Aa
desperate for dad
help me i can't handle this im 22 and still live at home and cannot deal with this at all i need my dad...
im so confused and overwhelmed he hasnt seen the specialist yet...went to the hospital feeling sick and all this came about...he had his veins banded and had fluid in abdomen and portal hypertension...no bleeds as far as we know...but doctors say his blood work is good and bilirubin is only 1.3 and meld score is only 9? i dont understand how he can have those bad symptoms and "good" bloodwork and meld score? is it possible for him to live 5 years? docs say symptoms came on due to a reaction from a virus/infection? could this be true? he has cirrhosis from undiagnosed hep c combined with moderate alcohol consumption...
please help me im desperate...i already had anxiety before this....now i can barely eat and sleep
This discussion is related to Help for cirrhosis ??.
im so confused and overwhelmed he hasnt seen the specialist yet...went to the hospital feeling sick and all this came about...he had his veins banded and had fluid in abdomen and portal hypertension...no bleeds as far as we know...but doctors say his blood work is good and bilirubin is only 1.3 and meld score is only 9? i dont understand how he can have those bad symptoms and "good" bloodwork and meld score? is it possible for him to live 5 years? docs say symptoms came on due to a reaction from a virus/infection? could this be true? he has cirrhosis from undiagnosed hep c combined with moderate alcohol consumption...
please help me im desperate...i already had anxiety before this....now i can barely eat and sleep
This discussion is related to Help for cirrhosis ??.
I'm very sorry to hear about your Dad.This seem to be a hard time all around, but "soaking in as much hope" as you can stand is a good path to stay on - stay strong. Regarding your Mom, probably the most critical point is to get a good read of how much damage has developed - first with a liver panel and CBC and probably following that up with a biopsy. Biopsies can take a while to schedule, so even while things are in turmoil you may want to make sure those appointments get made. All the best.
just an update...after my dad's dad's funeral this past saturday...the information leaked to me that mom has hep c too...genotype 1 so she didn't even get it from dad! he's type 2. she either got it from a transfusion in '72 or somewhere along the line of being a nurse. we don't know the extent of liver damage she has not had any obvious complications yet like dad did but who knows. we just know her enzymes are elevated. mom had a bipolar episode that night and is finally agreeing to be evaluated. mom and dad are separating. lots going on! wish i had siblings...but no use crying over spilt milk. i'm thankful for my blissful childhood...and trying to soak in as much hope as i can come across.....
keep in mind a MELD is only predictive of time to organ failure if no measures are taken. Most transplants take place in the 20's, high 20, low 30 most often
then also, meld scores were only designed to start at 6...below that is normal, so a MELD of 7 or 9 isn't dire.
MELD is a formula, which tends to predict with some degree of accuracy how long the patient has until total liver failure, however, it fails to take into account other measures that can change that equation, such as treatment for the hcv, withdrawal from drugs or alcohol which compromise the liver, dietary changes and restrictions, treating for untreated things which effect metabolism such as thyroid, insulin resistance, anti-fibrotic supplementations etc.etc.
Everything your dad does that is proactive for his health could help this profile.
Only too much exercise could be problematic since the liver is involved in all repair and metabolism and must keep up... but some activity is a good thing. Tell him to let his fatique be a guide there and not to push too hard.
I would definitely suggest an endoscope to rule out leaky bowel, and a look at his gall bladder as well, which can also leak, both of these things can also cause ascites and often docs assume everything is the liver, when in fact there may be an additional or another cause of ascites.
If his liver pressure is to great and meds don't help there is also a procedure called a TIPS which can redirect some of the blood flow and circumvent the liver, but this is down the road probably. For now I'd read up on Liver, gall bladder and intestinal issues. If he keeps filling up with fluid he may need to get a semi permanent drain tube, it beats going in every day or two for needle aspirations....chances are the ascites may settle down once the diuretics are dialed in though.
My best to your dad and you.
It's good you are such a concerned child, just keep in mind that people do live many years with this disease and try to educate yourself. A lot of fear is created when folks don't know what the numbers, tests, or disease is all about so you are on the right track to alleviating those fears.
mb
then also, meld scores were only designed to start at 6...below that is normal, so a MELD of 7 or 9 isn't dire.
