Liver Disease cirrhosis, hep, or ???

[Mitzi28]

I am new to the community, and I am posting my question to this community in hopes that I can find some close. My son died 8 months ago he was 26. I was not informed of his death until the day after he died. I was told years ago he had Aplastic Anemia & saw tests that validated his low platelet count. However, when I received a copy of the death certificate it stated his official cause of death was liver disease. I wanted answers, so I ask my sons wife she will not tell me. HIPAA laws say the medical records now belong to my son' s wife. I had not seen my son for almost two years prior to his death contact was occasional text or email. Our last contact was unpleasant my son was drunk,and wanted to fight with everyone. He said ugly things, and seemed confused perhaps. I know that 7 yeas ago he was in the hospital, and at that time we knew of his platelet problem. Here is a little more background information I know when he was a teenager he took drugs mainly pot & drank alcohol. From what I know drugs stopped until the last three  years before he died according to his wife he smoked pot a few times. My son had two DWI's, seemed angry at times, made up lies or believed them usually I was the main victim of his lies. He went from dressing/grooming & staying fit to letting his hair grow out & put on some weight. At the end when I saw him at the funeral home he lost a lot of weight & his  skin looked brownish yellow. I should mention he does have olive skin tone. I was told by a friend of his that visited my son in the hospital that his eyes were yellow & he could barely eat. The last week of his life he was in coma for a for days when he woke up he walked around went home next day, and after being home one day he passed away. I also know that he was sent home on hospice care, and his amino acids were elevated. My question is what type of liver disease did he have? Was my son aware 2 years before he died he was close to death? I ask because after he told me in 2007 he had Aplastic Anemia he was talking about death, and when I got upset he changed the subject. Also can liver disease change someone's personality in regards to lies & not wanting to be around people they love? All this is so confusing & I feel his wife is hiding something. I do not understand why she did not call me or tell me what exactly my son died from.

[attheendFik]

Mom bailed me out jail.---doc wouldn't give me an absolute window period..moms scared...me.. not really.... my family-----hahahaha they,re in some weird form of denial saying I,m faking it..hahahahahah my father Americo Garcia died in a texas prison-buried in a prison uniform-now resting in a grave with a marker giving him the name#424275..cause of death..cirosis of the liver....heed my words sportsfans.it,s all very true..mike from fort worth Tx

[attheendFik]

I,m mike from fort worth TX  years ago my father and I were fighting over a shot of heroin- hence I now have been having hep c and stage four four for some time .just got out of emergency surg.still drinking ond occasional slip...meth...I know I,m dying..and I don,t ask Him for a miracle because it,s not his fault.I know about addiction-hurt and painbut I also know jesus and reality...call me..whoever..anytime..stay clean and well..don't turn yellow..(jaund)...I haven,t yet..God bless

[nan535]

So very sorry for your loss.  Kim has done an excellent job explaining what most likely happened to your son.

Know that once he was in the grips of end stage liver disease, he really was unable to reach out to you. Hepatic Encephalopathy which is a symptom of decompensated cirrhosis can cause severe personality changes, disorientation and confusion. If he was also still drinking alcohol, things just got worse and worse until his body organs just shut down.

I wish you peace of mind in knowing that your son is now free of of his disease and no longer in pain.

My deepest sympathy,
Nan

[Livelife777]

Hi Mitzi and hope we can help answer your questions.  First of all I would like to tell you how sorry I am for the loss of your son.  I also have a 25 year old son, and can't imagine the heartbreak you must be going thru.  Perhaps I can explain some of my thoughts as to why this has happened to such a young man.  
From what you have described, it sounds as tho he may have died from cirrhosis of the liver.  All of the info you described would fit the description of someone with liver disease.  Young people as well as old can die when their liver is abused.  The low platelet count could be Aplastic Anemia which can be brought on by the Hepatitis Virus.  This will cause your spleen to enlarge and trap the platelets from emerging causing a low platelet count.  If you do have Hep C and also drink alcohol, it is really a double whammy to the liver.
There are 4 stages of liver disease and Cirrhosis is the final stage also called end stage or cirrhosis.  There are many manifestation of cirrhosis and these are just a few.   Confusion, delusions, hallucinations, anger, yellowing of the skin and eyes, tremors, fluid retention, bloated belly, edema (fluid in the extremities) itching to name a few.  Once the liver becomes scarred from abuse it loses its ability to filter toxins from the body.  Unfortunately when it becomes this bad only a liver transplant can sustain life.
I do not believe your son knew 2 years prior that he was going to die.  I do think tho that he was warned of the fact and perhaps thought he was invincible as most young people feel so disregarded the warnings.  There is evidence that most alcoholics also suffer from depression and that may be part of the reason he felt the need to drink.
I realized a few years ago that I was headed in the same direction as your son.  Fortunately I was able to stop, but only because it was affecting my health in ways where it was no longer fun to be the life of the party.  I'm telling you this because no one could have told me to stop, only myself. Your son would most likely not have stopped drinking even if you had been around him during this time.  Alcoholism is truly a horrible and cruel disease and the only person that could have helped him was himself.  I do not want you to feel that it's your fault as he knew what the consequences could be, and decided not to stop.
We live in a society where only the cool people drink, and we are ill informed of the dangers associated with the lifestyle.  Hopefully in the future the media will change their campaigns and not target our young generation.
Again, I am so very sorry for your loss but hope in some way you realize that this was his choice.  You may find some solace by remembering the happy times and good memories during his life.
On MedHelp we do have a forum for grief and loss and it may help you to connect with others going thru a similar experience.  If you press on Forum above you will see the various sites.
I hope I've helped in some way, and that time will help you to heal.
Take Care
...Kim

[Floribunda]

It sounds like your son had cirrhosis of the liver. The end stage of this disease causes the liver to lose it's ability to detoxify the body. Eyes and skin are tinged yellow and harmful chemicals such as ammonia build up in the blood and brain, leading to mental changes or hepatic encephalopathy. Confusion, trouble concentrating and forgetfulness are early symptoms. Slurred speech, dramatic personality changes and agitation are examples of more severe symptoms. Eventually, encephalopathy can lead to coma and death.
He chose alcohol over health!