anyone had cirrhosis from Hep C, portal hypertension, enlarged spleen, diabetes. All these diagnoses have my anxiety at a high level.

[Pie-eater]

Yeah, 3 out of the 4. Not had an enlarged spleen (that I know of) though.

[AyrshireK]

By the time you have cirrhosis it doesn't really matter what the underlying cause was (in your case the attack has been ceased by treatment of your Hep C). What comes now is the management of the various symptoms related to cirrhosis.

My hubby had cirrhosis due to Auto Immune Liver Disease (2 as it turned out after they examined his removed liver). He had portal hypertension, enlarged spleen and a raft of other symptoms. He was poorly with it for 12 years but still managed to make the most of life until he (thankfully) was successfully transplanted (so far fingers crossed!!) in June of this year.

If you have particular concerns then fire away with any questions etc. It is still possible to live a decent life even with cirrhosis without letting it dominate your every waking moment.

Katie

[Brownie1122 in reply to AyrshireK]

Thank you for your words! I know what u r saying is absolutely correct. My problem at times is letting my anxiety get the the best of me.

[AyrshireK in reply to Brownie1122]

Are you very symptomatic? If you arn't they do try and live life. We always referred to life with cirrhosis as like riding a roller coaster - there will be ups and there will be downs but you have just got to ride it and make the most of those good days.

My hubby had spells of being horrendously unwell since his diagnosis in 2012. He was listed for possible transplant in 2014 but got well enough to be delisted in 2015. Since then he'd returned to his hill walking, taken up cycling, had amazing travels in our caravan all over the UK. It was only at the end of last year that his health plummeted once again and he was listed for transplant which he had in June. He's already out walking again - doing a mile per day and building up.

Hubbies consultant has stated repeatedly that he has patients who have had a cirrhosis diagnosis for 20+ years who are not at deaths door nor transplant needy. Keep yourself as well as you can.

Katie

[Brownie1122 in reply to AyrshireK]

I appreciate ur words more than u know. Can u tell me a little about diet? I’m going on a trip next week and will pack food for the road. Any suggestions?

[Brownie1122 in reply to Brownie1122]

No I’m not very symptomatic which is a blessing. I still work full time. 61 years old come December.

[AyrshireK in reply to Brownie1122]

General advice is a generally healthy diet, limit your salt to prevent fluid build up, try to avoid too many long fasting periods in any day.

Any futher than that I wouldn't want to say as what diet an individual needs depends on your stage of disease & needs individualized advice from a specialist dietician. My hubby was under the care of a liver specialist dietician and because of the state of his health he needed high protein and high carbs.

Loads of good advice on the BLT :- britishlivertrust.org.uk/in...

Katie

[Brownie1122 in reply to AyrshireK]

Okay thank you again! Such encouraging words and I will keep u and ur husband in my prayers. Have a great day!