One thing after another!

My husband has refractory ascites, 2 episodes of HE, and is now anemic although with no evidence of bleeding anywhere. Still waiting blood tests to try and establish cause. What's next?!

[AyrshireK]

Hi Catcher, what is the cause of your husbands cirrhosis?

Has any mention been made of the possibility of assessment for transplant. Diuretic resistant ascites is one thing that normally throws someone higher up the transplant list. This condition together with the HE and other symptoms shows he has very advanced liver disease, however, I know this is a new diagnosis. I know that in cases where alcohol is deemed the cause there is usually demand for a proven period of abstinence before consideration for transplant and the priority just now would be to try and stabilise his condition (it is possible to do so, we have members who've been in this situation and medical staff have succeeded in stabilising patients who have then later on gone on to have successful transplant).

I would be asking about the possibility of transplant and if he isn't already a patient at a liver transplant unit ask for referral a.s.a.p. they would be best placed to get him stable and allow a wait for transplant. Sadly there is no down playing the fact he is seriously poorly at this time.

Best wishes to you both, Katie

[Hidden in reply to AyrshireK]

Thank you, he has not had a drink for 7 mths now and is going to be referred for assessment for liver transplant.

[AyrshireK in reply to Hidden]

Make sure you find out that this referral has definitely been done.

My hubby was due to be referred in early 2013, by June we still hadn't heard anything and it turned out referral wasn't done (consultant went off sick himself and no one picked up his caseload). My hubby wasn't as poorly as yours is so could afford the wait.

Best wishes, Katie

[readie56]

I have the joy of anemia to add to my list of ills. An endoscopy and a colonoscopy will show up bleeds. Varcies in the throat and tum can be Banded. The gut cannot.

That's where my leaks are and a 4 weekly iron infusion sort of helps.

Best wishes

John