Hep C turned to Cirrhosis?

[herdaughter]

  Hi, my mom was first diagnosed with HepC about 15 years ago, and has taken no treatments for it. Over the years she has gotten worse, but refused to see a doctor or take any medications they might offer.
Years ago she started swelling up a lot, mostly in the belly, and ankles/feet. She got these bad red spider veins all over her body, itching, always was feeling ill and tired, and her moods have gotten pretty bad.
  A cpl weeks ago she started feeling ill again, and was vomiting and unable to urninate a lot. Her stomach looked like she is 7 months pregnant it was so swolen and I pleaded with her to go to the hospital... th enext day she agreed to go to a clinic and get tests done. Turned out she has cirrhosis... but she won't tell me or my siblings anything. She thinks she is fine. I don't know if they let her out, or she just said "no f-ing way i'm staying here" but they told her she needed to be drained, and has another appt today which she will not let anyone go with her to.  I'm so worried about my mother, and I just want to know how much time I have left with her. Anyone else know or have had similiar problems?

[Grace724]

I'm so sorry that the direction the doctor gave her did not improve her situation but appears to have made her feel worse.

I'd still try my best to get her to go to the ER. I'd tell them that she has been taking diuretics and has gone from bad to worse. Maybe they will be more willing to drain the fluid now to give her some relief.

I'm not sure about the meaning of the bruise on her stomach. Be sure to point that out to the ER docs.

Good luck and please let us know how you both are doing.

~Grace

[herdaughter]

She didn't end up getting drained but was given dieretics and was told to drink gatorade... so she stopped the gatorade and doubled the dieretics because last night she started getting worse
Today I went to see her and was shocked at how bad she looks... her stomach went from looking 7 months pregnant, to looking like she is about to drop triplets.... she can hardly walk.. or sit long cuz her back hurts from it... she is so tired... she is even getting stretch marks... i also noticed a bruise on her stomach, could that mean internal bleeding?
Im not sure why a specialist would give her something that made her worse?
She said the dr said she has years left, but i think she is lying

[nygirl7]

Sometimes unfortunately as people age they refuse to accept any intervention in their health issues and their children need to get legal control of the matter.  This is an extremely serious situation and without assistance - just not drinking is NOT going to make this any better at all.

BEFORE someone gets cirrhosis their liver and begin to heal itself if a liver friendly life is lived but your mothers liver is beyond repair now.

She needs a heptologist - a specialist not just a regular primary care doctor to handle this.  Please..............just not having one single drink is NOT going to help her, please understand this she NEEDS medical intervention immediately.

I hope you can convince her to do all the necessary steps and that she makes it onto the top of the transplant list quickly.

Good luck.

[herdaughter]

Thank you

and HCA you were right. Her appointment went welll apparenlty because my mother told me she plans to not have a single drink (she is also an alcoholic) because she is getting a liver transplant!!! She sounds happy now and wanting to live.
I feel so relieved.

[rita863]

I dont have anything to add about your Mom's medical condition.  I just wanted to tell you, that you can always come here for some support.

I am sorry you have to see your Mom sick.  Please keep us posted.

peace
rita

[Trinity4]

If your mom will not listen to reason and doesn't do the necessary follow-up despite all your efforts it really falls back on your mom.  She can't change what she refuses to acknowledge.  
Her denial may mean she does not want the conventional medical care available to her and wants to live the rest of her life as she deems fit.  I know this can be a huge burden on you and your family but all you can do is keep suggesting or even insisting she seek medical care but ultimately the decision is hers.
Trinity

[Texas714]

I'm sorry for you and your mother.  I have cirrhosis too but am not having the problems your mother is having....yet...  I think HCA gave you some good advise.  If you can go to her doctor with her I think that would be the best way to find out where she is and what can be done to help her.
Good Luck to ya'll.

[HCA]

Your mother has a condition called ascites caused by impeded blood flow through the liver and lack of albumin which is the bodys main protein.
I don't wish to alarm you but yes it is serious.
Your mother needs to be evaluated for a liver transplant.
If she is in denial you must go with her to the doctor at the earliest opportunity.