I have cirrhosis of the liver

[fourth and three]

I lurk here a lot but don't really post. I just thought I would post here to see if anybody is familiar with all this.

I learned about 3 months ago that I have cirrhosis of the liver, probably caused by alcohol use. I never thought I drank that much -- maybe 4 or 5 beers a night -- but I had such a habit for many years.

I had no warning of such a problem, and only learned about it when my abdomen started becoming oddly swollen, and uncomfortable. Finally, when I was looking like a pregnant woman (literally}, I was sent for an ultrasound and ascites associated with cirrhosis was diagnosed. This came like a bolt out of the blue. When you get ascites, the prognosis is rather grim, with an expectation of 3 years to live without a liver transplant.

I don't feel like I'm dying, but I've been drained of about 2 1/2 gallons of fluid twice since then, and take diuretics and drastically limit salt intake. I want to work but I constantly feel weak, and I am not sure how honestly I should talk with an employer about my condition.

I also have a six year old girl who doesn't understand why daddy feels so weak all the time.

Just wondering if anyone knows about this condition and might have information that is valuable to anyone who has this disease.

[TheConservativeParty]

I don’t know about that condition but I am very sorry to read of your trouble.

May God bless you and family.

[Jonty30]

Any chance of recovery? I know the liver has a high rate of regeneration.

[dragonblustar]

I don’t know but I’ll keep you and your family in my prayers.

[Persevero]

I don’t have any advice for you, but prayed for you, and your daughter. I am sorry you are going through this.

[ecomcon]

Jesus, have mercy. What can we do, but ask? We pray for fourth and three.

[Williams]

My dad had it and refused any surgery. If the transplant is an option in the future def have it. Of course stop the drinking. Dad also drank a lot of beer. The cirrosis was diagnosed 10 or 15 years after he quit drinking. I’m very sorry you have this but they can do wonders with transplants nowadays.

[basil]

That’s one of the tougher diseases to get. You will be in my prayers.

I think a liver transplant might be an option for you, if you can get it done before obammycare starts.

[GR_Jr.]

I heard the liver is one body organ that actually will regenerate itself. I’m not a doctor, but I heard they coul go in and cut off the diseased part of the liver and the liver will actually grow back. I heard Herman Cain talk about this. He had cancer in his liver and the doctors cut that part of the liver off and today he has a full, healthy liver again..... Ask your doctor about that.

For now, obiviously, no alcohol for you.

Gods blessing on you my FRiend.

[shibumi]

Stop drinking ***NOW***!

No ifs ands or buts.

Do ~EXACTLY~ what the doc tells you.

It’s really simple if you do what they tell you, you’ve got better than a 50/50 chance of survival.

If you don’t, you die.

Soon.

[Errant]

Bummer, stop any further consumption immediately. Some people are more prone to liver damage from alcohol than others. My BL is such and he required a transplant. He was on death's door when he received his but doing great now. Almost back to his old self. There are other causes and it's rampant around here; must be about a dozen people that I know that have all stages. An uncle just passed away from it and a cousin is close to death now. Another distant cousin ( female ) has had two liver transplants. Some drank, some never.

Medical researchers are making progress every day and the longer you hang in there, the more likely there be a fix soon. Depending upon what stage you're at, don't waste any time getting on a recipient list.

God watch over you in the meantime!

[mrpotatohead]

I work in the same office building as our local alcohol and drug abuse council. One of the counselors had been a heavy drinker in his past, but had quit. When he was in his 50's his liver began to fail and he started getting the symptoms you describe. He had fluid drained numerous times, but was ultimately unable to find a liver for transplant and ended up dying after a couple of years.

Hopefully you are on a list for a transplant at this point.

I'm putting a note on my fridge to pray for you as often as I see that note. I pray not only that you'll get a transplant, but most importantly, that you have a saving knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

God Bless you and your family!

[mamelukesabre]

my understanding is it takes two things to get your condition. First you need a genetic predisposition. Then you need to drink. Using tylenol speeds up the process. There are lots of people who drink heavily and live to their 70s and never develop liver problems. They don’t have the genetic component so they don’t have to worry.

[Coldwater Creek]

I have a family member that had a liver TX over 9 years ago and is still going strong. Get on the TX list ASAP. Prayers for you and your family.

[ohiobushman]

Prayers for you and your daughter. I gave up drinking and pot smoking after becoming a christian 3 months ago.I was 25 yrs with the habit,have health problems but live for the Lord now.May God bless you.

[Innovative]

I noticed you post health/medicine related articles.

Perhaps you could comment on this situation?

[wjcsux]

Prayers up for you and your family. Any of us here could succumb to this disease.

[ConservativeStatement]

Best wishes sent to you.

[vladimir998]

God of mercy, we bless You in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who ministered to all who come to Him. Give Your strength to N., Your servant, bound by the chains of addiction. Enfold himlher in Your love and restore himlher to the freedom of God’s children. Lord, look with compassion on all those who have lost their health and freedom. Restore to them the assurance of Your unfailing mercy, and strengthen them in the work of recovery. To those who care for them, grant patient understanding and a love that perseveres. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

[ohiobuckeye1997]

Look up and research milk thistle supplement. A family friend was diagnosed with cirrosis a few years ago, he takes milk thistle now every day and his liver enzymes have went down, it has a positive effect, but is no miracle cure. Check it out, see if it may work for you.