The Power of Hope - A Message for you caretakers - and the people who don't give up hope on themselves!

What I've found, after about 7 months of talking to people affected by cirrhosis, is that what people seem to need, more than anything, is hope. You need a lot of it to keep taking action. Hope is the thing that enables you to keep moving forward and finding the things that are going to work for you and your loved one. Without hope, you really don't have much.

When you have a loved one with cirrhosis and you become their advocate and caretaker, you need a tremendous amount of energy in order to keep going, with all the trips to the the hospital, taking care of your loved one, checking up on what the nurses and doctors are doing, looking up medications, looking up different alternative treatments (everything from enemas to IV drips), and making endless calls to the doctors, insurance companies, and various people whom you're hoping will be able to help!

When my husband was in the hospital. There were so many doctors that thought he was going to die without a transplant, and they did NOT give us a lot of hope that he was going to pull through. They even sent a priest to his room! Plus, another person to talk to him about "getting his affairs in order." Most people around me thought he was going to die - like Jake's ex wife, people at the hospital, and people around us. My neighbor even declined to look after him while I had to leave on a trip, because with how bad he looked, she was afraid her Mom would find him dead and it could traumatize her.

I asked 3 different doctors, straight up, if it's possible to recover from cirrhosis (without a transplant). They all said NO... but I absolutely refused to believe it. I always had hope that we'd be able to reverse his cirrhosis naturally, and I'm glad I did!
 

I spoke with a young woman on the phone, who was told her mother only had a 2 percent chance of survival. She had multiple issues, including diabetes and kidney failure. Her ammonia level was over 300. But I still told her not to give up hope! Clinging on to a tiny sliver of hope is like clinging on to a branch that can keep you from falling off a cliff, until help arrives. I say, hold on as long as you possibly can!

I realize that hope can seem like a dangerous thing, because when you have a lot of hope and something doesn't work out, it hurts more than if you didn't allow yourself to have that hope in the first place.

But overall, your chances in having success in life and doing great things are MUCH greater when you allow yourself to have hope and determination, even if nobody around you does! So please understand that by writing this post, I am not trying to give anyone false hope (obviously you do have to take action). Yes, I know. It really hurts when you feel like you hoped, and the thing you hoped for didn't come through. But HOPE IS A CRITICAL ELEMENT FOR HEALING!!!

I'm including this clip from my favorite movie, the Shawshank Redemption, as a reminder of why hope is a good thing.

While I believe it's important to have  hope, I also think overall, IT IS BETTER to have a lot of hope and faith that things will work out, and do everything you can possibly think of, to help a loved one get better (or to get better yourself) than to accept he idea that cirrhosis cannot be reversed.

If I had listened to the people who made it sound like my husband was going to die, and if I had believed them and had given up hope, my husband could be DEAD right now. I ABSOLUTELY REFUSED TO LISTEN to ANYONE who tried to tell me he was going to die. I was like that person who would cover their ears and go NANANANANANANANA and try to shut everything else out, because my sole focus had to be: HE'S GOING TO LIVE!!! (Even if it kills me first).

When Jake was in the hospital, Jake's ex wife said to me, "What are we going to do? What are we going to tell the kids?? (meaning, when he's gone). They have 2 kids.  And I just had to block out her words. I couldn't even bear to think of losing him. It was JUST NOT AN OPTION!!!!!

When you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cirrhosis, you can feel like someone in a car that suddenly died or lost power in the middle lane on the freeway, and you're doing everything you can to just make it to the right shoulder, safely, before you completely lose momentum. If someone tried to say anything negative to me, like, "What are we going to do, if we stall?" I wouldn't even be able to muster the words to speak to them, I'd just tune them out (or push them away if necessary) because in a dangerous life-or-death situation like that, you have to have a SOLE focus: Making it to safety. With Jake, it was like we were in a car together, just trying to use whatever energy we had left, to get to a place where we'd be all right.

Despite the fact that I was adamant in my thinking that he would get better, of course I knew there was a chance Jake could have died. But at least I knew that if he DID die, I would know that I tried everything I could, in order to help him. And overall I think that's way better than simply accepting that someone you love is just going to die!!!  I would like to think that, even if Jake did die, that he would be up in heaven, appreciating the fact that I had done everything I could think of, to help him!

