I was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver 3 years ago and had turned yellow, throwing up blood and fluid in the abdomen, swelling of ankles. I was told I would die; I was hospitalized for 3 weeks. I did not drink again and used all the meds they gave me to help with water retention, etc. I researched and found out how to eliminate salt from my diet, I walk 4 miles a day and try to live very healthy. I was just at my doctor's and my bili count is down to .01 and my liver is getting better. It will never be the same again but I live without any medication whatsoever. You can live with cirrhosis and feel pretty darn good. Not drinking is the biggest key. There is hope.

My husband was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis about four years ago. He had been drinking beer regularly, then cider for years in quite large amounts -- about 6 pints or more a day. Upon getting the diagnosis, he stopped drinking all alcohol and improved somewhat in the liver function. He had some problems with build-up of abdominal fluid, which was helped by the use of diuretics (spironolactone and furosemide) and restricting dietary salt. He has a lot of arthritic-like pain and feels exhausted all the time. He is very weak. He is over 70, but we must try to keep him going against the odds.

I am a 38 year old wife and mother of three young boys. They are 7, 8 and 10. I have severe cirrhosis of the liver. When I was 10 years old I was diagnosed with autoimmune liver disease. I have been on several medications all my life. By the time I was 17 the disease had already progressed to cirrhosis. I have been very blessed in that I have had 21 years of relatively good health. I consider myself extra blessed because doctors told me I would probably not be able to have children. I have had 3 and they are all healthy. I am now suffering with fluid retention, constant vomiting, weight loss, confusion, and strange sleep patterns that keep me from quality time with my boys. It breaks my heart that they have to watch their mother go through this. I am awaiting a transplant and am praying that happens before they lose me.

I have recently been diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver from undetected hepatitis. I have been going to the ER twice a week where they take the fluid out of my abdomen, removing four gallons a week. My muscles are deteriorating rapidly, and I have lost 45 pounds. They say my enzymes are not bad enough to be able to get a liver transplant. I am a 61-year-old male, otherwise in good health.

My 77 year old mother was diagnosed with cirrhosis 10 years ago. This past summer, it reared its hideous head and she almost experienced kidney failure. I take her to all her doctors' appointments, and she has to have a paracentisis done every two weeks. That's where they extract the fluid that builds up in her abdomen. It's sad because I know the inevitable is around the corner. My dad died of alcoholism-related cirrhosis and now my mom has it from either taking too many meds a long time ago, or from undetected hepatitis. My best to everyone struggling with this condition.

I am suffering through the same thing as Marcela. I will give her lots of credit. I just want to know if staying on the diet worked, or if I should try walking too.