dinkydoos
04-14-2009, 01:07 PM
how long can one live with cirrhosis
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Toonces1
04-25-2009, 01:41 PM
My dad lived 15 years after his diagnosis.
vocalist1945
04-25-2009, 05:08 PM
My dad lived 15 years after his diagnosis.
Was the cirrhosis the cause of death for your dad or was it something
else?
And what is the course of action for "cirrhosis"? Once the liver is damaged,
does one have to go on a strict diet and limit activities?
Was the cirrhosis the cause of death for your dad or was it something
else?
And what is the course of action for "cirrhosis"? Once the liver is damaged,
does one have to go on a strict diet and limit activities?
Toonces1
04-26-2009, 07:33 PM
My dad had many many things happen in that 15 years that could have killed him. He is actually still alive but in very grave condition with hepatic encephalopathy, so he doesn't have long. The first problem he had was esophageal varices (have no idea how to spell this). He actually had 3 episodes of bleeding over the course of about 10 years, and had them all banded. He has taken propranolol for this. This is a very serious condition, esp. w/my dad because he has hemophilia. I have read that the fatality rate for this complication alone is up to 30%. The important thing is catching it early so you don't loose too much blood. My dad has had anemia and has had to get blood transfusions quite often (this is how he got Hep C in the 80s). He has battled ascites (again, spelling?) for about 5 years now. He has had to make regular trips to the hospital to get IV diuretics to pull off the fluid. He usually got lasix, but that stopped working so he started bumex, which works well. About a month ago before the encephalopathy really got bad, he had about 50 extra pounds of fluid in his abdomen, and it started moving into his lungs, so he had to go to the ER to start the IV immediately. This condition can can basically make you drown, but there are quite a few medications that work well for it. My dad had very low levels of albumin, so he got that regularly via IV and it helped keep fluid off for a long time. it is very expensive, though, so you should make sure your insurance covers it if you are choosing a plan. Some doctors refused to give it to him because they said it was too expensive.
The other things that have been attributed to his liver are an increased risk of infection. He has had quite a few blood infections such as MRSA, and then the anemia. Basically, the ultimate thing that the doctors can't do anything about at all is the ammonia level, which is causing his condition right now.
He lived for about 10 years with relatively few serious problems except the varices, but the last 5 years have been one thing after another.
If you are pretty young yet and have this diagnosis, I would definitely consider a transplant. My dad was not a good candidate because of his other health problems like the hemophilia, but I would give it serious thought.
I am by no means an expert, but I have read quite a lot over the years so I would be happy to tell you what I know if you have any specific questions.
The other things that have been attributed to his liver are an increased risk of infection. He has had quite a few blood infections such as MRSA, and then the anemia. Basically, the ultimate thing that the doctors can't do anything about at all is the ammonia level, which is causing his condition right now.
He lived for about 10 years with relatively few serious problems except the varices, but the last 5 years have been one thing after another.
If you are pretty young yet and have this diagnosis, I would definitely consider a transplant. My dad was not a good candidate because of his other health problems like the hemophilia, but I would give it serious thought.
I am by no means an expert, but I have read quite a lot over the years so I would be happy to tell you what I know if you have any specific questions.
DW123
04-27-2009, 08:32 PM
My father lived 2 years after diagnosis, but I believe he had it much longer than that. My father's cirrhosis was brought on by a lifetime of drinking. The Doctor warned him that if he didn't stop drinking he would be dead in 2 years, but he kept on. I remember the last week of his life, he had severe yellow jaundice I knew that he wouldn't live much longer. One consolation to me was he had accepted the lord in his life.
vocalist1945
04-28-2009, 05:41 AM
My father lived 2 years after diagnosis, but I believe he had it much longer than that. My father's cirrhosis was brought on by a lifetime of drinking. The Doctor warned him that if he didn't stop drinking he would be dead in 2 years, but he kept on. I remember the last week of his life, he had severe yellow jaundice I knew that he wouldn't live much longer. One consolation to me was he had accepted the lord in his life.
bragle
09-28-2009, 05:40 AM
I was diagnosed with cirosis of the liver at 20 and my liver was failing me completely 30 years later.Luckily I received a transplant and am doing great 2years later.:angel:
SCmomof2
09-28-2009, 01:34 PM
I was diagnosed with cirosis of the liver at 20 and my liver was failing me completely 30 years later.Luckily I received a transplant and am doing great 2years later.:angel:
Wow at age 20...thats scary. Do you know what caused it? Glad you are doing so well!
Wow at age 20...thats scary. Do you know what caused it? Glad you are doing so well!
jools11
11-13-2009, 07:28 PM
20 Years is mindblowing. I too am diagnosed and I can put that in my "hope" pile.
bragle
11-15-2009, 09:18 PM
well dont give up hope I had cirosis and went for 31 years before my liver transplant.
bragle
11-15-2009, 09:37 PM
Wow at age 20...thats scary. Do you know what caused it? Glad you are doing so well!
No still dont know what the cause was, but I go once a year and give a biopsy and they are doing studies.I went to Seattle UWMC to the transplant clinic and they wer great.I wasnt on the transplant list.They do liver tests to determine your meld score.The higher your score is generally the higher they put you on the list.Mine was higher than anyone on the list and I was put at #1.The surgeon came in to see me and said I had a 25% chance to live for 3 months without a transplant. Well that really made me realize how close I really was to death.To make a long story short 3 weeks later I got a transplant and was relesaed 7 days later. Please dont give up because they really can do miracles these days and I am living proof.
No still dont know what the cause was, but I go once a year and give a biopsy and they are doing studies.I went to Seattle UWMC to the transplant clinic and they wer great.I wasnt on the transplant list.They do liver tests to determine your meld score.The higher your score is generally the higher they put you on the list.Mine was higher than anyone on the list and I was put at #1.The surgeon came in to see me and said I had a 25% chance to live for 3 months without a transplant. Well that really made me realize how close I really was to death.To make a long story short 3 weeks later I got a transplant and was relesaed 7 days later. Please dont give up because they really can do miracles these days and I am living proof.