Sometimes, that person who is sick really needs just one really strong advocate to be there for them, to help them pull through. If that person is very sick or not thinking clearly (especially if they have encephalopathy), they will probably not have the strength or the ability to do things that need to be done.
  
I want to dedicate this great song, by Gavin DeGraw, to all the people out there who refuse to give up.  I have talked to a lot of "soldiers" this year... and your loved ones are lucky to have you.  If you happen to be your own advocate, I commend you. Many people do not have an advocate, and if that's the case for you, I say, be proud to be your own advocate (I consider myself to be my own best advocate!). Keep it up!

I watched a video with a man who was told by just about everyone that his mother was going to die (I have a link for it on my private blog). I don't know what her condition was, but apparently she was very ill. She was in her 80s and at the point where she was so far gone, they took her off life support, and she was supposed to die within half an hour... maybe even as quickly as within ten minutes. But her son REFUSED to believe she was going to die! Even though everyone else thought she would. She had been in the hospital for 16 days and her oxygen level was low and never seemed to improve. People had flown in from all over the country to pay their respects before she passed. All the doctors were saying the should be taken off life support, and that it was basically CRUEL, for him to try to keep her alive when she was suffering.

But guess what? This ONE guy NEVER lost hope, he never gave up on his Mom, and he was DETERMINED to do everything he could, to help his mother live. He refused to listen to any of the people who made it sound like she would die. Even when they took his Mom off life support, and he was told she'd probably be dead within 30 minutes - maybe even as quickly as within 10 minutes - he still believed she would pull through.

He had brought some of this special water that I keep telling you guys about, to the hospital (Sorry I know I keep talking about it but it really does have scientific properties that make a difference). He actually dumped out that water they had at the hospital and kept giving her this water instead. He told her to keep drinking it. She slowly started to improve, and he said she "woke up" and her eyes were open. AND HER OXYGEN LEVEL WAS FINALLY COMING BACK TO NORMAL!  (I am not saying this water is a "cure" for anything. I can't use the word cure. I'm just saying she was dying, she drank this water, and she walked out of the hospital. You can make your own conclusions after you see the video). The doctors completely avoided this man, clearly because they were embarrassed. He said when he saw them in the hall, after his mom woke up and started getting better, they went in the other direction, unable to face him.

She was able to leave the hospital in 3 days, and the video I saw was recorded a year and a half after they brought her home, and she was continuing to do well!  When you are desperately trying to help a loved one with cirrhosis (a disease that seems to have a very bad stigma attached to it), it can seem like hope is in short supply... so I want to give you just a little more because there was a time I really needed it! 

While the majority of what I found online, regarding cirrhosis, was negative, there were a few people who gave me hope that my husband might be able to turn things around with supplements (like Dr. Paul Haider, and Dr. Burt Berkson). Although I never saw Dr. Berkson in person (Jake never did the IV therapy though the supplements were a lifesaver), and Jake didn't even use ten percent of the things on Dr. Haider's list, the thing I appreciated the most is that they both gave us HOPE, that cirrhosis could be healed.  


It is my hope for you that you and your loved one will be able to beat cirrhosis, like my husband did. 

Ellie

Some medications given to Cirrhosis Patients

 
Tonight I helped someone look up some different medications a family member was taking, and I decided to make a blog post for anyone else who might be taking the same medications. This is just a very partial list, I haven't even added some of the ones my husband was on, like Digoxin. Keep in mind, these are all meds that were given to the same person. It's pretty crazy to think of how many medications doctors will prescribe for just one patient. No wonder people seem to get more and more sick!

Please note, this is just a general list and I still recommend you do your own research. There are usually several different types of any given drug - for example, when I looked up "acetaminophen" I saw there were 40 different types to choose from. I can't say for sure if the one I've listed is the exact type your loved one is taking, but this is a general list of some common prescriptions that are given to people with cirrhosis. Not all of these are used to treat the cirrhosis of the symptoms of it, but sometimes they're used to treat the other conditions (kidney problems, heart problems) that commonly occur when someone has a bad liver. 

Please note that the notes on this page may not give a full description or list all the side effects. Also keep in mind this is just a very PARTIAL list of all the medications I've heard are given to people with cirrhosis (often to treat other issues). I will be adding to this list in the future as time permits. get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.Tell your doctor right away if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: numbness/tingling/pain/redness/swelling of the arms/legs, hearing changes (such as ringing in the ears, temporary or permanent decreased hearing/deafness), stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing eyes/skin.

 YOU CAN GO TO WEB MD TO LOOK UP MEDICATIONS BY CLICKING HERE.

Acetaminophen	For mild to moderate pain, reduces fever	This drug usually has no side effects. If you have any unusual effects, contact your doctor or pharmacist promptly. If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, remember that he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
Calcium Carbonate	An Antacid	Constipation, gas, and burping may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Cholecalciferol (vitamin D3)	Web MD says: "Consult your pharmacist. (note from Ellie this does seem to help keep your bones strong and it is also an anti-fibrotic)	Consult your pharmacist.
Dextromethorphan Cough	Cough syrup	Slight drowsiness/dizziness, nausea, or vomiting may occur. Rarely, some people may experience severe drowsiness/dizziness with normal doses.
Dulcolax (Bisacodyl)	A stimulant laxative used to treat constipation.	Stomach/abdominal pain or cramping, nausea, diarrhea, or weakness may occur.
Florastorr (Saccharomyces Boulardii)	Probiotics contain different types of micro-organisms such as yeast (saccharomyces boulardii) and bacteria (such as lactobacillus, bifidobacterium). Micro-organisms (flora) are naturally found in the stomach/intestines/vagina. Some conditions (such as antibiotic use, travel) can change the normal balance of bacteria/yeast. Probiotics are used to improve digestion and restore normal flora. Probiotics have been used to treat bowel problems (such as diarrhea, irritable bowel), eczema, vaginal yeast infections, lactose intolerance, and urinary tract infections. Probiotics are available in foods (such as yogurt, milk, juices, soy beverages) and as dietary supplements (capsules, tablets, powders). Different products have different uses. Check the label for information on uses for your particular product. Some diet supplement products have been found to contain possibly harmful impurities/additives. Check with your pharmacist for more details regarding the particular brand you use. The FDA has not reviewed this product for safety or effectiveness. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.	An increase in stomach gas or bloating may occur. Tell your doctor right away if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: signs of infection (such as high fever, chills, persistent cough). A very serious allergic reaction to this product is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Furosemide (Lasix)	A diuretic that also treats high blood pressure.	Dizziness, lightheadedness, headache, or blurred vision may occur as your body adjusts to the medication. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.To reduce the risk of dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position..This medication may cause a serious loss of body water (dehydration) and salt/minerals. Tell your doctor right away if you have any of these unlikely but serious side effects: muscle cramps, weakness, unusual tiredness, confusion, severe dizziness, fainting, drowsiness, unusual dry mouth/thirst, nausea, vomiting, fast/irregular heartbeat, unusual decrease in the amount of urine.
Heparin (Porcine) In 0.45 % NaCl Intravenous	This medication is used to prevent and treat blood clots. It may be used to prevent and treat blood clots in the lungs/legs (including in patients with atrial fibrillation). It may be used to treat certain blood clotting disorders. It may also be used to prevent blood clots after surgery, during dialysis, during blood transfusions, when collecting blood samples, or when a person is unable to move for a long time. Heparin helps to keep blood flowing smoothly by making a certain natural substance in your body (anti-clotting protein) work better. It is known as an anticoagulant.	Mild pain/redness/irritation at the injection site may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: swelling at injection site, bone pain, easily broken bones. This medication can cause bleeding if its effect on your clotting proteins is too much. Tell your doctor right away if you develop any signs of serious bleeding, including unusual pain/swelling/discomfort, prolonged bleeding from cuts or gums, persistent nosebleeds, unusually heavy/prolonged menstrual periods, unusual/easy bruising, dark urine, black stools, severe headache, unusual dizziness. Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including: pain/loss of feeling in the arms/legs, change in color of the arms/legs, chest pain, trouble breathing, confusion, weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, vision changes. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Insulin Glargine Subcutaneous	Used to control high blood sugar in people with diabetes. Insulin glargine is a man-made product that is similar to human insulin. It replaces the insulin that your body would normally make. It acts longer than regular insulin, providing a low, steady level of insulin. It works by helping blood sugar (glucose) get into cells so your body can use it for energy. Insulin glargine may be used with a shorter-acting insulin product. It may also be used alone or with other diabetes drugs.	