final stage of hep.c

[kennel_momma]

My brother was told at his last Dr. appt. ( on his 60th birthday) that he has 1 year to live . He is a very heavy drinker, spending every day, all day at the local bar. HE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH HEPATITIS C 2 years ago, he doesn't tell the family much about what goes on at his Dr. appointments, which are few and far between, probably because he doesn't want to change his lifestyle..... what I would like to know is what this coming year will be like and what signs to look out for,he still goes to the bar everyday, but has started drinking a protein drink called Boost on a daily basis. He is a veteran and is getting his advise and treatment from the V.A. hospital.Any advise and knowledge as to what to expect in the coming year would be greatly appreciated....I feel so helpless...I love my brother and want to help him , since he won't help himself( or can't )..... anyone out there going thru this too?????

[meNtoby]

My brother is nearly the same age as your brother's, and has known for well over a decade that he has hep C. His doctor visits are non-existent now for the same reasons as yours.  Too much of a lifestyle change to stop drinking and treat.  Now I imagine it is way too late, and his bouts of depression and anxiety (even without the driinking) would make him a difficult treatment candidate.  Sadly, he became too abusive for me to continue a relationship, and to my knowledge, I was the last holdout of a large family.  

His drinking came before the funerals of his mother, his father, and a beloved uncle who never understood why he wasn't there for our mom's.
He uses his hep C as the reason why he does what he does, not his drinking.  And no one believes it is a serious condition when he continues on like he does.  I've not seen him now in over a year.

I love this sibling more than any other, but I cannot help him.  He lives with anxiety and depression that I cannot imagine, although I know the reason for it.  Because Hepatitis has become such a joke (for lack of a better word) in our family, I told no one related to me when I found out last May that I too have the virus. The one thing that we could actually relate completely to, is not enough to make me think that I could bring him up in any way by letting him know at this point that I have it as well.  In fact, I am afraid that others would throw it in his face.

Sometimes you have to love a person as they are, but they are ultimately responsible for themselves.  You wanted to know if anyone else was going through a similar situation, and here I am. Sadly, there are many others, some are wives, girlfriends, brothers, sisters, mothers.  End stage liver disease is not pretty, as are so many other awful afflictions.  My heart goes out sincerely to you in this time of trial, and my prayers too for you and your brother.  Click on my name and send a private message anytime if you want to talk or vent.  I am always around.

Blessings to you for caring, I know it hurts,

cathy

[HCA]

Sorry to hear this.
Hep C itself doesn't have a final stage.Related mortality is caused by liver failuer or cancer.
Liver failure is usually preceded by mental confusion and excessive sleeping and fatigue.
Outward manifestions may inlclude swelling of the abdomen caused by fluid retention,bruising,yellow appearance,loss of muscle to name a few.
Eventually the patient falls into coma.
I hope is as easy as possible for both of you.

[portann]

People can drive themselves into the ground for many reasons. Having HCV in your brother's case was probably not as significant to his prognosis as his continual drinking.

I also have a sixty year old brother. He doesn't drink or have HCV but seems headed for self-destruction by heart disease. He ignores all the advice he's given and runs a mile away from 'the stupid lectures'. He often defiantly goes out of his way to disregard the cardiologist or common sense. I don't know how I will face the bleak outlook ahead for him if he rejects everyone's advice except his own. What really can I do?  He's made his bed.

If your brother's diagnosis and prognosis are correct, it may be very tough ahead. If you can find out his official diagnosis, then you can search for links in the medical forum to help you.

If he has end-stage liver disease, I believe there may be a more specific forum for that but I'm not at all sure.

[Mary4now]

I'm so sorry to hear about your brother.  The vets have a particular tough time after all they've been through.  I dont know much I have hepC too, I'm sure you will hear from somebody I just want to let you know I feel for you and your brother.  Mine drank too, and its hard to watch.  But you can still love them, and after all that is whats really important.