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Alcoholic Cirrhosis help

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Posted 4/24/2009 12:04 PM (GMT 0)
I'm new to this website. My husband has been in the hospital for 12 days with alcoholic cirrhosis/liver disease, having all the classic symptoms. He's moving to a nursing home today. My biggest worry/fear/concern is that he has gotten worse (higher ammonia, bilirubin levels, even more ascities after being drained, more muscle deterioration) during his hospital stay and I get no sense of how good or bad it really is or will be. He can barely make it to the bathroom in his hospital room. Could it take days/weeks/months to recover, if ever? Does anyone have experience with this horrible disease?

Thanks ahead of time!
Fernlady
Posted 4/24/2009 4:36 PM (GMT 0)
my  husband just passed away from alcoholic cirrhosis and hep c. How long has your husband been diagnosed with cirrhosis? Have you had to deal alot with the hepatic encephalopathy? (I'm assuming yes) Anyhow please email me with any questions, concerns, any help I can be. I just went through this and I would love to help you or listen to you, or give you a shoulder to cry on (well at least online) There are alot of things you should be aware of that will save you alot of the "i should've, I could've etc....... once I let hospice in he was gone in two months. Pleaase write me back so that I can help someone in Marc's memeory...................It is still fresh and I don't want to see anyone else suffer needlessly...........There is someone here for you who knows the process..............let me help in anyway I can   God Bless you and your husband..I'll pray for you both. Talking with someone who understands this disease all to well helps. Hope to hear from ya soon
Posted 4/24/2009 4:38 PM (GMT 0)
I just posted the reply about your husband and cirrhosis. If you want to email me directly, my email is marcgalvansgirl at aol dot com




fortheloveofmarc, I changed your email address for your protection. It's really unsafe to post your email address on a public forum.

Post Edited By Moderator (Pink Grandma) : 4/24/2009 7:33:01 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/24/2009 4:57 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Fern Lady and welcome to the forum. Yes, it is a horrible disease and I wish we didnt have to go through this yeah , my husband was diagnosed last March and we have been on a roller coaster ride since then, he seems to be pretty "stable" for now.  He has steadly improved since he quit drinking and has gone from a 17 MELD to a 10 in the past year. The lactulose is a Must and the aldactone keeps the ascites in control most of the time but you have to be prepared for just about anything with this disease.  My thoughts and prayers are with you,

 

Judith

 

Posted 4/24/2009 5:33 PM (GMT 0)

Fernlady and FortheloveofMarc, I want to welcome both of you to the forum.  FTLOM, thank you for responding to Fernlady and offering help.  Also, "hi" to Judith!

Fern, has your husband stopped drinking entirely?  That is the first thing that absolutely must be done.  If he has stopped drinking, how long has he been sober?  Has transplant been mentioned at all?  Cirrhosis is irreversible and anyone with cirrhosis is at higher risk for liver cancer (which I had and survived.)  When was he diagnosed with ALD and cirrhosis?  How old is he?  All of these things play into his prognosis and what is likely to happen.  Familiarize yourself with some of the educational threads on our main page, which will answer some of your questions.  You will also find a lot of support on this forum from the great people here.  The more you advocate for your husband, the better care he will receive.

Posted 4/25/2009 5:00 AM (GMT 0)

Hi, Rick!  Good to see you posting and to know that you are doing so well!  Keep up the good work, buddy!

Hugs,

Connie

Posted 4/25/2009 8:50 AM (GMT 0)
Wow!! Thanks for the fast and helpful replies--they are great!!

So hubby is only 57, was successfully treated for HepC about 2 years ago and at that time had a damaged liver based on a biopsy (don't know if it was technically cirrhosis or not, but it wasn't good--stage 3). He hasn't drunk since he went into the hospital (13 days ago) and because the doctor said he would have no memory of this episode it's unlikely to have much of an impact on his drinking habits. This is his second trip to the hospital. He is also diabetic and has been on insulin for about 8 years. Another doctor said he has a 50-50 chance of surviving and told me to bring my kid home from college this weekend (I did). He moved to a nursing home today and is still in la-la land--he tried to get through the window twice already, so I suppose it's good he could at least get up!

fortheloveofmarc--thanks for the email change. I didn't realize it was posted!
Posted 4/25/2009 1:12 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the forum Fernlady. I'm so sorry that your family is dealing with this disease. As you can see there are many wonderful, caring people here ready to help when needed. If you read some of the older posts you will find a lot of helpful information.

I'll be praying for your family.
Posted 4/25/2009 6:29 PM (GMT 0)

Fernlady, thanks for the additional info.  It sounds like your husband's liver disease has progressed.  Stage 4 is cirrhosis.  I hope that they can get his Lactulose moderated correctly so that he isn't "out there."  Be sure to visit him often.  Patients with family members involved get much better care.  Feel free to ask questions of the nurses, also.

Hang in there!

Posted 6/5/2009 1:09 PM (GMT 0)
Just to let you know, my husband died 1 May in the nursing home. We were at his side went he went (it was very peaceful even without his having taken pain medication). Like other members of this forum, I often wished his death would come quickly since this disease is so grotesque and horrible to every one concerned. But even after one month, I can't shake the guilt feelings...did I do enough? could/should I have done more? I decided to continue going to Al Anon. It's been the best thing. Anyway, I thank you for the support you have given me and wish you all the best of luck.
Posted 6/5/2009 4:19 PM (GMT 0)

Fernlady, I am sooo sorry for your loss.  I'm glad that he went peacefully and it didn't drag on and on.

I commend you for continuing with Al-Anon.  As you probably know by now, it's about you and your reactions and not the alcohol.  The support will be very good for you and I'm sure you've made some friends there.

Thank you for letting us know of your husband's passing.  And please feel free to post here at any time.  You can just vent, but you can also be a great help to others who are going through what you have experienced.

Hugs,

Connie

Posted 6/6/2009 2:22 AM (GMT 0)
Sorry to hear about your husband. My mom has alcoholic cirrhosis as well. She was diagnosed in 2006 but I'm sure it was present before then. She suffers from the classic symptoms (jaundice, fluid build up). I get so sad whenever I look at her. She doesn't even look the same. We were in my car the other day and she was in so much pain just trying to get out of the car. She always says "I'm okay" but deep down I know that she isn't.

I'm 25 and I refuse to even drink alcohol because I see what it can do to you. I ask my mom all the time if she's still drinking. She tells me no but I get the feeling that she's not being honest with me. I don't what more I can do. I don't think people realize how much harming themselves affect the people that really love them. I cry about it often because I know she's going to loose the battle with it one day. I just wish she'd be honest with me so I can get the her the help she needs.
Posted 6/6/2009 3:11 AM (GMT 0)
Bee83, welcome to the forum.  It would be helpful if you would start a new topic on your situation so that others will see it and respond.  Just click on New Topic and give it a title, then post it.  We want you to get the most possible responses.

Posted 6/6/2009 6:31 AM (GMT 0)
((Fernlady))) please accept my sincere condolences on your husband's passing. I know how devastated you must be feel right now.
I had guilt feelings for a long time after my husband died over 2 years ago. As hard as the wives try to save their husband's life............that stupid o'l GUILT rears it's ugly head anyways. I have finally found some peace in my husband's death. It took a while for me to accept that it was God's will and that there was nothing that I or the doctors could have done to change the out come.

Do what you need to do to get through this time. Going to a hospice bereavement class helped me a lot. I pray that your going to AL Anon helps you.

Lot's and prayers............
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