Side Effects Injection site reactions (such as pain, redness, irritation) may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: signs of low potassium level in the blood (such as muscle cramps, weakness, irregular heartbeat). This medication can cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). This may occur if you do not consume enough calories from food or if you do unusually heavy exercise. Symptoms of low blood sugar include sudden sweating, shaking, fast heartbeat, hunger, blurred vision, dizziness, or tingling hands/feet. Symptoms of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) include thirst, increased urination, confusion, drowsiness, flushing, rapid breathing, and fruity breath odor. If these symptoms occur, tell your doctor right away. Your dosage may need to be increased.Get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
Insulin Lispro Subcutaneous	Insulin lispro is used with a proper diet and exercise program to control high blood sugar in people with diabetes. Controlling high blood sugar helps prevent kidney damage, blindness, nerve problems, loss of limbs, and sexual function problems. Proper control of diabetes may also lessen your risk of a heart attack or stroke. Insulin lispro is a man-made product that is similar to human insulin. It replaces the insulin that your body would normally make. Insulin lispro starts working faster and lasts for a shorter time than regular insulin. It works by helping blood sugar (glucose) get into cells so your body can use it for energy. This medication is usually used with a medium- or long-acting insulin product. Insulin lispro may also be used with other oral diabetes medications (such as sulfonylureas like glyburide or glipizide).	Injection site reactions (such as pain, redness, irritation) may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: signs of low potassium level in the blood (such as muscle cramps, weakness, irregular heartbeat). This medication can cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). This may occur if you do not consume enough calories from food or if you do unusually heavy exercise. Symptoms of low blood sugar include sudden sweating, shaking, fast heartbeat, hunger, blurred vision, dizziness, or tingling hands/feet. It is a good habit to carry glucose tablets or gel to treat low blood sugar. If you don't have these reliable forms of glucose, rapidly raise your blood sugar by eating a quick source of sugar such as table sugar, honey, or candy, or drink fruit juice or non-diet soda. Tell your doctor right away about the reaction and the use of this product. To help prevent low blood sugar, eat meals on a regular schedule, and do not skip meals. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to find out what you should do if you miss a meal.Symptoms of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) include thirst, increased urination, confusion, drowsiness, flushing, rapid breathing, and fruity breath odor. If these symptoms occur, tell your doctor right away. Your dosage may need to be increased. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
Ipratropium-Albuterol Inhalation	Used to treat and prevent symptoms (wheezing and shortness of breath) caused by ongoing lung disease (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-COPD which includes bronchitis and emphysema). This product contains 2 medications: ipratropium and albuterol (also known as salbutamol). Both drugs work by relaxing the muscles around the airways so that they open up and you can breathe more easily. Controlling symptoms of breathing problems can decrease time lost from work or school.	Headache, dizziness, nausea, dry mouth, shaking (tremors), nervousness, or constipation may occur. This medication may raise your blood pressure. Infrequently, this medication may cause severe sudden worsening of breathing problems right after use.
Lactulose	This drug is also used to treat or prevent complications of liver disease (hepatic encephalopathy).This medication is a laxative used to treat constipation. It may help to increase the number of bowel movements per day and the number of days you have a bowel movement. Lactulose is a colonic acidifier that works by increasing stool water content and softening the stool. It is a man-made sugar solution.	Gas, bloating, burping, stomach rumbling/pain, nausea, and cramps may occur. Tell your doctor right away if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: diarrhea, vomiting, muscle cramps/weakness, irregular heartbeat, mental/mood changes, seizures, severe or persistent stomach/abdominal pain, bloody stools, rectal bleeding. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
Megestrol (Megace)	Used to increase appetite and to prevent or reverse significant weight loss (e.g., muscle wasting in cancer or AIDS). By preventing weight loss from disease, you will feel better and may be able to be more active. This medication may also be used to treat cancer of the breast or uterus. It may be used alone or with other treatments, including surgery and radiation, to stop the growth of your tumor.Megestrol is similar to a natural substance made by the body called progesterone. It is not known how megestrol helps appetite or stops tumor growth. OTHER USES: This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional. This medication may also be used to treat cancer of the ovaries.