MELD is a formula, which tends to predict with some degree of accuracy how long the patient has until total liver failure, however, it fails to take into account other measures that can change that equation, such as treatment for the hcv, withdrawal from drugs or alcohol which compromise the liver, dietary changes and restrictions, treating for untreated things which effect metabolism such as thyroid, insulin resistance, anti-fibrotic supplementations etc.etc.
Everything your dad does that is proactive for his health could help this profile.
Only too much exercise could be problematic since the liver is involved in all repair and metabolism and must keep up... but some activity is a good thing. Tell him to let his fatique be a guide there and not to push too hard.
I would definitely suggest an endoscope to rule out leaky bowel, and a look at his gall bladder as well, which can also leak, both of these things can also cause ascites and often docs assume everything is the liver, when in fact there may be an additional or another cause of ascites.
If his liver pressure is to great and meds don't help there is also a procedure called a TIPS which can redirect some of the blood flow and circumvent the liver, but this is down the road probably. For now I'd read up on Liver, gall bladder and intestinal issues. If he keeps filling up with fluid he may need to get a semi permanent drain tube, it beats going in every day or two for needle aspirations....chances are the ascites may settle down once the diuretics are dialed in though.
My best to your dad and you.
It's good you are such a concerned child, just keep in mind that people do live many years with this disease and try to educate yourself. A lot of fear is created when folks don't know what the numbers, tests, or disease is all about so you are on the right track to alleviating those fears.
mb
All the advice given is excellent.
It appears your dad is working hard to to stay health. Take is a very good thing and enable him to stay as healthy for as long as possible.
Once your dad see's a Hepatologist he should no more about his situation...
Just a few things I would like to add:
* Yes he should stay away from salt. Salt retains fluid which will build up in his ankles /feet (edema) and abdomen (ascites). If he is not talking diuretics, he should mention this to the doctor. If necessary he can take the diuretics to prevent fluid buildup. This is a very common problem for cirrhotics.
* I see that your father is taking a beta blocker. This is to reduce the chances of his varices bleeding. This is standard treatment for someone with cirrhosis. Where this could cause sleep disturbances I am not sure and is a question your dad should ask the doctor.
* You said that your father's anomnia's level was within norms. True ammonia levels are difficult to get. Your father may be having some effects of minimal hepatic encephalopathy one of which is sleep disturbance. This is something he might also ask the hepatologist about.
* It appears you dad is having difficulty eating. He should mention this to the doctor. He could have a GI problem such as heartburn or GERT which can be managed.
Your dad should make a list of questions he has for the doctor and take them to his appointment. This will help ease his mind and allow him to understand his condition more fully.
Good luck with the first appointment on Monday!
HectorSF
It appears your dad is working hard to to stay health. Take is a very good thing and enable him to stay as healthy for as long as possible.
Once your dad see's a Hepatologist he should no more about his situation...
Just a few things I would like to add:
* Yes he should stay away from salt. Salt retains fluid which will build up in his ankles /feet (edema) and abdomen (ascites). If he is not talking diuretics, he should mention this to the doctor. If necessary he can take the diuretics to prevent fluid buildup. This is a very common problem for cirrhotics.
* I see that your father is taking a beta blocker. This is to reduce the chances of his varices bleeding. This is standard treatment for someone with cirrhosis. Where this could cause sleep disturbances I am not sure and is a question your dad should ask the doctor.
* You said that your father's anomnia's level was within norms. True ammonia levels are difficult to get. Your father may be having some effects of minimal hepatic encephalopathy one of which is sleep disturbance. This is something he might also ask the hepatologist about.
* It appears you dad is having difficulty eating. He should mention this to the doctor. He could have a GI problem such as heartburn or GERT which can be managed.
Your dad should make a list of questions he has for the doctor and take them to his appointment. This will help ease his mind and allow him to understand his condition more fully.
Good luck with the first appointment on Monday!
HectorSF
Lest you get the wrong idea about the MELD score of 29, I have to add that my score of 29 included additional points for the HCC diagnosis and the fact that I had survived over 6 months with that diagnosis. I think my actual lab MELD was around <20.
