chronic liver disease

[henna]

I am a 25 yr old woman. I suffered from jaundice for about 6 months last yr with complications like edema and ascites, was diagnosed - decompensated cirrohsis with superimposed acute viral hepatitis E. However with direutics and adequate rest I recovered in Jan and underwent a biopsy in April. The docs say that it was not all what they thought and my diagnosis was as follows:
Biopsy - Mild chronic hapatitis with mild chronic inflammation and interface hepatitis, grade 2 and mild fibrosis, stage 1; HAI score 5; liver needle biopsy
CT scan - features suggestive of chronic liver parenchymal disease with splenomegaly with engorged and tortuous splenoportal axix is with collaterals suggestive of portal hypertension.
I take vitamin tablets and UD live 300 twice daily. I will get my 3rd shot of Hep B vaccine in Sep. I get Liver Function Tests done every 1 1\2 months.....al parameters are ok but only SGPT and SGOT varies ( SGOT - 59 units/l and SGPT - 65units/l in last test, P Time- 12.9 seconds). I have these questions:
1) Am I more prone to jaundice now, what types of jaundice
2) How should I take care of myself and necessary precautions
3) My perios stopped for 2 months during jaundice and now it is irregular ,say after more than 15 days from my last date. Would there be any rpoblems in conceiving
4) What are the implications of pregnancy in my case ie, any complications? or things I should know of and be prepared for.
5) I was 50 Kgs before jaundice, now I am 45 kgs. Though my appetite is good enough, I dont seem to be gaining weight. What should I do.

[cheriums]

Apparently you've been tested for HBV and found not to have been infected; not to have antibodies, not to have chronic infection -- since you're getting vaccinated.  What about hep A? -- get tested, and if you do not have antibodies, get vaccinated for HAV, too. Sounds like you have chronic hep C?? tho you didn't say.  No, with your biopsy results, you don't have to worry about jaundice again, now, seems like.  Try to eat a low fat diet (avoid a lot of animal fat, especially).  NEVER take an iron supplement unless your hepatologist (liver specialist) tells you it is necessary. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables, get regular exercise ... all the things people do to live healthy lives.  Ask your M.D. enough questions to understand what kind of hepatitis you have -- is it hep C?  If so, think about treatment first, pregnancy later.

[Califia]

You might want to raise these questions at http://hivandhepatitis.com .  This is an MD-run site that publishes all the latest research on HIV and hepatitis in all its forms.  There's also a good "ask the doc" column which you can access from the main page, if I remember correctly.

[jonihs]

I really don't have any answers for you, but I hope someone comes along who can. I just wanted to let you know that this is a patient to patient forum for people who have, mostly hep c. There are no physician monitors. Good luck,   Joni

[snook_man]

I can't really offer any answers to your questions, but I'm sure someone else will come along with some answers.. I am 27 years old, hep C, Stage 2/3 fibrosis.. Ct looks fine, everthing else is perfect, and never had any symptoms or sx's from Hepatitis.. I can offer you the only advice I can think of..You are not alone!! Get all the information you can off the net, and question everything.. I know what your going through, as I just found out the severity of my condition last April.. Thought I was given a death sentence, but after researching, found out I'm pretty fortunate.. Looks as though you are on the right track, and your biopsy was probably a much needed sigh of relief.. Keep doing all your tests, and stay on top of it.. If you are drinking, stop!! Alcohol is an unneeded accelerant for liver disease.. Good luck, and hope some others can give you some more specific advise..