HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Prognosis with liver disease

Support Forums
>
Hepatitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 11/5/2007 7:22 PM (GMT 0)
My mother has Hep C Cirrhosis.  Her doctor has said she has mild acetis and her liver is just starting to decompensate.  Her tumor markers are at 17 and her other blood work is high but not bad.  What does this mean for life expectency?  She said that the doctor told her today she was in stage 1 of decompensation.  I don't know what that means.  Are we talking 3 years?  10 years? less?
Posted 11/6/2007 12:05 AM (GMT 0)
Youtarzan, Welcome to the forum. I am so sorry to hear about your mother. Cirrhosis is a very unpredictable disease. There is no way of really knowing how long it will take before a transplant is needed. Some people go many years before the disease progresses to that stage while others progress very quickly. My husband has hep C cirrhosis also. He was diagnosed about a year ago. His tumor marker was also high. So far he hasn't had any of the really bad stuff happen yet. He has to watch his sodium for the ascites and takes lactulose for episodes of encephalopathy (mental confusion). Besides being fatigued a lot he is doing pretty well as long as he doesn't forget to take the lactulose. He also takes medication for ascites and portal hypertension. There is a lot of information posted on this site. If you read the other posts it would probably be very helpful to you. There are also a lot of people here that can help with your questions. Take care. You will both be in my prayers.
Posted 11/6/2007 1:55 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Youtarzan, and welcome. My husband was where your mom is at when I met him 9 years ago. He continued to drink until January of 2004. (about 51/2 years) He had cut way done on his drinking but he still drank some. He past away last April. Butterfly3 is right it all depends on how well the patient follows the doctors orders and how well they take care of themself. Once my husband had his first encephalopathy epizode he got scared straight quick. He was a model patient then. But the damage was done and a couple of doctors and a nurse dropped the ball. So he didn't get a transplant. Your mom needs to follow her doctors orders now and take good care of herself with eating right and getting enough exercise and rest. Hope this helps. Thoughts and prayers.
Posted 11/6/2007 1:04 PM (GMT 0)
Youtarzan, I just wanted to welcome you to the forum.  If your mom drinks alcohol, the very best thing she can do for her liver disease is to quit entirely!  If she doesn't drink, that's a good thing.  I have mild cirrhosis from hep C.  Make sure that she gets as many healthful foods into herself as possible.  (I call them "clean foods.")  Lots of fruits and veggies.  The ones that are deeply colored have the most nutrients, such as blueberries and spinach.  I recently changed my diet to include more raw veggies and fruits.  I feel better and have lost weight.  I haven't had an alcoholic drink in 21+ years, so that wasn't an issue.  I drink a good amount of water and lots of different juices and no-calorie drinks.  Cirrhosis cannot be cured, but the progression can be slowed down a lot by following these guidelines.
Posted 11/13/2007 10:41 PM (GMT 0)
I was diagnosed with chronic HCV & cirrhosis about 5 1/2 years ago. I am decompensated, & have had esophageal varices & ascites which are kept under control with meds. I used to drink, not every day, but enough to aggravate the HCV. I haven't had a drink since I was diagnosed, & have tried to follow the doctor's regimen. I currently have end-stage liver disease & am on a transplant list. My blood work is also high but not that bad.

How long your mother lasts depends mostly on whether she follows the doctor's orders, takes her meds faithfully, & also makes sure she stays away from alcohol. I've heard it said that drinking with HCV is like throwing gasoline on a lit fire. She should have plenty of years left, if I am any example.
Posted Today 4:39 PM (GMT 0)
Good advice from all! The best thing I've been able to do for myself is to change to an almost vegan diet, no sugar, caffeine, meat, processed foods - & alot of water or green tea. Diet, exercise and a good positive attiture is how I've managed to slow the progression of my HepC & cirhosis. I also limit protein as its hard for the liver to process. Lightly steamed vegetables & brown rice are my staples.
Posted 12/1/2007 8:15 AM (GMT 0)
Cary, that's an example of "clean food" that I mentioned earlier.  I also cut out caffeine (coffee) over a year ago and switched to green tea, which does have some caffeine but not nearly the amount in coffee.  Of course, there is decaffeinated coffee and green tea; however, I drank coffee for the caffeine, not for the taste.  
Posted 12/2/2007 12:17 AM (GMT 0)
Green tea is also an antioxidant that is supposed to be beneficial to the liver. My husband and I have also started drinking it.

Connie, I hope that everything is going well for you. You are still in my prayers.
Posted 12/4/2007 8:05 AM (GMT 0)

Butterfly, I'm doing well...cancer free.  Once I get past hiatal hernia repair on the 14th and recover from that, I will pursue hep C treatment.  Keep those prayers coming...they seem to be working!  :-)

Connie

Posted 1/6/2008 10:16 PM (GMT 0)
I thought that coffee (caffeine) was good for the liver and preventing cirrhosis?  (Because of the high antioxidants) I had researched it...well I can always hope, I love my iced coffee!!

Stephanie

Posted 1/7/2008 1:11 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Forum, Haven't been here for awhile, been really busy the last few weeks with my liver transplant. Thank God. I was called on the 19th of Dec. and got it on the 20th. I had one rejection episode already, but the doc,s have that under control now. I was very blessed to get one so quickly, so as to not have to get really down sick before I got it. Thank you all on this forum for the info. I received on my disease, and for the prayers. I am praying that each of you waiting will be as lucky as I. I don't know what my hep count is since the transplant and may not find out for awhile, but I am feeling better everyday and getting stronger everyday. I go in for my first regular Doc visit tomorrow. Thank you all again for your prayers and info. I got from everyone. What a wonderful Christmas this has been.
Posted 1/7/2008 1:21 AM (GMT 0)
Ranger, That is such great news. I am so happy for you. Yes, you have been blessed. Thank God that the prayers have been answered. I will continue to pray for your speedy recovery. Thank you for your prayers also.

Take care of yourself, and keep us posted.
Posted 1/7/2008 3:32 AM (GMT 0)
Ranger, that's fantastic! Thanks for letting us know the good news! Prayers for your continued good recovery.

Connie
Posted 1/7/2008 11:20 AM (GMT 0)
Ranger

What a wonderful Crhristmas present you have recieved. Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers for a quick and easy recovery. Please keep us posted.

Lucy
Posted 1/7/2008 6:23 PM (GMT 0)

Ranger, I am really happy for you. What a way to start 2008! tongue

 Shelly

Posted 1/8/2008 1:18 PM (GMT 0)
Great news Ranger, keep healthy and happy! You have a definate good start to the New Year! Keep your prayers comin they are answered daily! You are in our thoughts and prayers as well for a speedy recovery!

Huggs and Smooches

Toni

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply