Alcoholic Liver

[PGLalonde]

Our dear family friend had been diagnosised with cirrohi of the liver last year.  He quit drinking imediately upon hearing this but his health has gone from worst to worser.  His has been in and out of the hospital in the last three months in which he goes into a fog and is admitted to clear that up.  Niw it ha gotten that they keep him for  a day or so and send him home in which his health just continues to deteriorite.  He is now at home but in bed, has a very swollen stomach, loss of appetie( has not eaten much at all for two days, has not gotten out of bed to go to the bathroom, is in diapers becaue he doesn't have the strength to get up. I am worried that he is actually dying and we are not doing enough for him.  His color is yellowish gray and he looks awful.  I do not believe he has much time but my heart is full of pain for him because I feel everyone has just given up on him.. His doctors are going to run test on him in about eight weeks to see if he qualifies for a liver transplant, he is still not on a donor list because of the burcreary dealing with people who have brought on this problem through alchol abuse. Anyways , what I want to know if what should we be doing for him he needs medical attention because I feel he will die at home because nothing is being done for him right now.  He needs to be given a second chance befiore it is too late.  Pleae advise us on what to do... home care.. what?  He can afford to pay for his nursing care, but his doctor needs to inform them that he is indeed dying before home care will set up care for him.. His caregiver right now is burnt out and I think has given up because the hospital has said in so many words that can't do anything for him.  What about his quality of life, his dignity?  Please Help!!

[Forseegood]

I just hope that your friend is on with a good hepatologist, and has quit drinking long enough to be considered to be put on a transplant list...do not give up hope...Doc's don't know everything, and sometimes people will surprise you with their ability to endure...and come out better in the end....

[chasjl]

I know what u r going thru, we are going thru the same thing, my brother in law is a transplant candidate, but got chirrosis from alcohol and they said he can not have the transplant. We feel so bad for him.They gave him lactolose and that cleared the confusion a bit.  They were going to drain the fulids this week but decided against it.  I don't know why.  Now they are talking about dialysis, why, I am not sure. This is so awful for everyone, I feel your pain .  Good Luce

[chasjl]

Sorry that was supposed to be good luck. By the way, my brother n law doesn't have any insurance, so I thought that was why they only kept him hospitalized for a day, but I guess maybe that was not the reason.  God Bless You

[reddawg]

Hate to say this, but Alcoholic Liver Disease is probably the worst of liver diseases.
The process to even get on the list transplants is exhausting. Usually a transplant candidate can not have any comorbid conditions.
One positive thing, is that Alcoholic Liver Disease many times involves mainly the liver.
Your friend can't wait for eight weeks to get started on the process for transplantation.
Someone needs to find a way to get started much sooner.
His swollen stomach is likely Ascites (abdominal fluid buildup). He needs to get an aspiration. That is probably what they have done when in the hospital.
The problem of him not getting a transplant because "he did it to himself" is bunk. Did someone tell you this or a belief you have. If this was true, there would be about only one third of the amount of patients waiting for a transplant.
Is he a Veteran by any chance? If not is he on an HMO or does he have Meicare?
At any rate someone has to start making noise ,complain even call your Congressman. Be a pain in the Hospitals butt.
Do you know if he has Encephalophy (infection of fluid around brain)? He would be acting very differently, as not making sense, acting strangley or worse?
I know that your friend needs to be in a hospital NOW.
By your description, he is in dire need.  I also know that he is NOT getting the treatment he needs.
He has all the signs of Liver Failure and Renal Failure. There does come a time when there is absolutely nothing that can be done. You need to go straight to his Dr. and ask the tough questions he doesn't want too.