The nice thing about posting here versus e-mail is that you can get responses from many informed individuals here. This forum has been really helpful to me and I am sure it has for many others also.
You mentioned MELD score a couple of times. This is a simple mathematical score computed from blood tests of bilirubin, creatinine and prothrombrine time (how fast blood plsma clots).
3.8 x log (e) (bilirubin mg/dL) + 11.2 x log (e) (INR) + 9.6 log (e) (creatinine mg/dL)
The formula above is the one used. It's only use is in determining which patients are in the greatest need of transplant for the purposes of allocating donor livers to the sickest patients. There are also other factors that qualify a patient for the list that eliminates those who would not derive enough benefit from the transplant because of other illnesses or special circumstance. If your father is in good health overall, other than liver disease, then that will work in his favor.
The MELD score is supposed to predict mortality with the higher score indicating a shorter time. Patients on the transplant lists nationwide are typically above 10 or 15 on the MELD score. Depending on many factors such as blood type, location, other factors, etc. the typical MELD score of patients at transplant can vary from about 6 to 30 or more. I had a MELD of 29 when I received a donor organ.
The MELD score is not really indicative of how someone would feel. I was at 29 but felt alright other than fatigue, sleep problems, and aches and pains. I did not have ascites or jaundice.
Keep in touch and good luck!
Brent
You mentioned MELD score a couple of times. This is a simple mathematical score computed from blood tests of bilirubin, creatinine and prothrombrine time (how fast blood plsma clots).
3.8 x log (e) (bilirubin mg/dL) + 11.2 x log (e) (INR) + 9.6 log (e) (creatinine mg/dL)
The formula above is the one used. It's only use is in determining which patients are in the greatest need of transplant for the purposes of allocating donor livers to the sickest patients. There are also other factors that qualify a patient for the list that eliminates those who would not derive enough benefit from the transplant because of other illnesses or special circumstance. If your father is in good health overall, other than liver disease, then that will work in his favor.
The MELD score is supposed to predict mortality with the higher score indicating a shorter time. Patients on the transplant lists nationwide are typically above 10 or 15 on the MELD score. Depending on many factors such as blood type, location, other factors, etc. the typical MELD score of patients at transplant can vary from about 6 to 30 or more. I had a MELD of 29 when I received a donor organ.
The MELD score is not really indicative of how someone would feel. I was at 29 but felt alright other than fatigue, sleep problems, and aches and pains. I did not have ascites or jaundice.
Keep in touch and good luck!
Brent
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your post has helped me immensely....if it's okay with you is there an easier way we can communicate? posts on this site are hard to keep track of without e-mail notifications or anything
It’s a pleasure to meet you, gender and all :), though I wish it were under happier circumstances -- all the same, a belated welcome to the forum.
Because the liver is a major organ, the sleep/food issues you describe your father having are not unusual for people with cirrhosis -- my husband has similar symptoms. He tries to stay active as much as he can during the day to keep his sleep cycles on track (sometimes it helps, sometimes not.) As far as the digestive discomfort, I try to have my husband eat if feels even a little hungry (if that means 4 or 6 small frequent meals or snacks, so be it) – I find keeping easily-accessible finger-foods around helps. I always have on hand low-salt crackers, peanut butter, fruit (grapes, apples, and blueberries make self-serve a breeze), veges, or even instant mashed potatoes (no salt!), or canned tuna handy for a quick fix. Protein is important for maintaining muscle and a healthy weight, so fish and chicken is ok– soy (like tofu), nuts (almonds, cashews, etc.), and most beans are also good sources of protein.
It sounds like you’ve been doing some researching (good move!), and most probably your father’s 3/29 doc visit will give you more information about your his CTP classification. The fact that the hospital said he still has liver function and discharged him home with a doctor’s visit is a good thing – he is NOT end stage. The reality is that your father will need to be proactive on his own behalf – cirrhosis eventually can reach a point where it cannot be reversed, but it CAN be well-managed for years in many people. And, as you mentioned, if transplantation listing is being considered, for those who are eligible for transplant, cirrhosis does not necessarily mean the end. I should add, the likelihood of your dad developing cancer from progressing cirrhosis is less than 10% -- primary liver cancer is the exception rather than the norm for cirrhosis.
