symptoms

[wantinfo3035]

I know there are sites that give you symptoms of chirrosis but can someone who has it tell what they have experienced.

[HectorSF]

Many patients experience no symptoms except fatigue when they have compensated cirrhosis.

It is when a patient has decompensated cirrhosis (the liver can no longer perform all of its functions) that some or all of the following symptoms can appear. They usually get worse over time and the liver disease progresses.

Complications occur due to the disruptions in function of the liver.

HEPATIC ENCEPHALOPATHY
The liver metabolizes and breaks down many substances, vitamins and nutrients. Protein is broken down into glutamine and ammonia. In the decompensated stage of liver disease, the liver becomes unable to break down and rid the body of ammonia. Toxic levels build in the blood and brain, causing a condition known as hepatic encephalopathy. Symptoms of this condition include behavior and personality changes, fatigue, drowsiness, slurred speech, confusion, disorientation and muscle twitching. In the last stage of hepatic encephalopathy, seizures, coma and death occur.

ASCITES
The most common condition that occurs with decompensation in liver disease is fluid build-up in the abdomen, known as ascites. The American Academy of Family Physicians reports that 85 percent of patients with cirrhosis develop ascites. Fluids such as plasma and lymph collects in the abdominal cavity and becomes trapped. This fluid causes pressure, tightness, pain, bloating, a full feeling and shortness of breath.

JAUNDICE
During the decompensation stages of liver disease, skin takes on a yellow or orange appearance. The sclera, or whites, of the eyes also become yellow. This condition, called jaundice, occurs due to the build up of a substance called bilirubin. This occurs either because the liver becomes so damaged it no longer processes bilirubin or because the bile duct becomes blocked, causing a build-up of bilirubin in the liver.

BLEEDING
A condition known as portal hypertension, high blood pressure in the portal vein of the liver, causes veins in the gastrointestinal system to become distended. These bulging vessels are referred to as varices. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, 50 percent of patients with cirrhosis develop varices. These fragile vessels consist of thin walls that commonly rupture and bleed. The risk of bleeding also increases due to the liver's inability to metabolize vitamin K which aids in the clotting of blood. When blood becomes too thin and cannot clot, risk for bleeding increases.

OTHER SYMPTOMS
Bacterial peritonitis, an infection of ascites fluid, is a common complication of decompensated cirrhosis. Other conditions include kidney failure; anemia; spider veins on the skin; nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; loss of appetite and weight; bruising; and pale/clay colored stools.

See a specialist and get a biopsy to learn if you have cirrhosis.

Hope this helps.
Hector

[crossroadsec]

There is a cirrhosis forum. I hated moving over there from here, but hey. To answer, there are 4 stages. The first 2 you will probably not have symptoms except an elevated liver enzyme level.
Stage 3  you can have skin dryness and itching, problems with sleep and maybe not process food so well. It gets progressively worse up to Stage 4 when sugars don't process right, fatigue, aches, pains, nausea,
That was my progression. I didn't have a clue until stage 4.
I was diagnosed with hep c and cirrhosis on the same day. 3 years ago today to be exact.
I hope this helped. xoxo Karen:)

[rivll]

Fatigue and occasional digestive upset.

[Advocate1955]

My husband was diagnosed with Cirrhosis in 2007, and the only physical symptom that he has is increasing fatigue.
Advocate1955

[can-do-man]

I was Dx with cirrhosis back in 2005, my main complaint is the fatigue. Though I do believe and so does my doctor that having type 2 diabetes was brought on due to my liver condition... Good luck