Cirrhosis - Decompensated to Recompensated

[puddy68]

Hi Everyone [again!] I hope you're all doing well! I've struggled the last few months......I posted a while back that I relapsed [after not drinking/smoking for 4 months] after Mum died [such a way to honour her.........absolutely disgusting. Any excuse for a drink, and I take it.] Anyway, my relapse lasted for approximately 6 months. I've only stopped again now, and not had a drink for 3 days. Nothing great, I know, but onwards and upwards. Before my relapse, my blood results had all lowered from my previous blood test, except for the T Bil.

I also have Portal Hypertension [I'm on Carvedilol for this] and I have had one varice banded. I have no jaundice or fluid retention, although I need to lose a fair bit of weight. I'm due to see my liver specialist in a few weeks and I'm in a blind panic about what I may have done to myself due to pure stupidity.

I guess my question is - can my liver recompensate if my blood readings are worse [and I'm pretty certain they will be]? My other question is, when I stay away from the alcohol/eat well and exercise, if my liver goes back to compensated, can it suddenly get worse in the future, even if you're doing everything you can to help yourself? I also have moderate COPD and mild Pulmonary Hypertension, and I'm terrified that I won't be able to take the necessary medication for these conditions because of my liver? Any help would be greatly appreciated. xx Shelley.

[BritishLiverTrust6 Moderator British Liver Trust]

Hi Puddy68,

We have edited your post to remove your test results as in our community guidelines, we ask members not to post them on the forum. Test results vary according to both the individual’s whole health and the laboratory analysing the results and should always be interpreted by the user’s own health care professionals.

Best wishes

British Liver Trust

[Breakfastbabe]

I can't really answer your question but just to say congratulations on your 3 days sobriety. You have been through a hard time and have a lot to think about now. Every time I have asked doctors about my husband's medication and the impact on his liver they say the worst damage is done by alcohol. They also say the liver can stabilise once you give up. Have a chat with your GP but I wish you all the best with staying sober.

[puddy68 in reply to Breakfastbabe]

Thank you so much, Breakfastbabe..........you're words are so reassuring. Thank you so much again.

[JonBechstein]

Hi Puddy, Usually, I would say, do not reproach yourself for slipping and praise yourself for the achievements you gained!, but recognize, gently that you have fallen below your own standards! You have achieved once, you can achieve again! Alcoholism, is a terrible challenge, very unkind an very unfirgiving, but, you know this already! You mother was with you all of your life, we each express ourselves differently, be kinder to yourself! Myself, I am at stage four colerectal cancer and, I am told that I am so ill, they cannot treat me, apart from paliatively! Portal Hyper, and hypo tension is terrible, but, you have helped me, because I was told, no treatment! I have only ever lived w alcoholics and say, God bless you. It has not been easy for you! As you say "Onwards and Upwards" Kindest Regards, Jon.

[puddy68 in reply to JonBechstein]

Jon, thank you so much for your post. You have been so kind to respond to me when you are experiencing so many troubles of your own. You will be in my prayers every night....God Bless You. xx

[JonBechstein in reply to puddy68]

Puddy, you are very kind! Thank you! My main worry is that I have to tell my carer; he is my nephew, who came to study piano with me a few years ago, but I became v ill and, refused to leave; he continues his work w me, but this will crush him.I hate to think that my passing would cause such pain, but and will help strengthen him. I am resigned to die, but also to believe in miracles Thank you for your prayers, it does help! I pray you patience and strength and a long, meaningful life! Jon

[puddy68 in reply to JonBechstein]

Dear Jon....you have so much strength, and sound like such a caring, wonderful person. I have been praying for you, and, as a Christian, firmly believe that Our Lord is capable of anything, even miracles. Thank you so much for your prayers, too, and I will keep praying for you. God Bless.

[JonBechstein in reply to puddy68]

Dear Puddy! I apologise for my tardy, but delayed response! I value your kind words and your faith even more now! I pray that you are blessed! KIndest Regards, Jon.

[Breakfastbabe in reply to JonBechstein]

Thinking of you. I pray you can stay strong.

