r/Cirrhosis

I was prescribed this medication and used it for years. However, I have a huge surplus, and not sure what to do with it.

I know exactly how expensive this medication is- as I loathe insurance about halfway through treatment and the kindest internet stranger sent me a month supply - gratis.

I’d love to pay it forward if I can. Any suggestions?

So we have gone to multiple hospitals but all have one doctor/expert for the respective illness. But our concern is that liver support medicine have bad impact on diebetes. each doctor will prescribe medicine as per one illness and look into the complete portfolio of disease in the body.

Please suggest what can be the best doctor/hospital in such cases.

Current Location , Mandsaur Madhya Pradesh. Traveling is fine for us. We have travelled till ahemdabad/udaipur till now.

So I went in for a routine endoscopy for a look see. Before the procedure the Dr who was new to me came in and was asking me had I had varices in the past I said yes but too small to band and I had portal hypertension that had resolved itself. (once it resolved they took me off the nodolol sp?) I am on no meds for cirrhosis. She kinda looked surprised I wasn't on anything. She said if she did find any that she wouldn't be banding them that they treat them now with just meds like cardiovol (not sure on the spelling but I've heard people on here being on it because of PH) ....I was a wee bit taken a back...not banding? That sounds scary as shit...so has anyone encountered this yet?

Edited for clarification: I've had cirrhosis for 5.5 yrs. I've had varices in the past that were not banded due to size (very small ones). PH had resolved by a year. I was taken off all meds. I have routine endos and colonoscopies. This is the first time I've heard of not banding at all...just meds. Too me it sounds scary not to band...just wondering if this is just my Dr or is this a new thing?

I was full blown alcoholic for 10+ yrs 4 am wake up for work drrink go to work drink etc repeat.On July 13th last year I woke up from a drinkin nap about 8 pm ate had a few more drinks back to sleep until about midnight I woke up not feeling great. I went to the bathroom and noticed I was very jaundiced I tried walking off the feeling and It wasn't going good. I've had 2 day hang overs too many to count, lots of throwing up etc. This was different after about 2 hrs of sitting down walking ice on me etc I honestly thought fuck it finally got me. I called my mom said I need to go to the hospital I'm not good. She rushed over this was about 3 am.

We got in the car and talked I started crying which I'm one of those bury it deep and never show it people. We got to the E.R they took me back right away and here's where it all gets worse. They talked too me etc said they need to do an MRI? I think,

I remember talking to the nurse on my way there. Tried to hit on her even almost dead lol.

That's the last thing I remember Idk when or why but I blacked out and stuff they took me back to icu at some point I remember bits and pieces like a dream of fighting and kicking the like 10 people holding me down, including security my sister and parents. It's basically all black out from the MRI trip. My mom showed me a picture when I was awake on my tablet which I don't remember but she said she saw my eyes just go blank and dead she told the nurse he's about to lose it. More struggling 2 doses of whatever they give you to calm down.

I don't remember 2 weeks, they had that electrical cap on me for seizures and I was a day away from being incubated, but I woke up somewhat alert and coherent everything from there on in the hospital which was another 1.5 weeks that I remember.

Worst part of the "feeling better" was having to call in a nurse to use the bathroom multiple times. what an embarrassing hellscape that was.

Doctor ended up talking to my mom towards the end outside of the room told her it's one of the not good case of cirrhosis he's seen.

Since then not even a sip even if knowing I can handle 1 night of it why risk it? I also did alot of dumb shit while drunk tried different drugs I hadn't tried yet.

In the year now I've been to more doctors and appointments than I have in like 20- yrs ER only. Worst part of it is I've put on between 20-25 lbs, and take almost 20 pills a day, also broke my foot in April? Still dealing with that.

From the beginning they talked about 20%? Functionality but I mightve heard wrong. Either way they brought up liver transplant and I said no not unless I have to. Went to the liver specialist a few months ago and she said we'll if it does get worse from here on it'll put you on the list.

Overall I think the hardest part is adjusting, physically emotionally etc, and I almost lost my shit yesterday took my mom for breakfast (staying at my parents atm until I figure shit out) she drove there I drove back and before I left the parking lot she said have you been drinking? i said fuck no. Oh it I thought I smelled it. I almost parked got out and said fuck you I'll walk back the 6 miles.

So Overall yeah that's my journey of a year.

*Edit* I should add my 1st temptation was grocery shopping, my sister had to get beer or something. So we headed towards the liquor department and I had to give her the cart and say I'm walking that way. I could smell it clearly.

