Please give me some comfort!!

[kimber3240]

I just found out I am S3 liver disease. I haven’t spoken with a doctor yet just got letter in mail from fibroscan. Very scared as is everyone else. I need to lose 50#s more I’ve lose 18# but apparently it’s not helped me yet so I’m very concerned about dropping to S2 will me losing the 50#s work!! I want to live!!!

[ReeTaylor]

I am so sorry. You can lose the weight. Just set your mind to it. I am new to all of this and do not have any idea what you are going through but could only image. Sending positive, healing thoughts to you.

[nash2 Partner]

Hi Kimber

It is scary to learn that but perhaps a little perspective might help. First, they didn't give you a report of fibrosis so that is good. Your S3 means your liver has a lot of fat but scarring is what is dangerous. You should follow up with your doctor and get a sense of whether you have inflammation going on, but let's assume the S3 is correct. That fat won't kill you. If you had kept going on your earlier course the risks would have increased but the fact that you have already lost 18 pounds is really great. When you are kind to your liver it responds quickly so a concern and a resolve to continue to eat better and to have a healthy lifestyle are important but fear is not warranted by that result. More testing may be needed but many of the people here are doing OK with much higher scores so take a deep breath, you've got this. Here is a link to information that might be of value.

fattyliverfoundation.org/diets

[kimber3240 in reply to nash2]

It said I have moderate scarring on the liver as well nash2??? What does that mean?

[nash2 Partner in reply to kimber3240]

Hi Kimber

OK, that takes things up a notch so you need to find out more about that from your doctor but I'll try to help you understand. The S3 refers to how much fat you have and is called nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). If you develop inflammation which starts to form scar tissue the name is nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). This is more serious so it is really good that you have taken it seriously. The docs classify it as four stages called F1 through F4. Generally when they say moderate they are referring to F1 to F2 or an early stage condition. It is concerning but not life threatening. You absolutely need to get control of it, which you are doing by losing weight but you need to adopt a liver friendly diet and lifestyle so that it doesn't progress. That being said, if you can, do make an appointment with a liver specialist, a hepatologist. We can't really tell you anything about your situation as we are not docs and it is complicated. It is appropriate for you to be concerned but it isn't time to panic. Many of us here are stage 4. I was diagnosed as an F4 in 2015 but I changed my lifestyle and I'm now an F3. I know it is scary as a young person but you do have power to be kinder to yourself and fear is your enemy. Learn about your situation and do the things you need to do to take control of your life. If you want to learn about the details you might look here.

fattyliverfoundation.org/ba...

Best of luck

Wayne

[nash2 Partner in reply to nash2]

Hi Kimber

Knowledge is your friend. Before you talk to your doctor about your situation you can get some information that may help you guide that discussion. There are some tests you can do yourself that docs use to get a sense of just where on the disease spectrum a person is.

fattyliverfoundation.org/no...

A very easy one if the FIB-4 that you will find a link to on that page. It isn't foolproof but you can have the doc explain it to you and suggest next steps. The chart on the page explains how they interpret the results. Don't develop FOFO, the fear of finding out. your best tool is to know your situation. With knowledge you can act.

Wayne

[Liverhead]

Kimber--- Being scared is par for the course in liver disease. Complications nearly killed me in the hospital nearly killed me in March 2019. I have a few questions--- Do you smoke or drink alcohol regularly? IF SO, you need immediate smoking cessation classes and alcohol rehabilitation.( If expense is an issue. Medicaid should cover these services.) If you have fatty liver disease/NASH, as I have, you can improve your situation through diet & exercise anda drug regimen that works for you. Nothing but hard work ahead of you. You need a nutritionist to help you devise a liver friendly diet. I hope you like to cook. Take it slow with exercise. As you feel better eating the proper foods,you will have more energy. Thirdly, you need a good gastroenterologist ( liver disease specialist). You need more & better blood testing to better understand your disease. Again. You need a good medical insurance plan. There is no cure for this disease!!!! Yu can handle the diet & exercise. Your liver doctor will help you devise a drug regimen that help you get the toxins generated by food, smoking & alcohol out of your body as quickly as possible. The 1st step is you want to live. MOTIVATION AND SPIRIT & A GOOD MEDICAL TEAM WILL HELP YOU. Good Luck, Kimber. U seem like a younger person in your picture. Everyone on this blog is pulling for your recovery. AFTER 3 MO. in the hospital this year, I'm going to regain my driving privileges and run a 5K by the end of November. I amaze my very supportive family & medical support team everyday !!! There is no greater satisfaction!! BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!!!! U can lose the weight, make diet & exercise change, and get on a drug regimen that works 4 U Kimbrr!!!!

[kimber3240 in reply to Liverhead]

I do not smoke or drink. My BMI is 31 so I need to lose weight. My labs are all in normal range. I’m hoping it was caught in time to reverse some damage. I do have medical insurance.

[Liverhead in reply to kimber3240]

You are prepared to do well in a recovery program. Using my experience as a guide, self affirming days are ahead for you. A good plan with reachable goals are within your reach. Many good & bad days ahead. Be kind to yourself, Kimber. You deserve the chance to be healthy, wealthy & wise!!!!!!!! Keep me abreast of your progress ,& thanks for responding in such a timely fashion.

