Liver cirrhosis life expectancy

Hi,

My MIL has been diagnosed for liver cirrhosis in September 2012 having pleural effusion and ascites... She went through a biopsy which said negative for cancer... Her fluid was removed from abdomen and from then she is going for regular monthly check ups.. She is on low् sodium diet and taking diuretics regularly,.. Doctor said there is no way to cure this but transplant s the only option to help her... She is active and normal aged 57.... Kindly someone advise if transplant will increase her life or if not how long she can live painless without a transplant.... Now she is having mild ascites.. And also a non cancerous mass near her right ovary...which is also a concern when it comes to transplant... Kindly someone advise please

Swathi

 Hello Swathi , While we or anyone won't be able to determine how long she may live . I can tell you that most transplant patients go on to live very normal lives . Please read the Resources page at the top of this page for some extra info . Hope your mom starts feeling better .

Ziff 

Hi ziff,

We recently came across this treatment when browsed... Can you please advise if it gives some limelight....

http://yhktherapy.com/

Swathi

 Swathi , I looked at the site you directed me to and appears to be a herbal remedy . I nor members of this forum recommend using these types of substances to treat Liver Disease . It is commonly known that these " Remedies " do very little or nothing in the treatment of the disease . People try and market this stuff knowing that the patient is vulnerable , Profiteering on the grief of people are what they count on . Don't fall into that trap . Use the medications that are prescribed , they are proven and backed by the medical community .

Ziff

Hi, Swathi, and welcome to the forum. I agree with others that herbal remedies will not help or cure your MIL and could actually be harmful. Whatever she was prescribed will not "cure" her, either.

Once a person has cirrhosis, the only true cure is transplant. However, progression of cirrhosis can be stopped or slowed by abstaining from alcohol and red meat, Also, by eating a diet of fresh fruits and veggies and no or little salt. Most patients are transplanted with MELD in the 20s or 30s, depending on location. There is a long wait for those in California and New York. Much less in FL. I was transplanted at Mayo FL with a MELD of 25. I had liver cancer, which gave me extra points. I was on the waiting list for 3 months. If you are overseas, I don't know what the situation is there, but I've heard that one can actually buy a liver in some countries, for instance in India. I don't think I would trust that means of acquisition, though.

Hugs,
Connie

What country are you located in? As for transplants, some areas of the US have shorter, or longer wait times for donor livers. There is always the possibility of a live donor transplant from a relative. Is your MIL seeing a hepatologist, GI or simply a pcp?

Ir's a possibility that they might remove the mass or the entire ovary during transplant.

Red meat is the most difficult protein for the liver to digest. When a person has liver disease, it's even more difficult to metabolize. A doctor won't say to abstain from red meat, but patients know that it's the best thing to do. Many feel ill or nauseated after consuming red meat. Skinless chicken is okay, as long as it's not fried. Bake or broil it. She can eat it whenever she likes. All meat and seafood should be thoroughly cooked. Beans are okay. If canned, they should be rinsed thoroughly to remove as much salt as possible.

Hugs,
Connie

I was diagnosed with cryptogenic liver disease (unknown) . Was placed on waiting list almost immediately. Checkup every 6mo. Till about two years ago' when they said I was stable my meld score was 10-11. so I was released to go in every year . Next month I reach another year another appointment 600 mile drive.
Meantime my mother-in-aw has brain tumors. So between she and I are demanding more of my husband. I know he is having been overwhelmed. His mom is know is OK. He has to deal with my million questions. I have encephalopathy . Any chance my short term memory will ever be the same? Of course I have bad days due to arthritis,Ulcer,sinusitus (which are killing me now with the allergy season.) Back to the overloaded care taker. He has gotten really mean. He hates that I sleep rather than anything. I have had cirrhosis from the beginning. I just zone out. But he has always been the best and I understand his plight. Why does he not understand that it isn't that I don't listen. I listen but I don't hear.

I wish I would never have gone for tests. I could have had it and never known.
lavandar

Post Edited By Moderator (hep93) : 4/20/2013 2:02:39 PM (GMT-6)

Hello Swathi, Welcome to the forum.

Like you I am a loved one of a liver disease patient. My partner, Mike, had cirrhosis from Alcoholic Liver Disease, Hepatitis C. He also had a tumor in his liver. He was very ill for a long time, but after he got into see a Hepatologist, they put him on the path to transplant. With last stages of liver disease, there is no cure but transplant. And many liver patients are too ill and pass.

But if the patient is basically healthy in other ways (no huge tumors, good kidneys, heart, etc) they can get on a list.

We have had other members from India who tell us that the liver transplant system is different there.

We will be interested to hear what the doctors say.

Come back often, ask specific questions, look through old posts...there is a lot of information and support here.

Mama Lama -- We are in Florida

Welcome and Greetings Swathika,
I am Themiz. Dr. Rela is at Global, correct? Dr. Rela is quite famous worldwide in the liver arena. At one time I considered transporting my husband to India with Medical Tourism due to the rapid and less costly liver transplantation process. Since that time, my husband has obtained medical insurance through our Medicare system. Husband is now in bed most days, and mentally challenging more than I like. We are waiting for May 1 for insurance to kick in at our new location. Phoenix, Arizona, USA. I am very busy with caring for my husband and attempting to pack and move over 1,600 Kilometers with very little help. Husbands last MELD score was 14. But that was Feb. He has become much more ill this month with increased jaundice, hepatic encephalopathy, but no ascites.

You are a sweet person to help your MIL. I will keep good thoughts for both of you. It does appear you have good advice for your MIL, good medical physicians, and more rapid transplant process. I will be very interested to follow you and your MIL as you continue the journey to a transplant. No advice, as I am on the same path you walk.

Be as peaceful as possible,
themiz

Hi Themiz,

Let God's Grace be with you... Hope everything turns bright soon... I will be in touch through out your journey too... My mil is normal now.. Nothing shown outside as she is sick... But I am just gathering informatioN and getting in touch with people having similar conditions to be more cautious and stuffed about the scenario.. Doctor has said its better to go through a transplant soon rather than waiting for her to get worsen....she is having problem in clotting.. So that's also a challenge...Themiz, what is your DH's case.. Is he alcoholic or it is cryptogenic?

Love,
Swathika