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Avatar universal

Very worried.

My father has hep c.  Was diagnosed about 5yrs ago, thinks he may have had it for at least 30 years.  Stopped drinking alcohol when he found out.  He had a hernia repair a month ago, started developing ascites, then developed peritonitis, sodium levels dropped to 19, went back up to 24, then back down to 20 and this is even while he is on a med called samsca which helps keep sodium levels up.  The kidney dr states his kidneys are fine, but they are trying to keep his liver from destroying his kidneys.  They think he is in a stage 3, but no liver biopsy has been done to confirm that.  His peritonitis infection is clearing up as he's been on antibiotics the last week or so. I'm more worried about his kidneys, and why such a drop in sodium.  Also, im worried his liver might be worse off than stage 3.  He doesn't have any yellowing of eyes, but he is itching his skin, bruising easily, and has the ascites.   The GI dr was going to start him on the meds to treat the hep c about a month ago, but then all this began, is he too far advanced for those meds, or is all this happening because of the peritonitis?  I'm very worried.
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Avatar universal
he needs to do the biopsy as soon as possible, this is the only real way for him to know exactly what stage he is in, very difficult to diagnose, symptoms of itching, bruising etc can be caused by other things as well, ascites well that is from liver, but to put your mind at ease and know how to move forward, try and rush your doctor for the biopsy that is what I would do, not sure how doctor can predict a stage 3, only go by facts. hope all turns out well, keep us posted.
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1298247 tn?1288290953
sorry to hear about your father , this means that he has liver cirrhosis and needs to see his doctor immediately to start medications that can treat symptoms of liver cirrhosis
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446474 tn?1446347682
Anesthesia used during surgery and infections can put added stress on the liver which is probably why he has started to experience these complications of advanced liver disease.

"he is itching his skin, bruising easily, and has the ascites."

Unfortunately these are complications of advanced cirrhosis, Stage 4. Otherwise known as decompensated cirrhosis. These complications appear when the liver is too damaged to perform all of its functions properly.

"The GI dr was going to start him on the meds to treat the hep c about a month ago, but then all this began, is he too far advanced for those meds."

It appears the GI doctor understands the extent of your father's liver disease. Your father's liver is probably too damaged to be able to treat his chronic hepatitis. In the meantime, you should talk to the GI doctor about what can be done to manage your father's symptoms and what options your father has at this point. Liver transplant, etc.

Yes, it is true that as his liver disease advances it can damage his kidneys.

Best of luck to you and your father.
hectorsf
Helpful - 0
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