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Confused and Anxious Beyond: Questions about fatty liver and cirrhosis
Hello, I apparently had severe fatty liver Jul 21 but unfortunately was not told 🙁 I sadly continued to consume alcohol - more than I should which I so terribly regret now but am totally alcohol free now since then. In June of this year I presented with Ascites and went to my Doctor. She stated she thought I had cirrhosis, this floored me - I did drink to much but to go from fatty liver to Cirrhosis in under two years seems insane? I had a Fibroscan and it was 11.8 kPa on Jul 7th and then had another on Nov 1st that was a 9.0 kPa.
I am wondering if there is any chance that I do have Fibrosis 2/3 and that the enlarged liver or fibrosis caused the ascites versus cirrhosis? The timeline and the low liver stiffness do not make sense to me. My Doctor (GP) told me I do not have Portal Hypertension and that I am early Cirrhosis - how is that possible if I have ascites? I am waiting still for an appointment with the Hepatologist and likely will not get in until Feb-May timeframe and this is hard to absorb.
Does anyone have any information they can help me with - is there hope maybe this is not actually cirrhosis? My bloodwork all came in line after I quit consuming alcohol within 3 weeks for the most part and is now all apparently better than most healthy people according to my doctor. Please - any advice would be so greatly appreciated!! Thank you so much!
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@dglass4040 what about Gabapentin? That is used as a pain killer for some with fatty liver …
@chinup23, I am wondering whether you have an appointment with the liver specialist (Hepatologist) yet? I want to suggest to you that you make a list of all of your questions and take it with you. I know that you will be impressed with the vast amount of knowledge that the specialist has. He/she will be able to discuss your current condition in terms of your own individual situation.
Other than your confusion and worry, How are you feeling? Have you been scheduled for an appointment? Is there someone who can go with you as an extra set of ears?
My diagnosis was from fibroscan. I asked my hepatologist for copy of results and instead he scheduled me at the transplant clinic. I am redoing scans for Pittsburgh and they will decide if I need biopsy to stage liver. I have had bonus years since my transplant and am so grateful.
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1 ReactionI relate to you because I have the same from my Doctor-"stable liver with the same diagnosis. I was shocked because my liver enzymes have always been normal and I am 78.
@nowick, I see that you have recently joined Connect, and so I want to extend my Welcome to you. I can understand your feeling shocked by hearing your doctor tell you that you have a liver condition. I want to assure you that hearing his description of "stable liver" is a favorable sign.
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What has your doctor given as your diagnosis? Has he provided you with any information about the disease? How can I help you?
@rosemarya Hi Rosemary - I think you lost me from the original post or I missed your response lol? I think you jumped in with yur response to chinup (who had replied on my post)instead of me.If you scroll up to the top you can read mine..in a nutshell...I presented in June with ascites - I still (knock wood) have zero other symptoms and no portal hypertension. My bloodwork pretty much all returned to normal by August and I quit alcohol July 4th so in 5-6 weeks max...my ultrasound elastology was 9.0 kPa on Nov 1st and my liver is 15.3 cm on it and 16.0 on the ultrasound the day before so I would average it to likely be about 15.6 cm if I split the difference.
I am on diuretics but fortunately have not had any signs of ascites since the initial time when they drained it. The timeline of it being july 2021 with fatty liver (which noone told me about) to May/June 2023 turning into full on cirrhosis seems incredibly unlikely? I did drink too much but not what I would think it would take and was working as a professional - fully functioning...and a 9.0 kPa - the only thing is the ultrasound did say in the summer nodular contour and mildy heterogenous...the one Oct 31/Nov 1 said fairly homogenous - did not mention nodular contour and the impression was hepatic steatosis by the radiologist but due to a minimal contour irregularity at the subscapsular that early cirrhotic change would not be excluded.
I feel and always have felt...fine. I am not overweight- I am not at ALL drinking alcohol and I exercise (run 5-10 kms 3 times a week), walk daily and strength train.
I understand when people present with ascites for cirrhosis they are sick and have a much higher liver stiffness than I have? I do not know - I just think I could be wishful thinking but things do not add up for me. I am either way continuing with proper diet and exercise and carrying on. Any thoughts are very much appreciated!
Thank you so much!!