How quickly can cirrhosis worsen.

[eileenet49]

Hi allI was diagnosed 2 years ago with compensated cirrhosis, portal hypertension, no ascites and 3 small varices that didn't need treatment.

Everything was jogging along without change, no worse, no better.

But, here it comes, I've had a bad time just lately, my husbands dementia is worsening and I'm his carer. I've been getting very tired and a bit down, and have gone off the rails a little.

I had managed to lose 3 stone but have put back half a stone recently. I'm also struggling with alcohol again, nowhere near as bad as it was. For the last six months I've had about a bottle of wine a month. My eating is out of control.

How quickly is my liver likely to deteriorate from this behaviour.

I have an ultrasound next Sunday 7th. So I suppose I will find out then.

Feeling pretty ashamed. Wondering if I need some kind of anti depressants to buck me up, I've never had any before, I just don't seem to care enough to sort myself out. I'm 74 anyway and can't see much of a future as my life is now.

[Cornflower9]

I am sorry that you have all this going on.Dementia is an awful disease & hard to cope with on your own.

I do think antidepressants may work for you, but you need to get

Help with looking after your husband.

Have you tried age concern or the Dementia website

I also have chirrosis of the liver please take of yourself.

[eileenet49 in reply to Cornflower9]

hello Cornflower, thank you for replying

[eileenet49 in reply to Cornflower9]

hello Cornflower , thank you for replying.

I'm in touch with Alzheimers society and have also had some advice from the post diagnosis nurse re available help.

They helped me with attendance allowance etc., which enabled me to get help with cleaning etc.

I finally plucked up the courage to speak with my husbands daughters (both in their 50s). They now see him for short visits more than they did and one of them stayed overnight with him while I went to see my new baby great-grandson, which was lovely.

husband still thinks there's nothing wrong with him so is not interested in 'strangers'looking after him.

Most of the time I cope okay but I now seem to be short on patience and get cross with him sometimes which doesn't help him or me really.

We used to walk a lot but my husband doesn't walk well at the moment and doesn't have any interest in going out.

The blues seem to come when I think into the future and can't see anything positive.

we live close to my husbands family but mine are all 2 to 4 hrs drive away. Its them i miss really. We used to go to stay with them from time to time but my husband isn't comfortable away from home.

I'll try to get to see the doctor.

it really helps having this forum to unload on.

I hope you are doing okay and you too nest take care of yourself.

[Readlots]

Oh Eileen, I just want to give you a big hug. You do sound down and maybe antidepressants might help, but I think you need some support. Your caring responsibilities are really important but so are you. Your local council might have contact details of organisations that support carers. Alzheimer’s UK also supports family members.. Maybe try reaching out to them for support groups. Do you have friends and family that could provide some respite and give you time to do something nice for yourself. 74 is no age. Both my grandmothers lived to 96! Be kind to yourself. Kirsty

[eileenet49 in reply to Readlots]

thank you Kirsty.

I've answered in detail to Cornflowers reply.

It certainly helps to talk to the lovely people on here.

I've just had a cataract removed and am expecting the other one to be done in a few weeks.

I have my US on the 7th. I think I'll wait until that is done then get an appt with my GP.

xxx

[Onesmallstep1969]

It really sounds like you are depressed. That meas you need to see a doctor right away, and he or she may put you on antidepressants. Meantime, I know that low Vitamin D levels make depressive symptoms much worse, so it will not hurt you to make sure that you're getting plenty of Vitamin D. It's winter in your hemisphere so please add Vitamin D to your diet via supplements and oily fish, as it is impossible to get enough D from the sun at this time of the year. Salmon has Vitamin D as do sardines. Cod liver oil also has Vitamin D.

Your original question was whether cirrhosis can worsen quickly. Well, if the injury is severe enough, it can. I don't know what caused your cirrhosis. If it's alcohol, then of course, you need to not drink alcohol, no matter how depressed you are. If the cirrhosis was caused by excess fat in your liver, then you need to not eat excess fat or carbs. Eat plenty of greens, choose whole grains rather than refined ones and avoid sugar and alcohol. You also should get in some exercise. It will help your liver and your depression.

This may sound wacky but it also helps to listen to good, uplifting music. Best of luck to you. We are all in this together. You will get through this. 🙂

[eileenet49 in reply to Onesmallstep1969]

thank you Onesmallstep.

Thank you for the advice.

I'm going to have my 6month Ultra Sound on Sunday and will make an appt with GP re depression after that.

Need to pick up the walking again, even if it's on my own for half an hour a day.

I do take Vitamin D already.

Music doesn't sound wacky, in fact its something that I can still share with my husband. He loves music and it helps him too.

Thanks for the support.

[Rshc]

you sound like you have so much on your plate and what’s happened is that as your focus has been on your husband your self care has fallen to the bottom of the list. You need to prioritise yourself again as that is the best way you will support your husband. You really cannot do this alone. And definitely don’t be hard on yourself, when we forget how important we are it’s easy to let things slide. At 74 you have plenty of life ahead of you.

[Dogbot]

Hi Eileen sorry your husband has that horrible disease it’s torture for the partners but the most important thing is that you concentrate on your health, you must look after yourself by finding as much help as you can and through the very unpleasant times you keep strong and positive. Easy I know to say on the outside but please try to look after yourself. Lots of love and hugs from the wife and I 💕💕.

Stay safe All

Dogbot 🐶🌈Dave

[oap74]

hi nice to here from you again you were one of the first persons I spoke to when I joined and like yourself get a lot of reassurance from here that you are not alone in all of this. I can’t offer any advice just to say you have to do what you think is best. I wish you all the best and lovely to hear from you again. Try and keep smiling, every day is a bonus at our age, all the best.