Decompensated liver

[trekmum]

is there any way a de compensated liver can become compensated? Is it possible.

[AyrshireK]

In many cases it is possible. It depends on the level of decompensation but we have many members who have literally been at 'deaths door' and come back from there to a stable level. Obviously requires medical intervention at the decompensated state then for the cause of the cirrhosis to be addressed to prevent further progression and good healthy living, good diet, exercise and generally looking after oneself.

My hubby was diagnosed with decompensated cirrhosis in April 2012 due to auto immune liver disease, he required a stay in HDU due to a massive upper GI bleed from burst varices. In 2014 he was listed for transplant but stabilized sufficiently to come off the t/p list in 2015. Well compensated at present and doing some amazing feats of hill walking etc. in recent weeks.

Katie

[trekmum in reply to AyrshireK]

my husband was told he had 1-3 years to live..That was 18 months ago...He has decompensated liver (Excessive alcohol use) . He is generally very unwell. But although his condition is worsening, fatigue , itch, and severe right shoulder pain a report from his doctor which we sought for some other reason says his disease is compensated... to say we re confused is an understatement. thank you for your reply

[AyrshireK in reply to trekmum]

Has he totally stopped drinking?

The definition of decompensated cirrhosis often included ascites and/or bleeding from varices. Without those then he may well be compensated - i.e. liver is still doing it's most important jobs.

Fatigue is common at all stages of cirrhosis and is my hubbies main symptom, itch is often due to a build up of bilirubin and is called pruritis - if this is affecting him day to day it will be maddening but there are treatments that can help. Many patients get prescribed Fexofenadine or other antihistimine drugs to help with that. Right shoulder pain may or may not be liver related - you can get a referred pain in the right shoulder from a poorly liver.

When you have cirrhosis there is no cure and it's about treating the side effects that having it causes round the body. Pay no heed to these so called 'life expectances' if a patient does all they can to look after themselves and symptoms are dealt with then it's possible to live with cirrhosis. However, your husband should be having regular check ups and you need to keep doctors in the loop with any signs of deterioration and they can explore further treatment options (transplant for example).

Katie

[trekmum in reply to AyrshireK]

thanks katie...He has completely stopped drinking since 2019 when he was hospitilised. His consultant is a very unpleasant man . We have been given minimal information and most of what we do know we get from google. (i should say at this point we live outside uk) Our GP does his best but I think we are going to have to pay to attend a private clinic as I dont feel he is receiving enough care. This latest report is so strangely phrased it has upset us. Hubby is so unwell. He has planned his funeral and has been passing on belongings to grandkids etc. Now this report says he could live 5-10 years. Weirdly this has greatly upset hubby. I think it is the prospect of years more of this poor quality of life.. He had a bad fall in hospital whilst suffering severe HE . He was so out of it he didnt know where he was. We warned and warned the staff that he was at risk but he fell and broke his femur and required surgery and has not recovered from it at all. He is on walking sticks all the time and in pain from that but obviously his pain relief options are reduced due to his liver...sorry to ramble on

[duggee1]

Hi,I was told 4 yrs ago that I had 6-18 months to live,I was 42 with a 3 yr old son,drank as soon as I woke up till I went to bed.I stopped drinking (not had a drop since ),I try to eat healthily & I walk a lot,I had my 6 month appt with my consultant last week & i was Told that my blood results were perfect,as was my ultrasound results,there's a little scarring on the liver & I just need to keep up with my 6 monthly check ups &not to Start drinking again,( I couldn't face it,after seeing how much crap was drained off me in hospital due to ascites,My constultant said she was amazed,

So stay positive XXX