Cirrhosis of the liver

[Scooter0702]

My husband is in stage 3 of cirrhosis of the liver with ascities. What can i expect and how advanced iis it?? Does stage 3 require a transpant??

[dominosarah]

You are in good hands with rpoo~~

[rpooo]

Hi Scooter and welcome to MedHelp!

Your husband’s condition is very serious but depending on the cause of cirrhosis accelerated advancement may be slowed enough to allow him to survive without transplant. This is possible by careful diet, exercise and medication. Many cirrhotic patients can live another twenty to thirty years using these methods.

I see you also posted in the alcoholism forum so I assume alcohol is directly responsible for the cirrhosis. I cannot express enough to you how critical it is that he never under any circumstance drinks alcohol again. The alcohol has caused irritation and inflamation in the liver, once you remove the alcohol the liver will begin to regenerate. Certain portions of the liver will be unable to recover due to the cirrhosis but fortunately the entire liver is not needed in order to survive.  

There is much to learn about cirrhosis and the more learned the better the chance for survival simply by changing your lifestyle. These changes may seem drastic at first but will eventually become your normal way of life.

Below is link to a creditable website to help you and your husband get started, if you have any questions or need any more advice please feel welcome to ask.

http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/cirrhosis-liver

Ascites is fluid retention in the body particulary in the abdominal region. A low sodium diet and diuretic medication prescribed by your Gastrologist or Hepatologist are common methods for treatment. In more advanced situations cirrhotic patients will need the fluid drained, normally an outpatient surgical procedure. Infection can develop in this fluid and is life threatening so routine screening will be necessary.

You and your husband will need to pay particular attention to Hepatic Encephalopathy (HE) portion provided in the link above. HE is normally controlled by the use of Xifaxan and/or Lactulose. Diet will also play a key role. When protein is ingested into the body the liver generates ammonia to break it down. Once cirrhosis is advanced enough it may become difficult for it to remove the ammonia from the body. It next will find its way into the blood stream and reach the brain causing symptoms such as:

• Breath with a musty or sweet odor
• Change in sleep patterns
• Changes in thinking
• Confusion that is mild
• Forgetfulness
• Mental fogginess
• Personality or mood changes
• Poor concentration
• Poor judgment
• Worsening of handwriting or loss of other small hand movements

More severe symptoms may include:
• Abnormal movements or shaking of hands or arms
• Agitation, excitement, or seizures (occur rarely)
• Disorientation
• Drowsiness or confusion
• Inappropriate behavior or severe personality changes
• Slurred speech
• Slowed or sluggish movement

Patients with hepatic encephalopathy can become unconscious, unresponsive, and possibly enter a coma.

I think this about covers most of what you need to know. I wish the best for you and your husband.

Randy