Liver Disease

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No, I’m Not Pregnant!

by 8 Comments
May
06
2012
Controlling Ascites

Yes, I know that "When are you due?" can be extremely painful for anyone who is not pregnant... But to a 30 year old woman who can't have any more children, and has Ascites from a failing liver, it is heartbreaking. Of all of the symptoms I had, from constant bleeds, horrible itching, memory loss, daily vomiting... All of them, the ascites was the one that played with my emotions the most. One time, I sat in front of my mirror for almost an hour staring at my pregnant looking belly imagining "if only..." But really it was something more serious, a symptom of cirrhosis... fluid collecting outside of my organs (in the Peritoneal cavity). At first you really don't notice, but after a little while the pressure builds, the fluid begins to press on your organs, it becomes hard to breathe (and walk) and you can just feel all that fluid sloshing around in there. Ascites is a symptom of an underlying problem, so the only way to truly get rid of it is to fix the cause. In a majority of the … [Read more...]

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April is Donate Life Awareness Month!!

by 11 Comments
Apr
02
2012
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This month is very special to me, after all organ donation has saved my life two times now! I am one of the lucky ones. There were just over 28,500 transplants in 2011 and I was one of them, but there are still over 113,000 still waiting. Those are men, women, and children in the United States alone. People have so many reasons why they do not sign up to be organ donors. Some think they are to old or have an illness that will disqualify them, some think it is against their religion, some think they won't be able to have a proper funeral, and others think that doctors will not try to  save them if they see a donor sticker. I want to first address the last one, as it is one I recently heard (from someone in my own family no less) First and foremost,  doctors really do follow the oath they take to do no harm, they can be sued and lose their license otherwise. Second, the doctors that work on you in an emergency situation are not the same doctors that perform transplants (most of the … [Read more...]

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Making it mean something

by 7 Comments
Jan
22
2012
I wear green for the Organ Donor that saved my Mommy's life.

Hello my fellow fighters! Lately I have been thinking a lot about the journey my sickness has taken me and my family on, and how I can make something good out of it... Lemonade out of lemons (with a whole lot of added sugar, hehe), as one would say. For me, sharing my story and my knowledge on liver disease and transplants first hand, validates it some. If I can help to comfort at least one person, and show them that if a 5'1", 115 pound, mousy sounding girl can do it then they can too, then it will be worth it to me (I was going to go through it whether I liked it or not anyway). But besides sharing my story, I feel it is just as important for me to spread awareness  on the need for organ donation. I, for one, wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for this life saving procedure and the kindness of others. In November 2009, my husband's cousin Nancy, decided to give me part of her liver (54% to be exact). In July of 2010 we both went into surgery, and I came out feeling better then I … [Read more...]

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One resolution you should keep!

by 5 Comments
Jan
02
2012
Jan 1

Is one of your new years resolutions to lose those extra pounds, to be less scatter-brained, to get off that couch, or just plain be happy? Well if any of these five common resolutions are yours, your body might be telling you something, and taking care of your liver might just be the one thing you need to address to achieve these goals! 1. Energy - Gosh, get off your lazy butt! Your liver processes your nutrients, gets them where they need to be, while removing the harmful stuff. But if it's overloaded, it's not able to do its job properly and your poor body is sending all extra energy to help your liver (all hands on deck), but toxins are slipping through the cracks... Number two is a result of one of those toxins. 2. Brain fog - This can range from mild forgetfulness and confusion to HE (HEPATIC ENCEPHALOPATHY) ...and don't tell me you're just getting older, I wouldn't accept that until I was over 100. I saw George Burns - quick as a whip he was! Hepatic encephalopathy is … [Read more...]

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Is it time for a liver transplant?

by 11 Comments
Aug
18
2011
Surgery Liver Transplant

Hello my friends! I am writing this next article (finally, I know) on needing a transplant because it is a question I get often, usually after I have scared someone with liver disease by telling my story. (whoa Nelly, hold your horses, I was sick for many years before being transferred to USC to discuss  a transplant, and everyone is different). Once diagnosed with liver disease, a lot of people jump straight to the thought of needing a transplant, but remember that a transplant should be your "last resort". No matter where you are in your disease, there is something that you can do (see my previous article on Do's and Don'ts for your liver here on the FLAGC site, and even more details on The Antics of Larry the Liver - Yes, I'm plugging one of my own blogs. teheheee) Like I have said before... The liver is so resilient!! However, there is nothing that can replace its function, even temporarily. In other words, no dialysis like there is for kidney failure... etc. Once your liver … [Read more...]

