What can we expect

[lpo]

My father has hep C and cirrosis. He has had it for awhile. He took interfuron treatments a couple of years ago that were supposed to be successful. Lately his has gotten really sick. His amonia levels were way up, so much so that his doctor was suprised that he was not in a coma. His other enzymes were not up but the one that causes you to get yellow has went up since then. He has not started looking yellow but is very pale and ashy. He is not acting like himself at all. He has lost his appetite has neglected his personal hygiene and care (which is so not like him). He does not seem to care about anything. Sleeps all the time is always cold and having trouble with his memory. He is complaining about his stomach hurting and the veins in his throat have become varacose veins.

We know alot of info from the doctors but that have not told us how bad this is or what to expect. Is he going to be okay? Is it going to get worse? Is he going to die from this? If so, how long? They just say it is all caused from his liver. We know that, we want to know what this means for him.   Very Frusterated.    

[HectorSF]

I'm going to be blunt with you as you must understand how serious your father's condition is...
First: Get a new doctor ASAP!!! His doctor by doing nothing is letting your father suffer and in time die. If nothing is done to help your father, not only will he continue to suffer more and more but he will die! I hate to say this but it is the truth.

"Is he going to be okay"?
No. Without treatment he will die.

"Is it going to get worse"?
Yes. His liver disease will continue to get worse and will be fatal in time unless he gets a new liver.

"Is he going to die from this"?
Again, if he doesn't get a transplant he will die.
I transplant can give him a new lease on life. Find a doctor who will help your father to live.

If so, how long?
Only a good doctor will know how advanced his disease is. With a transplant he can be saved.

Find a doctor who will talk to you and evaluate your father's condition. Neither yourself or anyone but a good doctor (Hepatologist) will be able to help your father at this point.
His liver disease is progressing and will be terminal unless he gets a new liver. Please have your new doctor contact the nearest Liver Transplant Center. They have good doctors there who will be able to help your father. The sooner the better.

Best of luck to the both of you.
Hector

[lpo]

He went to a new liver doctor today (hepatologist?) You see the problem is is that he did not quit smoking Marijuana until a little while ago and the last time his was tested, they found it and said he could not be on a list. Since he has quit the doctor today told him that they would try to get him on a list. He is having trouble breathing and his white blood count was down to 1.1(I really do not know what this means, and from what my dad's wife said the doctor really didnt either) His amonia levels did decrease with the laculose but are still high. She said that the trouble breathing was hepatic pulmanary diesease? I do not know if that is correct but I could not find it anywhere on the internet. From what I understand, she said that the outlook for him was not very good and that it may be too late for a transplant anyway. He goes to the VA hospital and has so many different doctors telling him things, it is hard to decipher. I will have to say that this doctor did try to explain things today instead of just say "It's his liver" and for that I am grateful.

It is hard for me to do anythig. I just got back from there (an 8 hour drive) after staying last week, he has a wife who is trying to take care of him but I have to work. All I know is what they are telling me that the doctors are saying.