I need some hope, I'm scared for my sister.

[david432]

My sisters eyes recently went light yellow and her ab area got swallow. We took her to a hospital where they drained fluid (3 liters) and did a ‘TIPS’ procedure. There was a blockage/web in her IVC which they opened. They also tell us that she has some level of cirrhosis (due to alcohol. however she does not drink more than anyone else her age) We were told we need to just wait and see how things go. Bilirubin was 7.8 , bilirubin direct was 4, and alubium was 2.3 I think. (No vomiting, nausea, diarrhea) She is home. Can she make a full recovery? She has not had alcohol in 2 months, and pain meds in 8 months. I am so scared. I don’t even sleep. She is my only sister. I read so much online that I don’t know if this is something that can be brought to a stable level and she can live a long life. Or if this is going to be a problem for her. She is only 25 years old 5’5’ 115 lbs. I need some hope; she is so young I pray she can recover from this and live normally. Please let me know as much info as you can give me on the issue. Thank you greatly.

[david432]

Thank you Dr. Schiano for your reply. I respect all the advise you give on this forum and have been reading many of the replies you give to others.
In Jan. you mentioned “ Almost all patients with cirrhosis will eventually need a transplant.  “ Can you elaborate a little on this? As I was hoping there is a possibility of living a full life 40-50 more years without a possible transplant? Thank you. And again I appreciate everything you do here. I’m sure we all do.

[Thomas D Schiano, MD]

hopefully with ongoing sobriety the liver disease will stabilize but it can take years for the cirrhosis to regress.  she must cut out all alcohol use