Can't believe this !

I just got back from a trip to NY to see my family,My Grandmother (96 yrs young) had been in and out of the hospital for the past few weeks,no one told me much so I wanted to know and see for myself what was going on with her,What I found out has made my mouth drop to the floor ! She has Cirrhosis of the Liver !!! 2 weeks ago she had some bleeds in her esophagus and was banded,has a ulcer in her stomach and then on Monday was readmitted to have fluid drained from her belly ! Her belly was still swollen,I am assuming she will have to be drained again soon.She is Jaundiced,but other then that she looks pretty good after all she has gone through. I am assuming that she is also on Latulose because she said shes been going to the bathroom alot and was sore.How the heck does a 96 yr old get Cirrhosis ?? The Drs aren't saying much and no one asks questions,and because I am only a grandchild and those privacy laws I cannot get any answers ! My mind is just so overwhelmed,first Mark,now my Gram !

I think Tylenol maybe ?? She has been in a couple different assisted adult homes for a couple of yrs now,and before that she has been with my different aunts and uncles around the states,so I really dont think its alcohol ,but i could be wrong ! I am hanging in there,by a thread at times,but still here !

NEH, that's certainly the oldest person I've ever heard of with cirrhosis and what sounds like end-stage liver disease. While it could be attributed to large amounts of medication, it's not likely to be from Tylenol (acetaminophen) unless she was taking huge quantities over a period of time. NSAIDs are the ones injurious to the liver and kidneys, not acetaminophen.

She could well have been medicating with alcohol. Older people who were never considered drinkers sometimes start imbibing in their later years to help with sleep or aches and pains. My aunt did this, though she limited herself to one glass of wine at bedtime.

At least she has lived a long life. Here's hoping your grandmother will not suffer. Perhaps hospice should be called in.

Hugs,
Connie

Sorry to hear about your gran.

I'd add that there are also other meds that can cause liver damage most notably certain antibiotics. I know 4 people who have been hospitalised with acute hepatitis in the last year caused by reactions to antibiotics. They all recovered after a few months but I can imagine that for a very elderly person such a reaction may possibly be enough to trigger cirrhosis. Or it could be Hep C. It was around so long before blood products could be screened for it that she may have got it from a transfusion or something?

Benny - I think the poster is from the USA but I don't think it would be any different on patient confidentiality here in England. Patients have the complete right to confidentiality and no one is allowed to say anything to anyone outside certain very specific scenarios.

Ann

It's very possible that she has hep C from a needle stick when she was a nurse. It used to be known as "non-A, non-B."

A person doesn't develop cirrhosis from "old age."

Hugs,
Connie

Neither is diabetes. That is caused by the pancreas not generating enough insulin. It's also genetic.

Hugs,
Connie

I just got the call that my Grandma is now in Liver failure,waiting to hear back from my Mom about whats going to happen now ! I am so sad and scared,I think whats even harder for me is knowing that this can and will happen to Mark ! I know this is bothering Mark terrible knowing all of this is happening.Transplant for my Gram is not an option,she is to sick and at 96,even tho she is of sound mind,my family wont permit it to happen.

Lucky Charms, welcome to the forum. Of course, genetics is not the only cause of diabetes.

Do you have liver disease? What brings you to our forum?

NEH, your grandma is probably going to pass away. She is too old for surgery, much less transplant.

Mark is much younger and should not compare himself to her.

Hugs,
Connie