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...
Some general advice, I don't suppose many of you will learn much you don;t already know here.
I get a flu shot every year, but as I; note there is a vaccine for pneumonia
and as I have had peritonitis I wondered if anyone get any other shots for any other possible infections?
Avoiding harmful medicines
Some medicines should be used carefully or avoided by people who have cirrhosis. For example, acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) can accelerate liver damage if you have cirrhosis but you are still drinking alcohol. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen and aspirin) increase the risk of variceal bleeding if you have enlarged veins (varices) in the digestive tract. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about what medicines are safe for you.
Certain prescription medicines used to treat other conditions may be harmful if you have cirrhosis. Make sure your doctor knows all the medicines you are taking.
Improving your general health
Taking other steps to improve your overall health may help you cope with the symptoms of cirrhosis.
Stop smoking. Quitting tobacco use will improve your overall health, which may help make you a better candidate for a liver transplant if you need one.
Your doctor may encourage you to take a multivitamin. Do not take one containing extra iron unless your doctor tells you to, and do not take iron supplements.
Brush and floss your teeth daily to avoid dental problems that could lead to infection (abscess). Be gentle when you floss. to avoid making your gums bleed.
Make sure you have been vaccinated against:
o Influenza (flu). Get a flu shot every year. People with cirrhosis are at increased risk for serious complications from the flu.
o Hepatitis A and hepatitis B.
o Pneumococcus (What is a PDF document?) , which can cause pneumonia or abdominal infection (peritonitis). Ask your doctor how often you should be revaccinated.
Using complementary and alternative medicines wisely
In general, you should avoid most herbal and other supplements, which may make liver disease worse. Kava is particularly bad for people with liver problems.
Limited research has shown that the herbal supplement milk thistle may help protect the liver, but other research has not shown a benefit.6 Milk thistle will not reverse existing liver damage, and it will not cure infection with the hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus. Talk to your doctor about whether you should try milk thistle (or any other alternative
I get a flu shot every year, but as I; note there is a vaccine for pneumonia
and as I have had peritonitis I wondered if anyone get any other shots for any other possible infections?
Avoiding harmful medicines
Some medicines should be used carefully or avoided by people who have cirrhosis. For example, acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) can accelerate liver damage if you have cirrhosis but you are still drinking alcohol. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen and aspirin) increase the risk of variceal bleeding if you have enlarged veins (varices) in the digestive tract. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about what medicines are safe for you.
Certain prescription medicines used to treat other conditions may be harmful if you have cirrhosis. Make sure your doctor knows all the medicines you are taking.
Improving your general health
Taking other steps to improve your overall health may help you cope with the symptoms of cirrhosis.
Stop smoking. Quitting tobacco use will improve your overall health, which may help make you a better candidate for a liver transplant if you need one.
Your doctor may encourage you to take a multivitamin. Do not take one containing extra iron unless your doctor tells you to, and do not take iron supplements.
Brush and floss your teeth daily to avoid dental problems that could lead to infection (abscess). Be gentle when you floss. to avoid making your gums bleed.
Make sure you have been vaccinated against:
o Influenza (flu). Get a flu shot every year. People with cirrhosis are at increased risk for serious complications from the flu.
o Hepatitis A and hepatitis B.
o Pneumococcus (What is a PDF document?) , which can cause pneumonia or abdominal infection (peritonitis). Ask your doctor how often you should be revaccinated.
Using complementary and alternative medicines wisely
In general, you should avoid most herbal and other supplements, which may make liver disease worse. Kava is particularly bad for people with liver problems.
Limited research has shown that the herbal supplement milk thistle may help protect the liver, but other research has not shown a benefit.6 Milk thistle will not reverse existing liver damage, and it will not cure infection with the hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus. Talk to your doctor about whether you should try milk thistle (or any other alternative
Nobody want's to take anything for the fun of it.
But advice i get seems very woolly
One nurse told me I should get a jab for hepC
It took Craig on this site to point out that there is no inoculation for hepC...... ;make you wonder.
Regards
Hep C vaccines do not exist at the moment.
About the other shots, I think LOR is right when he says we should inquire about taking them.
I believe the swine flu vaccine has just arrived over here from the USA,
And the programme of vaccination begins for care worker's and those at risk groups at the end of this months
2 visits required.
Some of the alarm has died down now,
But a programme on the tv showing all the contingency plans for make shift mortuaries and even using refrigerated trucks.
bring's home how serious and epidemic could be.
I guess the next thing to be worried about will be bird flu,
and you won't have to worry about airlines for that to spread
Normally, if you don't ask for your shots, you won't get them. Unless you've had a consistent doc that has taken care of you for a period of years & is aware of your history, it's best to ask. Some don't even know which shots to give, which is quite aggravating to me. Because I've had to argue before about it.
Be safe & be healthy. We do the best that we can. :) *hugs*
Josi