cirrhotic

[Worriedwife0705]

hi. My husband drinks alcohol every night. He’s currently going through a mental health crisis due to this his mental health team advised he have a scan. He had his scan and the results were 39.5 kpa and the other result was 300 (not sure what that means). I’ve googled googled and googled. I’m quite concerned. He is currently getting help to stop drinking (which he can’t stop immediately obviously). He’s been referred to a consultant for further test. Just looking for advice or if anyone has experienced this. I’m worried for him as his brother died from liver cancer. Thanks for reading

[AyrshireK]

The scan he's had is a fibroscan and the two measurements - kPa is the density of the liver tissue and the 300 figure will be the CAP which is the amount of fatty change within the liver.

A kPa of 39.5 is in the cirrhosis / F4 bracket and a CAP of 300 in the top range of fatty liver (Steatosis grade 3). These figures may be falsely elevated if his liver is also showing signs of inflammation at the present time (the result needs to be compared with blood tests) - fibroscan alone can not definitively give a diagnosis and has to be looked at along side other tests.

Obviously sobriety, good diet, exercise and generally a healthier lifestyle would all be beneficial in order to slow, stop and potentially even reverse damage (to a degree).

Having cirrhosis does lead to an increased risk of liver cancer and patients with a cirrhotic liver should undergo scanning every 6 months (ultrasound or CT) to check the liver for lumps, bumps and other changes which if identified early can be treated fairly effectively. There is also a blood test called AFP (Alpha fetoprotein) which is a tumour marker.

Did his brother have cirrhosis would you know? Having a family history of liver cancer that would need to be investigated. There is a genetic condition where iron builds up in the liver and often it can lead to cancers in the liver. This might be something medics will look in to.

Lots of folks here have had a cirrhosis diagnosis and been able to go on an live long lives even with the condition. Others have gone on to have successful transplants but where alcohol is involved this requires a lot of commitment to get and remain sober - and pledge to remain so even post transplant.

All is not lost at this stage, hopefully they get him the support he needs to get sober and deal with his mental and physical health issues.

Katie

[Worriedwife0705 in reply to AyrshireK]

Hi. He is due to go for a blood test today. Yes his brother had cirrhosis of the liver also. Most of his family have a history of cancer. Hopefully he is seen quickly and it’s not too bad. Thanks for the reply x

[BritishLiverTrust12 Moderator British Liver Trust]

Hi,

We are sorry to hear of your situation, if you or your husband are in the UK and would find it useful to talk things over, our nurse-led helpline is open Monday 9am to 3pm and Tuesday to Friday 9am to 4pm on 0800 652 7330

With regards to your husbands mental health, we would encourage him to talk with the mental health team, a hethcare professional, or samartians to seek help and advice. Here is the link to their website: samaritans.org

Take care and best wishes

British Liver Trust

[Breakfastbabe]

I am sorry to hear about your husband. My husband continued to drink heavily for four years after his cirrhosis diagnosis. One mistake I made was using Google. I was convinced I would lose him. I asked a doctor what the prognosis was and he said if hubby stopped drinking it was impossible to say as the liver finds ways to cope with any damage and everyone is different. He has now been sober for 18 months and although still decompensated he is managing to lead a fairly good life.

I found the BLT helpline really useful as the nurses explain things really well and can prepare you for appointments with questions to ask. I have also found this forum and the online carers' forum really helpful. I have had to make sure I go with hubby to all appointments otherwise we don't always get results as hubby doesn't ask questions. This will be a bit of a roller coaster for you and it is important that you take care of you too as it can become all consuming. I found worrying was consuming all my energy and making me ill. I have learned to take each day at a time and try not to worry too much so I can support hubby better. I hope that you get support and positive news soon.

[Time-Traveller-61]

My heart goes out to YOU! It is so difficult to watch your husband suffer like this especially as he saw his brother die with the same illness

I know he is having mental health problems but sometimes tough love can give some direction

I was in hospital 3 years ago on my 60th birthday at the end of October. I was told by my Hep team that I wouldn’t see Christmas!

I decided that being alive was more important than Smirnoff but it still took 6 months to stop drinking. I was told however my liver was too damaged and that I was too poorly to be considered for a transplant

On April 1st I will be 3 years without a drink. I am on the transplant list. I was having a drain every 10 days, removing 10 litres each time, for nearly 2 years. I now haven’t had a drain since last June.

It has been hell. But hey, I’m alive. The support from family, friends, and people I pass in the street who know my story is incredible.

I take 19 tablets in the morning and 7 at night and my wife has to give me an injection every day.

But being to that I would definitely die gave me the wake up I needed.

It is so very difficult but don’t modi cuddle him, but without your love and support and him realising it’s death or glory. I send you my love and best wishes, don’t quit, prove people wrong and enjoy every day as a bonus. X