Confused and Anxious: Questions about fatty liver and cirrhosis

@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.

I 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.
liver
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!!

Hello All,

Reading through all these discussion, I think I should be really hopeful, but I’m just really scared.

I really appreciate @chinup23 your comments and questions and everyone that’s commented back on your post.

I too feel this came one quick and I didn’t do what I know I should have done previously. I’m now 49 and I’ve been told that I had fatty liver for a few years, and that I had hemochromatosis with liver overload, also Overweight, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and, I didn’t listen also drank too much (I think)

I was told I possibly had cirrhosis in December of 2024 from a CT scan. From then I went on a mission to improve my health. Got my iron overload down ferritin from between 1000-700 down to 230 in line with normal. This seems to have also gotten all my liver enzymes in line which were super high in the 100s now normal.

Lost 40lbs and went from a BMI of 32.5 to 26 so far. And I have stopped drinking alcohol altogether since December 2024

I recently had a liver biopsy Feb 2025 which said Stage 3/4 fibrosis/cirrhosis and most recently May 2025 saw a hepatologist at Mayo AZ which I am very impressed with.

They did a MRE with and without contrast. It still confirms the stage 4 cirrhosis

My KPA sheer Stiffness mean is 5.9 and min 5.2 max 6.2,

Minimal atelectasis in dependent lower lobe
Bilateral gynecomastia
Nodular hepatic contour, widening of hepatic fissures
No suspicious hepatic observation
Sub-centimeter cyst
Splenomegaly at approx 14.5Cm
No extraluminal fluid
Hepatic artirial anatomy conventional
Hepatic veins patent
Portal veins patent
No appreciable varices

Fat fraction now 2.8%

I think my CP score is 6 and Meld 8 I believe.

My spleen shows enlargement but no portal hypertension or other complications or symptoms other than I get tired faster now.

My labs CBC, Metabolic, and all other are all normal and all autoimmune test negative. Except for my platelets at 107 (could be from cirrhosis or I’ve done a monthly regimen of phlebotomy to lower iron since December of 2024) and my INR is 1.3.

I think it’s really serious but possibly caught early enough? I’m still freaking out, depressed and can’t stop worrying just don’t know.

Just lost my mom last year that hit me really hard still does but at the same time two first grandchildren were introduced into the world last year that I would love to see grow up

Hi, @jmadiedo, and wellcome to Connect. I am a liver/kidney transplant recipient and I completely understand how you are feeling. It is normal to be really scared and freaking out. I was 'there' too. In fact I cried, and my husband cried, and we made an agreement to cry together. It didn't bring any answers, but the crying seemed to be a tension relief for us, as we faced the uncertainty about my liver condition.
I notice that you were seen by a liver specialist at Mayo AZ, (I'm a patient at Mayo MN) Will you be having follow-up appointments there? Or will you be seen locally if you are at a distance? In either situation, I encourage you to begin making a list of all of your questions and concerns, along with his/her explanation of all of those test results. When is next appointment?

Hi @rosemarya, yes I’m a patient at Mayo, AZ and will have my follow up appointments there. I live in Vegas so it’s not too far away.

My wife and I have been crying a bit. And it does seem to help but, I’m still it that bad place. To boot some cyst appeared in my kidneys through this process, I meet with urologist tomorrow to review.

my doc said I have real good prognosis with the things I’ve done so far to avoid further damage. Loosing weight, cutting out alcohol altogether and My labs etc coming back in range but, I’m still Stage 4 cirrhosis or “early cirrhosis” and I’m scared 🙁

are there folks here that have turned it around? Regressed it?

I’m driving myself worse by every thing I feel being a potential symptom.

You are so brave! Being a mentor and also a liver/kidney transplant recipient, I can’t seem to find that bravery right now. How long has it been for you?

I don’t have a firm next appt yet, I think all the tests are still ruling out any other potential underlying issues.

@jmadiedo - I also would like to welcome you. You really have done some great things for your health with getting your iron in line, losing weight and quitting alcohol.

Tagging a few other Connect members you may want to meet who've talked about fatty liver and/or cirrhosis @parrot53 @mollyb1968 @kinmeta @musicflowers4u @mark_fugate @bettersleep68 @bambam39 @meltripp. Hoping they can address feeling scared and if they or a loved one have turned cirrhosis around.