hi my brother is 31 and has alchohol liver disease hes been ill for about 3yrs and a heavy drinker for about 15yrs, he has been off the drink several times and in and out of hospital, he even went into rehab but only lasted 2months! he has a very supportive family but we have had to nurse him look after him when hes been so drunk all the family are so stressed with him! about 6weeks ago he went into hospital as his stomach was huge and hes very jaundice he was in there for about 5weeks and had litres drained from him (acsities) he was realy ill this time and the drs told us if he stops drinking he wil live around 2-3yrs but my brother realy thinks hes ok, he is home now and has started drinking again quite heavy! we have talked to him about his serious conditon but he dont want to listen and goes out, we are at the end of our tether and dont no what to expect from now? if hes drinking wil he just collapse and die or wil he just deteriate? we are aware this is the end now but dont no what to exect ect? my mum is trying her best to support him but its so hard! please could you give us some advise to as to how long he has left? thanks
Hate to say this, but Alcoholic Liver Disease is probably the worst of liver diseases.
The process to even get on the list transplants is exhausting. Usually a transplant candidate can not have any comorbid conditions.
One positive thing, is that Alcoholic Liver Disease many times involves mainly the liver.
Your friend can't wait for eight weeks to get started on the process for transplantation.
Someone needs to find a way to get started much sooner.
His swollen stomach is likely Ascites (abdominal fluid buildup). He needs to get an aspiration. That is probably what they have done when in the hospital.
The problem of him not getting a transplant because "he did it to himself" is bunk. Did someone tell you this or a belief you have. If this was true, there would be about only one third of the amount of patients waiting for a transplant.
Is he a Veteran by any chance? If not is he on an HMO or does he have Meicare?
At any rate someone has to start making noise ,complain even call your Congressman. Be a pain in the Hospitals butt.
Do you know if he has Encephalophy (infection of fluid around brain)? He would be acting very differently, as not making sense, acting strangley or worse?
I know that your friend needs to be in a hospital NOW.
By your description, he is in dire need. I also know that he is NOT getting the treatment he needs.
He has all the signs of Liver Failure and Renal Failure. There does come a time when there is absolutely nothing that can be done. You need to go straight to his Dr. and ask the tough questions he doesn't want too.
Sorry that was supposed to be good luck. By the way, my brother n law doesn't have any insurance, so I thought that was why they only kept him hospitalized for a day, but I guess maybe that was not the reason. God Bless You
I know what u r going thru, we are going thru the same thing, my brother in law is a transplant candidate, but got chirrosis from alcohol and they said he can not have the transplant. We feel so bad for him.They gave him lactolose and that cleared the confusion a bit. They were going to drain the fulids this week but decided against it. I don't know why. Now they are talking about dialysis, why, I am not sure. This is so awful for everyone, I feel your pain . Good Luce
I just hope that your friend is on with a good hepatologist, and has quit drinking long enough to be considered to be put on a transplant list...do not give up hope...Doc's don't know everything, and sometimes people will surprise you with their ability to endure...and come out better in the end....