Re: Need info about alcoholic cirrhosis

January 15, 2008

Hi.Welcome to our group. I can only relate to you that which was told to me. It

is about the same as what I have read, but what I read is always more ominous

sounding, and in person my hepatologist always sounds so upbeat, and hopeful.

Only problem is that the way I feel physically doesn't match up to his rosy

picture. I live in a world of suck. Cirrhosis is progressive when it goes past a

certain point, yes. It can even be reversable if caught in an early stage, and

abstinance is achieved and mantained. There is only one gaurentee, and that is

you will die if you drink. You already seem to get that. I did, you see, my best

friend died in Aug 06 from alcohloic liver disease. It was not a pretty sight. I

was thought to have non complicated or " well compensated " cirrhosis, but the

doctor is saying that my chronic encephalopathy might be decompensation, and in

the past, I would have already gotten listed and possibly a transplant. He also

said that I could improve to where I might not need a transplant, but that hope

is fading, as I have hepatopulmonary syndrome, and so I am being listed for a

transplant.

Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

Need info about alcoholic cirrhosis

Hi everyone, I'm new to this board. I'm just after some information

about alcoholic cirrhosis as I'm currently in the middle of tests for

this disease and would appreciate any information you guys could give

me. My symptoms have been weight loss of about 6kg ( 15 pounds ),

dark strong smelling urine and pale stools. I'm only 34 and very

stressed an anxious about having this. I'm expecting my 2nd child at

the end of March and realize that everything I've taken for granted

about being around to provide and care for my wife and children could

in fact not be the case.

Firstly, is cirrhosis always progressive? If I have an early stage

and stop drinking (which I already have), is it possible that my liver

won't get any more damage and might in fact recover to a certain extent?

Can i regain the weight that I've lost?

Can I life a normal life?

Is it true there's no medication, just avoid alcohol as the only

'treatment'?

Has anyone seen the latest research about the RSK blocking peptide and

have any more information about the progress of this research, like if

human clinical trials are taking place?

Thanks for any help!

January 15, 2008

How old are you and what were your initial symptoms?

>

> Hi.Welcome to our group. I can only relate to you that which was

told to me. It is about the same as what I have read, but what I read

is always more ominous sounding, and in person my hepatologist always

sounds so upbeat, and hopeful. Only problem is that the way I feel

physically doesn't match up to his rosy picture. I live in a world of

suck. Cirrhosis is progressive when it goes past a certain point, yes.

It can even be reversable if caught in an early stage, and abstinance

is achieved and mantained. There is only one gaurentee, and that is

you will die if you drink. You already seem to get that. I did, you

see, my best friend died in Aug 06 from alcohloic liver disease. It

was not a pretty sight. I was thought to have non complicated or " well

compensated " cirrhosis, but the doctor is saying that my chronic

encephalopathy might be decompensation, and in the past, I would have

already gotten listed and possibly a transplant. He also said that I

could improve to where I might not need a transplant, but that hope is

fading, as I have hepatopulmonary syndrome, and so I am being listed

for a transplant.

> Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

>

> Need info about alcoholic cirrhosis

>

> Hi everyone, I'm new to this board. I'm just after some information

> about alcoholic cirrhosis as I'm currently in the middle of tests for

> this disease and would appreciate any information you guys could give

> me. My symptoms have been weight loss of about 6kg ( 15 pounds ),

> dark strong smelling urine and pale stools. I'm only 34 and very

> stressed an anxious about having this. I'm expecting my 2nd child at

> the end of March and realize that everything I've taken for granted

> about being around to provide and care for my wife and children could

> in fact not be the case.

>

> Firstly, is cirrhosis always progressive? If I have an early stage

> and stop drinking (which I already have), is it possible that my liver

> won't get any more damage and might in fact recover to a certain

extent?

>

> Can i regain the weight that I've lost?

>

> Can I life a normal life?

>

> Is it true there's no medication, just avoid alcohol as the only

> 'treatment'?

>

> Has anyone seen the latest research about the RSK blocking peptide and

> have any more information about the progress of this research, like if

> human clinical trials are taking place?

>

> Thanks for any help!

>

January 15, 2008

I am 43 now. I was just your average guy. A horticulturist working for the City

of Denver parks department. I always looked forward to quitting time. Cold beer

at home. I was not the kind of alcoholic at the AA meetings who was always

getting dui's or the shakes, no that wasn't me. But the day after my last gig as

a drummer in a country rock band, I had a cramp in my right side, near the rib

cage, encompassing the whole abdomen. I quit drinking two days later. It got

worse as the weeks went my. I went to see my PCP, and she scheduled a complete

physical. She found nothing. She sent me for an ultrasound to see if we could

see anything. the results were negative. I weighed 346 at the time. My best

friend was hospitalized for the last time then, Jul. 06. By August, I had lost

30 lbs. She died August 3rd, I drank like a fish again for 40 days, and quit

abruptly on Sept 11, 2006. I had withdrawals, and DT's (delerium tremmens)and

had to be hospitalized and

detoxed inpatient. I continued to lose weight at 1 pound every two days. My doc

got very concerned, and sent me to a surgeon who took my gallbladder out. When

they went in to take out my galbladder, they saw a macronodular cirrhotic liver.

They took a biopsy which confirmed cirrhosis. Pain was the first symptom. I

still have severe pain in my liver, and take narcotic analgesic drugs to

function. I have a blog here at

http://billybobswildride.blogspot.com/

Come by for a visit. I also wrote the story of Ardis here

http://robertwalkingeagle.googlepages.com/home

Good luck to you. I'm glad you joined our group. You at least have a fighting

chance if you have quit drinking. Thats the bottom line. A lot of people cannot

do it. You and I are fortunate to be able to. I'm sure you want to take care of

your wife and those babies. Hey, don't forget to post photos when you get around

to it. We have a photo album in which we have quite a collection. We even have

my ct scan, Penny's ct scan, and Debra's liver.