Is there hope

[Holidaymad22]

What I’m finding hard to understand my husband was diagnosed in August with compensated cirrhosis, gave up alcohol straight away, was good until about a month ago then he got admitted to hospital with acites and jaundice, he’s been eating all the right foods fresh meals cooked from scratch, why do people do well after stopping drinking and some seem to get worse. He has no varices or anything so I thought he would just stay well. I just find it hard to understand, they’ve said his bloods are good but he’s just sleeping round the clock now.

[Harting]

What is his diagnosis, and how is he getting worse?

[Holidaymad22 in reply to Harting]

In August was Compensated did well for a couple of months has had no alcohol and a month ago got admitted with Jaundice and Acites, since then just sleeps all the time.

[Harting in reply to Holidaymad22]

Ok. If he is at home, has he definitely given up the alcohol? No judgement here (as I am certainly in no place to judge) but do make sure. How often does he have blood tests, and what are his GGT (Gamma-glutamyl Transferase) levels like?

There are problems such as re-feeding syndrome to also be considered, my advice would be to call the secretary to the consultant he would have seen when admitted, say that things are becoming more worrying, and ask for a referral to them to be made urgent.

As a last alternative, there is A&E - does he still have ascites? If so, and it becomes infected, it can lead to SBP (spontaneous bacterial peritonitis), which would need urgent antibiotics and a sample to be drawn to be tested while the antibiotics are being administered. Often there are minimal symptoms or patients are even asymptomatic, so if you are in any doubt then a trip to the hospital could be worth while. If in doubt, don't err, and seek hospital attention as soon as possible.

[Holidaymad22 in reply to Harting]

yes he went to hospital all his bloods are back to normal now and is on meds for Acites he’s had no alcohol since august, he’s just got this extreme tiredness which he didn’t have in the beginning.

[Katt12340]

Yes. There's always hope 😊Don't forget his body has not only been struggling because of the liver but he's also adjusting to a massive lifestyle change! I have advanced liver disease and I also did a similar thing, and whilst it's a great thing, it's hard and your body is taking a knock and needs to recouperate. How does he feel in himself? Mental health is incredibly important here, can he talk to a physio attached to his consultant? Give him some small, realistic goals to keep him moving.

He's learning to function again without the alcohol/junk, it takes time 😊

Hope this helps x

[Holidaymad22 in reply to Katt12340]

Thank you he is feeling very depressed at the moment, but has now started a phased return at work so hopefully that will get him back into a bit of a routine

[wurzle]

Chronic fatigue is one of the common effects of cirrhosis. I still suffer from this 2 years after diagnosis as well as depleted energy levels and nerve damage due to peripheral neuropathy. These seem to be very common conditions for people with cirrhosis. Not many get away scot- free. I have had to give up full-time work. Diet, gentle exercise and not overdoing it is pretty much how you live with these. I wish you and your hubby all the best x

[Harting in reply to wurzle]

PN is very common, I found gabapentin worked well.

[wurzle in reply to Harting]

I'm on gabapentin but it's not without it's side effects.

[Harting in reply to wurzle]

Yes, it isn't always the nicest thing to take I agree.

[Imon]

Apparently funny sleeping patterns and excessive tiredness are common for people in this condition. Ascites can be controlled via diuretics and periodic draining of the fluid - helps with mobility and comfort. Exercise, eating properly and abstaining from alcohol should help.

[Tim12]

I was diagnosed a month ago with cirrhosis I too given up alcohol and smoking very confused at first with bloods saying no cause for liver disease then a Fibroscan saying I do have Cirrhosis I am tired all the time

[Tim12]

Also I have been told that every day is different 1 day I will be feeling ok then the next like crap

[Holidaymad22 in reply to Tim12]

yes that’s how he is finding it one good day and then a crap day

[Livaa]

all those symptoms could be an accumulation of his body trying to recover. I did the same thing and it took me about six mo with great results but it took a long time.

[AyrshireK]

britishlivertrust.org.uk/in...

[lighthouse123]

Hi there, Just wanted to see if any of you experience same as me. Diagnosed in 2016 with cirrhosis. Went tee total. Finally I have normalblood tests the last two years. Normal apts with consultants every 6 months. I do hv oedema in my legs and must keep elevated and on aldactone and fureosimide. I am always exhausted and need lie downs. I'm just wondering, if I keep my symptoms as they are and if my cirrhosis stays compensated, is this life or is there anything (aside from demon drink) that can turn things Badsworth me.Don't get me wrong, I know that if I don't keep living life as I am now, then my health will go down but do any of you in similar situation fear that cirrhosis will turn decompensated. I just wonder, if things will ever reverse to the good side sgain or is it a life of hoping things don't go backwards? Sorry so gate crashing the thread but am hoping there's someone who can advise. Thanks.

[AyrshireK in reply to lighthouse123]

One if the biggest risks that can tip a compensated liver the other way is infection.At present and still having oedema you're liver isn't yet fully compensated.

My hubby has cirrhosis due to auto immune liver disease - he's never drunk alcohol. His liver has been very well compensated for 7+ years (all fingers crossed it stays that way). We generally just try and keep him as well as possible, follow all doctors orders, eats as per instruction from liver specialist dietician, exercises (cycled well over 1000 miles last year on a mix of manual bike and e-mountain bike) and took great care re. covid - though we both had it a few weeks back and hubby got the anti-virals.

Good luck with it all, there will be good days and bad days - very much a roller coaster which you've just got to go the flow with and ride.

Katie