Hi Raven - My mother was diagnosed with fatty liver. She went in to have her gallbladder removed and they saw that her liver had adhered itself to her gallbladder and they couldn't remove it because they were afraid she would lose to much blood. She also has diabetes. This all happened about
5 or 6 years ago.
She sees a GI doc and he has done a good job with her meds and she really watches her diet. Since her diagnosis she has her liver levels tested about twice a year and has a cat scan once a year. So far she has not gotten any worse.
Her biggest problem is she can't eat much protein. It makes her sick and very lethargic. (she is not much of meat eater anyway so not a big problem). She is on diuretics and Lactulose. She is tired alot and she does get a little disoriented and forgetful occasionally. If she takes her lactulose regularly then she is good. But sometimes she won't take it because she has company or she is staying with someone and she is embarrsed about the side effects (gas, diarrhea, lots of trips to the bathroom). But is it vital that she take it. The gasses or ammonia builds up and goes to her brain and causes her confusion.
I am not very technical someone else here will probably have more technical info.
All I know is when my mom was diagnosed I freaked out. The surgeon came out and asked me how much my mom drank. I laughed because I thought it was a joke. She NEVER drank...ever. He thought she was a drinker because of her liver.
However, with the right meds, the right doc and the right food...she is doing great.
Hang in there.
Cheryl