Weakened immune system
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Hi
I was diagnosed with cirrhosis at 26, back in 1996 and it's been 22 years of worrying about dying. However, I went back to school and got my bachelor's degree and now I've been accepted into nursing school.
Life DOES go on after a diagnosis. 
My concern is that a have a low white blood count (2.6) that my Dr attributes to thrombocytopenia/portal hypertension.
I mentioned to him that I wanted to go to school and he said it shouldn't br a problem but I've been reading medical journals where they say your immune response is weaked by cirrhosis.
Is anyone here working in the medical field with cirrhosis? Has anyone had immune system issues because of cirrhosis? Please let me know. I have a week to make up my mind about school. I would hate to throw 22 years of life away because I wanted to go to nursing school.
Thank you and be well.
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pradyut78892 lisalisa7
Posted
lisalisa7 pradyut78892
Posted
Hi,
I had acute hepatitis from a combination of alcohol and tylenol. I had liver and kidney failure. Encephalopathy. A HUGE belly that was tapped for a few months. I am 5'6" and I went down to 75lbs. I was in a coma for 10 days. They called the priest in to give me my last rights, ... and I lived. And I have lived a good life aside from the anxiety and the post traumatic stress from getting sick in the first place.
This is NOT a death sentence. 22+ years and counting and looking forward to living a long life.
I don't take much medicine, and never, ever drink. I eat really bad (but I'm a vegetarian who doesn't really like vegetables).
My labs are pretty normal except I have low platelets (about 40k) and a WBC at 2.6.
Thank you, I hope I do inspire someone. Getting sick has been a curse as well as a blessing. You look at life a little different now. You are definitely today and that's all anyone has. ?
pradyut78892 lisalisa7
Posted
lisalisa7 pradyut78892
Posted
Not really. Ate eaters healthy the first year. NO SALT. But now I eat whatever. And I don't exercize. I definitely try not to strain myself. I heard. It increased the pressure which may cause varicies.
lisalisa7
Posted
lisalisa7
Posted
Oops ....
I meant to say you definitely have today to live. That's all anyone has. There's no guarantee for the future, for anyone.
And when I was diagnosed, my liver was enflamed and swollen. Once I stopped the tylenol and alcohol, it eventually got scarred and shrank. I think that's the definition of cirrhosis.