Cirrhosis Support Group

Hello - I'm new to this group and have just found MDJunction. Looks like a fantastic site with a lot of great people!

I'm 49 and need a Liver Transplant from drinking. Quit when I got diagnosed Sept 2011 after 5-day near-death hospital stay. My 57 year-old brother (we're like best friends)came to live w/me to help me through til the "best" or "bitter" end of Chirrohis.

Now, 6 months later his drinking has become 24/7 because as he says, he's bored and lost his Zest for life. He's been in Rehab 6 times the last couple of years. Never drunk-just EVERY glass of milk (yes - milk) or water has Vodka in it. A pint + per day.

He's always tired/sleeping/on computer and not helping me much. He sincerely wants to be a "Living Donor" so we will both have healthy livers. Sure...how's that gonna work, right?

Anyway I'm angry! I don't need this stress especially when I don't even know how long I have to live. Note - Feb=Transplant Evaluation.

I feel very insulted and disrespected that as he watches me suffer and probably die from what drinking did to me - he's doing the VERY same thing all day long in front of me!!

Am I wrong to feel this way? Thanks for any help, Ru

P.S. I pray for all those suffering and in need, espeically the children.

Post edited by: ruth8890, at: 01/27/2012 05:38 PM

Hi Ruth and welcome to our group you will find lots of understanding, and compassionate people hear who really care. Sounds to me like your brother cannot take what is happening to you and deals with this the only way he knows how, however that does not give him the right to treat you with disrespect, or insult you and most importantly to drink. If it were me I would tell him how you feel if he cannot except that I would ask him to leave and make other arrangements if possible. Congratts on your sobriety but sorry to hear that you are having these problems. There will be other who will come along to not only welcome you but to give you there thoughts and idea's on your situation. Prayers coming your way! Hope you can work things out. Cheryl ((HUGS))

Hi Ruth, and welcome: Congratulations on stopping the drinking. Don't assume that Cirrhosis is a death sentence though, you can live for a long time without ever needing a transplant. It's true that once Liver decease has progressed to Cirrhosis there is a process that continues, but it can be at a very slow pace, if there is never again any alcohol use and a good diet is followed and you see a Hepatologist at least once a year you can slow it down to the pace of a glacier. It's all up to the patient.

As for you brother, he needs be tossed out until he comes to his senses, or at least gets a good whack to head. You don't need that around you.

Peace and Joy to All

Paul

Hi Paul - thanks for a terrific email and especially the wording and reality check! Seriously. I think I'm gonna ask him to go to a hotel until he figures out when he's gonna stop making excuses and maybe a good whack on the head to remember what to think about! I really appreciate the encouragement about living longer than I get the impression I might from all the research I've done. Really touched me and something I NEEDED to hear. I'm trying to be so positive but again his drinking in front of me is beating that down! Love him dearly but almost wish his blood work had come back really serious yet only 1 liver enzyme was up-84-will know at F/U appt if ALT or AST. I warnred him I went from slightly elevated enzymes/Fatty Liver to Full Blown Cirrhosis in about 6 months. I feel so much better after reading your reply. By the way - Do you know anything about cirrhosis causing hour plus, severe nosebleeds? Called Doc who said it's just part of the deal & referred me to an ENT. Oh, and thanks, I don't guess I don't have a Hepatologist yet. Wow - Glaciers. I actually went to Alaska w/my Dad when he was living and took a helicopter ride to a glacier - LOVE em. I'll keep that beautiful imagery forefront in my head. Take care, Ruth

Ruth,

I was having bad nosebleeds last Fall. The ENT had to cauterize my left nostril on 2 separate occasions. Mine are due to my higher than normal INR and low platelets . Welcome to the group!

Nosebleeds -- portal hypertension coupled with higher INR. This is the same thing that can cause varices and bleeding varices.

That's right high INR, Portal-Hypertension and low platelets. I have all three but so far very little bleeding and no varices, just one little stomach ulcer that is gone now. I should be praying to the Lord in thanksgiving a lot more.

Paul

ruth8890,

Hi , The others gave you good advice. Congratulations on being alcohol free !!! That's a big deal. You didn't say how long you have been with out alcohol. It's important because depending on the damage it can take a couple of years to see major improvement. Being evaluated and listed is scary But patients with alcohol induced Cirrhosis can improve enough to no longer need transplant and be removed from the list.

If you don't already you should keep copies of all test results. Especially your Bilirubin, Albumin, Platelets, INR, Creatinine, Sodium.

The others are right you have to take care of you First. Don't let your brother interfere with your health the stress it causes is also hard on your health.

Hi Ruth, Welcome to MDJunction. I am sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I was diagnosed 3-23-10 due to alcoholism. Since that point I have never drank since and I feel good day to day. It is strange I feel healthier now that I have cirrhosis than I did before. That’s alcohol for you! I agree with talking to your brother about finding a different place to say. Let him know that his drinking is just much too difficult for you to be around right now. I am sure he will understand since he cares about you. I bet he hasn't even realized how bad it makes you feel. As alcoholics there is a lot we don't realize.

I have grade three varices. As cirrhosis progresses portal hypertension increases due to blood flow being limited by the liver as it hardens. This causes the varices (enlarged blood vessels in the esophagus) and nose bleeds. A endoscopy may be perform to determine how bad you have them or if you have them at all. Nose bleeds become very common as well. I take vitamin C w/rosehips and have never had a problems. It seems to have worked quite well. I recommend this to anyone dealing with bleeding varices or nose bleeds. If you good "vitamin C w/rosehips you will find that it strengthens the wall of the blood vessels. Just one pill daily.

Living with cirrhosis makes it very difficult for your body to absorb all the nutrients it needs so vitamin supplements are very common. B-complex and a multi-vitamin that doesn't offer additional iron can have you feeling pretty normal. Well there is a lot that needs to be learned all depending on your symptoms, test results and how your feeling. Please feel welcome to ask any questions along the way. Take care.

Randy

Hi Ru!

Everyone has given you great advice on both the health side and your relationship with your brother. I absolutely agree that he should not be living with you if he is going to continue to drink. It makes the situation for you to remain sober that much more difficult. After all, you don't go hanging around in a bar or a liquor store! I know it will be hard for you to tell your "best friend" that he is causing you problems in your own home, not helping as was initially intended.

The fact that he is also an alcoholic means that he definitely is heading towards the same place you are now. His liver is probably already damaged and, as an active user of an addictive substance, would not qualify as a donor for a LDLT. If he really intends to donate part of his liver, he needs to straighten out his own problems first. He is so very much in denial that he has a problem. He needs help, but you are not really in a position to give it to him. I think you mentioned that he has been thru rehab so many times but continues to abuse booze. Has he had a medical checkup that might scare him straight?

You also talked about nosebleeds. Yes, they come with the territory of cirrhosis. BUT, if you get another "gusher" that you can't seem to stop, get to the hospital as soon as possible. There is a complication of cirrhosis called esophageal varicies in which the blood vessels in the esophagus expand, thinning the walls of the vessel, which can burst. If this happens, you could easily exsanguinate (bleed out & die). This is truly a medical emergency that needs immediate attention!

Right now you should be concentrating on the transplant evaluation. Try to get yourself as healthy as you can under the circumstances. Add some new exercises to your daily routine. Watch your diet. As Randy points out, get the proper vitamins into your system. I would add a caveat that you should have your hepatologist approve any new vitamins or supplements before you start taking them as they may be liver toxic or conflict with the treatment program he or she has put you on.

Welcome to the group! I think you'll like it here!

Dennis