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The Other Hepatitis’

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Apr
27
2011
Hepatitis

The last of two Hepatitis in my trilogy may surprise you. The first one, Alcoholic Steatohepatitis is a syndrome of progressive inflammatory liver injury caused by long-term or heavy alcohol abuse and is one of the leading causes of cirrhosis in America. This form of hepatitis is not contagious. (Remember, Hepatitis broken down only means inflammation of the liver) In the beginning there are not usually many symptoms, but once damage to the liver begins due to the constant inflammation, the same symptoms of Cirrhosis become present. Ascites (fluid retention in the stomach area) and/or Edema is usually one of the first symptoms, along with spider nevi. Hepatic encephalopathy, variceal hemorrhages, and Jaundice are also commonly present. Damage from Alcoholic Steatohepatitis can be stopped, and if caught early enough, even reversed. This is only possible if all alcohol consumption is stopped. If alcohol abuse continues, Cirrhosis will usually cause liver failure and a liver transplant … [Read more...]

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Heppers not Lepers (Part 2)

by 5 Comments
Feb
05
2011
Hepatitis-C

Hepatitis C (HCV) -- My nemesis. Though only 20-30% of HCV patients develop cirrhosis of the liver, it is one of the leading causes of liver transplants in America. There are a small percentage of patients that can clear the virus on their own within months of contracting HCV, but most develop the chronic form (meaning long term) Hepatitis C is a blood borne virus, it can be contracted at birth if the mother is HCV positive (Statistics for this is @ 1 in 20 births), blood transfusions before 1992, drug users that share needles (or items to snort drugs), people who work with blood products, sharing razors or toothbrushes with an HCV infected person, having unprotected sex with someone infected (though uncommon, chances increase if person is HIV infected or has multiple sex partners), or receiving a tattoo with contaminated instruments (again, uncommon if using a licensed, commercial facility).  Usually there are few or no symptoms at all when contracted, Some people  (around 10%) may … [Read more...]

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The Liver Girl’s Story

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Oct
28
2010
My family

Hey Guys n Dolls! I realized that in these few months of writing I never properly introduced myself. (This realization came to me because of one of FLAGC newest features "Power Stories" where you can tell everyone your story... Awesome feature BTW) So I figured you guys might want to know a little more about the person behind the liver articles... who holds such wisdom... hehehe (kidding) Well, it all started on a dark and stormy night on February 17th, 1981 (just kidding... it could have been a nice sunny day for all I know... just being dramatic) Either way it doesn't really start then anyways, though I will say, my poor mom really had a rough time with my childhood (besides the Hepatitis C... We didn't even know about that one yet). I wasn't wild, but boy, name a weird sickness and I had it. How many children do you know that have spinal taps, EEG's,  and other strange studies done before the age of 7. Doctors thought my mom was crazy with all the things I was tested for. Most … [Read more...]

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The Heppers (Not to be confused with Lepers)

by 6 Comments
Oct
17
2010
Hepatitis Types 1

Anyone who has a form of Hepatitis knows what I mean. As soon as you say you have Hepatitis, some people take a few steps away.  Though it is very common, and most people actually probably know someone with one form of it or another - whether they know it or not. Lets break it down to the basics. Hepatitis (Hepa - liver, titis - inflammation) Just like Laryngitis means inflammation of the Larynx... and so on. To me, once you simplify it like that, I don't see how people can be so judgmental still, but you'd be surprised. You then have you "types" of Hepatitis. First, lets talk about Autoimmune Hepatitis. It is unique because unlike most the other forms, it is NOT a virus, which means, it is NOT contagious. It is found more often in women then in men, and is usually diagnosed in childhood or young adults. Autoimmune Hepatitis is a chronic and progressive disease where the body attacks its own liver causing inflammation and liver cell death, and if left untreated will almost … [Read more...]

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Do’s, Don’ts, and Vitamins For Your Liver!

by 8 Comments
Sep
26
2010
Pills for you

In my search for finding an alternative to the transplant and removal of Larry (Yes, I had grown quite attached to my lil liver, and more importantly, yes, I had named him) I had "googled" I had "binged". I have searched high and low, yet I have not seen anything that can CURE end-stage-liver-disease.... What I have found is TONS of information on how to stop or slow its progression, and though they are life altering changes (such as strict diet and some exercise) your life is worth it, right? RIGHT!! Unfortunately, once your liver becomes as bad as Larry had become, and symptoms such as jaundice, encephalopathy, and ascites are present, there do not seem to be any other options (especially when Hep C is present... poor Larry) There is no magic cure for liver problems but first thing is first. Find out what is causing the damage. It could be something genetic (like Wilson's disease, PBC, or Hemochromatosis) or it could be something environmental, toxins. It could be drugs, alcohol, … [Read more...]

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