OxyContin	Used to help relieve severe ongoing pain (such as due to cancer). Oxycodone belongs to a class of drugs known as narcotic (opiate) analgesics. It works in the brain to change how your body feels and responds to pain. The higher strengths of this drug (more than 40 milligrams per tablet) should be used only if you have been regularly taking moderate to large amounts of narcotic pain medication. These strengths may cause overdose (even death) if taken by a person who has not been regularly taking narcotic medication. Do not use the extended-release form of oxycodone to relieve pain that is mild or that will go away in a few days. This medication is not for occasional ("as needed") use.	Nausea, vomiting, constipation, dry mouth, weakness, sweating, lightheadedness, dizziness, or drowsiness may occur. Some of these side effects may decrease after you have been using this medication for a while. Call your doctor if you have agitation, confusion, hallucinations, severe stomach/abdominal pain, difficulty urinating.
Pantoprazole (I am NOT a fan of this stuff... please see my blog post regarding PPIs)	Pantoprazole is used to treat certain stomach and esophagus problems (such as acid reflux). It works by decreasing the amount of acid your stomach makes. This medication relieves symptoms such as heartburn, difficulty swallowing, and persistent cough. It helps heal acid damage to the stomach and esophagus, helps prevent ulcers, and may help prevent cancer of the esophagus. Pantoprazole belongs to a class of drugs known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.	Headache or diarrhea may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: symptoms of a low magnesium blood level (such as unusually fast/slow/irregular heartbeat, persistent muscle spasms, seizures). This medication may rarely cause a severe intestinal condition (Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea) due to a type of bacteria. Do not use anti-diarrhea products or narcotic pain medications if you have any of the following symptoms because these products may make them worse. Tell your doctor right away if you develop: persistent diarrhea, abdominal or stomach pain/cramping, fever, blood/mucus in your stool. Rarely, proton pump inhibitors (such as pantoprazole) have caused vitamin B-12 deficiency. The risk is increased if they are taken every day for a long time (3 years or longer). Tell your doctor right away if you develop symptoms of vitamin B-12 deficiency (such as unusual weakness, sore tongue, or numbness/tingling of the hands/feet).
Xifaxan (Rifaximin)	This medication is used to treat diarrhea caused by the common bacteria known as E. coli ("traveler's diarrhea"). Rifaximin should not be used if you have a fever or bloody diarrhea. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria. This antibiotic treats only bacterial infections. It will not work for viral infections (such as common cold, flu). Unnecessary use or misuse of any antibiotic can lead to its decreased effectiveness.Rifaximin is also used to treat irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea. It is also used to prevent a brain problem caused by liver disease (hepatic encephalopathy). It may help you think more clearly.How to use Xifaxan: Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start taking rifaximin and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. To treat traveler's diarrhea, take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually 3 times a day for 3 days. To treat irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea, take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually 3 times a day for 14 days. To prevent hepatic encephalopathy, take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually 2 times a day. Antibiotics work best when the amount of medicine in your body is kept at a constant level. Therefore, take this drug at evenly spaced intervals.	Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. This medication may rarely cause a severe intestinal condition (Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea) due to a type of resistant bacteria. This condition may occur during treatment or weeks to months after treatment has stopped. Tell your doctor right away if you develop: persistent diarrhea, abdominal or stomach pain/cramping, blood/mucus in your stool. Do not use anti-diarrhea products or narcotic pain medications if you have any of these symptoms because these products may make them worse. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
Secura Dimethicone Topical	-Helps prevent and temporarily protects chafed, chapped, cracked or windburned skin and lips -Non-greasy, will not wash away -Absorbs quickly -Does not clog briefs -Propylene glycol moisturizes skin -Transparent application allows for visual skin inspection -Can be used after radiation to condition and soothe skin -Pediatrician tested	http://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-89116/secura-dimethicone-topical/details#side-effects

