Six month checkup

[Bluegirl52]

I had my 6 month ultrasound and a virtual visit with my hepatologist at Duke this week. I’ve been having CT scans but this time it was an ultrasound. No big changes which I am thankful for. I am very well compensated and zero liver complications! My hepatologist is still contending that my cirrhosis is congestive hepatopathy. Liver congestion caused by my right sided heart failure. My liver surface looks nodular and has a dense echo texture which is common for cardiac cirrhosis. I still eat my fatty liver diet even though they see no steatosis. Makes me feel as though I’m doing everything I can to be friendly to my liver. Bottom line is to keep treating the heart failure which is where my struggle lies. It’s like a balancing act. I remain very blessed, though. Just remember that a problem with one organ can affect all your other organs.

[Ednoral]

Hello, yes I can relate to you. I'm a diabetic and this disease affects every organ in my body. Besides having NASH, I have to constantly watch my diet for sugar. I don't do a very good job at times, I love sweets. But I'm better than I used to be because now I have my liver to worry about. I know that intermittent fasting is a healthy way to treat most diseases and I have tried it in the past. I need to get back into in and stick with it.

[Alterity]

I find the liver is what has caused the heart problems. The liver shuts down, so does everything else in your body. I use to have what I called crashing days. I felt like my heart was giving out and I just was exhausted and just sent to bed. Sometimes it caused diarrhea, like having the flue. I have been on the latest research program since Jan. It is my understanding they hope this is the cure and will be releasing it in less than a year. My Dr. feels I am on the right pill even though they don't know for sure. I no longer have pains in my side, the swelling is down, my heart is ticking better and I'm not out of breath anymore. My iron levels were down, I took iron supplements. I asked if I was allowed to go on a strict diet and they approved that for 30 days to see how it goes. I said I would think it would go ok, since it is less food going through the liver. In 23 days I have lost 17 pounds. I feel great, better than the last 7 years. No swelling and no pain, it wonderful I was in stage 4 fibrosis and cirrhosis of the liver. I'm having my fiber scan the end of Aug. and I can't wait to see how it is. My ultra sound last week said stable. Don't give up hope. I hope this cure for all of us comes out soon. It will help your heart too.

[Bluegirl52 in reply to Alterity]

My heart is what caused the liver problems. I’ve had heart problems since I was 22. I’m almost 68 now. Two open heart surgeries and a pacemaker and defibrillator implanted. After all these years, I have right sided heart failure and this puts pressure on the liver and caused congestion in the liver. Then it progresses to fibrosis and cirrhosis.

[Alterity in reply to Bluegirl52]

I was 24 when I was told I had fatty liver, but no one did anything about it. At 44 I was diagnosed with Nash and giving 6 years to live. Now in my 60's when I crash I have heart attack systems. Somehow this all works together. Research is finding a lot of people that die of heart attacks actually died of liver failure that caused the heart attack. Good Luck to you. Maybe this research pill which is suppose to removed the cirrhosis will also removed it from around the heart. They hope to release it within the next year.