ESLD & CIRROHSIS

Hello everyone:

So is ESLD and Cirrohsis the same thing? As far as I know they told my boyfriend he has Cirrohisis. He went to the Dr last wednesday and he ordered a blood transfussion but they still have not authorized the transfussion. He is very anemic and he gets very dizzy whenever he gets up and walks to the bathroom. As long as he is in bed he says he feels ok its when he gets up to walk that he feels like crap. Anyone know if the blood transfussion would help with the  dizziness. His appetite is a little better but I honestly do not know what to do for him. Its exhausting seeing him walk hunched over like an old man when he is only 48!

Hi Moniesol,

Welcome to the Forum.

We are a group of patients and caregivers/loved ones dealing with liver disease. There are many causes of liver disease, but in the end, destruction of the liver causes the same medical problems...increased scarring, decreased liver function, and finally death.

The early stages of cirrhosis can still lead to a reversal of symptoms if the scarring hasn't gone too far. Those diagnosed need to get into treatment immediately. There are medicines that manage symptoms. No alcohol can be drunk. Ever again. Every drop causes worsening of the scarring.

Some patients become eligible for transplantation as they move into the final stages of cirrhosis. The trick is to avoid that stage with clean living, no drugs or alcohol, no red meats (too hard to digest), low sodium diet, plenty of fruits and veggies and good sources of fiber.

Lots can go wrong with the body when the liver begins to fail...bleeding (low platelets) of esophagus or stomach, swelling of stomach or ankles (ascites), jaundice, hepatic encephalopathy (ammonia), wt loss, muscle wasting, confusion, fatigue, etc etc.

There is good information at the top of the forum, take a few minutes. Then read old posts. Put in any key word in the search feature and it will bring up plenty of information from our patients and caregivers.

Best to you,
Carol

Post Edited By Moderator (hep93) : 2/8/2012 12:53:14 PM (GMT-7)

I asked my hepatologist the same question and he sort of said they are the same, ESLD & Cirrhosis. Like Connie said it is when a person enters the decompensated stage which means they are no longer asymptomatic and develop symptoms of the disease and the body becomes dependent on medication. I am in this category which is not a good category to be in. I am told that my body and liver would not tolerate the combo; Interferon, Ribavarin and one of the new drugs available on the market today. Although I have asked my doc several times to try the combo he is not budging. More or less the next step for ESLD cirrhotic patients is a liver transplant. Most important is following doctors disciplinary terms like taking your meds, low sodium diet , no drinking alcohol or taking drugs, a little excercis if possible, like walking, to stay healthy until that time.

Thanks to everyone on there responses. He got his blood transfusion yesterday thank God and his dizziness is almost gone. He still feels weak and is very sleepy. I wonder if these blood transfusions are going to be often, does anyone know? Before he got the transfusion yesterday morning his b/p was 77/41! It did get back to normal before he left the infusion place.