Posted 10/25/2014 11:09 AM (GMT 0)
Hi RM, welcome to the forum.
You have posted into a really old thread...but your topic is very important.
Cut and paste your post into a NEW Thread and more folks will find you and comment.
For now....we are a group of patients and loved ones affected by liver diseases of all kinds. Sounds like hubby may have alcoholic cirrhosis. It is the result of long term alcoholism, or even moderate drinking for those who are prone to cirrhosis...lots of folks drink to much, but the lucky (unlucky) few wreck their livers.
The smell you describe is quite typical. There are lots of other symptoms also, rough symptoms, easy bruising, bleeding from nose or mouth, edema in legs and feet, swollen belly called ascites, mental changes called hepatic encephalopathy, etc.
When a person destroys their liver, there is no turning back. If they stop drinking in time, get medical attention, there is a chance that no more damage will be done and they can live with LESS liver function, but not NO liver function.
My partner, Mike, was in terrible shape 4 years ago. He had Hep C AND Alcohlic Liver Disease and was dying in front of our eyes. But he got hitched up with a hepatologist who did a bunch of labs and told him he likely would die in 3 months. That did it for him....he wanted to live after all. And sobered up, went to AA multiple times a week, went for a blood ethanol test weekly, saw a shrink, and has stayed sober. His disease was so advanced he needed a liver transplant in 2011. He would not have been eligible is he were not sober with documentation of that sobriety for 6 months! The transplant programs in the US are very strict about that.
We have so many stories like this on this forum. Look around...read the old posts of A.Ziffle. He has been sober for years when they gave him 3 months to live 5 years ago....and has not needed a transplant.
We loved these guys along the way...and whether you go or stay...that's on you two. But we feel for your struggle. I hope he decides to sober up. Some do not and the end is rough.
Hugs to you both,
Mama Lama