Cirrhosis Support Group
Cirrhosis is a consequence of chronic liver disease, most commonly caused by alcoholism and hepatitis C. Ascites is the most common complication of cirrhosis and is associated with a poor quality of life, increased risk of infections, and a poor long term outcome. Liver damage from cirrhosis cannot be reversed, but treatment can stop or delay further progression and...
Hi, I am new to the group. My story began in 2001 when my husband was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma or bile duct cancer. The diagnosis took a long time during which time he went downhill fast and then passed away about 6 weeks later.
I then met my new partner who has always been a heavy drinker and who was hospitalised recently whilst we were on holiday in the Caribbean. He had a varical bleed and need a 4 pint blood transfusion. On return home he made an appointment with his GP who arranged for him to see a specialist. However, the next morning he was bleeding again - prior to this all I knew was that he had a fatty liver and that he still drank much too much. By now I had done some internet reading and realised how potentially serious it was.
He was admitted to hospital and banded. He remained in for ten days whilst they tested him and tried to get the now large ascites under control.
Reading his discharge notes it says that he has an enlarged spleen and that his liver is significantly stiffened. He has now (finally) stopped drinking. Back home he is very tired and weak and hardly does anything but looked much better. He doesn't sleep well and today is in bed feeling tired and nauseous. He has had a couple of episodes of cramp and his mood is low.
I read a lot about diet and nutrition and now he is eating every couple of hours to try and keep his strength up. We get the specialist appointment next week when I hope we will know more.
I go through phases of thinking he will do well as he's stopped drinking and is a very determined man and thinking that all the years of drinking have finished him - he is 63 and has been drinking since he was a teenager. I can not believe that this is happening to me again.
My sister passed away a couple of years ago with breast cancer but her liver failed in the end. I am so sick of seeing people die with liver problems. Thank you for all the posts on this site, it is very helpful to see what other people are experiencing.
I then met my new partner who has always been a heavy drinker and who was hospitalised recently whilst we were on holiday in the Caribbean. He had a varical bleed and need a 4 pint blood transfusion. On return home he made an appointment with his GP who arranged for him to see a specialist. However, the next morning he was bleeding again - prior to this all I knew was that he had a fatty liver and that he still drank much too much. By now I had done some internet reading and realised how potentially serious it was.
He was admitted to hospital and banded. He remained in for ten days whilst they tested him and tried to get the now large ascites under control.
Reading his discharge notes it says that he has an enlarged spleen and that his liver is significantly stiffened. He has now (finally) stopped drinking. Back home he is very tired and weak and hardly does anything but looked much better. He doesn't sleep well and today is in bed feeling tired and nauseous. He has had a couple of episodes of cramp and his mood is low.
I read a lot about diet and nutrition and now he is eating every couple of hours to try and keep his strength up. We get the specialist appointment next week when I hope we will know more.
I go through phases of thinking he will do well as he's stopped drinking and is a very determined man and thinking that all the years of drinking have finished him - he is 63 and has been drinking since he was a teenager. I can not believe that this is happening to me again.
My sister passed away a couple of years ago with breast cancer but her liver failed in the end. I am so sick of seeing people die with liver problems. Thank you for all the posts on this site, it is very helpful to see what other people are experiencing.
Welcome to DS. I am so sorry to hear of your partners health problems. My husband also has cirrhosis and I can understand the fear that comes with dealing with this dreadful disease. All i can tell you is to take it one day at a time and remain faithful that he will overcome. There are alot of people on this site that have lived for many years with Cirrhosis and provide people like us with great information on how to care for our loved ones. I wish you lots of luck and strength to both of you. God Bless!
As for your partner, ceasing alcohol consumption alone can do wonders for improving liver health!