Cirrhosis, losing weight,and meds.

[Green Eyed Granny]

Hi all,
I have cirrhosis,and a inlarged spleen.
I haven't drank alcohol in 6 and 1/2yrs.
Didn't find out about the cirrhosis till two years ago, also Hep c.
I am on dissability now for almost two years, and have gained about 35 pounds.
Most of it in the stomach, I look like i'm having twins,anyway I want to lose weight,but I eat like a hog.
I am 62 and I would feel a lot better if I could loose this fat.
Only meds i'm on is Inderal for portal hypertention, and milk thistle.
I'm on medicaid and my doctor really is not qualified in Liver problems, any idea's about anything would be helpfull
Thanks

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PJD from Okc.

[betty greer]

This is my first time replying, I just had to answer Green Eyed Granny. My husband is 64 and has cirrhosis from alcohol. He was diagnosed in July 2002 and it has been a long year. The 35 pounds you have gained is probably fluid. You need to see a gastrologist. There is a procedure where the doctor can remove the fluid from your abdomen, it is straining your heart.
I took my husband every three weeks for eight months to have the fluid removed. At times the doctor and I would decide it was passed twins, it was triplets. Normally the doctor would remove 2 to 3 gallons of fluid. One time we weighted him before and after the procedure, which only takes a half hour. Each gallon weighs about ten pounds.
In February the doctor did a procedure called TIPS. This is actually putting a shunt into the liver and redistributes the fluid throughout the body. We have not had to go for fluid removal since then. Also he takes two different diuretics daily. In the past year he has lost about 90 pounds and looks very old.

[ladydy1]

Hello I am married to a 46 year old alcoholic husband. He has an enlarged stomach, feet swell sometimes and he gags and regurgitates when drinking alcohol. I know he has liver problems and I try to explain what is happening to me but nothing changes. He keeps on drinking every day all day long.....I am so worried and disgusted. He won't go to his doctor to have his esophagus checked or tell him about any symptoms. I am just so scared of what is yet to come. His doctor says he has raised liver enzyme levels and that he should quit drinking but not tests????????? Shouldn't this twig the doc to run some tests on him or check him out? He is constantly sleeping when he is not drinking. Can stay in bed all day but says it is because he is bored. I'm sure he is exhausted after reading on this Board. Please pray for us........

[Green Eyed Granny]

Originally posted by ladydy1:
Hello I am married to a 46 year old alcoholic husband. He has an enlarged stomach, feet swell sometimes and he gags and regurgitates when drinking alcohol. I know he has liver problems and I try to explain what is happening to me but nothing changes. He keeps on drinking every day all day long.....I am so worried and disgusted. He won't go to his doctor to have his esophagus checked or tell him about any symptoms. I am just so scared of what is yet to come. His doctor says he has raised liver enzyme levels and that he should quit drinking but not tests????????? Shouldn't this twig the doc to run some tests on him or check him out? He is constantly sleeping when he is not drinking. Can stay in bed all day but says it is because he is bored. I'm sure he is exhausted after reading on this Board. Please pray for us........

[Green Eyed Granny]

God bless you!
You're right, that's what caused the doctor to do more test's and run an Ultra sound on my Spleen and Liver.
I was not drinking for at least six year's and had no symptoms.
I am going to get another one ran next week, because it's been 1and1/2 years since i've had one.
Good luck

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PJD from Okc.