My Husband's Fibroscan Results are IN... and he no longer has Cirrhosis!

UPDATE 6-17-16: I finally finished a video showing the results of my husband's FibroScan. You can see it below.

Please be sure to read THIS POST, about what I mean by Beating Cirrhosis.I do not believe in "Cures." But I believe he is living proof that many people can get back to work and resume a healthy life again!!



I've said it before, and I'll say it again. If you have cirrhosis you should be under a doctor's care. Cirrhosis is a very serious and life-threatening condition. I am not a doctor and am unable to give medical advice. I've just learned a LOT over the last 4 years, since my husband was first diagnosed with cirrhosis (the earlier stages), and I want to share with you what we learned.

I have done a lot of research on supplements, but I am not a doctor and cannot advise you on what you should take and what you should not. Certain things may have worked for my husband but I cannot say they will work for you. You may need more than what he needed. Cirrhosis is a very serious, life threatening condition that hospitalizes over 300,000 people per year and 25,000 people die from it annually (these statistics are from the US alone). Make no mistake, cirrhosis kills, and it kills often. As of July 2016, I know of 17 people who have died  from cirrhosis in the last year and a half.  If you are in stage 3 or 4, you should take this very seriously. DO NOT WAIT TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!

AGAIN: MAKE SURE YOU READ READ THIS POST SO YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY CLEAR ON WHAT I MEAN BY MY HUSBAND BEATING CIRRHOSIS.  Not all people who beat cirrhosis are able to escape irreparable damage. While I am grateful that he is still alive and off all his medications, he can run a fast mile with no training, he can hike 12 miles and he's doing great at work, I realize now that because my husband took the slow route to recovery, he was still left with some damage that can't be reversed. You need to be aware of this. If we had known there was a faster way for him to recover, we would have taken it in a heartbeat, but unfortunately it took us years to learn about all the things I am sharing with you on this blog. I hope this helps you.

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After a year of absence from seeing my husband's liver specialist (and a year of drinking Jake's Detox water plus a few other tricks) we finally went back today, so he could get his much-anticipated Fibroscan! (I'm going to upload a video of it soon so you can see it was for real).

For anyone not familiar with our story, my husband Jake was hospitalized 4 times, due to cirrhosis (from alcohol), between 2011 and 2014. He had late stage cirrhosis (end stage liver disease) and was told he would have to get a transplant and probably have to go on disability. Many people thought he would die. His skin was greenish/yellowish/gray, he looked like a pregnant skeleton, and doctors made it sound like there is no way to reverse cirrhosis. He really did look like he was going to die. The people from his hospital sent a priest into his room and also another person to talk to him about getting his affairs in order!

When we went in today, I loved seeing all the GREEN on his chart on the doctor's computer screen (wish I could have gotten a clearer picture but I didn't dare get closer, as I knew his doctor would be annoyed to see me taking a photo at all... i was standing behind him while he talked to my husband). There is a yellow row at the bottom but I'm not sure why because there is nothing in it.

We have been wanting to do this test forever, but just couldn't afford it until now. For those of you with cirrhosis, or those of you who have loved ones with it, you know that cirrhosis can be a bit like having a black hole in your bank account (when you total up all the expenses for my husband's cirrhosis it is upwards of a quarter million dollars). A Fibroscan costs around $500, and Jake still doesn't have health insurance, but some places may give a discount - like 30 percent - if you don't have insurance and pay within 30 days. Luckily the place we went to was able to give us this discount.

Although we are still facing mounds of debt thanks to cirrhosis, my husband recently got a long-awaited, and well-deserved raise at work, and we were able to take the plunge and get this thing done once and for all!

Ever since I saw a man (who drinks the same water Jake does) say his doctor said he didn't have cirrhosis (even though he'd had it for 7 years) and couldn't seem to find it on an ultrasound (which I believe was a Fibroscan), I was hopeful that my husband would have similar results when he got his Fibroscan. I know my husband's score may not be as good as the guy who said that, but he has made undeniably significant progress (and I don't think that guy ever had cirrhosis that was as bad as my husband's). It seems that they have made about the same "degrees" of improvement (which appears to be a lot).

The guy who said he no longer had cirrhosis, said that his doctor had said, in order to have cirrhosis, he would have to have a score of 12.5, but he was only at a 6.3.

 He was told he had "the liver of a 45 year old." I couldn't tell how old the guy was, but I'm guessing he was probably about 50 (but looking good for his age).

So, the whole time I watched the screen while my husband's ultrasound was being performed, I kept thinking, please be under 12.5, please stay under 12.5.... and I am very happy to report that these are the scores that my husband had:

7.9 (1.62)

11.4 (1.95)

8.0 (1.63)

10.2 (1.85)

His "Mean Value" (Overall) Score is 9.37.

A person with cirrhosis has a score of 12.5+ 
 
I actually got a little teary eyed as I watched the numbers on the screen. I'd been waiting to see this for a long time! We've worked so hard to try to reverse his cirrhosis, and now I feel like we have proof that all that effort paid off.  
 
Jake's doctor confirmed that he appears to be in STAGE 3, which means his liver disease has reverted back to FIBROSIS, AND NOT CIRRHOSIS!