2nd time was more more recent my brothers daughters 2nd bday and a bunch of people most drinking I had to walk to the side of the house and get away for a few minutes.

I was diagnosed with cirrhosis two years ago and in every single one of my mri, cat scans, or ultrasounds, the radiologist writes “trace ascites “. I asked my hepatologist what is considered trace and she said 1-2 tablespoons. I have never been drained, not on a diaretic, eat healthy , watch sodium levels but still - trace ascites. Idk why. Anyone else experience this? Not looking for medical advice - just curious if there are others that have been through this

Hi & happy 4th weekend everyone! I messaged my doctor and haven’t heard anything, probably out of office

I’m in Richmond, VA and tomorrow our temp is 102. Plus humidity makes it ten times more hot. My best friend is doing a get together tomorrow outside and I’m just wondering if that will effect me differently? I’ve read online a bit and also that being on diuretics (which I am) mixed with heat is not a good combo

Just wanted advice as I’m debating on whether to go or not. I already am hot natured so that’s a double on me

As of June 29th, I am 1 year sober and 9 months post transplant and life is so good friends. Hang in there because… we do recover. We do heal.

March 2: Diagnosed with ascites (first sign of decompensated liver cirrhosis) and portal hypertension. Hospitalized for 3 days for paracentesis. Started on warfarin.

March 5–25: Stable. Ascites did not return and he initially showed improvement.

March 25: Developed loss of appetite, nausea, then that night had massive bloody vomiting and bloody diarrhea (around two buckets combined).

March 26 morning : Admitted to hospital. Suspected warfarin-related bleeding, treated with IV vitamin K and blood transfusions. Initial esophageal banding couldn't be performed because of excessive blood, but after medications cleared the stomach, an endoscopy with banding successfully stopped the bleeding later that day.

March 26 evening: Developed hepatic encephalopathy (HE), stopped recognizing family and screamed continuously.

March 27 night: Gradually recovered from HE.

March 28: Diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD), likely worsened after the bleeding episode, and developed refractory ascites that no longer responded to diuretics.

April 3: Discharged from hospital.

April 3 – June 29: Repeated hospital admissions for paracentesis every two weeks. Became progressively weaker.

June 30 evening: Became extremely weak, barely able to move, but could still speak a little.

July 1, 4:00 AM: Passed away while trying to say something.

Kind of a poll - how many of you are on a sodium restriction and how much?

I was put on a 2000 mg restriction in the hospital. I had bought some zero sodium hydration drinks and was checking online to see if they were safe. Well, I ended up down a rabbit hole and read multiple articles about sodium restriction in cirrhosis while taking diuretics. One by Mayo - they were advising AGAINST it. Said multiple recent studies have shown that it can worsen kidney function and dangerously lower sodium levels, and it doesn’t have the effect they thought on ascites. Call me confused. I have had trouble with sodium levels so it makes sense. It doesn’t say to go nuts and add salt, just that the 1500 level they put me on may be too restricted. Fill me in.

So my dad was diagnosed officially in January, meld of 19, kidney disease too, varices, insane ascites , the usuall suspects.

Anyway , he's on high protein, low salt , has about 8l drained every 2 weeks but his muscle wastage is ongoing, low albumin etc

And looking at him, I can't help but think, realistically, how much longer can that go on, like will he just waste away indefinitely until heart failure or something?

His appetite is decent actually, but obviously if his liver is shot and his body is just getting glycogen from his muscles, eventually that runs out

I was doing so well being sober and eating and exercising healthy after my diagnosis in 2021. This year I fell off the wagon and had ten drinks over multiple sittings but one of those was four drinks in a row.
I am decompensated again. I am trying this from the clinic where I am getting my tests done after contacting my GI immediately after.

I absolutely plan to stay on the wagon this time but need stories of hope of people who have gotten back on track after a setback like this please. So defeated!

“This” close to losing him last week. At Sutter downtown, raced there to MICU from Auburn via ambulance. Due to projectile vomiting pure blood (alcoholic related esophageal varices), 5 days in MICU. Survived. Now angry and shutting out everyone except his landlord/best friend.

I’m looking for words of encouragement and support. I am attending Al-Anon meetings.

Amsety Bars are nutrition bars specifically designed to support liver health. They were developed with input from liver health specialists and contain the proprietary Super 16 Vitamin & Mineral Mix®, a blend of 16 essential vitamins and minerals. The bars are made with organic ingredients, are very low in sodium, and are intended to help people maintain a liver-friendly diet while providing convenient nutrition on the go.

