Bilateral cirrhosis of liver

Hi @angie6619. Welcome to Connect. I'm happy that you have come to where we can share our experiences and support each other with similar health concerns. When I saw your post about cirrhosis of liver, I knew that I wanted to reply. But what really caught my eye was the itching - I remember that part of liver disease all to well!
I am not familiar with the term bilateral cirrhosis. I had a liver disease of the bile ducts that caused my cirrhosis (I transplanted in 2009). As my disease progressed to cirrhosis, I too, had that terrible itch. My GI put me on Chlorestyramine to reduce my itch because it was caused by the bile overload. It was a powder Rx that I mixed with water to drink.
For some topical relief I found an anti-itch lotion named "Sarna". It is over-the-counter, and I found it at my local pharmacy. Another thing that helped with some relief was a bath soak by "Aveeno" with colloidal oatmeal that I found at local retailer. I'm sure there are other brands out there, too.

Angela, I hope that you find some relief from the itching. I look forward to hearing if any of these things work!
Hugs to you, Rosemary

Hi @angie6619,

I want to add my welcome to Rosemary's; we're glad to have you join the Connect community.

Although I couldn't find anything about Bilateral Cirrhosis, I'd like to introduce a few other members who have discussed Primary Biliary Cirrhosis (PBC), to this conversation. Please meet @ageorge714, @lorettanebraska, @tiffanyandrews, @bobbutler, @mrsdeecee, @jackieg, @marieantoinette and @sandykb.

You may also be interested in reading this discussion about PBC and itching: http://mayocl.in/2gyca0w

@angie6619, other than the medication have you tried any home remedies to relieve the itching?

Thank you Rosemary, I will try the aveeno and sarna. My family don't understand the itching and they creeped out at how hard it sounds when I scratch so now I mostly try to just rub the areas when in public because I think others are looking and hearing the same thing my family does. My doc has added a drug to my treatment I take urso and prednisone. I did however find changing my diet less salt and sugar, more leefy vegetables I'm not as tired and have more energy sleep better also. I'll keep you posted on things, thank you... Angie

@angie6619, I have no problems with my liver, but my kidney disease causes extreme itching. The Sarna works great. It is over the counter. Just make sure to get the one for Sensitive skin with Pramoxine. It is an extra ingredient listed on the front in very small letters. My dermatologist also recommended Cerave, but I have not used that.

@angie6619, I understand your itch! It is awful. I used to rub back and forth, up and down on any doorframe that was available to me at home, and I had a few favorites!. My family said I looked like a big ole bear rubbing on a tree!
I hope that you soon get some relief. @2011panc recently posted some more useful information for your comfort.
I congratulate you on being proactive with your diet. How are you getting along with the liver condition? Are you seeing a Gastroenterologist for treatment?
Rosemary

@angie6619, It's been a while since we've chatted, and I'm wondering if you found relief for that itching.
I hope that you are feeling ok. Have you had any update on your liver condition from your GI?
Rosemary

I have been diagnosed with fatty liver for years and slightly elevated liver enzymes since 2009 but no one payed any attention to it until I continued to come into the ED with right upper quadrant abdominal pain. Then they finally realized my common bile duct was dilated to 9-11 depending on which report you read. My liver is enlarged, lobular contour and nodules. I had a brain tumor in 2002 so obviously I'm not happy about going through this as well. I had 3 young children then so now my 3 children are young adults and understand this more. Now it is more scarey for them....like myself. I have a liver biopsy this mid April so while I am not excited to go through this I am excited to find out where we are with this and what we need to do next.

I am most concerned with continuing to work, pay my bills and keeping health insurance! Any advice there? A person could starve to death while waiting to be approved for disability and I don't have any reserve (or husband). Julie

@myminnie, Dear Julie, I would like to welcome you to Connect. I am sorry to hear of your current health concerns. Do you mean emergency dept when you say ED? If so, then unpleasant as it sounds, be happy that they discovered it and have referred you for further testing.
My history with liver disease is not due to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NASH). But, I did have my share liver biopsies. They are not fun; but they are not that bad either. After you are numbed, the doctor will take several samples with a needle like probe. Pressure is the only thing you should feel. The worst pain for me was the 'bee sting' feel of the initial numbing prick. Afterwards I had to remain in a reclined position until concern for possible internal bleeding was past. Some people are sore afterwards.
The biopsy will show what is happening inside your liver: is there any damage, and if so, at what level. Your doctor will let you know when he gets the results from the biopsy. You will be able to discuss these results along with the other results that you already have.
I want you to thing positively. The liver is a remarkable organ. Sometimes, with treatment, this amazing organ can recover.

Here is information about NASH from the Mayo Clinic. You might want to share it with your children.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/nonalcoholic-fatty-liver-disease/home/ovc-20211638
And here is a recent webinar that contains some useful information about diagnosing, education, and treatment. You can skip the transplant part. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/webinar-topic-fatty-liver-disease-and-liver-transplantation-for-adults-and-children/

Julie, Let me know if you have any questions.
Rosemary

Thank you Rosemary. They have since decided they think I have Autoimmune Hepatitis. We shall see fairly soon. Julie

@myminnie, The journey to find the cause of liver problems is sometimes a long and winding one. Please don't get discouraged. Proper diagnosis will lead to proper treatment for you.
Will you still have the biopsy in April? Are you being treated by a gastroenterologist (GI) or are you under care of a primary care physician (PCP). I urge you to ask for referral to a GI if you are not currently seeing one. This is because he has training and more experience with this. I was referred to a GI by my PCP early on in my own liver journey - Best referral ever!!

Here is Mayo Clinic information about Autoimmune Hepatitis for you to look at.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/autoimmune-hepatitis/home/ovc-20167530
Julie, I am here and ready to support you. You do not have to be alone.
Rosemary