liver cirrhosis

[Powley]

my partner was admitted to hospital via A&E after being ill for weeks with a swollen abdomen

He was diagnosed with cirrhosis and ascites and remained in hospital for 4 weeks, treatment was albumin and terrepressin, some issues with kidney failure too

he’s been home over a week and he doesn’t seem any better, still sleeping a lot and swollen abdomen even though this has been drained twice

We’ve had very little information given to us just wondering if anyone has experienced the same

He has been told it was alcohol related and he cannot continue to drink, and to eat healthy.

Appreciate any comments at all

Thank you

[McEwan1962]

really sorry to hear this. How are you🫂

That was pretty much me in December 2018. I was discharged with no real follow up plan. You need to see what it says on his discharge summary and probably take matters into your own hands to get a plan for him to move forward if there is not one there. Often the processes are very slow and communication can be poor. He should also have an allocated Consultant and you can contact them, usually through their Medical Secretary. The medical terminology is a nightmare, so ask what they mean, write things down you want to know

He does need to give up alcohol and he may need to ask for support to do this if that had not already happened while he was in hospital.

I had follow up drains, and saw Hepatology consultants, specialist nurses and really important a dietitian who was able to get me on the right track food wise as I was very malnourished and completely lacking in energy. I could not tolerate the water tablets, and the drains became a regular thing for me.

I was also started on Rifaxamin which is for a condition called hepatic encephalopathy, it causes brain fog and hallucinations, I had very little of that, again this should perhaps have been highlighted to you.

I had great support from my local Hepatology Department, and got stronger, sadly my liver didn’t and I needed a liver transplant, which happened in December 2019🙏

You also need to have support and time for yourself.

I hope that is useful.

Lesley

[Powley in reply to McEwan1962]

thank you so much for your reply Lesley

Lots of good information too

My partner is sleeping a lot, has no energy and unless I remind him to take meds and eat he doesn’t do it, quite frustrating.

There’s lot if positive stories out there, so hopefully his will be one too

Thank you.

[Dogbot]

I don’t know your partner but if they want to live stop drinking alcohol, it’s as easy as that. I was in the same boat nearly 21years ago I stopped drinking done as I was told lots of hospital stops but I’m here now going to America tomorrow to see my grandson 👍. Good luck

Stay safe All

Dogbot 🐶🌈Dave

[Powley in reply to Dogbot]

Thanks Dogbot Dave and yes he’s stopped the booze so far!

Have a fabulous trip to America