Is this end stage liver disease??? i

[keyker]

I have asked a question before and you were all very helpful....my husband has Hepatitis C and is an alcoholic, was told he probably has cirrhosis, his feet and legs are very swollen, he is mildly jaundiced, he has little spots all over his back and stomach and sometimes they bleed, he doesn't even have to touch them, they just start bleeding, he is very very tired, stays in bed 20-22 hours at a time!!! WILL NOT see a doctor and WILL NOT stop drinking, though he has stopped drinking hard liquor he is still drinking 12-14 beers a day....also I found Tylenol #3 in the house that I'm sure he is taking large amounts of (and probably has been for a long time) I think about 8 a day......Am i looking at end stage liver disease, also his stomach is very very big.......and he hardly eats, maybe jello, or milk.....Any comments or advice????? Thank you!!!

[Beaker]

Can you get someone to come to the house to see him.  He knows he is dying and to be honest I believe he wants to be out of his misery.  I really am more concern for you.  This cannot be easy on you and I really wish you would visit your doctor and explain what is going on with you and your husband.  Maybe he/she can help you.  The only other way I figure you could get him some help is to call an ambulance and have them take him to the hospital.  He will be as mad as all get out at you but you need the rest.  At this stage, I doubt if he would be able to fight you very much.  I watched my grandmother die of cancer and it was not an pleasant experience.  You cannot save him unless he wants to save himself and at this point, it would only be prolonging the agony for him.  I know it is hard to let go.  Is he able to go to the store and get his drink?  Who is doing this for him?  You do not want to enable him so when his stock pile runs out tell him you will not get any more alcohol for him.  Please Dear, call Alanon!  Let us know how you are doing.

[imkindly]

Beaker gave you some good advice.

Your husband sounds like he has liver failure.
If you can get him to a gastroenterologist or hepatologist---they'll probably start him off on diuretics and beta blockers and lactulose.

My husband is in liver failure (and on the transplant waiting list), so we've experienced alot of scary things.  
Here is something important that you need to REALIZE:

"Encephalopathy" is part of the whole package. Encephalopathy BEGINS with a person being tired or sleepy all the time.
It means that toxins are collecting in his brain.

Alcohol can make encephalopathy worse. (Acute attacks of worsening encephalopathy). This means that severe "mental" changes will happen. (Anything from sleepiness, confusion, irritability....to coma)

YOU will be the one in charge----His mind won't be working right at all.

Just my two cents:  
Throw the beer away. Let everyone know that if they bring beer to your house, they're in for a fight.
Slow this whole thing down.

Good luck to you.

My homepage is at http://www.expage.com/cirrhosis
and  http://communities.msn.com/CirrhosisSupportGroup/
(feel free to visit)

[keyker]

Thank you for you input; I just don't know how LONG I can put up with all this.....I am sure you have had similar experiences and I know that I can't help anyone that doesn't want to help themselves but it so sad to watch someone die...What signs should I look for as this goes on....?? He is 46 years old and I think he's been an "Abuser" all his life, with Hepatitis C it just doesn't seem like he's going to last very much longer...I just don't know....

[Beaker]

http://www.al-anon.org/  These folks will help you.  I grew up in a family where there were alcholics and when they were not hurting themselves they were hurting all of us in the family.  I no longer have contact with my family because I cannot change the way they behave.  The only person I can change is myself.  Therefore, if I do not want to live under that kind of stress, I have to be the one to change.  Your husband is such a young man to be doing this to himself but in some ways, we become supporters of these folks by enabeling them to carry on like this.  So the hardest thing you will ever do is to say NO More to him.  Dig your heels in and no matter how much he screams and yells, don't let down your guard.  You are the one with the burdeon and have been for quite a while.  It is time to care for yourself, even if you think it is being selfish.  If you come down sick,who do you think will take care of him?  As far as what is going to happen next, that is hard to say.  Each person goes through the process of dying differently.  The only advice I can give you that may be of comfort to you, is to pray that God takes him quickly.  Call a minister, priest, rabbi,friend or anyone who will listen to you.  Then take their advice and get him admitted to a hospital.  Clean up the house and rid it of all the alcohol and anything alcohol related.  That includes the medications he is taking for pain.  Take a day for yourself and do some of the things you use to do to have fun.  The most important thing you can do for yourself is to, forgive yourself.  I am sure you have or had some thoughts going through you mind that may not seem so nice.  Just remember, that is normal for anyone of us.  I believe God sends us to those who can direct us in getting the help we need.  You just need to listen.  Please let us know how you are doing, and know you are in my prayers.

[keiffer]

I am 46 yrs old and diagnosed with HVC also.  However, I quit
drinking 9 yrs ago and live a very health-conscious life-style.
I am a bible-believing (not thumping) Christian who believes
that with God ALL things are possible.  It doesnt sound good
for your hubby right now but I believe it or not his struggle
is much more spiritual than physical.  Not to minimize the effects of what he's going thru but as others have said, "what's
it doing to you and other family members? I will be praying and
not just token prayers to releive my own conscience.  I have seen
first hand MAJOR miracles in my life and others' lives. Never lose hop, read your bible.  Get desperate for God and for your
husbands soul- for his pain cant compare to eternity without the
presence of God. Same for you, get close to God and ask Him for
direction and wisdom.  you are stronger than you think and I beleive there are NO coincidences in life, only appointments!
Thanks for listening and although I want to apologize for making this into a more spiritual issue than you or others may believe it is, I cant because its the TRUTH.   Praying for you and you
husband to be delivered and set free and though this may cost him his life it doesnt have to cost him his soul.....GBU Keiffer

[Beaker]

http://alcoholism.about.com/library/weekly/aa001016a.htm?iam=excite_1&terms=cirrhosis
Found this wonderful site.  Has an active chat forum.  Please go and take a look.

[XEMT]

I WILL PRAY FOR YOU. AND I AM SO SORRY YOU ARE GOING THROUGH THIS.  PLEASE PROTECT YOURSELF.  REMEMBER IT IS CONTAGIOUS.