Decompensated to compensated?

Hi all, I'm new to here but very concerned about my dad. He has been diagnosed with cirrhosis a few months ago but his tummy is full of fluid (ascites) which is his main issue. He also has varices but thankfully has never had a bleed. As his liver is now decompensated my question is this. Is it possible for the liver to compensate again? When originally diagnosed after having pneumonia we were told that the infection triggered his liver to go into a decompensated state? I should mention that he also had ascites at this time too. I am worried sick as he is 77 & there is no mention of a liver transplant I'm sure due to age etc 😢

[Brett11]

Hi,

A liver can go from compensated to decompensated and back again.

Cheers,

Brett

[Hidden in reply to Brett11]

Thank you for your reply. I have added in a few more details below. I am so worried and hoping that things can get better without a transplant

[Hidden]

Brett is quite right. It can go back to compensated and it can go back to decompensated. Depends on where he sits on the line between the 2 and what the cause of the liver disease was or is.

Though if he had ascites before the pneumonia he would have already been considered decompensated.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Yes I would have thought so too but they told me that the pneumonia triggered it to decompensate. There is no obvious reason for it to be decompensated at the moment (my dad has not drank in maybe 15years). His bloods seem better but it's the ascites that I am terrified of as everything you read suggests a poor prognosis without a liver transplant. He has never had to have them drained. I am just looking for some glimmer of hope

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

If he was only diagnosed a few months back and hasnt drank in 15 years than the cause of his is disease is most certainly not alcohol related. Unless hes had cirrhosis for those 15 years. You wouldnt get cirrhosis later in life from alcohol that you quit 15 years ago if he didnt have it then. Has he been checked for any other cause? There is about 126 causes of liver disease.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

They are sticking to the fact that it's from previous alcohol consumption. I am presuming that he has had this for years and it hadn't been diagnosed. The main reason for all of his tests was because they couldn't get to the bottom of why he was anaemic then a scope showed varices. We are also going to get a private referral and get a second opinion.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Yea he would of had to of had it then. No way it would of developed now after all that time

[davianne]

Hi marzipan, I am 72 years old with stage 4 (compensated) cirrhosis, and was told a transplant at my age was unlikely, although I have heard of heard of older people being transplanted in a do it or die situation. I hope and pray that his liver goes compensated again to give him lots more time with you and your family (that's where I am now)

Take care,

David

[Hidden in reply to davianne]

Glad that you are doing well David. How many years are you diagnosed if you don't mind me asking? Also have you ever had varices/ascites? I have heard that in England (We are in Ireland) that they do live liver donation is this something that you have looked into? A family member/match can donate part of there liver. I am also conscious that this might not be an option because of a persons age but it is something that I would be prepared to do for my dad if it was

[davianne]

was diagnosed in October 2016, and never had ascites. I did have small varices ( no bleeds) , an ulcer and several polyps which were removed. I also had oedema on my lower legs and feet, and mild HE. I wouldn't want to put a loved one through a major operation on my behalf, although I have never, and never would ask them. I have totally come to terms with my situation, and have no fear of death, just the means of it (sorry to be morbid) But , as I said fortunately my liver is compensated, and I have heard of people who have lived for years with a compensated liver, so there is hope for your Dad, if the docs can get his pneumonia and other infections under control. I sincerely wish a good outcome for you and your Dad.

Take care,

David