I'm not yet cirrhotic, however, fatigue is a constant battle for me. I've recently started a 'cleaning business'. Not really a huge amount yet, but I've been working at my sister's for pay about 3-4 days a week and now, I've got 2-3 more paid customers for housecleaning. Throw in the normal working out that I have to do for health, keeping my own place clean, my volunteer work and trips to see my family living 3-6 hrs away and I'm constantly feeling like I'm running and not really getting anywhere. It's very frustrating. As far as the Miralax goes, I've been taking that cr*p for years, ha-ha, no pun intended. Seriously, though, I've had to be on it since way on back to when it was a prescription. It is cheaper though, if you by it generic brand. I think, also, that some of my fatigue is related to not being able to get enough sleep in quality sleep, or enough quantity of sleep. Take care, Susan400
Lots of good info from Hector above. I just wanted to say that I wish you well. My husband too has cirrhosis, and I've seen the depression that goes along with that diagnosis. Have you spoken with your doctors about possible anti-depressants? They seem to have helped my husband a great deal, and I wonder if they might be an option for you as well to help improve your state of mind.
Fatigue is certainly cirrhosis' calling card. It's important that you get adequate protein on a daily basis, and essential that it be NON-meat. One of the challenges of cirrhosis is to maintain adequate muscle and weight, and coupled with poor appetite, it's important that you get the necessary protein to help you minimize fatigue. Best of luck.
~eureka
Dear friend,
I have hepatitis C, stage 4, cirrhosis, MELD is 7. There are two stages in stage 4. Stage 1 and 2. I have Stage 1 of Stage 4. I am extremely exhausted. I have a part-time job in the morning 4 days a week. I can't work any longer than this. Usually around 2 p.m. I can't do anymore and can't concentrate very well. I don't even have a high ammonia level. My doctor said the amount of inflammation makes one tired. I already did a treatment awhile back and I can't do any more treatment.
MELD of 11. (Remember that MELD doesn't necessarily correlate to how ill you feel) I would recommend you watch to see how quickly your MELD rises over a one year period. It will give you a rough idea how long you'll have to wait for a transplant. It won't be consistent but still give you a rough idea. My MELD is 18 last time I checked. In the last year it went from 12 to 15 to 18. Here is SF to get a transplant with type O blood you have to be 38-39. Close to death. At that point you are hospitalized and they keep you alive long enough to get a liver. Hopefully. I've had a few friends who were 42 and 45 when the scale only goes to 40. Very scary. So if you look at it that way we are lucky be be as healthy as we are.
FYI: Social Security Disability needs a MELD of 22 to qualify as disabled. But if you have continuing ascites and HE you also qualify by having either.
Good thing is Alabama has less people waiting so you will get a transplant way before anything like MELD 40.
I never tried Miralax but rifaximin really works for me and prevent future HE episodes. Not totally but maybe 90% is under control.
I sent you private notes about this.
Good luck. Keep in touch.
hectorsf