cirrhosis

[whitegrilpr]

hi i have asked questions befor but this time i am asking about bloodtransfusion becuse of the cirrhosis, my husbandhas had a transfusion only less then 30 days ago. and now he has to have one agin  next week. how long can this go on /and what does it mean that he has to have this done so soon?becuse of the cirrhosis he is also has anemia. what is next if any one knows? thanks for your help. whitegirlpr.

[Thomas D Schiano, MD]

when patients have portal hypertension and cirrhosis the lining of their stomach can ooze blood--called portal gastropathy.  When people are sick from any reason they become anemic especially with cirrhosis because their spleen is enlarged.  frequent transfusions are usually not necessary however.

[whitegrilpr]

thank you for taking your time to answer my question,but really i still would like to know if it is a bad thing to have so Meany bloodtransfusion in a short time? is this because his hep,c. & cirrhosis are getting worse? and if so on a scale from one to ten what would you give him? he has blood ammonia,anemia, ascita.edema inlegs, inelarged spleen, low platelets, high bloodprusher. as for as i remember he has not had a ctscan,or ultrasound of his belly . or a biopsy. he has never had his belly drained .do you have any ideas? thank you again for your time.

[Thomas D Schiano, MD]

i do not think the # of transfusions is a problem.  All of what you describe is concerning regarding the severity of the liver disease.  I think that the liver disease may be worsening.  he should definitely have an abdominal imaging study to make sure he doesn't have cancer.