Cirrhosis treatment

I have heard of a new way to treat cirrhosis with HEPATOCYTE GROWTH FACTOR.I was wondering if you had any insight on this treatment which supposedly reverses cirrhosis.If it is not available at this point in time , when do you expect it will be?
                                   Thankyou

[HFHSm.D.-Gastro-rf]

Dear Don,
I have reviewed the medical literature.  I am unable to find any clinical studies that tested whether hepatocyte growth factor reversed cirrhosis.  There was one animal study that investigated renal fibrosis but nothing regarding the liver.

[Jason]

I have also heard that a drug called Actigall may help scarring. I have been diagnosed with NASH. I had a liver biopsy in Dec. of 96 so I've had it awhile now.
I recently have been chosen to partake in a study at the University of Washington with this drug but actually havn't been contacted by the doctor as of yet to learn exactly what the study entails. I have been anxious to learn more about this and all I have found out so far is that Actigall is a drug that has been approved by the FDA to help break down gall stones.

Sorry I havn't helped with your question but thought I'd throw this info (which isn't much)about this possible treatment your way.

Maybe someone will answer your question and give me more info on this Actigall treatment as well.

[How much and how many years of drinking?]

I am a 27 year old male who has been drinking since age 17. During the week, I will have a few beers ( around 7 ) two or three nights. On Friday and Saturday nights, I usuall party hard mixing mixed drinks with beer. On Holidays and during the summer, drinking increases. I was wondering how much, and how many years of drinking does it take to develope cirhosis. I would have posted this question, but the forum has its limit for new questions. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[Miguel Uranga]

in Mexico we  use cell therapy, and autovaccine and viatmines to stop cirrhosis. You have to have at least 20 % of liver working. The growth factor comes in the cell therapy (from no born sheep or caw) it work fine but this medical treatment is not avilable in the US. If you need more information.let us know

[Miguel Uranga need address]

how can i contact you???

[Joanne]

Actigall.....it is used for treatment of liver disease.  It was first marketed { and tested } for gallbladder treatment, but was found to help the liver.  The Axcam company then came out with a drug Urso, which is the same basic chemical make-up.The only differences are that Urso was tested for liver disease and the inactive ingredients..in other words the filler.are different and the two come in different doseages. Actigall , by Novaris is in 300 MG capsules and Urso is in 250 MG capsules.  They are basically the same medication and very good treatment for the treatment of liver diseases

[Miguel Uranga]

Sorry...my e-mail is ***@****

[mike j]

a breif comment concerning cirrhosis:
as long as drinking continues the disease will continue to progress. if you consume between 8 and 16 oz. of alcohol a day,for 15 years,there is only a 30% chance you will develop the disease

[Kristi Evans]

My mother had gastric bypass surgery for weight loss 25 plus years ago.  She was not obese.  She has been diagnosed with severe malnutition and cirrhosis of the liver.  She had a reversal of the bypass surgery done 2 years ago.  Last year had her gallbladder out and also had a blood clot in her leg due to surgery.  She has also osteoporosis and has broke her pelvis.  She now is experiencing severe horrific leg pain in the right leg.  ER doctor, regular doctor, and orthopedic doctor does not know what is wrong.  They have done xrays for blood clot but that is the limit to the testing.  Can you help with any clues on her chronic severe leg pain?  Do you know of any doctors that specialize in gastic bypass/liver cirrhosis?  Please help.  Mother is in POrtland, Oregon

[Kristi]

email is ***@****

[Joanne F]

A question on liver disease.
My husband drinks approximately three gallons of wine per week(at home), plus an undetermined amount of vodka (after work). He is having bowels problems - food goes right thru and I have found soiled underwear. Does anyone know if this  might be a sympton of liver disease?

[BRAD BENS]

I HAVE BEEN HAVING DULL PAIN IN MY LOWER STOMACH AREA. I DO DRINK ABOUT 5-6 BEERS EVERYDAY AFTER WORK, AND ABOUT 8-12 ON MY ONE DAY OFF. PLEASE E-MAIL ME W/ANY ANWSERS---***@****
   THANKS!