Now, that being said, my husband believes in being a rarity ;) – he was diagnosed as a result of workup done due to chest pains/near heart attack (completely unassociated with his liver disease), and was found to have elevated liver enzymes, had ultrasound, and was diagnosed with hcv, cirrhosis, and liver cancer – it was the only significant complication he had, a massive hcc, which was removed in 2007. The amazing thing is even with the anatomical removal of his left lobe, his cirrhosis has remained otherwise pretty stable; it’s quite remarkable, the liver. Hubby has very mild ascites, trace varices, and MILD portal hypertension – nothing that you can see, but he’s Class A by some standards and Class B by others – depends on which doctor you talk to. (Because of his hcc status he was referred for transplantation evaluation but since his MELD is 7 he’s not currently eligible for listing—but if you’d like more info on the TP process, feel free to message me.)
If you haven’t come across these two sites in your research, both good resources:
http://www.janis7hepc.com/
http://www.hepcadvocate.org/
One thing I’ve learned the last few years is to enjoy every day as it comes, and to relish the good times – it keeps the insanity away. I’ve finally gotten comfortable with the truth that life is completely unpredictable, and any expectation of what will be is just an illusion. Poised in a constant state of uncertainty is not the way I anticipated living life, but it’s taught me some necessary lessons about patience, flexibility, and balance, and I've accepted that knowledge doesn’t help us control what happens next – it just better prepares us to deal with things as they happen. I often remind myself that “Yesterday is a history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift; that’s why it’s called the present.” Hugs. ~eureka
PS: Don't know about the Tums, but I'm sure could get a quick answer by just calling the hepatologist's office with the general question of whether it's ok for a patient with progressing cirrhosis to take antacids. Good luck!
Because the liver is a major organ, the sleep/food issues you describe your father having are not unusual for people with cirrhosis -- my husband has similar symptoms. He tries to stay active as much as he can during the day to keep his sleep cycles on track (sometimes it helps, sometimes not.) As far as the digestive discomfort, I try to have my husband eat if feels even a little hungry (if that means 4 or 6 small frequent meals or snacks, so be it) – I find keeping easily-accessible finger-foods around helps. I always have on hand low-salt crackers, peanut butter, fruit (grapes, apples, and blueberries make self-serve a breeze), veges, or even instant mashed potatoes (no salt!), or canned tuna handy for a quick fix. Protein is important for maintaining muscle and a healthy weight, so fish and chicken is ok– soy (like tofu), nuts (almonds, cashews, etc.), and most beans are also good sources of protein.
It sounds like you’ve been doing some researching (good move!), and most probably your father’s 3/29 doc visit will give you more information about your his CTP classification. The fact that the hospital said he still has liver function and discharged him home with a doctor’s visit is a good thing – he is NOT end stage. The reality is that your father will need to be proactive on his own behalf – cirrhosis eventually can reach a point where it cannot be reversed, but it CAN be well-managed for years in many people. And, as you mentioned, if transplantation listing is being considered, for those who are eligible for transplant, cirrhosis does not necessarily mean the end. I should add, the likelihood of your dad developing cancer from progressing cirrhosis is less than 10% -- primary liver cancer is the exception rather than the norm for cirrhosis.
Now, that being said, my husband believes in being a rarity ;) – he was diagnosed as a result of workup done due to chest pains/near heart attack (completely unassociated with his liver disease), and was found to have elevated liver enzymes, had ultrasound, and was diagnosed with hcv, cirrhosis, and liver cancer – it was the only significant complication he had, a massive hcc, which was removed in 2007. The amazing thing is even with the anatomical removal of his left lobe, his cirrhosis has remained otherwise pretty stable; it’s quite remarkable, the liver. Hubby has very mild ascites, trace varices, and MILD portal hypertension – nothing that you can see, but he’s Class A by some standards and Class B by others – depends on which doctor you talk to. (Because of his hcc status he was referred for transplantation evaluation but since his MELD is 7 he’s not currently eligible for listing—but if you’d like more info on the TP process, feel free to message me.)
