Cirrhosis

[Sanderz]

Serious talk here.

My dad has severe liver damage from drinking too much alcohol and is around a 50/50 chance of living six months. I know this is more of a facebook thing, but my brother asked to keep it on the down low for now in regular social circles. Any of you guys have experience with a relative with cirrhosis? It seems like a slow painful death and I'm hoping changing his diet now will keep him alive long enough for a transplant, although it seems unlikely. Any tips would be appreciated.

[Firecrest]

Not much help to add here. No experience with that in my life. I wish you the best though and hope it works out.

[myndor]

have you guys looked in to a living transplant? livers are one of those things where you or your brother can donate a part of your liver if oyuyou are a blood match

[Sanderz]

I'm pretty sure we're both the wrong blood type. My dad is O+ and I think I'm B+.

[abecx]

Liver is the most rejuvenative of all organs, maybe if he cleans up he'll be ok. Have you gotten a second or third opinion yet?

[Sanderz]

I'd agree with you Abe, but he's had jaundice for at least six months. I told him repeatedly to go to the hospital, but he only did once severe ascites (fluid in the abdominal cavity) occurred. Before the hospital visit, he tried "rejuvenating" his liver with some holistic cleanser bullshit, but he spent 2-3 weeks of barely eating anything and lost most of his muscles in the process. The liver processes nutrients especially protein, so it'll be hard for him to recover. Fortunately, hepatic encephalopathy hasn't occured yet, but who knows how long his liver will last in that regard. My parents are having trouble getting appointments with liver specialists; they have one in March.

Maybe Meeks could chime in, but I doubt he visits the forums anymore.

[abecx]

Parents. :roll:

[lawlerbation the hardcore squatter]

hope it works out, while I am all for the whole they are capable and able but if they cannot get it handled properly you should step in and force them. You cannot really sit around with jaundice for more than a few hours without going to the hospital and be considered competent imo.

[abecx]

Life changes as you get older, I've said the phrase "its like boiling a frog", but its true. You don't really know your negatives until something drastic happens because they happen so slow.

[jackslammer]

First things first, has he stopped drinking? There are rehab centers designed for those with severe liver damage. Maybe he should spend a couple months in an environment free of any toxins while he gets on a healthy diet and lifestyle.

Pretty much he's dead if he continues his path within six months. He'll last longer depending how drastically he changes his diet and lifestyle. I've known people with liver diseases such as cirrhosis and hepatitis and they had to become exercise freaks and have a really healthy diet to live a normal life, although they might start feeling perfectly healthy down the road and decide to take up drinking again and the liver disease will onset exponentially worse.

Good luck buddy.