Can a decompensated liver become compensated?

[Meadowbank]

Sorry if this has been asked before. I have only just found this community and have read a lot but don't know the answer to that question.

I was diagnosed with cirrhosis 3 months ago. It wasn't a shock as I had drank heavily for years. The doctors have said it is decompensated as I had ascites and jaundice. The ascites was drained, the jaundice has mostly gone although I do look strangely tanned, not yellow.

I gave up alcohol straight away, follow a Dieticians strict low salt diet and also eat every 2-3 hours to try and get my weight back up.

I am on 25mg of spironolactone.

Is there any chance my liver can become compensated if I stick to the diet and my sobriety?

[pugdaddy]

There is a drug presently in second phase of human clinical trials here in the USA - it has been proven to reverse liver scarring (fibrosis and cirrhosis) - and has generated much excitement, as you can imagine.  You can Google the term "GR-MD-02" and read all about it.
I'm told (by reliable sources who are actively involved with the trials) that it has been granted an FDA 'Fast Track' status - and will likely be available within the next approx. 3 years.

[taz54]

Hi Meadowbank , I live in the uk,you can improve your liver and live a longer life,I have in 2008 ,I was admitted to the hospital with liver failure through alcohol abuse they gave me 20% chance to live,my eyes all over my body was yellow I look like I was 8 months pregnant with ascites, which they drained,portal hypertension,hepatic encephalopathy,they did a ct scan and said my liver has shrunk in size and was badly scarred, and a  Transjugular liver biopsy because I was so ill,was referred to a dietician, when the ascites went,I look like a bag of bones, I have alcoholic cirrhosis stage b-c, when I left hospital I was told never to drink alcohol ever again,6 years on, I have not drink alcohol,I am on a low salt diet, no processed foods,the only meds I am on are vitamin b,I walk every day I can't run no energy but that's the cirrhosis it don't store glycogen (a carbohydrate that produces short-term energy)I have to eat small but often every 2 hours, I don't have to see my specialist at the hospital anymore just my GP,I have a Ultrasound scan every 6 months and my bloods done to check for cancer, my doctors are very pleased with me my liver is now smooth and normal in size, I said to my doctor has the cirrhosis gone he said no the damage is in side but I've improved my quality of life and can live to a old age I never thought I could live this long but we all can just keep away from the alcohol it's hard but you can do it one day at a time I have bad days but  I am thankful for every day I stay sober!

[hepcandme]

That's great Meadow. Good for you

There are very few times that I actually miss alcohol. Maybe when out with friends for dinner and they are all enjoying a nice pinot noir that I recommended. Or, I have thought, on a Really hot day, wouldn't a beer taste great right now?

But then I think, you drink and you will die in a very unpleasant way, and order a lemonade instead

Or sometimes when I'm out I ask for a nonalcoholic beverage in the fanciest glass that they have. It's fun to see what they come up with

So many other things to enjoy about life that giving up drinking seems like a small price to pay for the chance to be healthier

I do realize that this is much more difficult for some people so thanks for sharing your experience

Now, let's figure out a way to reverse liver damage!

[Meadowbank]

Update

Hi. I thought I would update you on how I am doing. I no longer focus on the compensated/decompensated issue. I take each day as it comes.

I am still sober :-)
One year, one month and one week of sobriety.

I am off all meds apart from vitamin B. I have regained weight and have a normal BMI. My liver function tests are normal. The more detailed tests show slightly raised levels but nothing alarming.

I still keep to the low salt diet.

I am thankful for every day I stay sober.

Thank you for reading.  And thank you for the support and wise words.

[nan535]

Amazing story.  Your story will give hope to many.

Thanks
Nan

[SmokedBrisket]

In the first sentence it should read decompensated to compensated.