HEP C AND AMONIA LEVELS

[a78shana]

My dad is in his late 50s he has spent most of his life locked up in prison in results to his Heroin use . He is in his late stages of this disease with the add on of serosys of the liver. this disease has been very unperdictable , in and out of the hospital thinking this was it and comes home. I guess what im looking for is anything that educates me on this diseases levels so im more prepared. my phone call today from my aunt is levels are high and dad is in the hospital and his thinking is gone. i live 6hrs away from him and would like to be there.
             thanks for your time sunshine


This discussion is related to Re: Ammonia levels.

[BoceprevirGal]

Ah, I'm so sorry to hear this bad news, concerning your Dad.  I'm glad that you understand that it was his addiction that lead him down this path. Addiction is a disease that knows no logic, but that doesn't mean he loves you any less, because of his disease/addiction.
    I hope you get to see him soon, and I hope he gets help, in the hospital, so you can visit him, while his thinking is straight~  sending you some strenght~
    Also, make sure to take good care of your-self right now, I have been thru depressing times myself, and you will need support xo

[Advocate1955]

The end can be difficult with end stage liver disease.  He could pass in the next few days or he could survive and go home again and then have another serious complication.  It is difficult to predict, but typically (from my limited knowledge), if his liver is failing to the point that he has a lot of swelling, pain, mental confusion, stops eating, bleeding, and sleeps much of the time, the ends is probably near.  Now is the time to see your father, if you can go.  Keep us posted and let us know how he's doing, and how you're doing.
Advocate1955

[HectorSF]

I am sorry to hear about your father's serious condition.
Is he listed for a liver transplant?
Transplant is the only treatment that can keep a person alive before their liver fails to be able to function enough to keep a person alive.

You father has End-Stage Liver Disease (ESLD) which the the final phase of liver disease.  Since his liver is failing it effects many of his other body systems as well so it is a very complicated process that entails many variables. Plus each person is unique in how the disease progresses during its final stages. As you  say, "unpredictable". Near the end his condition can change dramatically in a day I'm afraid. He will continue to have these life-threatening complications as his disease progresses over time. They can go on for quite a while depending how strong he is and how well they can stabilize him each time. It is unpredictable when he will be hospitalized all the time and not be able to go home.

If your father is in and out of the hospital there is no telling how long this can go on.

If your father is in the hospital full time because of the complications of his cirrhosis then I am very sorry to say unless he is listed for a liver transplant he probably doesn't have too long to live. Probably weeks. Months at most.

I am sorry but there is no way to predict what and when it will happen. Near the end of life when the liver stops working any little complication can be life-threatening to someone who's liver is failing.

If you want to say your goodbyes I would recommend seeing him soon while he is still conscious and not in unbearable pain. Unfortunately when the end is near he may be unconscious a lot of the time or out of his mind due to a complication of liver disease that affects the brain. You can still connect to him now that he probably has not all bad days. It could be healing for you as well as him.

Thanks for your question. I hope I have been of some help. This is a very difficult topic and I am glad you are realistically facing the reality of the situation as I believe it can create a lot of healing to share quality time together.

I wish you and your father the best.

Hector