[mike rounis]

Hi
i am 30 years old and my last liver biopsy came out with fatty liver. they told me that my liver has  lipid . My tests showed that i have (sgot   27.1 U/L  and SGPT  50.7   U/L. Can you tell my please a treatment so i can bring my liver in normal status.
                                              Thank you

[tellys ronis]

.My last results showed  SGOT  27.1 U/L  SGPT 50.1U/L   AND GGT 98 U/L. My iron is also low 58 and the normal is from 65-170.
Two years ago on my last test my GGT was 77U/L. I am 30 years old i dont drink very often and i dont smoke  but iam 6 00 height and i weight 220 pounds. Could that be the problem?

[vicki nilles]

I have had lupus for approximately 10 yrs. I have been diagnosed with beginning cirrosis (cirrhosis) or fatty liver. I have 2 nodules on my liver but the nodules have never been biopsied. I never was much of a drinker and have not had a drop in 10 yrs.  My mother had never drank had had primary billiary cirrosis (cirrhosis) and received a liver transplant 2 yrs. ago. Could this be related to my lupus and should these nodules be biopsied?  One is 3mm and the second is 7mm.  I have lots of diseases and don't know if they are related.  Please help me as I don't even know where to start with all these medical problems.

[vicki nilles]

I have had lupus for approximately 10 yrs. I have been diagnosed with beginning cirrosis (cirrhosis) or fatty liver. I have 2 nodules on my liver but the nodules have never been biopsied. I never was much of a drinker and have not had a drop in 10 yrs.  My mother had never drank had had primary billiary cirrosis (cirrhosis) and received a liver transplant 2 yrs. ago. Could this be related to my lupus and should these nodules be biopsied?  One is 3mm and the second is 7mm.  I have lots of diseases and don't know if they are related.  Please help me as I don't even know where to start with all these medical problems.

[Help for Liver Problems...Chronic Leg Pa]

This post is for a few of you who have concerns about your liver due to excessive alcohol consumption and Kristie Evans who is concerned about her mother's chronic leg pain.  

There are some very effective vitamin treatments for cirrhosis of the liver, some that can actually reverse the effects.  A product called "SAMe" can cause the liver to regenerate.  It's not effective for everyone, of course (nothing is) but it's certainly worth a try.  It's expensive, though.  You can get it through a company called "Vitamin Research", there are also other natural vitamin products that can aid in liver regeneration so if you're concerned about your liver and for one reason or another can't seek medical help, check it out.  It could save your life.

Kristie, your mother's previous diagnosis' are suggestive of chronic alcohol consumption.  Her chronic leg pain can be caused by neuropathy, which can occur with alcohol and other substance abuse.  Neuropathy occurs when the nerves to the legs are irritated or diseased.  There are a lot of other possible casues for her leg pain, though, so you should have the doctors check for phlebitis, nerve disorders, blocked arteries, gout, or even a disc problem.

[Laura]

liver disease is an awful way to die there is a sudden weight loss yellow eyes yellow skin vomiting, then your esophogus burst and blood poors out both end of body then a week later death with 100 pds weight gain during this one week everything stops functioning my sis died of this she looked like a suma wrestler at the end please stop know

[Koko]

cronic hepitities c how meny years befor deteriation non drinker

[Laura]

having urinary problems, started with discharge, went to chronic  back pain, beginning at lower back, continued to upper back, some nausea, decreased appetite, frequent urination, urine was dark once, nothing abnormal showed in blood test for liver or kidneys, did have a mild uti...what is the problem? had a ultrasound not sure of results yet but pain is terrible

[[e-mail]]

3-2-00
Delinda


    I was told that I have a fatty liver in 1998.  I have had much pain, with nausia and fatty, loose bowel movements.
I had my gallbladder out aug. 1999, and the doctor told me that I now have cirrosis (cirrhosis) of the liver.  They gave me other test and said that I have a lot of scaring on my liver.  I have never been a drinker.  The doctor said to eat low fat and high protien.
could you give me a list of high protien foods? I'm dieting and execising to get in shape.
Thank You

[Jenny McM]

What if the difference between alcholic liver disease and cirhossis of the liver?

