Advanced Stages of Hepatitis C

[GARYSAMDOG]

My wife who recently broke her Femur and has had Hepatitis C for a long time refuses any treatment for this Hepatitis condition. On the contrary she drinks at least 10 beers a day and also mixes this with other prescription drugs. The Doctor at the Hopital said she is operating on 8% of her liver and her chances of living for the next one year is slim if she keeps on drinking. His statement to her had no effect and she continues to self destruct. She is now sleeping all day and drinking all night and is beginning to hallunicnate and seeing things and beliving thing things in her mind that are not real. All this is becomming a major problem as I work all day as she drinks all night. She keeps me up all hours of the night with strange situations she believes as happening, but is not. What should I expect in the near future as this will no doubt continue. I do not know what to do.

[Diamond_Lil]

Long term alcohol and drug abuse plus viral hepatitis leads to cirrhosis which your wife has given only 8% of her liver is functional.  Among other things, cirrhosis can cause bleeding esophageal varices and death can occur very quickly. When that occurs and most likely it will your wife may realize the gravity of her situation and beg for help but by then it may be too late.  It's very sad how some people cannot or will not deal with life but it happens all the time.  

You do need to prepare yourself for the worst.  You can't help someone who won't help themselves.

I hope you find the strength to endure and wish you the best.

Diamond_Lil

[Bill1954]

Hi Gary,

It sounds as though you have your hands full right now. Sorry to hear of all this, by the way. Feel free to stick around to read and ask questions; sometimes adding to your knowledge base helps understand the situation a little better.

You mentioned some hallucinations; while there’s no way to tell what’s happening without medical records etc, she might be suffering from elevated serum ammonia. This can occur as part of cirrhosis, and is manageable to some extent with meds. Be sure to mention this to the doctor; they can do a rather easy blood test to confirm this, and act appropriately.

Welcome to the group here,

Bill

[GARYSAMDOG]

Thank you as I knew this would be the situation. We have been married for 35 years and have two beautiful daughters and a grandson who all is watching this happen. It's sad because there is nothing we can do as we have tried everything. Thank you for your words of comfort and we will cope with this the best we can.

Thanks  Gary

[nygirl7]

I'm sorry it certainly doesn't sound good for her short future.

Right now you should find a counseling group of some sort (Alanon, therapist) and work on tying up the loose ends that will need to be dealt with (life insurance papers, wills) because it doesn't sound as if she has much more time and you need to take care of you.

it sounds harsh I am sure but if she is not willing to stop drinking she cannot get a liver transplant and therefore she will not live long.  You can only take care of yourself and do the best you can.

It doesn't sound like you will have to worry about her keeping you up at night very much longer.

Good luck.