Is this survivable?

[DonnyDarko91]

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if anyone might share their experience with me to help me know what we can expect going forward.

My 55 year old aunt is in hospital right now, long time alcoholic but really quite functional until earlier this year when she developed ascites and a few other complications.

During her initial admission, she was diagnosed with decompensated liver failure and she has been in and out of hospital since due to issues with low blood pressure and really bad anaemia.

She's really very weak now, jaundiced, unable to eat very much but we haven't been given any idea about prognosis, they don't seem to be able to say. She's experienced bleeding from her nose and eyes and has had a couple of bleeds banded so far, one in the stomach and one which was a varice.

I'm trying to support my cousin who is her only child but it's just so difficult not knowing if my aunt can recover from this or if we should be preparing for the worst.

Any questions needed and words of wisdom would be really appreciated.

Thank you.

[golly123]

Hiya. I was diagnosed with decompensated cihrossis in 2021 when I was 58. I didn't have any varices. I have never touched a drink again so it's been two years alcohol free. I'm now 60 and have compensated cihrossis. My hepatic consultant says I will probably live until 80. Who knows if I will reach 80 but my liver has improved. I still have cihrossis but things have improved. Hope this does help you a bit but it is imperative to abstain from alcohol totally. Diet changes too such as lots of healthy stuff. Hope your relative gets better. My best wishes Golly x

[DonnyDarko91 in reply to golly123]

Golly that's really fantastic to hear and gives me some hope. Glad you're doing better now and I hope for continued improved health for you for many years.

[Rshc]

when my partner was diagnosed with decompensated cirrhosis due to alcohol Xmas 21 I was told they are always guarded about prognosis because firstly as a disease it’s hard to predict but also a lot is down to the patient and a willingness to give up alcohol. A year and a half on my partner is doing remarkably well, lots of ups and downs but from a period when we thought he would die in hospital and no one told me that a person can go from decompensated to compensated, he is doing pretty good.

[DonnyDarko91 in reply to Rshc]

Thank you for that. It does feel at the moment they are being very guarded. She hasn't taken any alcohol since her first admission which is really positive but her general health just seems to be so poor at the moment, it's hard to see the way back. We definitely need this positivity at the moment!

[Aotea2012]

Yes it is….as long as she abstains from alcohol and follows the dietary advice that is given. I did and am feeling really well. The liver is unpredictable but resilient and depending on her overall health she should certainly improve. She may well become really well as I have. It’s not an easy journey but certainly rewarding. She just needs to follow advice.

[Dogbot]

my liver packed up rushed to hospital doctors put me on fluids, my wife sat with me all night and the doctor came in the morning and stood at the bottom of my bed and said ,Well you’re still here then. That was in September 29 /2003. 3 weeks ago I had a liver transplant and the wife, family and I are having a great life 👍.Stay safe All

Dogbot 🐶🌈Dave