Cirrhosis Support Group

Hi

I am new here. My dad has end stage cirrhosis and acute renal failure. I have a lot of questions and I may babble here so please forgive me.

My dad is 69 yrs old and found out he had cirrhosis about 2yrs ago. The did a biopsy as an ultra sound found something on the liver. Hindsight he may have shown symptoms prior to 2010 but due to his CHF and a triple bypass i don't believe it was ever considered.

Anyhow at this same time the kidney started acting up but not to bad. Now he was just admitted to the hospital again after being released 9 days ago from a weeks visit. He had trouble breathing and was retaining fluid in his abdomen and legs also he had been unbelievably crabby(he?). so he was released to come home,with a foley to drain his bladder & felt better, but weak. His legs started to weep fluid and it looked as though the fluid in his legs went down. Until very early this morning my mom called to let me know she called the paramedics. Dad was retaining more fluid, this time all over arms, legs. belly, face. By the time I got to the ER they got his old foley out and a new one in. from 2 am until I left at 10 am he did not produce much urine. They even gave him some lasix , just a little as they didn't want to hurt kidneys even more. He still isn't producing much urine. Very tired very weak. I feel as though this may be the end. am I right in my assumption? Any help will be wonderful.

Another person on the board had hepatorenal syndrome. The kidneys are losing function in addition to the liver. A google search might give you more insight. Some times, liver problems do not show up until late stage. My husband was having regular liver function tests and even in Feb 2012, the results were normal. End of March, diagnosed with full blown cirrhosis.

I have been reading a lot on the hepatorenal syndrome, sounds like what he has but the doctors won't say it. it is such a roller coaster and My poor mom is sick also with copd and cannot do much either.

wmn1120

Is he being seen by a Hepatologist or Nephrologist?

Kidney failure is pretty common among Cirrhosis Patients. The main diagnosis tool is to rule out any other cause.

Do you know his GFR , it's important.

Kidney disease is graded in 6 grades from 0 to 5 . Once you reach grade 4 it's time to look at Dialysis . Not a uncommon situation for Cirrhosis patients. (It's even part of the MELD score calculations.)

Regardless of the cause it is treated the same.

Diet is important and he should see a dietitian familiar with Renal diets.

All unnecessary medicines should be stopped, especially the antibiotic neomycin, ibuprofen and other NSAIDs

Yes the outcome is bleak if a patient is not a candidate for transplant. transplant patients receive extra points so they up the list.

His CHF is a major concern and heart problems or a secondary infection are usually what lead to death.

His "crabbyness"could be from Encephalopathy and Lactulose may help.

I understand how you feel. My own Father (76) Is now in stage 5 kidney failure and also has CHF and a tons of other serious health problems. His problems are not Liver related and his Nephrologist said (If he can tolerate the Dialysis he may have up to a year left.)His Cardiologist says no way.

Your Dad's Liver Disease complicates the issue much more. Please know you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

"My husband was having regular liver function tests and even in Feb 2012, the results were normal. End of March, diagnosed with full blown cirrhosis".

MommaMac:

the above statement will make many people very nervous, including myself. for all i know, i could have full blown C right now too.

Did your husband have any Ultrasound or any other scan done which also showed nothing?

@forehand36: LFT are not the tests that indicate cirrhosis--they only indicate how the liver is functioning. Only imaging tests and biopsies can determine or confirm cirrhosis.

He had a complete body CT in 2009. The liver was fine. The hep doctor has only seen him twice and has no real clue of Jim's health. His hematologist has been with him for more than four years. He ordered the liver function tests in February that were normal.(ALT slightly elevated) Jim had a blood infection in March and was hospitalized. During an MRI and CT scan, to locate the source of the infection, cirrhosis was discovered. Dr. A assumes the infection was such a shock to his body that the liver went from compensating to decompensating.

That is quiet possible. Toxins and some infections can cause acute liver failure also.

But it's not the normal progression of Cirrhosis.

Hi wmn1120,

Welcome to the group. This is a great group for information, venting or just to have us listen!

My husband has diabetes and NASH (non-alcholic cirrhosis) We have had several episodes of HE. We seem to be doing better with controlled diet (low sugar, low sodium and low protein), lactulose & Xifaxin among other meds for esophageal varices, cholesterol, swelling.

My dad had no liver probelms, put had glomerulonephritis and ended up on portable dialysis. He even shipped it ahead when we went to Australia to visit my sister. Can be a possibility if patient is up for it. My dad has long since passed away due to pneumonia (after kidney transplant) and treating him for wrong type of pneumonia.

We are all here for you!

Would I be hijacking if I asked on this thread what the difference is between "stage 4 cirrhosis" and "end stage"?