Fatty Liver Disease Support Group

Hello. I am 35 years old and I'm a divorced/single mom with 3 kids. This past year, I have been SO SICK. Nausea, pain, and fatigue. After what seemed like endless trips to the doctor, finally things started pointing to my liver. My enzymes have stayed consistently high over the last year. My doctor sent me for countless blood test and a liver ultrasound. The tests also show that my iron is very low. My body isn't absorbing iron and my body has a depleted shortage.(Not sure if this is liver related). The ultrasound showed I have fatty liver. The specialist diagnosed me with liver failure and I will be getting a liver biopsy in two days to see what stage I'm in. I'm sick, confused, scared, and unsure about what this means for my future.

The doctor said I do have fatty liver and that is complicating things but I may have other reasons behind this. I was told that I could enroll in a program in Dallas, Texas for people who will probably need a transplant at some point. Nobody has discussed treatment with me so at this point, I'm assuming there is none. I'm looking for people who understand. I'm also looking for information. Thank you for reading.

~A

LoriAnne35,

I'm sorry I posted to you yesterday and for some reason it didn't "stick".

Welcome to the group

Some people with Fatty liver will develop what is called NASH (non alcoholic steatohepatitis.)

Some people with NASH will develop Cirrhosis

Some people with cirrhosis ( not All) will need a transplant eventually.

I always tell everyone to keep copies of all test results. this is along road and you will use them more than you may realize.

The liver biopsy was easy. they sedated me when I woke up it was over.

The results can be confusing.

It is usually graded with 2 different numbers

grade 1-4 for inflamation and

stage 1-4 for fibrosis (scaring)

stage 4 means that you have severe enough fibrosis to have cirrhosis.It does not mean that you have stage 4 cirrhosis.

Cirrhosis itself is classed "A ,B , or C"

If I can be of any help please let me know

Gail

Thank you for responding to my post. I had my liver biopsy on Wednesday morning. I did not feel any pain when they actually did the procedure but afterwards it was horrible. It was the worst pain I have ever felt. They did bloodwork and my hemocrit(?) had dropped due to bleeding. They kept me all day and later that night I was able to go home after my bloodwork stopped lowering and became stable. I feel fine now. I'm just waiting on the results.

Even with the pain from the biopsy, I'm glad I did it. I know it was necessary and knowing what is going on is worth it. I'm hoping this will provide me with the answers I need.

thank you,

LoriAnne

LoriAnne,

I am sorry that you had such a bad experience from your biopsy.Although bleeding is always a possible complication

That type of [pain is very uncommon.

I agree it was necessary. Knowing the truth is always better than what your imagination can dream up.

Please keep me informed when you find out your results.

Gail