(UPDATE from Ellie: A few weeks after writing this post, I took a look at this chart - also shown below, on this page, and according to the chart, technically, my husband is in stage TWO, not three. True, he's "on the cusp" but technically 9.4 is the marker for Stage 3, and Jake's score is 9.37!)

I do realize it is still somewhat serious to have fibrosis (and if you have any type of fibrosis - which still means liver disease - you should still be under a doctor's care), so we don't take this lightly, and we DO plan to continue doing what we can, to heal his liver as much as possible. But I am just so relieved to know that he really was able to reverse his cirrhosis.*

That's right... let me say this loud and clear....

HE NO LONGER HAS CIRRHOSIS!

I am not able to use the word cure. So I cannot say his liver disease has been "cured" by the water or anything else. He still does have FIBROSIS, which is also serious, but his disease seems to be manageable. So I'm just saying, look at his results, I can tell you what he did, and you are feel free to draw your own conclusions. If you asked for my personal opinion on what gave him these results, I'd say, in my opinion, the water had a lot to do with it, but I can't make medical claims and don't have the $ to do a double blind medical study.  The thing I need to study is my husband, as I have been for 4 years, and something gave him these results.

I spoke with someone who worked for Fibroscan, who told me that yes, the score is calculated by getting an average of the numbers. He did say that usually there are 10 numbers, and I'm not sure why my husband just had 4.  But whatever the case, the doctor did confirm that he is no longer in Stage 4 (so he no longer is in the cirrhosis stage). Please keep in mind that Stage 3 still means "Severe Fibrosis" and Stage 2 means "Significant Fibrosis" so if you are in these stages you should NOT take this lightly and you should still do what you can to lead a healthy lifestyle, or you WILL run into problems.

This video will show you what's going on, when you get a Fibroscan.  The video is from this page, on the company's website (click to see where you can have one done).  http://www.echosens.us/technology



I am hoping that as long as my husband continues to do what he is doing (and add green juice and shakes back into his diet), he may even be able to have a normal liver again. One thing that I learned from Dr. Andrew Weil is that the body has a tremendous capacity to heal itself, and I'm a definite believer!

 I'm not a doctor and cannot make medical claims, and will not make medical claims. And I also need to tell you that if you have any degree of fibrosis or cirrhosis, you are supposed to be under a doctor's care.

Where to get a Fibroscan: 

If you live in the US, Click Here
If you live in Canada, Click Here

In case you are wondering how much it costs, I know the costs may vary in different areas but we were told it costs $413.00... BUT we were also told that because my husband doesn't have insurance, they will give him a 40% discount if he pays within 30 days. So the cost was more like $248.00. His specialist charges between $800 and $1200 per hour, but because it was a follow-up visit, it was less. Our total bill, for the follow up plus the fibroscan came out to about $589.00. Which is why we waited so long to do it... we had to save up! But still... overall, it was less than I thought it would cost.  It should be a lot less if you have insurance.

Learning to Read a Fibroscan

I still need to figure this out, but it sounds like the number in parenthesis is for an "m/s" score... and I'm having a hard time understanding what the "m" stands for (millimeter? micron?) but the "S" appears to stand for "second." So, it would mean _____ (mm or whatever) per second.

Although I do like Jake's doctor, he didn't seem particularly interested in educating us about what the different scores meant. I can't completely say that I blame him. As much as I do try to be sweet and polite while I'm there, it's hard to completely hide how smug I feel about the progress Jake has made with alternative treatments, when doctors seemed just as smug with US... telling him over and over again that he was going to need a transplant, and that he'd probably have to go on disability!  

I've heard over and over again that "there is no way to reverse cirrhosis." Now I can finally, officially say, THAT'S Bull****!

Jake's doctor seemed to be in denial of the fact that he got such good results, and didn't believe Jake had reversed his cirrhosis. He seemed to think he still had cirrhosis (as if we were in denial). Me and Jake thought he was the one in denial. It's got to be annoying to spend all those years in medical school, only to have some random patient's wife with no college degree, waltz into your office and insinuate that her husband was able to reverse his cirrhosis over the last year without pharmaceutical drugs or medical supervision.

Jake's doctor definitely seemed surprised by his results, and he actually called the elastographer into the room to double check on the report. I couldn't help having a flashback to the time they weighed Jake and they made him go into another room to use a different scale, because he had gained so much weight back so quickly, the nurse thought there must be something wrong with the scale! As I said before... it wasn't the scale that needed fixing... it was their treatment protocols! 

