Husband has stage 4 cirrhosis

[padewan]

My husband was an alcoholic for many years he quit cold turkey in 2007, and has never drank since.  he lived on hamburgers and french fries and sweets most of his life.  He is very heavy.   In 2006 he was diagnosed with moderate cirrhosis, barrett's esophagus and portal hypertension.

He lost his job due to his health, and is now with the VA.  His dr there die not address his liver problems until recently when he had gained 22 lbs in 3 weeks.  She od's him on diuretics and he lost 50 lbs of water in 4 days.  This put him into renal failure and encephalopathy.  He ened up at er and admitted into hospital for 3 days.

We saw a liver specialist last week and he says he has stage 4 liver disease and will nee a transplant, if he can lose 100 lbs.  Most of which is water.  He readjusted the diuretics and Lactolose.
He gave me orders on how to take care of my hubby and diet, and what to look for for complications.  


I am ill too with arthritis degenerative, and we both are diabetic, and i have a very sluggish colon which may need to be removed and I need sinus surgery.  So this is difficult sometimes, cause I do not feel well, and I am paranoid about his illness.  I lost my last husband with a major heart attack suddenly.

John and I have been married 4 yrs.   i can't get my mind around the fact he could die.  When he is not acute, he seems fine and it is such a tight rope to walk with the meds' and trying to keep his kidneys working and ammonia down when you are a caregiver at home and you can't get a hold of the dr when you need them

I need some help....any advice out ther?

[HectorSF]

Get your husband listed at a transplant center ASAP. He is only going to get more ill over time. He will need an experienced hepatologist to manage his illness. At this point his illness is irreversible. He will need a new liver to keep living. He will be hospitalized more often for the symptoms he is having. If he should start throwing up blood or go into a coma you need to take him to an emergency room ASAP.

Don't delay. Have the doctor your seeing now put you in contact with a Liver transplant center near you now. They are the only ones that can help your husband now.

The ideal cirrhosis diet is a heart-healthy diet -- or one that is low in fats and high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
To lessen the bloating of his stomach he needs to limit his sodium/salt intake. The biggest source of sodium is the salt in packaged foods and foods from restaurants. If he is still eating salt it limits how effective the diuretics can be.
Amino acids and ammonia come from protein in the diet. Some evidence shows that patients with cirrhosis do better when they get their protein from vegetables (such as beans, lentils, and tofu) and from dairy products (including eggs, milk, and yogurt) instead of from meats. No red meats.

"In 2006 he was diagnosed with moderate cirrhosis, barrett's esophagus and portal hypertension. He lost his job due to his health, and is now with the VA.  His dr there did not address his liver problems until recently when he had gained 22 lbs in 3 weeks". This is incompetent care. If this is the doctor he is seeing now you want him to get away from these people.

Best of luck!
Hectorsf

[quirkey]

Sorry about your dad.  I have cirrhosis of Liver what stage I don't know. The only piece of advice I can give you is protein extra protein. If like cannot (don't like fish,eggs to much red meat) My husband makes me a milk shake made of sanatogen,high protein powder,, nesquik and milk. That fills me up, so far my liver is stable but what will happen in a few years I do Not know.

It is the pain in joints left over from Gillian Barre System, which also effects the immune system.


Quirkey