END STAGE CIRRHOSIS/HEP C

Question

MY HUSBAND WAS DIAGNOSED STAGE 4.  COMPLICATION HAS GONE TO VIRTIGO, DEMENTIA (EARLY STAGE) AND TOXIN HAS BEEN DETECTED IN BLOON.  ENULOSE CONTROLS FOR THE MOST PART.
FATIGUE IS INCREASING - NAPS NOW LAST 2 - 3.5 HOURS   SLEEP 10-12 HOURS A NITE.  COLOR - EITHER NORMAL OR JAUNDICE.  EYE ARE NOW OFF WHITE TO YELLOW .   EYE COLOR WAS NORMAL WHEN DOING INJECTIONS & ETC.
I CAN'T GET ANY EXPLANATION OF WHAT IS NEXT OR A CHART THAT HIGHLIGHT THE % OF STEPS TO FOLLOW AND A TIME FRAME THAT I CAN REFER TO.  
ADVISE IF THERE IS ANYTHING TO ASSIST ME ON THIS DATA.    
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT, A GENERAL TIME FRAME.   IT WOULD BE EASIER THAN WAITING FOR THE OTHER SHOE TO FALL OFF.
THANK YOU.

Louise111 · Answer

My husband had "End Stage/Stage 4" Liver Disease.  He is currently at a Rehab for Alcoholism...will be home March 6, after 30 days treatment.  He was really jaundice in Aug '08, went to Hosp. for week....the did Ultrasound on abdomen, CT, MRI of Liver. Dr. just said the lobe of his liver was all cirrhosis, he said the main part of the liver is enlarged....don't drink another drop of alcohol (beer is the beverage of choice here).  Well, my husband continued to drink, from Aug until the end of Feb.   His color was o.k., not too yellow from Aug. to end of Oct.  Nov, Dec., Jan, Feb....really jaundiced....he would not go to hosp, nor stop drinking, until he decided to go to rehab, the day after the Superbowl............he looks good, a little tired, but is walking, eating well, sleep o.k...........will go to AA daily, and an "after rehab" program daily from 10 am to 2 pm..........I too have so many questions, as you do and "daddysgurl"...........can my husband stay 'stable' for a good length of time, if he does not drink and eats and lives healthy?  Don't know what percentage of the Liver is actually functioning, can that be maintained, where do further deterioration occurs?  He's 62, otherwise always been an athlete.  One Dr. said, if he doesn't ever drink again, maybe he can go on a Transplant list in 6 mos to a year...........he's 6', 215 lbs.............not obese, never smoked or drank coffee.......If anyone has any info, please write...........thanks so much for any info.
God bless to all.
Louise

hippygem · Answer

Hi Lorla, read below, he might have to have the dosage adjusted, usually half the dosage of medications for people with liver disease, but best to see the doctor first and get professional advice rather than on here.

Before taking Advil, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

    a history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot;

    heart disease, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure;

    a history of stomach ulcers or bleeding;
    
    asthma;
    
    polyps in your nose; or

    liver or kidney disease,
    

   systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE);
    

   a bleeding or blood clotting disorder; or
    

   if you smoke.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use Advil, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

lorla · Answer

is it ok to take advil for pain in you foot caused by an accident when you have liver cirrhosis

daddysgurl08 · Answer

my dad is 51 years old and was recently diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver and he has been drinking and smoking for years now he has to quit drinking he is stage 4 i am 17 female and scared of losing my daddy can someone tell me alittle more about this illness and how long do most last in thease cases thanks alot and god bless

cincyhep · Answer

Thanks for the web site.   Hope you are well.

cincyhep · Answer

Just checking in to see how everyone is doing.   Hubby has had a better good 10-15 days.   Happy for the retreat.
Keep in touch

Jody515 · Answer

I forgot to mention to you that my brother is quite juandiced, tired most of the time, but does try to get out to the malls & walk them to do his best to build bk up some muscle & energy. NASH is a form of hepatitis that is autoimmune.  It is a gene in our family under the systemic lupus family.  My cousin passed this wk from autoimmune pulmonary disease.  I have another brother who also has 2 autoimmune diseases & of course I have the AIH thing going on that I take meds for. I could need a transplant someday myself, hopefully not though. Do the doctors have your husband on any type of meds to help him & he must have severe brain damage as my brother only gets dementia when certain factors (forgot what they are) are high in his body.
Thank you mike for the thread you sent me to. Very interesting but I don't think I want to share that info with him.  He knows time is growing short & has prepared for it with his will, gravesite, service & has prepared himself with God.  Hugs to you both, Jody

Jody515 · Answer

Hi to both of you,
My brother was diagnosed last April with end stage liver disease.  He has been drained almost twice a wk since then. At one point last yr the nurse practioner from his gastro doctor's office came in & told him he had about a yr to live.  He has been turned down twice since then by the transplant team due to his weight which is about 275.  If he could get his weight down at least 20 lbs they would consider him, but he is weak & it is doubtful the weight will come down.  I am out here because I have AIH & have been treated for hcv & have been clear & off treatment for a yr & half for the hcv.  I will ck out the other forum to see what it contains.  Thanks to you both & good luck & best wishes to you & your mate cincy.  Jody

kcmike · Answer

We just were speaking about similiar topic in the thread below.  It is on the other side of this forum.  The meld score helps a doctor approxiamate how long a patient might have left to live without transplantation.  I hope this helps.  You might start a new thread on the other side. 
kcmike

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/417294

cincyhep · Answer

Thanks for writing back.   I am so unfamiliar w/abbrv.  ie.  NASH.
Original we did talk to the UC transplant clinic, but I don't think Todd will be eligible because the damage to the brain & etc.   It is my understanding that drops you down the listing.   How long has your brother have fluid removed and what is he like now?  I guess you are right no one knows but you think there would be a chart of statis.   What is your brother day to day rountine like and does he work at all?
What made you get on the hep c forum?    
It was nice of you to respond.   I hope you keep in touch.
Sandy

Jody515 · Answer

Hi cincyhep,
Sorry to hear about your husband.  No time frame to give you.  I have a brother who is also stage 4, but from NASH, not hep c.  Not eligible for a transplant at this point because of his weight issues.  Weighs about 275, drs want him to 250 or no transplant. He also has periods of dementia, toxins in blood, fluids must be drained about twice wkly from abdomen, but they cannot give time frame.  Noone knows how long a person may last. Can your husband get on transplant list.  I live near your area also.  Have you had him yet over to UC to transplant clinic? Best wishes to you & yours.  Jo

END STAGE CIRRHOSIS/HEP C

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