By the way, if you have cirrhosis from alcohol addiction, I want to share this page with you... I think a lot of people get really depressed and want to drink even more after the doctor tells them that nothing can be done, and it makes me so mad.  If you struggle with alcoholism, please click the green box to the left. You DO have to stop drinking, if you really do want to beat cirrhosis... but it's WORTH IT!!! My husband is SO much happier now that he quit drinking, just like I'm so much happier I quit smoking. It can be done!!!

Whether or not you believe Jake really did reverse his cirrhosis is up to you. Since we can't just "have a peek" at his liver and see what it looks like, we're just basing our opinion on the facts we've seen, and we choose to believe it has been reversed, based on the NUMBERS (his MELD score is a 6 and his fibroscan results indicate he is technically down to stage 2). We believe what we do, based on the fact that my husband is functional, he's working 50 hours a week, he no longer has the symptoms of cirrhosis (bloating, itching, jaundice, fatigue, encephalopathy, brain fog, you name it). 

I am hopeful that he will be able to reduce the scar tissue even further. I will be making him green shakes again, and he will continue to drink the water, and he will continue to do PEMF (we're going to upgrade to a top of the line PEMF machine we found out can be financed for just $50 a month). We are choosing that one because it has a unique signal that is different from all other PEMF machines, and it's the only one I've ever seen that has testimonials by peopl with cirrhosis.

I probably shouldn't be telling you this, but I'm going to anyway... Jake's diet is not the best. He eats a ton of candy and sweets so it's almost kind of shocking that his results are as good as they are. I DO NOT recommend you do the same. I don't have the best diet right now either, and I've been blaming it on stress. I realize we both slacked a lot because we thought, oh, we have this great water so we don't have to watch what we eat so much, but that WILL get you in trouble over the long run. I know we really need to get back to eating healthy, and I plan to go back to making shakes for the hubby on a daily basis!

Stage

A 5-point scale is used in grading the degree of liver fibrosis:

• F0= no fibrosis
• F1= minimal fibrosis
• F2= fibrosis has occurred and spread inside the areas of the liver including blood vessels
• F3= fibrosis is spreading and connecting to other liver areas that contain fibrosis
• F4= cirrhosis or advance liver fibrosis

- See more at: http://hepatitiscnewdrugresearch.com/fibroscan-results-the-scoring-card.html#sthash.A4O0pGud.dpuf

Fibroscan scoring card 
Keeping this in mind, we can use the Fibroscan scoring card to convert  Fibroscan results measured in (kPa) into the Metavir scale F1-F4. 

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- See more at: 


Located on the bottom of the Fibroscan scoring card is Fibroscan results in (kPa) measurements 0-75, more accurately Fibroscan results range from 2.5 kPa to 75 kPa. Between 90–95% of healthy people without liver disease will have a liver scarring measurement less then 7.0 kPa (median is 5.3 kPa).

A person with chronic hepatitis C and a liver stiffness more then 14 kPa has approximately a 90% probability of having cirrhosis, while patients with liver stiffness more then 7 kPa have around an 85% probability of at least significant fibrosis. 

However,  research has shown Fibroscan accuracy in assessing lower degrees of liver fibrosis (F1-F2) is not as reliable compared to diagnosing advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis (F3/F4) - See more at: http://hepatitiscnewdrugresearch.com/fibroscan-results-the-scoring-card.html#sthash.A4O0pGud.dpuf

Fibroscan Scoring Card

Two Examples of people with liver disease:

A fibroscan score of  8.2 in "hepatitis C "  is the same as fibrosis stage 1-2 or (F1- F2) as shown in the color coded scale. 

A fibroscan of 12.2  in a patient with "alcoholic liver disease" is borderline cirrhosis or (F3) .

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- See more at: http://hepatitiscnewdrugresearch.com/fibroscan-results-the-scoring-card.html#sthash.A4O0pGud.dpuf

In trying to understand how to read a fibroscan, I listened to this video below, which explains it a little more.

If you want to learn more about Jake's Detox water, CLICK HERE.

If you want to request more information about the water and other things he did over the last few years, CLICK HERE.

Thanks for taking the time to read this. Today I learned of a 7th person who died from cirrhosis, and in my opinion, this shouldn't have to ever happen to anyone.  I'm hoping more and more people will somehow be able to get the results my husband did.

Ellie