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Posted 6/15/2011 4:49 PM (GMT 0)
Just got the call from the doctor and he told me that I have very minimal scarring.  He said that as long as I lead a healthy lifestyle he sees no reason that the damage will progress and that I could live to 100 with my liver.  He also said that if I have a couple of drinks a few times a year that would not be a problem and would not make it progress.  He said its the daily and/or binge drinking that gets people in trouble.  I was never the type that drank everyday and never had a physical addiction to it but I did like going out and socializing with my friends and drink.  Sure I over did it a few times but I think my diet is what really got me.  I ate s hit, really bad which gave me a fatty liver.  Good news that was resolved.  I'm not sure if I will follow his advice and drink a few times a year or just not drink at all.  Seems like it would just scare me to.  One thing that surprised me is that he said there isn't a stage if you don't have hep c.  Is that accurate?  I guess I would fall into the stage 1 category.  Right now I'm not sure how I feel about the results.  Part of me is sad and thinks once u will have liver damage it will progress and i will die a miserable death.  The other part of me thinks I may have stopped just in time and here is my second chance.  Any of your thoughts would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Woody

Posted 6/15/2011 5:08 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Woody, good news! Personally, I would not risk drinking, even if the doctor told me that too. Just because I would be scared like you. I really dont know if it would hurt or not, someone else may. From what I understand, liver disease or cirrhosis is in stages, regardless of hep c or not. My MIL is Stage 4 or end stage and she doesnt have hep c. She started out with fatty liver herself. If you continue to eat right and dont drink, I think that your doctor is right and your liver should be fine. It regenerates itself, so that helps. Good luck
Natalie
Posted 6/15/2011 5:12 PM (GMT 0)
I'd guess that your doctor isn't a hepetologist. If you have Hep C, any drinking is too much. As far as a healthy lifestyle will stop any damage to your liver...maybe so and maybe not. Generally, Hep C does damage a liver (over time), no matter what. The only advice he gave you that sounds accurate is that you will always have Hep C. Go see a hepetologist, nothing less. Either he isn't expert enough, or he's incredibly optimistic. I wouldn't bet my life on his rosy predictions. I didn't drink much, but 45 years of Hep C trashed my liver.
Posted 6/15/2011 5:20 PM (GMT 0)
Woody-good news on your biopsy results. I think you shouldn't drink at all. Why risk it?
Posted 6/15/2011 5:26 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry David I do not have hep c. The weird thing is he said it is only staged if you have hep c. my liver damage came from alcohol and poor diet IMO. The biopsy showed no hep c or PBC or anything like that so I guess that was good.
Posted 6/15/2011 6:15 PM (GMT 0)
Woody, I think that is GREAT news.  Like Natty, I think you should not drink.  However, if there is a wedding or some other celebration down the road, I don't think it would damage your liver to have one glass of champagne to toast the occasion.  If you want to socialize with friends, switch to non-alcoholic beer.  But still, don't overdo it, and don't be pressured into drinking the real thing.  Just let it be known that you are protecting your liver.  You will want to keep your liver in optimal condition and not have the minimal scarring progress any further.  I do believe you stopped drinking in time.  Also be very careful about your diet--don't eat junk food on a regular basis.  Increase fresh fruits and veggies and keep an eye on your sodium intake.  In this way, you will ensure that your scarring doesn't progress and you will have many healthy years ahead of you.

Hep C does not have stages.  It has genotypes which are helpful in predicting how one will do with treatment.  It's the cirrhosis it causes that is staged.  If you haven't yet had immunizations against hep A and hep B, it might be wise to do so.  And of course be careful about contracting hep C, which is a blood-borne disease and not as easily contracted as other types of hepatitis.

All the best to you!

Hugs,

Connie

 

Posted 6/15/2011 6:16 PM (GMT 0)
NattyD - Did your MIL continue drinking after she knew she had fatty liver or did she stop and it has now progressed to stage IV?
Posted 6/15/2011 6:34 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry I misinterpreted the Hep C thing.
Posted 6/15/2011 6:54 PM (GMT 0)
Woody - I drank heavily and I am suffering the consequences.

I dont drink anymore - why not give quitting it a try anyway - ive read on the internet that booze can harm your liver - I think I found out by looking it up on Microsofts search engine - Bing.

When I go out with pals now - they booze away a fortune whilst I sit and enjoy the evening with a couple of cans of coke.

Whilst the state of my health weighs heavily on my mind - at least whilst I am out with friends - the only thing I worry about is the damage I am doing to my teeth with all that sugar!!

Congrats on a good biopsy.
Posted 6/15/2011 7:27 PM (GMT 0)
Diet Coke, Mr. E, would solve that problem.

Posted 6/15/2011 8:04 PM (GMT 0)
Too late for that now - the last of 6 new fillings goes in next tuesday :/

I suppose I could go for the diet stuff to stave off the next round of drilling though. That taste - "saccarin"? or something is it - I think its that that puts me off.

Hey - my pals (and in honesty thats what they are) - find it strange I quit the sauce already (im saying they are pals because they are true pals - they dont turn their nose up at me for stopping drinking)  - imagine I tell them now Im on a diet.......... LOL - doesnt bear thinking about..... :)

Post Edited (MrErythema) : 6/15/2011 2:07:13 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/15/2011 8:50 PM (GMT 0)
Splenda.

Posted 6/15/2011 11:56 PM (GMT 0)
BINGO!!!
Why did I waste money on doctors.
Posted 6/16/2011 12:19 AM (GMT 0)
Wow David , An Englishman who thinks about his teeth ,Wow that's unusual. I'm not touching hygiene. ,but congrats to Mr Ed.
Mick
Posted 6/16/2011 12:53 AM (GMT 0)
Splenda - I will have to Google that one.

TLCK-24RRT

Posted 6/16/2011 1:04 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Woody,

My 2 cents on your earlier thread...that it was your fatty liver causing you issue.  Now that you've had everything tested and know what you have and how to move forward, I'm sure a weight has been lifted idea    I agree with Connie, have a drink here or there since you should be fine if you keep your weight in check and eat better.  Luckily, fatty liver is a lifestyle issue....eat fat = fatty liver...don't take care of it by avoiding the doctor or being in denial that it is an issue = liver disease progression.  So yay for you!!  I hope more people can see that taking care of yourself and being proactive in your healthcare goes a really long way to helping you live a better life.

Don't worry about other people not handling your decision to avoid alcohol.  They eventually understand.  I have heard of the rare person who had a friend scoff at them for not drinking, my guess, that scoffer will end up wishing they had avoided it!  One trick...have soda water with a lime!  Everyone will think it's a gin and tonic!  And no hangover in the morning yeah

Posted 6/16/2011 3:35 AM (GMT 0)
Woody, my mother in law never really drank, it was just the nash(fatty liver) that did her liver in, but she found out too late
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