Anyone had an experience of Liver Cirrhosis/Failure?...
Discussion
My auntie is now 85 years of age,
Around 4 years ago she started vomiting blood, when in hospital we were told she has non alcoholic fatty liver cirrhosis and she is dying, The way it was put to the family was as if she was dying soon and while in hospital, A few weeks went by and she got discharged from hospital, she's been on lots of medication since relating to her illness, she also has thyroid trouble, anaemia and diabetes.
Since then she's managed to get on with her life, be it with a little pain, and become more frail,
about 2 months ago she began to become very confused! we had to force entry to the home as she didn't know how to open the door, she couldn't turn the television off etc... She's also mainly been bed bound, only getting up to eat or go the toilet.
The confusion is still there, not so bad but it does come in short spells, Last week she was admitted to hospital, she's very frail but has had 6 litres of fluid drained from her stomach as it was very swollen, as is her ankles... She doesn't look very well, her hair is falling out and she's in pain but she's still okay in her self still making jokes and talking.
The hospital are hoping to let her home soon but I haven't been giving a diagnosis as to what is actually wrong with her and what to expect...
I know you shouldn't look on the internet but every symptom she has, Tiredness, Loss of appetite, very confused, swollen stomach and ankles, diarrhoea...
They all point to liver failure...
If it is I'd like to know as I'd like to know what to expect, id much rather she didn't suffer, but doctors at hospital don't seem interested in further tests, they just want to let her home...
Around 4 years ago she started vomiting blood, when in hospital we were told she has non alcoholic fatty liver cirrhosis and she is dying, The way it was put to the family was as if she was dying soon and while in hospital, A few weeks went by and she got discharged from hospital, she's been on lots of medication since relating to her illness, she also has thyroid trouble, anaemia and diabetes.
Since then she's managed to get on with her life, be it with a little pain, and become more frail,
about 2 months ago she began to become very confused! we had to force entry to the home as she didn't know how to open the door, she couldn't turn the television off etc... She's also mainly been bed bound, only getting up to eat or go the toilet.
The confusion is still there, not so bad but it does come in short spells, Last week she was admitted to hospital, she's very frail but has had 6 litres of fluid drained from her stomach as it was very swollen, as is her ankles... She doesn't look very well, her hair is falling out and she's in pain but she's still okay in her self still making jokes and talking.
The hospital are hoping to let her home soon but I haven't been giving a diagnosis as to what is actually wrong with her and what to expect...
I know you shouldn't look on the internet but every symptom she has, Tiredness, Loss of appetite, very confused, swollen stomach and ankles, diarrhoea...
They all point to liver failure...
If it is I'd like to know as I'd like to know what to expect, id much rather she didn't suffer, but doctors at hospital don't seem interested in further tests, they just want to let her home...
Edited by D1on on Wednesday 2nd April 00:42
Edited by D1on on Wednesday 2nd April 00:45
Edited by D1on on Wednesday 2nd April 00:53
I had total liver failure 10 years ago, and all of those symptoms were present.
Bleeding from my stomach, nose, teeth etc (the liver produces the clotting factors), massive basket ball belly due to water as well as the ankles. Its to do with the chemical that holds water in the blood not being produced by the liver.
My hair on my head did not fall out, but stopped growing, but the hair on my chest did fall out and my nails stopped growing too. I was sooooooooo tired I would have to sleep after walking to the toilet, literally 5 yards away.
I was 30, and while I did go on the transplant list and I was told twice I was going to die, I basically made a micracle recovery over the period of a year. However, I suspect the story would be different in someone in thier 80s.
I cannot respond much today if you do have questions as I am in a meeting until 5.30, but will do later.
Bleeding from my stomach, nose, teeth etc (the liver produces the clotting factors), massive basket ball belly due to water as well as the ankles. Its to do with the chemical that holds water in the blood not being produced by the liver.
My hair on my head did not fall out, but stopped growing, but the hair on my chest did fall out and my nails stopped growing too. I was sooooooooo tired I would have to sleep after walking to the toilet, literally 5 yards away.
I was 30, and while I did go on the transplant list and I was told twice I was going to die, I basically made a micracle recovery over the period of a year. However, I suspect the story would be different in someone in thier 80s.
I cannot respond much today if you do have questions as I am in a meeting until 5.30, but will do later.
Obviously this being the internet don't take this post as if I'm a doctor, but look up 'hepatic encephalopathy'.
Her having liver cirrhosis before tells me the liver isn't in good condition and has likely failed/is failing (hepatic). This leads to a build up of toxins in the blood which then go on to affect the brain, leading to most of the psychological symptoms you described (encephalopathy).
I am in no position to suggest any prognosis or treatments!
All the best
Her having liver cirrhosis before tells me the liver isn't in good condition and has likely failed/is failing (hepatic). This leads to a build up of toxins in the blood which then go on to affect the brain, leading to most of the psychological symptoms you described (encephalopathy).
I am in no position to suggest any prognosis or treatments!
All the best
D1on said:
Thanks guys,
arranged to see a doctor tomorrow, don't really know how to put it to him regarding life expectancy...
Just ask the question. Too many people avoid talking about death. Be blunt and you will get a straight answer.arranged to see a doctor tomorrow, don't really know how to put it to him regarding life expectancy...
I've said this in another thread: please discuss DNACPR with the doctor (ALL elderly and frail people should have this discussed by their loved ones/themselves).
All the best, for her and you.
Update!
Went into see the doctor yesterday, she explained that after having the ascites fluid drained last week its starting to build up again so will need to be drained again before she goes home , this is an on-going thing which will need draining every so often..
She also explained that the confusion is down to the liver problem and is a well known symptom, she's done a test to come to this conclusion.
She's also said she's in end stage liver cirrhosis, and she's looking at long months , short years to live.
The doctor is a liver specialist and she reckons she has around 6-12 months as this illness will only get worse...
Went into see the doctor yesterday, she explained that after having the ascites fluid drained last week its starting to build up again so will need to be drained again before she goes home , this is an on-going thing which will need draining every so often..
She also explained that the confusion is down to the liver problem and is a well known symptom, she's done a test to come to this conclusion.
She's also said she's in end stage liver cirrhosis, and she's looking at long months , short years to live.
The doctor is a liver specialist and she reckons she has around 6-12 months as this illness will only get worse...
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