There is hope

[Oldbits]

This is on my bio but thought I would copy you all in. I've never posted before but wanted to share this. I have never asked a question but have learnt so much on here that has helped me to support my husband through a very rough time in our 35 year marriage. A total change in life style and we are now looking forward to a future we thought lost. UPDATE. 2024. Hubbie nolonger on any medication! Three monthly blood tests and yearly scans etc and appointment only if changes found. Still has cirrhosis but liver now coping . -

My husband has autoimmune hepatitis, alcohol damage and heamochromatosis. He has stopped drinking since february 2022 and his bloods improved. He has anxiety aswell. Was turned down for transplant 2021 because of the alcohol.

UPDATE 2023 my husbands latest bloods are nearly normal and his medication reduced. He is now compensated, liver badly scarred and polyps on his gall bladder but feeling great. Still on water tablets and mycophenolate. Giving up the drink was the biggest factor in his improvement. Never thought I'd be able to say that.

[Aztec632]

I am happy for you and your husband, it sounds like all is going in the right direction and now you can see some light at the end of what I am sure was a very dark tunnel Its amazing how determination and hard work pays off. Your husband has done amazing staying away from the poison that alcohol is.

Best wishes for your future journey.

[Oldbits in reply to Aztec632]

Thank you

[Lantana100]

so cheering to hear news like this. A huge well done to your husband for managing to give up the alcohol and the same to you for supporting him through it all. Teamwork makes all the difference. I wish you all the best moving forwards.

[Oldbits in reply to Lantana100]

Thank you

[Lavender-Pearl]

Wow that is amazing and gives real hope, positivity and direction for folk. My husband had a transplant last June for alcohol related cirrhosis after too many years of enjoying red wine. It crept up on him. Although he stop drinking as soon as we knew his liver was in trouble, 18 months later his liver was failing. Well done your husband for taking hold of his life, you for persevering and sharing this, wishing you both the best for the future. X

[Oldbits in reply to Lavender-Pearl]

Thank you. Alcohol is a hard one to beat but well worth the effort. Glad your husband is doing well.

[Taffypaul]

Fantastic very well done. Stopping drinking is without a doubt the life saver. Keep going.

[MarkC66]

Great news 👊

[Kayseylou]

That’s great news 🙏🙏🙏

[teletonetapper]

Such a difficult time for you both. However, the light is shining at the end of the tunnel for the pair of you. Very welcoming news and an inspiration for other members. Good luck in your lives and the future is well deserved for you both. Take care and enjoy further Wedding Anniversary years.

[Oldbits in reply to teletonetapper]

Thank you

[PollyO]

I have PBC, but did consume a lot of beer for a long time. Amazingly the doc says the alcohol had nothing to do with my liver...not that it did it any good I am sure.Anyway, one evening I had half a beer and I didn't feel like the rest. I never drank again. I never really missed it either. I had tried to quit before to no avail.

Drinking is a mind set caused by lack of self esteem I think. Once you learn to like yourself everything improves.

Just thoughts...

[looby24]

Very happy for you and thank you for sharing. It's really helpful to hear good outcomes. My husband is stable at the moment and we too are hoping for good results at the next set of tests. It's all very scary at the beginning but one then concentrates on what has to be done and gets on with it. It's good when hard work to change lifestyle pays off, well done

[Oldbits in reply to looby24]

Thank you, I hope you get the results you want too. It is hard work. My husband was decompensated and at his last appointment his consultant said " you've dodged a very large bullet, well done" !

[looby24 in reply to Oldbits]

That's amazing. Do you mind me asking if your husband had a MELD calculation at any point and what it was?

[Oldbits in reply to looby24]

He had a UKELD score of 56, I believe anything over 49 is considered for transplant (depending on the cause) he knows how lucky he is

[Grannyblue]

Was hubby decompensated before?

[Oldbits in reply to Grannyblue]

Yes, he had a UKELD score of 56 in 2021 and went for a liver transplant assessment. He was turned down because of the alcohol (covert alcoholic, I had no idea) It scared him but it still took him over 6 months to change his mindset and decide to give up the drink. He had a lot of symptoms but luckily no varices.

[Sunnyskies33]

That is a wonderful turnaround! Well done and wishing you both health and a happy future.