Let me just blow the dust off this thing
I used to be so good about journaling. Ah, well, I guess we'll give this a go again.
Last week my gastro called to give me the results of my fibroscan. At my last visit he was unworried, and expected to just get an idea of the fat content of my poor fatty liver when the results were back. Therefore, I was also less worried than I had been when he first told me about the fatty liver.
Except my tests came back showing scarring. My doctor was surprised, and has recommended, and referred me to a research clinic in Austin.
There are four stages to liver disease. F0 is normal, F1 is early, F2 is moderate, F3 is bad, and F4 is cirrhosis. My test results land me around F2. The fat content was 276, and they say it's good because it's under 280, which is not good? But my e score, which tests elasticity was 8.6, normal is under 7.0. That tests how rigid the liver is, and can sort of guestimate at the amount of scarring. This puts me into the move on to biopsy section.
The research clinic called me today. They have a study I may qualify for. The medication has gone through trials and has been deemed safe. They've already completed some studies but are now working on a long term study. She said it would last about 3 years. I see the doctor on Monday, to be screened. I think it includes more bloodwork, and questions like do I smoke or drink, etc. At least that's how it sounded on the phone.
Currently, there is no cure, and I have to drastically change my shit. This research is actually studying medicine that might reverse it. I still have to drastically change my shit, though. See, I said this a few weeks ago on FB, but then my gastro wasn't worried, so hey look, cherry pie!
The upside is if I do this study, they pay ME. I get poked and prodded all the time and then get a bill in the mail, this will be fun by comparison.
That's pretty much it. If the screening goes fine, I move onto biopsy of the liver. Then they will know for sure where I'm at on the scale. If for some reason it doesn't, then I just continue on with Dr. Z. I don't know if he'll do a biopsy, since we know it's not cirrhosis right now, and without doing trial medicine it's just strict diet.
Also, if they do the biopsy and it comes out better than the fibroscan, I won't do the trial either, because I won't need it. So, really, I guess I win either way at that point.
I don't have any more info than that right now. Will try and update next Monday.
Next up, epi steroid on Thursday for my stupid arm and neck. I think the shots may actually be starting to work.
Last week my gastro called to give me the results of my fibroscan. At my last visit he was unworried, and expected to just get an idea of the fat content of my poor fatty liver when the results were back. Therefore, I was also less worried than I had been when he first told me about the fatty liver.
Except my tests came back showing scarring. My doctor was surprised, and has recommended, and referred me to a research clinic in Austin.
There are four stages to liver disease. F0 is normal, F1 is early, F2 is moderate, F3 is bad, and F4 is cirrhosis. My test results land me around F2. The fat content was 276, and they say it's good because it's under 280, which is not good? But my e score, which tests elasticity was 8.6, normal is under 7.0. That tests how rigid the liver is, and can sort of guestimate at the amount of scarring. This puts me into the move on to biopsy section.
The research clinic called me today. They have a study I may qualify for. The medication has gone through trials and has been deemed safe. They've already completed some studies but are now working on a long term study. She said it would last about 3 years. I see the doctor on Monday, to be screened. I think it includes more bloodwork, and questions like do I smoke or drink, etc. At least that's how it sounded on the phone.
Currently, there is no cure, and I have to drastically change my shit. This research is actually studying medicine that might reverse it. I still have to drastically change my shit, though. See, I said this a few weeks ago on FB, but then my gastro wasn't worried, so hey look, cherry pie!
The upside is if I do this study, they pay ME. I get poked and prodded all the time and then get a bill in the mail, this will be fun by comparison.
That's pretty much it. If the screening goes fine, I move onto biopsy of the liver. Then they will know for sure where I'm at on the scale. If for some reason it doesn't, then I just continue on with Dr. Z. I don't know if he'll do a biopsy, since we know it's not cirrhosis right now, and without doing trial medicine it's just strict diet.
Also, if they do the biopsy and it comes out better than the fibroscan, I won't do the trial either, because I won't need it. So, really, I guess I win either way at that point.
I don't have any more info than that right now. Will try and update next Monday.
Next up, epi steroid on Thursday for my stupid arm and neck. I think the shots may actually be starting to work.