If you haven’t come across these two sites in your research, both good resources:
http://www.janis7hepc.com/
http://www.hepcadvocate.org/
One thing I’ve learned the last few years is to enjoy every day as it comes, and to relish the good times – it keeps the insanity away. I’ve finally gotten comfortable with the truth that life is completely unpredictable, and any expectation of what will be is just an illusion. Poised in a constant state of uncertainty is not the way I anticipated living life, but it’s taught me some necessary lessons about patience, flexibility, and balance, and I've accepted that knowledge doesn’t help us control what happens next – it just better prepares us to deal with things as they happen. I often remind myself that “Yesterday is a history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift; that’s why it’s called the present.” Hugs. ~eureka
PS: Don't know about the Tums, but I'm sure could get a quick answer by just calling the hepatologist's office with the general question of whether it's ok for a patient with progressing cirrhosis to take antacids. Good luck!
thank you so much for you responses
i am a daughter =0) the "sex" on my page was wrong i changed it...and thank you...i truly am the lucky one for having such a great dad. sometimes i think i love him more than my own life. he has been the light of my life and his positivity and energy got me through some really dark times in my family. now i am trying to do the same for him but on the inside i am crumbling.
i figured out that dad's "infection" that got him diagnosed was sbp...not good =0/ ...his diet is good i too was amazed at how much salt is in everything! he has lost a lot of weight though..most of the time he forces himself to eat. at least he eats. sometimes he feels hungry but tells me he feels uncomfrotable after he eats until he can start burping. he is tired but not sleeping well at night aside from a couple good nights after a long walk during the day or something. i have been reading that the insomnia could be from the beta blockers?
dad has not seen his hepatologist yet. we have the first appointment on march 29th...im anxious for it because i am still holding on to a bit of hope but terrified that that hope will be ripped away...my birthday is march 26th and i usually have really bad luck/tragdedy around then...last year i lost my grandpa on the 30th. maybe this year will break the streak! i have been reading a few positive stories of people who were able to turn it around or keep it under control but the rest doesn't seem good at all...i am estimating him to be at CTP grade B. that is strictly based on his levels and symptoms this far.
when he was in the hospital they told us his liver is still functioning which of course is good. blood is getting through and his ammonia levels are normal. he does not have jaundice yet just anemia. i think the most frightening thing about this disease for me is that its so unpredictable it seems. from what i gather i feel that we will pretty much be living on the edge with it forever from appointment to appointment hoping for good news and then hoping that the news stays good. i am terrified he will develop cancer. i don't know how anyone can hold on to their sanity while going through this...it has turned me mad and im not even experiencing it physically. issues at home are not helping the cause...i am trying to figure out what to do about that as well...scared that if dad is stressed his condition will get worse.
aside from the weight loss, discomfort after meals and trouble sleeping (sounds like a lot but ik it could be a lot worse) he is doing pretty well. continuing on with life raking, walking the dog, planning for the future etc. it helps me to feel better seeing him like that.
if you don't mind me asking, eureka, has your husband experienced any complications with a MELD of 7? is he on a transplant list? how did he get diagnosed? sorry if i am prying too much...it seems the only comfort i take it learning of others' experiences. as i said earlier dad's is 9...based on what i have read i cannot decide if thats good or bad. at first i thought it was good acknowledging that he could be a lot worse...other times i feel it's bad because it does not factor in the complications and does not help to predict your life expectancy which is my main concern at this point. i am not close to mom and dad has barely seen me grow up. i fear without him i will be alone in this world...like i will never feel the bliss of being purely happy again....just hoping for hope right now.
ps. any thoughts on taking TUMS? i noticed dad taking some for his indegestion and i told him he needs to ask the dcotor before taking ANYTHING
i am a daughter =0) the "sex" on my page was wrong i changed it...and thank you...i truly am the lucky one for having such a great dad. sometimes i think i love him more than my own life. he has been the light of my life and his positivity and energy got me through some really dark times in my family. now i am trying to do the same for him but on the inside i am crumbling.
