cirrhosis reversible question

[simon4271]

Hi , most say cirrhosis is not reversible .
Why can cirrhosis be reversed in patients who have hepatitis B taking viread , doctors have told me this .
One of my doctors patients reversed cirrhosis while taking this .
I was under the impression that cirrhosis is cirrhosis no matter the cause .
If they can reverse it in Hepatitis B why not Hepatitis C ? never understood that .
One professor highly acclaimed told me that Cirrhosis in Hepatitis C can be reversed to stage 2 after successful treatment and another highly acclaimed doctor told me it can reversed to stage 3 .
Has anyone also heard this .

[can-do-man]

By Mayo Clinic Staff

Cirrhosis is a late stage of scarring (fibrosis) of the liver caused by many forms of liver diseases and conditions, such as hepatitis and chronic alcohol abuse. The liver carries out several necessary functions, including detoxifying harmful substances in your body, cleaning your blood and making vital nutrients.

Cirrhosis occurs in response to damage to your liver. The liver damage done by cirrhosis can't be undone. But if liver cirrhosis is diagnosed early and the cause is treated, further damage can be limited. As cirrhosis progresses, more and more scar tissue forms, making it difficult for the liver to function (decompensated cirrhosis). Advanced cirrhosis is life-threatening.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cirrhosis/basics/definition/CON-20031617

[can-do-man]

I see comments but no links... From the American Liver foundation. Which I would consider a very good source. Keep in mind many people and some doctors say they have cirrhosis when really they do not.
-----------------------
Cirrhosis

But if left untreated, your liver may become so seriously scarred that it can no longer heal itself. This stage – when the damage cannot be reversed – is called cirrhosis.

Cirrhosis can lead to a number of complications, including liver cancer. In some people, the symptoms of cirrhosis may be the first signs of liver disease.

You may bleed or bruise easily.
Water may build up in your legs and/or abdomen.
Your skin and eyes may take on a yellow color, a condition called jaundice.
Your skin may itch intensely.
In blood vessels leading to your liver, the blood may back up because of blockage. These blood vessels may burst.
You may become more sensitive to medications and their side effects.
You may develop insulin resistance and type-2 diabetes.
Toxins may build up in your brain, causing problems with concentration, memory, sleeping, or other mental functions.
Once you’ve been diagnosed with cirrhosis, treatment will focus on keeping your condition from getting worse. It may be possible to stop or slow the liver damage. It is important to protect the healthy liver tissue you have left.
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This is from the American Liver foundation.

http://www.liverfoundationprogression/.org/abouttheliver/info/

[Livelife777]

Yes.  Cirrhosis is reversible.   This is from Mayo Clinic where I am treated for Hep C and my liver disease.  
The basic guideline is compensated or decompensated.   Once decompensated, there is no reversal.   If compensated according  to them, if you eliminate the source and your cirrhosis is in the early stages it will reverse.   If you cure your Hep C, dont drink alcohol, eat healthy, exercise, don't smoke, you can eliminate cirrhosis.  They said it will never be perfect, but pretty darn close.  They predict that my early stage cirrhosis will become a 1-2 stage when I go back in Nov for my 6 month scan since I cleared the virus.
When I started Tx my meld was 8.  After EOT12 it was a 6.   All the blood work #s were in the normal range, not so before Tx.  Will let you know in Nov what the new scan shows.
Pamelajean that's awesome!   I aspire to achieve those same results and I think it will happen as I truly feel great since becoming cured.
Lets all hope everyone can achieve a good outcome.  Either way, they are having ongoing clinical trials with reversal which should become the norm within the next 5 years.   Think its super important in the interim to try to stay as healthy as possible.  The best news actually is for people with decompensation as they will benefit with this future Tx the most.  Its amazing what technology has in store for all diseases.
.....Kim

[hepcandme]

what a great thread

very hopeful

this may reveal my lack of understanding about how the liver regenerates but I have always wondered why scarred liver tissue is not removed surgically so that the liver can regenerate healthy tissue?

[Pamelajean1]

Thanks Simon....you're exactly right, we are seeing improvements, cures and vaccines happen at a incredible rate. The landscape for Heppers alone changing so very fast just in the past few months. Amazing!

[Pamelajean1]

Thanks Nan....I agree with the miracle. As I've said before...from the beginning of my dx I kept asking Him for just that and I wonder why...at times...I'm so surprised.

But I am curious as to what we see long term with the new DAA's....too bad tracking the staging isn't part of the studies.