Cirrhosis....

I have looked all over and don't know who to talk to or where to go. My mom has cirrhosis and I have been her caregiver for about a week now. When she got out of the hospital she was happy and laughing and in a weeks time has gone from good to awful. She is going to the drs on wed. but she is in so much pain. On top of this i have three small children, a husband and a house to take care of as well. I feel soo overwhlemed. I'm trying to get thigns taken care of. She is giving POA to me and we a re drawing up a will for her. I just don't know what to do, how to feel. She was in the hospital for 9 days. She went in because her stomach was soo swollen. They finally got the fluid to go away, but the pain just is to much for her. I just don't know what to expect. She hasnt gotten the jaundice yet. But everything else is there....her biggest thing right now is the itching. And when she does that she gets little sores everywhere that bleed. And due to some of the meds she is on they cause her to bleed alot.  She is stay with me becasue she was living at her job, which was taking care of an elderly women. I have gotten her to agree that she can no longer do that. And she is only 61 so finding her somewhere to live isnt very easy. So anyone that could help, give advice...or anything I truely appreciate it. Thank you.

 

Hello, Mrs. Fox.  I am so sorry about your mom.  It is good that you are getting Power of Attorney, but also be sure to get a Medical Surrogacy.  That is often in the forms for a Living Will.  You need to find out what your mom's wishes are while she is still cognizant.

When is her next doctor appt.?  Is she seeing a hepatologist?  You need to find out exactly where she stands medically.  Has she applied for SSI/SSD?  If not, she should do so, or you can do the paperwork for her.  She also needs to apply for Medicaid, if she is financially eligible.  They could pay for a nursing home or perhaps assisted living, if that is necessary.

Read some of the older posts here and you will get an idea of what to expect and what you should be doing.  If you mom's doctor does not think she has much time left, you can get Hospice involved.

I know we can be of great support to you, and hopefully be some help as for as information.

Mrs Fox, Welcome to the forum. I am so sorry that your mother is dealing with this disease. You have come to a great place for support. There are many caring and knowledgable people here available to give advice and support. It may be the cirrhosis itself and not the medications your mother is taking casing her to bleed easily. That is one of the complications of cirrhosis. It causes the blood not to clot as quickly. Try to gain as much knowledge as you can about the disease. Knowledge can be very helpful when dealing with this disease. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

thank you all for welcoming me it does help to talk to someone who has been through what I have there is a emptiness and loneliness that I know I will never fill but talking to nice and understanding people like you helps thanks so much

Hello everyone thanks again for all your thoughts and prayers they are greatly app- the weather is pretty bad here so I will have to get back in touch with you all next weekend because when it is bad I stay at work so I wont have to worry about getting there I figure I stress enough with out adding more you all have a good week keep in touch keep me in your prayers and I will keep all of you in my prayers

My mother had the same problem and they gave her Nexium.  The fluid causes gas to build up in her digestive track.  Once she was on the nexium she stopped having pain.  You can get any over the counter gas pill until you can get the doctor to perscribe something for her.  Just a word of advise Nexium is $400.00 a month and a lot of insurance companies will not pay for it. 

Dear Sad Daughter,

Thanks for your noting that pain can be caused by gas.   My friend often winces when she moves.   I know she has back pain but it never occurred to me that it could be gas related.   I'm trying to understand as much as I can about what is happening to her and posts like yours help me.   Thank you.        Joan  

Hi, its me again. I have a few questions, I had a endoscopy done and they said I have vericose veins around my esophogus, and my liver is enlarged and pushing against my stomach. I do have Hep C and cirrohsis of liver(stage 4). I get routine ultrasounds and bloodwork done every 6 months. they are jus waiting till I get a lesion or cancer on my liver before I get a transplant. But this Bloating that you talk about is new. Its been about 2 months now that iv been feeling this. Feels like im always full. The dr put me on like a anti gas med but this is still so uncomfortable. I also have diabetes, which i take meds and insulin, high blood pressure, and meds for depression. So anyway i guess my question is does everyone get this bloated belly? Theresa

Realwoman,

Hi, I haven't posted in a while. I too lost my dear wife on November 21, 2008 to Cirrhosis from Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

I know the feeling of loneliness and being overwhelmed. We were married 23 1/2 years and have a wonderful 10 year old son. It is a real struggle to try to keep strong for his sake and get him through the loss of his mom. All I can say is that is has been over 9 weeks now since I lost her, but the pain seems to be getting worse. I am a man of faith so I know that god took my wife home to spare her the pain and suffering that she was going through, but I can't help but wonder why... such a sweet wonderful woman, devoted wife and mother who lived for her family had to go. I love her so much, and will never get over her loss.

I understand that it is very difficult to talk to anyone, when they haven't had the same kind of loss, my friends, family,pastor, and church family have been very supportive... but it is hard when their spouse is there with them to talk about everything. I feel like I am being a burden to them when I do start talking about my feelings as I know that they are saddened and depressed from it.

I pray several times a day that god will give me strength to get through this, and so far I have survived. I know that I will know the answer one day. I will keep you in my prayers as well, I don't know if I can be of any help, but I am sure willing to listen anytime. We all have to stick together and get each other through this with god's help.

God bless,

Hi anndalena and welcome to HealingWell.  So sorry that your father has been through so much.  Not sure why he developed cirrohosis but for some people there is no explanation.   Maybe his cancer had something to do with it.   

With new members we always ask them to start a brand new thread so that they don't get missed by our other members.  It's easy to miss you when you post a reply to a different thread.

Sorry I could not be of more help.........

Thoughts and prayers.........

anndalena , There's no need to be sorry.   Just hit the New Topic button instead of the reply button.......Give a new title that pertains to your situation or question........take care..

Andalena, welcome.  I hope you will start an introductory thread as suggested by my co-moderator.  However, I just briefly wanted to tell you that there really is no treatment for cirrhosis and it is incurable at this time.  The best one can do is keep a very healthy diet (no red meat, fresh fruits and veggies, and absolutely no alcohol.)

Hope you will stick around and post more.

NC, I'm so sorry you are still in so much pain from the loss of your wife, though I think that is very normal.  I want to suggest that you search for a bereavement support group in your community.  Hospitals sometimes have them.  You can also look in your yellow pages under support groups or social services.  Your church may also know of something like that, or be willing to start a group if there are many members in your church.

NC, Just wanted you to know that my thoughts and prayers are still with you. I am so sorry that you are hurting so deeply.