NASH and cirrhosis of the liver.

Hi @mollyb1968, welcome to Connect! It sounds like you’re going through a lot right now so I’d like to introduce you to some other Connect members who may be able to share some of their own experiences so you can better understand your situation. Please meet @rosemarya, @mnangelmom, @peakbagger, @lorettanebraska, @sandraf, @havithealthy1, @hurtle12 and @dianne1.

You may also be interested in taking a look at this past discussion where members are talking about NASH and cirrhosis of the liver http://mayocl.in/2bVRAY4

Molly, there's a lot of information is the details of your diagnosis. Have you been able to sit down with your doctor and go through all the terms to develop a treatment plan?

@mollyb1968, I welcome you to this discussion. I want you to know that you are not alone. I've had a complicated history due to liver disease, and I can say that I know what you are experiencing. I'm here and will provide any support or encouragement that that my own experience might allow.
At this point, I say that it is highest priority for you to talk with the doctor who made this diagnosis; I am surprised that he/she did not give you a full explanation of what is happening inside of you. Are you being treated by your primary care physician or a GI? My primary care physician referred me to GI specialist, who often consulted with a liver specialist. If you are not being treated by GI, I urge you to do so. I'm wishing for the best plan of action for you. Rosemary

I would like to share the following link to information about NASH.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/nonalcoholic-fatty-liver-disease/home/ovc-20211638

I have talked to my gastroenterologist, however, did not understand enough to ask the appropriate questions such as how this will affect my life and life expectancy, what I will experience, medications for this disease, etc.

Molly, I get that. It can be so overwhelming getting all that information, to not understand the terms, etc. How are you suppose to know what questions to ask? We, the members of Connect, can help you with that. Right Rosemary?
I'm going to bring @caretothepeople into this conversation. She is so amazing at finding resources to help prepare for appointments and questions to ask.

Here are my favorite tips to start the discussion.
1. Always bring pen and paper to your appointment. When a term you don't recognize is mentioned, get the doctor to spell it. In your case you can bring your report with you. Your doctor should take the time to explain each term and what they collection of issues means in your case in particular.
2. Say it back. When you doctor explains something. Ask to repeat it back in your words. This helps you remember better, and it helps the doctor understand how you've interpreted her/his explanation. Misinterpretations can be cleared up then and there.
3. Bring a second pair of ears. If you have a friend or family member who can go with you, they can help take notes and be a second pair of ears.

Anyone got more tips to add?

Colleen, I would like to add (for anyone undergoing any kind of treatment) that you ask where/who you can contact if you come up with more questions afterward. Sometimes there can be a long span of time between appointments. Rosemary

Thank you for sharing your like. I found it very informative. I was kind of in shock when I got my diagnosis and she did explain some but I was not aware of the appropriate questions to ask. I know there are stages and I don't know what stage I am in, however, the doctor thinks that I do have cirrhosis due to the fact that I have portal hypertension, gastric varices, fundal polyps and, of course, I am a type 2 diabetic which I am having trouble controlling. Please tell me more of what you have experienced and how you have coped with it. Thank you so much, Rosemary. I appreciate the dialogue.

Thank you both for your information. I know that I am concerned about all of this and I live alone so there is just too much to think about.

@mollyb1968, I do not think that living alone presents any kind of a problem, except as you say, too much to think about. I am happy for you that you have found us. We just love to chat. Please ask questions, anytime.

Yes, I remember feeling shocked at my diagnosis. My mind raced everywhere too. I am not familiar with the staging labels. How did I cope? Well, I cried a lot,; I tried to read all I could about my disease; I had to defend myself to friends who said I looked too healthy/couldn't have a liver disease; I prayed a lot and I asked for prayers;; I learned to reach out to others for help and to accept help from others; I took extra good care of me. I know this doesn't come close to the kind of information you seek. But I'll continue to chat with you. For now, take it one step at a time. Stay positive. Eat healthy. Exercise. Develop a good communication between you and your doctor. When do you see doctor again? I know you said that doctor thinks you have cirrhosis, but do you know if that is going to be further investigated? Is the uncontrolled type 2 diabetes play a part in this? And sometimes, NASH can reversed: Ask your doctor about that, too. Our liver is an amazing organ! Rosemary

If you are not due for appointment, call and ask to come in and have a discussion. My doctor told me to call anytime. He is a real gem and one of my favorite people!