[utep99]

You can relax to a degree. Talk to your Doctor number 1 he will have a better idea of what is going on. Get a Liver Specialist also. Liver disease is not the end of the world. My journey began in 2015 and I am still going strong even my MELD has dropped from 14 to 10. There are transplant lists if needed. Stop drinking and all fast or processed foods. Not good for you. Eat a diet based on the Mediterranean diet model. Find out from your Doctor if a transplant list placing can be done. Quit smoking if you do it will help you get on a transplant list. Advancements are made every day. Remember there is NO cure but you can live with it for quite awhile. There also is nothing wrong with finding God also. It is easier to know where you are going instead of a very bad place. Faith is not perfect but asking forgiveness and trying to be a better person gives you a lot of comfort.

[Jkf1]

The liver is remarkable at healing itself. Some people have even reversed what was previously thought as irreversible late-stage liver disease with diet weight loss exercise. It is not easy and I struggle everyday just fight for it do the best you can.

[kimber3240 in reply to Jkf1]

I will lose the weight in my head that’s not an option. It not only will help my liver but heart and prevention of certain cancers. Trying to stay positive.

[AZgrandma]

You can do this, but it will take some time. I am counting calories and have changed to the Mediterranean diet. I cut out all sugar, white flour, rice, potatoes, and processed foods. If you are able, get out and exercise. I have two knees that are not so great, so it's difficult for me to exercise, but I am losing, slowly but surely, with the diet I am on. I'll be getting my liver retested in a few months. Hopefully, there will be some changes.

[NYLassie]

Studies have shown that losing 5 to 10% of body weight helps a lot. Other studies have shown the importance of exercise. Exercise, regardless of weight loss, has been shown to be of great benefit in reducing fat in the liver. I was diagnosed with advanced NASH and stage 3 fibrosis 14 months ago. While weight loss is an ongoing goal for me, eating foods that are good for my liver, avoiding foods that are bad for it, and exercising daily are, to my mind, more important than the weight loss. NO animal fats, NO refined carbohydrates, LOTS of exercise, and eating nothing that is not on my list of foods good for my liver have improved things a great deal. I am also very cautious regarding supplements. At first, this diagnosis felt like a death sentence to me but the more research I did, the more I realized I could definitely improve my NASH, and I hope, dial back the fibrosis to stage 1 or 2. I am participating in a clinical trial for a promising drug. It is meant to treat NASH but from what I have read about earlier phases of clinical trials, it is better at healingvfibrosis than eliminating NASH. That is fine with me! Not sure if I am getting the medication or a placebo, but given the known side effects of the drug and what I have been experiencing, I am optimistic that it isthe drug and not a placebo. The main reason I chose to participate is that I get bloodwork and ultrasounds every 3 months and the drug company picks up the tab. It took several weeks to be diagnosed. Blood tests galore showed one thing, CT scans and ultrasounds showed something else, a biopsy something else again, and finally, a Fibroscan. My hepatologist is one of the best in the US, and it took someone with his knowledge and experience to sift through all the seemingly contradictory test results.

[kimber3240]

Wow that’s complicated for sure. I am exercising either weights or cardio 5xs a week and watching my foods carefully.

[KarenHoyt]

You’ve got the right mindset. This can be a powerful time in your life where you’ll look back and began to live more fully. I went into acute failure and have stayed the course in diet and exercise. Knowing you have the ability to educate yourself and take action makes a huge difference. Stay connected with a positive community like this one. All my best to you in your journey to health.

[Liverhead]

You see ,there is a large community of bloggers pulling for you ,Kimber, to do well & offer sound advice. Keep at it & keeps abreast of your progress. Your attitude demonstrates that you're up to the challenge. Diet. Exercise, appropriate Drug Regimen--- Good Luck!!!!

[Bbohnie]

Kimber, I was able to move my fibroscan score into a normal range with some weight loss and change of diet. You have set your feet on the right path. In addition to what others have said I limit or avoid iron as much as possible. Iron is hard for the liver to process and I have too much. so avoid anything with added iron: for example any food which says "enriched" usually has added iron . Things with wheat of any kind are the most likely foods- breads even gluten free often use enriched wheat. I eat sprouted grain bread and cereal. I eat more plant based protein than meats. Amping up your protein helps you build muscle and lose weight. If I eat veggies I also eat powdered peanut butter- it is way lower fat and adds protein. Walmart brand has like 1 gm sugar.

Another thing is HuMoR! Honestly! Try to read positive things, subscribe to a FB page with pictures of cute cats or dogs doing funny things, or a joke page. Laughing does the body good! Raises your immune system, lifts you mentally and gives you hope. While many members here don't comment, believe me when I say they are hoping, praying, sending good vibes/thoughts your way. We are in this together and want to see you succeed...especially because you are young and as such your body will respond more quickly giving you more time to live life fully. Every choice every day brings you closer to your goal. Best wishes!

Bonnie