My heptaologist and endocrinologist put me on Zepbound about a month ago. I have cirrhosis - not 100% sure if it was due to fatty liver that resolved or alcohol - both could be the culprit separately or together. Sober for 3.5 years and overall my numbers have been stable from appointment to appointment with well compensated cirrhosis (thank you Lord). I was just curious if anyone on here has also been put on a GLP-1 and if it did anything for your labs at your next check up? I didn’t even think I could go on something like this, but my doctor was telling me they have studies showing this can help improve liver function, reduce inflammation and in many cases see enzyme numbers improve. Not looking for medical advice just real life experiences. Thanks so much!

Does anyone notice more colds or flus than normal with cirrhosis?

Hello I was wondering if anyone who had F4 was able to get better . I know it's mostly not possible, but if there was partial reversal.

If anyone has experienced it please share.

I was diagnosed in late January after having a bad reaction to a statin through biopsy. The statin caused all kinds of gastro issues along with severe muscle pain, cardiologist had me stop taking it, started to feel better immediately after I discontinued use….decided to have a hepatologist check my liver even though I felt fine. Blood tests came back as cirrhosis which shocked me and hepatologist…liver enzymes had been slightly elevated but not what they considered super concerning. No diabetes, or high blood pressure, good cholesterol levels…(cardio put me on a statin to get a very small amount of soft plaque in one artery flattened and stabilized). After that biopsy, endoscopy, mri with contrast. All organs unremarkable, no lesions or tumors on liver, no note of liver enlargement, spleen, pancreas, kidneys all normal. No varices, no ascites, no jaundice, bilirubin normal now, albumin normal, sodium normal, ALT only slightly elevated at 37, AST 44, platelets and MPV are showing giant/large MPV with clumping which is making platelet volume appear lower at 125 but is higher due to machine inability to get accurate count…Grok states this is sign of platelet ramp and improved marrow function due to liver health improvement. INR and PTT normal. I have lost 20% of my body weight through Mediterranean diet, resistance training 3-4 weekly and daily aerobic exercise..Peloton spin and walking. Also started Zepbound at 5mg which has been shown to help reverse scarring by 1 or greater stage over time. I am approximately 10-15lbs for what is considered a “healthy weight” for my age, height. I have retained all my muscle through the weight loss on scan by getting high protein in and using Essential Amino acids, and improved strength and agility. I am hopeful these are all really good signs of liver improvement but would like to know if anyone in a similar situation has beat back MASH and fibrosis in similar circumstances? How long did it take before you could confirm fibrosis improvement and any other recommendations? I drink 3-4 cups of black coffee a day and take 800 iu of vitamin E..anything else you found effective?

My mother has stage 4, advanced cirrhosis. Exactly two years ago, the doctors told her that if she kept drinking, she was going to die. I remember those days perfectly. She would just sit there, staring at her beer, deep in thought. Then, on September 8th, she was admitted to the hospital weighing barely 39 kg. She had hepatic encephalopathy, severe malnutrition, and was extremely ill.

She was discharged, but just two weeks later, on November 9th, she ended up back in the hospital. That time, we were told she could pass away at any moment.

She was referred to hospice care, then discharged from hospice, and later entered an alcohol rehabilitation program from January to April of last year.

She kept saying she wanted to change. She started renovating the house to make it more suitable for her, and just two weeks ago she even bought a new car.

Now, in the present, during the recent heatwave in Spain, she spent time out in the sun and used a fan. Her oxygen saturation dropped to around 80–83%. She lost her appetite and almost 5 kg, going from 50 kg to 45 kg. She started having pain in her shoulders, lower back, and yesterday she said she also had pain in her pelvis.

On Monday she went to the emergency room and was given an injection for the pain. On Tuesday she went back because she felt like she couldn’t breathe.

Last night, at around 11 p.m., my father took her to the hospital again. The doctor told her she appears to have fluid in her lungs, although her kidneys are still functioning well.

She was crying because she truly believed that after quitting alcohol she was finally going to make it. She was so excited because she’s supposed to receive her new car on Friday and wanted so badly to drive it for the first time.

I keep reading stories on Reddit saying that these are the kinds of symptoms many people with cirrhosis have in their final days, and I just can’t cope with the idea of losing my mother. Her birthday is on the 31st. She’s only 59 years old, and I’m 27.

It’s true that the doctors haven’t given us any kind of final prognosis or told us that the end is near, but I can’t stop crying because I’m terrified that I’m going to lose her.

My aunt keeps telling me that I need to prepare myself, but I just can’t.

All I want is for a week to pass, for her to come home from the hospital, to be able to drive her new car, and to enjoy the house she worked so hard to renovate.