Cirrhosis Support Group

My sisters eyes recently went light yellow and her ab area got swallow. We took her to a hospital where they drained fluid (4 liters) and did a ‘TIPS’ procedure. There was a blockage/web in her IVC which they opened. They also tell us that she has some level of cirrhosis

(due to alcohol. however she does not drink more than anyone else her age) We were told we need to just wait and see how things go. Bilirubin was 7.8 , bilirubin direct was 4, and alubium was 2.3. (No vomiting, nausea, diarrhea) She is home. Can she make a full recovery? She has not had alcohol in 2 months, and pain meds in 8 months. I am so scared. I don’t even sleep. She is my only sister. I read so much online that I don’t know if this is something that can be brought to a stable level and she can live a long life. Or if this is going to be a problem for her. She is only 25 years old 5’5’ 115 lbs. I need some hope; she is so young I pray she can recover from this and live normally. Please let me know as much info as you can give me on the issue. Thank you greatly.

david sorry to hear about your sister,im still learning on the labs myself,as far as the tips as long as she keeps to the low sodium diets and eat fresh fruits and veggies and chicken,turkey, fish( baked are broiled),eggs high protiens food,stay away from salt and processed foods will help. make sure she takes her meds. the lactolose is to keep amionia level down to high of amonia can cause confusion.Gail can tell you more about the labs, tips has help me alot.learning to eat right is hard to do but you have to.and listen to the drs.my prayers are with you and your sister and keep us posted

David,

Welcome to the group. I am sorry about your sister. I know you are worried. The good thing is that "If" the cirrhosis was caused by the alcohol she stands a good chance of recovering and living a normal life.if she avoids alcohol for the rest of her life.It can take many months to see significant improvement But it does happen.It doesn't matter how much you drink some people get cirrhosis and some don't period.I know many that were sick enough to be on transplant list and improved enough to be removed from the list. So don't give up hope.

If for some reason she continues to have complications and does need a transplant she will have to remain alcohol free for 6 months before being listed.

Her bilirubin is high and that is causing the jaundice. This is usually caused by blocked bile flow.But can be caused by anemia, alcohol and other problems.

Her albumin is also quiet low , They can give it to her By IV But the TIPS should help this.In the mean time she should eat foods high in protein like eggs chicken & fish Limit re meats as this is harder to digest.

IVC blockage can be related to alcohol use.

Most patients see their dr. every 6 months for follow up unless they have complications. They may see her more frequently since she has had recent TIPS. She will have to watch for the stent to be clogged (this does happen) Increased fluid, confusion pain are all symptoms.

Even if she recovers completely she will always have to be watched for liver cancer as this can happen once the liver has been damaged.

Below is the link to my site for general information on cirrhosis.

If I can be of any help please let me know.

http://livingwithcirrhosis.weebly.com/

gail

gail i heard about this today on the news thought you might want to read it. http://www.surgery.usc.edu/divisions/tumor/pancreasdiseases/ web%20pages/laparoscopic%20liver%20surgery/laparoscopic% 20liver%20surgery.html

jojo,

Thanks for the article.

It is amazing how quickly they come up with new ways of doing things.

This will be amazing for liver cancer patients and live liver donors.Who knows maybe eventually they will be able to use it with transplants.

I had my Gallbladder removed laparoscopicly years ago and the difference in discomfort and recovery time was amazing.I still had severe scarring (adhesion)internally after and they still bother me. However they could have been much worse if the surgery had been done the old ways.

Thanks again for the article.

Gail

i thought it might come in handy for some that come in thats not as bad as us

jojo,

It might eventually make a lot of difference to some.

Right now they say that once fibrosis has advanced to Cirrhosis that it involves the entire liver and cannot be re sectioned. but imagine if they can remove damaged parts before it becomes cirrhosis.

Also imagine the possibility for surgical intervention in damage caused by Hep.

I honestly believe that we will eventually see a treatments that is less drastic as transplant and just as effective.This may just be one of the first steps.Preventing progression to Cirrhosis may be the first step to a real cure.

It also is important for those that have different kinds of liver lesions.

You hear so many stories about some one have cancer surgery and it spreading after surgery. This could conceivably stop the apparent spread of cancer in someone who has surgery.

How ofter do we hear the cancer spread as soon as the air hit it,It also could pave the way for those that have biliary problems that lead to Cirrhosis.

Gail

well she has had 2 more blood works done since the TIPS. mostly everything is the same. However, bilirubin went from 8.2 to 9.4 to 10.9. Is this normal after TIPS? (Perhaps backup blood). She is not eating much which i don't like (however she is vegetarian and always had a small appetite), but when she does it's things like fresh fruit, fresh juices, ensure. And then all of a sudden she wants normal food and dessert etc.

I am scared of her INR level as well. was 2.4 now 3.6

Do things take time to come down? This has all happened within about 1 month. No alcohol in a month. Since we first learned surprisingly this was alcohol related. (and yes the biopsy says alcohol Cirrhosis.)

More blood work today....

Can she break though this? What signs of improvement should I be looking for?

She’s only 28 and I am there everyday. But if she’s gone, I might as well be too. Let me know anything else I can do.

Thank you.

David, My husband was diagnosed about 8 yrs ago. He didn't quit drinking till about 3 mos ago. He had the TIPS procedure done in May. He needs a liver transplant but can't even get on the transplant list for another 3 mos. I am hoping his body will hold out long enough for a chance at a transplant so we can have a shot at a longer future. We had our 31st anniversary this year. Life is really a roller coaster when you have a family member going thru this disease. Getting them to understand alcohol is a death sentence has been the hardest battle for me. My husband now has 10% or less of his liver functioning, kidney damage, and a bleeding ulcer was recently found. I hope your sister stays away from the alcohol. That will be the greatest help to her. Since the TIPS procedure my husband stays hungry. He had to have fluid drained last year. After the TIPS procedure this year they wanted his body to try to absorb the 60+ lbs of fluid to help his kidneys. He finally got back into his old clothes this week. So we are seeing progress but it has taken 5 weeks. He still tires very easily. We go back for his 1st check up next week. Your sister and your family are in my prayers. If there is one thing I have learned, patience is the hardest thing for me. Things that happen are very frusterating. Mostly because I know that alcohol has been the causing factor and thus all of these problems are so unnecessary and could have been avoided. So hang in there and take it one day at a time. Its the small victories that keep us going.

david she should be getting her appitite back,she needs to keep her protin up ,i eat like a little pig now.now i think i need to control my eating lol.i find myself very tired when i try to do things that i no im not supposed to.other then that most of my days are good now other then i have gurd now