my brother with hep c and cirrohsis

My brother is in esld. What makes this so difficult is the fact that he is in prison hospice. We have applied and been approved for medical release and he will come home this Thursday.  The problem is the last two days he has become very ill. He is very irrated and does not know anyone. He refuses to let anyone touch him and he seems as if he is halucinating. He looks at us very terrified.  Can anyone tell me if this is the end of him? It's very sad......

Hello, Rainbow Dash, and welcome to the forum.  I am sorry that your brother is so sick.  His mental symptoms are undoubtedly from high ammonia levels in his brain.  He does need to take the Lactulose and possibly also have it increased.  The first thing that needs to be done when he gets out is to hook him up with a hepatologist for evaluation and treatment, unless he will be transferred to hospice outside prison, in which case there will be no treatment except for comfort measures.  Liver disease is such an individual thing that it's impossible to say how much time he has left.  It's very important that he not drink alcohol or ingest illegal drugs, or even OTC drugs unless approved by a doctor.  I suggest you read the info in the folder entitled Hepatitis Resources at the top of the page.  There is a lot of information in there about end stage liver disease, the various stages, etc.

Rainbow, I don't know.  A MELD of 30 is very high--would qualify him for a transplant, but don't know if he would be an acceptable candidate.  If he's being transferred to home hospice, it means no treatment.  A better diet and less stress may help him feel better.

Hugs,

Connie

Yes, and if he becomes uncomfortable with ascites, he can also be drained.

Hugs,

Connie

Thank You for all of comments. My brother is not well today. He comes home tommorrow. I hope he makes it. They said his breathing is more shallow. I was wondering if we get the fluid removed will it help with his breathing? They will not do it in the prison hospice. I don't know why it will make him more confortable. He is so swollen. He is sleeping a lot. Please help us pray for him that he can make it home to be with his family.



Thanks
Rainbow

Just got a call that he may not come home tomorrow. They are afraid he will not make the 200 hundred miles ride. They said he is only breathing nine breaths a minute and he is in a coma. I am heartbroken. I asked my sister if they give him the enema of lactolose will he come out of the coma. They said he might, but she said he was in so much pain yesterday. He was screaming in agony when they were trying to clean him. I guess because he is raw because of the diarrhea and bed sore. She thinks maybe we should just let him pass while he is such a deep coma. Any advice is appreciated.

I think he should have be given a chance to try. Since he is in a coma we will never know. Better to die in an ambulance than by yourself in a cold concrete room with a stainless steel toilet virtually next to your head.

You are so very right.... better to die on the steps outside the prison... but if he does die.. just take him out of that place and get him somewhere to bury... and make a nice memorial for him... for the good times... for the best part of him... for the good part of him.. cuz I still believe that everyone has a good side... my prayers are for you.. and yes this is what it was like just before Miked passed with the breathing... although his blood pressure crashed and then he had pneumonia too... and yes draining the fluid helped the breathing... Sandi ... praying for you...