i figured out that dad's "infection" that got him diagnosed was sbp...not good =0/ ...his diet is good i too was amazed at how much salt is in everything! he has lost a lot of weight though..most of the time he forces himself to eat. at least he eats. sometimes he feels hungry but tells me he feels uncomfrotable after he eats until he can start burping. he is tired but not sleeping well at night aside from a couple good nights after a long walk during the day or something. i have been reading that the insomnia could be from the beta blockers?
dad has not seen his hepatologist yet. we have the first appointment on march 29th...im anxious for it because i am still holding on to a bit of hope but terrified that that hope will be ripped away...my birthday is march 26th and i usually have really bad luck/tragdedy around then...last year i lost my grandpa on the 30th. maybe this year will break the streak! i have been reading a few positive stories of people who were able to turn it around or keep it under control but the rest doesn't seem good at all...i am estimating him to be at CTP grade B. that is strictly based on his levels and symptoms this far.
when he was in the hospital they told us his liver is still functioning which of course is good. blood is getting through and his ammonia levels are normal. he does not have jaundice yet just anemia. i think the most frightening thing about this disease for me is that its so unpredictable it seems. from what i gather i feel that we will pretty much be living on the edge with it forever from appointment to appointment hoping for good news and then hoping that the news stays good. i am terrified he will develop cancer. i don't know how anyone can hold on to their sanity while going through this...it has turned me mad and im not even experiencing it physically. issues at home are not helping the cause...i am trying to figure out what to do about that as well...scared that if dad is stressed his condition will get worse.
aside from the weight loss, discomfort after meals and trouble sleeping (sounds like a lot but ik it could be a lot worse) he is doing pretty well. continuing on with life raking, walking the dog, planning for the future etc. it helps me to feel better seeing him like that.
if you don't mind me asking, eureka, has your husband experienced any complications with a MELD of 7? is he on a transplant list? how did he get diagnosed? sorry if i am prying too much...it seems the only comfort i take it learning of others' experiences. as i said earlier dad's is 9...based on what i have read i cannot decide if thats good or bad. at first i thought it was good acknowledging that he could be a lot worse...other times i feel it's bad because it does not factor in the complications and does not help to predict your life expectancy which is my main concern at this point. i am not close to mom and dad has barely seen me grow up. i fear without him i will be alone in this world...like i will never feel the bliss of being purely happy again....just hoping for hope right now.
ps. any thoughts on taking TUMS? i noticed dad taking some for his indegestion and i told him he needs to ask the dcotor before taking ANYTHING
I can empathize with how you feel -- there are times when as family and caregiver the whole of it all makes you feel like you're falling to pieces -- but keep the positive objectives in mind. You have to focus on the fact that your father has probably had these conditions for a while, but now he has a diagnosis and that knowledge can empower you and him to be proactive. Your father's lucky that he has such a supportive and concerned son.
Sounds like you're are off to a good start in health maintenance, but I'd work on getting the salt intake to below 1000mg/day. Salt can contribute to more fluid in the abdomen and further his portal hypertension (which is a large contributor in varices). Reading food labels for sodium content is important -- you'd be surprised how much sodium is in our everyday foods -- and of course, not salting foods at all is best. I threw out all saltshakers in my household a few years ago :) . The walking and raking is a good thing for your father, as regular exercise will help him maintain his muscle tone. Use of over-the-counter medications should be minimal or not at all, and because of cirrhosis, any medication should be run by his doctor(s) before being taken.
Cirrhosis can sometimes remain stable for years -- liver disease as a whole is not very predictable. My hope is that when your father meets with the specialist they will help your him get on a schedule of good maintenance, advise him further on options, and help him with ways to retain his health and quality of life. People with cirrhosis need examinations and testing fairly regularly so that any possible complications can be managed and treated. And you must eat well and sleep well -- the best thing you can do for yourself to help your father is to be healthy and strong. All my best. ~eureka
Sounds like you're are off to a good start in health maintenance, but I'd work on getting the salt intake to below 1000mg/day. Salt can contribute to more fluid in the abdomen and further his portal hypertension (which is a large contributor in varices). Reading food labels for sodium content is important -- you'd be surprised how much sodium is in our everyday foods -- and of course, not salting foods at all is best. I threw out all saltshakers in my household a few years ago :) . The walking and raking is a good thing for your father, as regular exercise will help him maintain his muscle tone. Use of over-the-counter medications should be minimal or not at all, and because of cirrhosis, any medication should be run by his doctor(s) before being taken.
