Cirrhosis

[Jade Windsor]

5 years ago I was diagnosed with cirrhosis (alcohol).  I had retained a lot of fluid but after about 6 months on diuretics I lost all the fluid.  I have not had alcohol since the diagnosis June 2002.  In 2005 I went to an internist for a gastroscopy for gall bladder and he informed me I did not have cirrhosis as there was no scarring on the liver.  On July 12/07 the same surgeon removed my gall bladder and informed me I havd cirrhosis of the liver!  "When I asked him what I could do he just said "don't drink and you'll be okay for now" and walked out.  What did he mean "for now".  Is the disease going to recur?  I have a very sick husband and need to know what I'm up against in case I have to place him in a personal care home.  If I'm likely to die in the near future or become incompacitated and unable to look after him I need to know.

[Jade Windsor]

Thanks for the info.

[orphanedhawk]

This forum is specifically about hepatitis which can cause cirrhosis but I'll try to help.( You could also try the GI forum)   I have cirrhosis from hepC. I too had ascites, fluid build up which too diuretics to stop. I stopped drinking alcohol. I try not to eat salt or anything with salt. I just finished treatment for HepC. I take some supplements specifically to assist the liver.  The two main ones I'd suggest are milk thistle and SAM-E Your liver can regenerate itself but you do need to make lifestyle changes which includes your diet.    There is more information on the following web site; janis7hepc.com    click on cirrhosis.        Good luck

[Jade Windsor]

Thanks, that's a start.  Now I need to know what to expect.  When I had the full blown cirrhosis I had a new surprise almost every day, rash, hair loss etc.  Any of this to be expected again?

[Upbeat]

You can live for decades with cirrhosis.  Just don't drink and make the problem worse.

                                                                                                                                       Ron