Common

[janeytrace]

Hi all, I realise NAFLD is a common disease and a lot of us are living with it. How many ioof you have positive antibodies and how does it affect you? what's your FIb 4 score?

I'm due to have a fibroscan next week I've been told i'm on borderline, I presume for fibrosis. My FIB4 score was 1.36 and i tested positive for anti smooth muscle antibodies. Does anyone know what it means, or if you have same results as me how are you feeling? I have a lot of pain and my allergy symptoms are worse, episodes of acute stress are triggering symptoms like coughing and vomiting. Not a pretty picture. but i would like to know if i need not worry too much if im just on borderline. I think information is a stress reducer for me anyway. How about you?

[nash2 Partner]

Hi Janey

Your Fib-4 does suggest that you probably have a degree of scarring that is of concern though that isn't really very high so a helpful warning perhaps. Anti smooth muscle antibodies are an indication of autoimmune hepatitis. Not a great thing to have but there are treatments for it unlike NASH so you may have options that NASH patients don't have. The key next step is to get a for sure diagnosis so you know what to do now. Try not to freak out as with that information the probability is that you aren't close to failure but do need to take action before it becomes more serious.

Wayne

[janeytrace in reply to nash2]

Thanks Wayne, Just the answer I was looking for as it is quite reassuring. I can stop searching and worrying now. My heart goes out to NASH sufferers. I think there is not treatment for AIH, not sure though. If fibrosis is bad enough, which judging by my borderline FIB4 score mine isnt, but otherwise I think the treatment is steroids and another drug to go with it so the steroid side effects arent so bad. I really dont want to go on stronger steroids as the times in my life i have had them i have put on lots of weight and in fact my LFT's came back worse. I cant understand how they reduce inflammation as anyone i know who has had them had worse inflammation.

I've got my fibroscan on the 29th August, quite a long wait.

How are you doing, do you have NASH and how are you being treated?

best wishes

Janey

[nash2 Partner in reply to janeytrace]

Thanks Janey

You are right there is no "cure" for autoimmune but you have options not available to NASH patients. It does involve steroids which have their own challenges of course. I'm a NASH/cirrhosis patient but I'm doing well. I have halted the progression and actually improved my status through diet so my doctor thinks I'll die from something other than liver disease. Oddly comforting thought.

Wayne

[janeytrace in reply to nash2]

good news go you with the diet and improving your liver health. Ha ha yes maybe even you will live a bit longer.