Cirrhosis can sometimes remain stable for years -- liver disease as a whole is not very predictable. My hope is that when your father meets with the specialist they will help your him get on a schedule of good maintenance, advise him further on options, and help him with ways to retain his health and quality of life. People with cirrhosis need examinations and testing fairly regularly so that any possible complications can be managed and treated. And you must eat well and sleep well -- the best thing you can do for yourself to help your father is to be healthy and strong. All my best. ~eureka
sounds like a good plan. Apart from avoiding all alcohol, the other major factors (mostly) under patient control are BMI/HOMA scores. Having fasting glucose/insulin results for the dr. to look at might be helpful.
Others can confirm directly, but yes, if properly managed progression is generally slow (and he's very lucky to have such great support!)
Others can confirm directly, but yes, if properly managed progression is generally slow (and he's very lucky to have such great support!)
thanks for your responses...i am great at dealing with this around him..and proactive in researching and reading...but every once in a while it hits me and i crumble on the inside...
is it possible to live for years with this? he has already removed all alcohol from the house and he eats no more than 2g of sodium per day, watches his sugar, does not eat red meat and drinks ensure...he is also excercising by walking and raking. i also make him smoothies with real fruit.
he will be seeing a hep specialist april 12th now.
is it possible to live for years with this? he has already removed all alcohol from the house and he eats no more than 2g of sodium per day, watches his sugar, does not eat red meat and drinks ensure...he is also excercising by walking and raking. i also make him smoothies with real fruit.
he will be seeing a hep specialist april 12th now.
very good words from eureka. There are a number of participants here at various stages of cirrhosis. It might help to approach this as a long term support issue, helping your Dad maintain a stable state and avoid further damage, rather than as a short term crisis. All the best.
I'm sorry to hear about the concerns you're having about your father's health. What you describe is not uncommon for a person with cirrhosis. Long-term hepatitis c infection can indeed cause progressive liver damage which leads to cirrhosis and its associated complications.
Enlarged veins that need banding (known as varicies), abdominal fluid (ascites), and portal hypertension are all symptoms related to your father's progressed liver disease. MELD score does not predict how bad symptoms are for each individual; it's a numbers calculation based on bloodwork results, and it is used mostly as a guideline for prioritizing individuals for organ transplant listing -- an unbiased measure of need established to equalize the transplant listing process. It's really not a very useful predictive index. (As a case in point, my husband was diagnosed with cirrhosis in 2007 and his MELD was a 7. It's 3 years later and his MELD is still a 7.)
It's essential that your father be under the care of a hepatologist ( I presume that's the specialist you referred to). It's also most important that your father abstain from alcohol completely, avoid fatty and salty foods, eat small, frequent meals, as well as avoid red meats/iron-fortified foods. Hope that helps, and best wishes to you and your father. ~eureka
Enlarged veins that need banding (known as varicies), abdominal fluid (ascites), and portal hypertension are all symptoms related to your father's progressed liver disease. MELD score does not predict how bad symptoms are for each individual; it's a numbers calculation based on bloodwork results, and it is used mostly as a guideline for prioritizing individuals for organ transplant listing -- an unbiased measure of need established to equalize the transplant listing process. It's really not a very useful predictive index. (As a case in point, my husband was diagnosed with cirrhosis in 2007 and his MELD was a 7. It's 3 years later and his MELD is still a 7.)
It's essential that your father be under the care of a hepatologist ( I presume that's the specialist you referred to). It's also most important that your father abstain from alcohol completely, avoid fatty and salty foods, eat small, frequent meals, as well as avoid red meats/iron-fortified foods. Hope that helps, and best wishes to you and your father. ~eureka
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What you need to know about Hep C drugs.
How the drugs might affect you.
These tips may up your chances of a cure.
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
