Mom with Cirrhosis of the liver stage 4

[bp80]

Hello,
  My mother was diagnosed with Cirrhosis of the liver about 6 years ago.  Against all odds she has lived through it thus far... The cirrhosis was due to excessive drinking for many years, Hep B and Hemochromatosis.  She was in a coma six years ago and the doctors told she they were sure she wasn't going to make it through the night. Since then, she has quit drinking (as far as I know), has a better diet and gets her blood drawn for testing every three months. About two years ago, her doctors told her she only had 6 months to live, again that was 2 years ago, so they are not always correct on their time frames. She has neropathy and really bad reumatoid arthristis so she is always in some sort of pain. She vomits every day and also has chronic diarrhea. (Sorry for my terrible spelling).  Anyways, she had her Gaul Bladdar out a couple months ago thinking it would help and it did for about two weeks she was out of pain and in Paradise.  After those two weeks, she is back to the same old pain and vomiting ritual she has gone through for the past 6 years.  Last night she told me that he doctor called her to let her know the blood tests came back really bad and her billyrubens were extremely high.  My mom has also been having really high fevers and sometimes when I speak with her she seems confused and doesn't remember telling me things so she is repeating herself and I know when she is drunk and she was not at these times.( Trust me when you grow up with an alcoholic you know when they are drinking) Her doctors said that with her symptoms and blood tests, it seems she only has a few months to live. To hear that is heart wrenching but is it true? Because remember when I said 2 years ago they gave her 3 months? SO basically after all this, my question is how do I know how long she is going to have or at least a good prediction with the above being said. Also, what symptoms will she have when it turns into liver failure or how do I know if she is currently experiencing liver failure.

She is so sweet and I just feel terrible for her for how much pain she is in. I am her only child and I want to do what I can to spend the time with her and be there for her through this time.  I recently got married and do not have children yet, so I just want do at least prepare myself for the fact that my mom might not ever meet my children. I guess I am just looking for someone who has answers or some advice for me. This is an ongoing battle and as much as I will miss her, I just want her to be okay and not feel any more pain and discomfort.

Thank you again, sorry for the long post.

Brittney

[can-do-man]

Sorry to hear about your mother, you might want to post over on the cirrhosis of the liver forum, I believe at times there is a doctor that answers there? Wishing you both the best.

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Cirrhosis-of-the-Liver/show/1390

[mzkity]

Hrsepwrguy answered why she's confused. I'm sorry about her choice not to be on a transplant list. When you said she is a sweet lady, I had know idea how selfless she is. God bless her. If you think more info will help you, try looking for post by Hectorsf, responses to liver posts. But other than that the web site he gave you above. You might need to set up some type of care system. So she isn't alone while having the encephalopathy problems. You can go to both liver forums and try there. But try the site he gave you. I'm sorry Brit.   Kitty

[hrsepwrguy]

"when I speak with her she seems confused and doesn't remember telling me"

Hepatic encephalopathy
Hepatic coma; Encephalopathy - hepatic

Hepatic encephalopathy is a worsening of brain function that occurs when the liver is no longer able to remove toxic substances in the blood.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Hepatic encephalopathy is caused by disorders that affect the liver. These include disorders that reduce liver function (such as cirrhosis or hepatitis) and conditions in which blood circulation does not enter the liver. The exact cause of hepatic encephalopathy is unknown.

An important job of the liver is to change toxic substances that are either made by the body or taken into the body (such as medicines) and make them harmless. However, when the liver is damaged, these "poisons" may build up in the bloodstream.

Ammonia, which is produced by the body when proteins are digested, is one of the harmful substances that is normally made harmless by the liver. Many other substances may also build up in the body if the liver is not working well. They can cause damage to the nervous system.

Hepatic encephalopathy may occur suddenly in people who previously had no liver problems when damage occurs to the liver. More often, the condition is seen in people with chronic liver disease.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001347/

[bp80]

Helllo,
  She does not want to be on the transplant list because of the fact that she is a recovering alcoholic. She feels that someone who never drank deserves a new liver over her...

Thanks for commenting
What do you mean the confusion is real? Just not sure how all this works because I am more business minded then healthcare :)

THanks again!

[mzkity]

Welcome, I'm so sorry for you. Hopefully someone will give more than I can on your mothers condition. Her confusion is real. Are liver specialist is dealing with his own health. She sounds very sick. Why was she not on a transplant list??