[spumone]

can dx be determined without invasive biopsy?  I am sure I have alcoholic cirhosis, but more worried about hepatic cancer.  Of corse no symptoms other than liver "pangs" and during self palpation, definate "hard mass".  I am too afraid to go to HMO.  I am drinking lots of water, taking milk thistle, lecithin, garlic, vit. b & e, and green tea.  I am 40 year old female with 10 years of daily alcohol abuse (self tx of anxiety/panicdisorder) I have successfully removed the toxin from my life. Need to know what i have to look forward to.  At this point, if i am untreatble, i don't want to know it. But if there is a decent prognosis for liver cancer, I am all ears.

My children and I thank you,

***@****

[Linda]

I just started a message board for people with cirrhosis: http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/livercirrhosissupport?as
A place to compare, chat, find things that work for others and share information.
I have NASH & Cirrhosis of unknown cause. All cirrhosis patients of any cause or their friends and family are welcome here.
Please join me in my quest to deal with cirrhosis.

[Lois]

I am Kristi's mother.  Kristi has posted a question regarding my cirrhosis and leg pain.  I never was much of a drinker and my cirrhosis was caused from a bypass surgery (intestional) which overworked my liver to a point where the cirrhosis took effect.  I was unaware of the chance of this happening as a result of the intestional bypass.  I now am very ill with the cirrhosis and have been experiencing severe leg pain which impedes my walking ability.  The pain is very severe and all the drs have done so far is to give me narcotics to be able to withstand the pain.  They seem to have a problem figuring out why I have this problem.  This is what we are seeking, an answer to why and what can I do to help myself.  I would appreciate some help on this.

[Robyn Koellner]

Same problem as Joanne F. Feb 16 2000,  husband is a heavy drinker and now has bowel problems with food going straight through and soiled underwear, could this be liver disease.

[amy autrey]

robin keollner my father's cirrhosis started with the accidents as he refered to them and yes you can probably say that is the start of livr disease but if he stops now it may not be to late. my father has been given no longer than a year and he was diagnosed in march 2000 he has already has the esophageal varices and his temperature has been dropping below 98 for 2 days now and i wold like to know if someone can tell me if this means he doesn't have long until his kidney's shut down. thank you and good luck to all.

[Ann M.]

I just had my gastric bypass surgery about 5 weeks ago.  I am
very unhappy with the change.  I lost 33 pounds so far which
is good, but I don't enjoy eating anymore and I am always afraid
of vomiting which I have done a few times already.  When I go
out to dinner with my friends I don't have a good time anymore
because I take about two bites of food and then I am full and
their still eating.  I hate this and would give anything to
get it reversed.  Is this possible?  Can I get it reversed?
What kinds of medical concerns would I be facing?  Does anyone
know?  Please email me at ***@****.


Thank You

[harish puranik]

we want to know more about the latest developements
in cirrhosis treatment and its cure and also ongoing
research results

[abc]

Is there any latest development on how to cure cirrhosis?

[Ivan E]

My Dad has just been admitted to hospital w jaundice, and esophogeal varices. They are working to stop the bleeding and he has stabilized. He is also very bloated. I am thinking that a liver transplant might be his last hope as his liver won't regenerate of course. Is this a common practice? Is there a donor's list; or do family members have a good chance at making a match? Is it possible to donate part of your liver, and still live properly?

[Steven Koegel]

I am going through tests right now to find out why my liver is
enlarged.
Is there any treatment that I reduce my inflamation (inflammation)?  All I consume now is water, lemonade, tea and maybe a sprite.

Thank you for your help.

Steven Koegel
***@****

[Steven Koegel]

I am going through tests right now to find out why my liver is
enlarged.
Is there any treatment that I reduce my inflamation (inflammation)?  All I consume now is water, lemonade, tea and maybe a sprite.

Thank you for your help.

Steven Koegel
***@****

[Lovedad]

A related discussion, Treating Cirrhosis was started.