Scared

[Buster0979]

I keep reading my condition, even if I stay sober, gives me a life expectancy of less than 10 years! Is that right?

[mtk0925]

I’m sure someone will come along and let you know it’s dependent on the person. Usually compensated cirrhosis life expectancy remains very good 12 years plus

[Millie09]

Hi buster.. are you reading Dr Google,? .. if so then don't...I was diagnosed end state f4 alcohol related liver disease in 2008 ... was very poorly at the time and I did not know it ! .. diagnosed at 6 months left to live if kept on drinking.

Was in hospital 6 weeks...

So ... here I am !! .. Will be 14 years next June living with cirrhosis...

I was end stage decompensated .. I've been compensated now for 12 years .

I had a few blips along the way with falling off wagon for two years when lost my dad to cancer ... has not been Easy .. we are all different don't get me wrong but lots of people on here similar to you that are still thriving ...

My best wishes linda

[AyrshireK]

Lay off the web research about life expectancy because searching these type of pages is doing you no good and only causing more stress and anxiety. You need to concentrate more on keeping well.

Not even a doctor can estimate how long you will live with cirrhosis - it really is dependent on how well you keep yourself, staying off the booze obviously, eating healthily and appropriately for your condition, keeping fit and well, avoiding bugs and infections as much as possible.

My hubby was diagnosed with decompensated cirrhosis in April 2012 having nearly died from a massive variceal bleed, he was assessed and listed for transplant in 2014 but stabilized sufficiently to come off the list 10 months later. 7 years further down the line he remains stable (not 100% symptom free or 100% well) and lives life to the best he can. Eats according to his dietician's advice, exercises by walking and/or cycling most days, is fully compliant with all his doctors instructions and takes all his medications properly.

His consultant is delighted with him and hopefully we can stave off the need for tranplant but that will depend on avoiding doing anything or catching anything that might tip his liver back to decompensated status - alcohol played no role in his condition (but cirrhosis is cirrhosis regardless of cause) and a lot will depend on his immune system not playing up again.

Hubbies consultant has patients on his books who have had a cirrhosis diagnosis for over 20 years who are no where needing transplant nor at deaths door.

Don't let cirrhosis dominate your life, ok you've got it and there may be good days and bad days, ups and downs. You just need to ride the roller coaster and make the most of life - after all none of us know what tomorrow will bring so live your best life.

Katie

[BritishLiverTrust5 Moderator British Liver Trust]

Dear Buster0979

If you are in the UK and would find it useful to talk things over, our nurse-led helpline is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 3pm on 0800 652 7330 (excluding bank holidays)

Best wishes

British Liver Trust

[Smokey001]

Hi Buster

Wait a year then read the same article again. Thereupon you get another year of life.

Keep doing this every year and your will more likely die of boredom rather than your condition.

Don't believe everything you read

[kensimmons]

I second the advice to call the British Liver Trust. They are excellent and offer excellent advice and information.

Speaking as a non expert layperson..

The average life expectancy in the UK is 79 years (a bit lower for men and higher for women).

As far as I can tell there is no average age for the discovery of cirrhosis. But speaking just anecdotally for the most part it seeems, in the majority (not all) of cases it is detected when people reach their 50s and 60s.

We see so many posts on this board that start out "Help, my 64 year old husband is in the Hospital just discovered as having cirrhosis" and "Advice please for my mum who is 58 and was just told she is seriously ill" and "I am scared I have cirrhosis, what should a look for, I am a 71 year old female....":". We see those types of posts a lot more than from any 22 year olds who have just been diagnosed.

And if you get diagnosed in your late 50s or early 60s basically a 10-15 year life expectancy, well that just gives you a more or less normal life expectancy does it not?

My point is not to denigrate anyone's concern, it is to say that the 10-12-14 and so on life expectancy numbers we hear about may be coming about due to the fact that in many (not all!) cases this is an "older person" ailment, at least when caused by alcohol or fatty liver. It seems - anecdotally - to be different if you Hep C, Autoimmune Hepatitis, etc. Those patients do indeed have this disease discovered earlier many times.

Put another way, If a different illness (not cirrhosis) struck only people in their 80s would would it not be logical expect the life expectancy of the patients of this other disease to be in the three to five year range?

Listen to your doctor, eat healthy, no alcohol and try to move about as much as you can and maybe you can also be one of those patients that live a long time. Of course no-one (certainly not I, just some random internet poster) can offer any guarantees, and I am not a doctor, but we can wish you the best - and I do so now. Many doctors have a saying that their goal is to have their patients die with cirrhosis, but not because of the cirrhosis.

Cirrhosis is a serious illness, and you must carefully follow all doctors instructions, but it is not a death sentence for everyone who gets it. Good luck, keep your chin up and have a great holiday season!

[Dogbot]

Hi Buster listen to Linda stop the google 🤪, although I would try not to fall off the wagon, but I’m not going to say it’s easy but can be done. 2003 I was taken into hospital with the doctor saying in the morning on his rounds, Oh your still alive then 🙈. Now I’m on the transplant list 👍👍.

Good luck mate

Stay safe all

Dogbot 🐶🌈 Dave

[redpoint72]

Hello buster.When I was very poorly 4 years or so ago,the consultant did tell me,my approximate life expentcy,which was a shock to say the least.....but the important word is approximate!!!!!. As long as you abide by certain rules,eg no liquor, decent diet,what excersie you can manage. You can live a reasonable life,yes there will be ups and downs, that is living with cirrhosis im afraid. Do as told by your gp ,consultant etc,take prescribed medication. When I bought this up with one of my liver nurses, she told me to take the approx life expectancy 'with a pinch of salt'!!!.

Need i say any more!!! So just make the best of it .

My best.chris