[JonBechstein in reply to Breakfastbabe]

Breakfastbabe! Your kind words mean a lot! I had a rotten childhood, parents always drinking and my father beating my mother or me to get back at her, which taught me a lot, a room with a lock on the door, and something which helped me through, which was music, as a young pianist, I played and played, so much, I learned strength and self determination on the way! I have been so blessed that I subsequently was able to make a career, in music! A few decades and strokes later and playing finished, here I am! I was very blessed never to be a heavy drinker! I think alcoholism is an evil disease and you are each a wonderful person to get through, tho battered and bruised and how many relapses, you get through. Ultimately you don't always beat it, but you have a damned good try! You may fall off the waggon and sometimes it runs you over, sometimes it takes you to some horrible places where no one wants to go and your demons fight you , win or lose never lose sight of who you are! Sorry if this is cringe, Jon

[Breakfastbabe in reply to JonBechstein]

Your story touched my heart Jon. You have been dealt quite a few bad cards in life but music being your passion you must have brought so much joy to so many people. I have just read a very moving book entitled Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Absalom, a true story about a man with Motor Neuron Disease. One quote in there really inspired me 'living is giving'. It sounds like you are a giver despite all that has happened to you and that is really inspiring. I pray that you are at peace with your past and am thinking of you now.

[Readlots in reply to Breakfastbabe]

Brilliant book recommendation. I read it when my Dad was terminally ill with colorectal cancer and it helped. Thinking of both of you and sending you strength and positivity

[JonBechstein in reply to Breakfastbabe]

Dear breakfastbabe : ) I apologise for my delayed response! Such a bizarre ! time and not very positive, alas! However, I am a stoic!I pray that you are as kind to yourself as you are to others! Very kind Regards, Jon

[Roy1955]

Sounds like your diagnosis will remain as compensated cirrhosis.Well done on 3 days sober, now do just one more, you can drink tomorrow if you still need it, repeat often.

[Dogbot]

Hi puddy68 first and foremost well done for getting back on the right road and good on you for three days sober 👍 great start, to answer your questions do you think they will get better if you drink?. So you stand a much better chance of your liver getting better if you stay sober 👍. Good luck

Stay safe All

Dogbot 🐶🌈Dave

[DaveQ67]

Hi, firstly don’t beat yourself up about relapsing. It’s part of recovery. You have the knowledge that your liver is damaged and as such like myself, more alcohol will in all likelihood worsen the damage already present.

If I’ve learned anything over the last 2 years, one size does not fit all. There isn’t a definitive answer with cirrhosis. If someone finds one let me know!

You may very well still be able to re compensate. This will only be achievable by abstinence and all the other advice you will already know. In short the only way you or any consultant/ GP etc knows is by sticking to the above, time will then tell.

I’ve found The hardest part of cirrhosis is the mental battle within. Once you can conquer that the rest follows.

[Milio in reply to DaveQ67]

That battle sucks and probably never ends.

[DaveQ67 in reply to Milio]

It gets a lot easier. Personally once I took complete control of my health and focussed on improving it as the priority everything else has improved. I don’t dwell on it much now. Usually round my US time I’m conscious of it as my goal is to reverse it regardless of being told I can’t.

Every appointment there’s a tiny bit progress now. It’s been 21 months since being told I hadn’t much time left. I never thought it possible back then to feel as good as I do today.

[Milio in reply to DaveQ67]

Thank you

[MrsD0ubtfire]

You should be proud of yourself for being open and honest. Well done and good luck on your journey

[S010APB]

Hi Puddy! Have you been diagnosed with decompensated cirrhosis? Quit drinking, then relapsed?

[mtk0925]

the liver is a powerful organ I’ve had patients (not a Dr) but I am a clinical social worker, and I’ve seen patients be on deaths door with a decompensated liver and it went back to compensated on more than one occasion. Not adding fuel to the fire is the key alcohol and sugar are the enemy of the liver. This is HARD I know. It’s so easy to fall into old habits especially after a loss of a loved one. I do not have cirrhosis but I do have something wrong with my liver and it hasn’t been diagnosed yet my enzymes have been elevated for years and years like 11 to be exact. I have a drink on occasion but I know I shouldn’t have any . I also love a good fattening meal but have been trying hard to stop. It’s hard but doable