Hi,
My dad, 59 has been diagnosed with end stage liver disease (brought on by alcohol abuse). The gastro said his liver was functioning at 10%. About a month ago he had an episode where he became very confused, no idea what he was doing or where he was, and he had gotten so weak he hadn't gotten out of his bed for two days and hadn't eaten anything (he lives on his own).
We had him admitted and they gave him more lactulose and he got "better" in that he was no longer confused, had more energy and was then discharged. Things looked good for him for a few weeks, his mood was much better, ascites was improving. But in the last few days he's gotten very weak again. I was there to visit him and he wasn't strong enough to even hold the phone up to his ear, nor could he hold a cup of tea for more than a few seconds. He couldn’t hold his head up to look at me while talking, and even when talking, he’s just mumbling his words, and finding it hard to breath. He’s not really confused, though he got the days mixed up – he just doesn’t seem to be all there (maybe due to the exhaustion)
I’m noticing his mood is worsening also, on the phone today he keeps telling me to stop worrying and that he’ll be fine and I need to get back to work and on with my life, and that I should leave him alone. And his jaundice looks as bad is it ever has (it comes up clearly through our brown skin). He also has the shakes, always trembling, and always cold.
So that’s most of the info I can think of. I’m after some information about how much longer he’s got. I’ve been reading about Hepatic encephalopathy, and my worry is that with the weakness, low level of consciousness, the shakes, and his other symptoms, he might slip into a coma in the next few days. Does anyone know about timing? Is it really days, or weeks or months? The gastro said he would “wax and wane” so I’m wondering if there’s a chance he’ll recover from this lowpoint for a month or so, or should we be getting ready to say goodbye?
Thanks for taking the time to read,
Jason.