... this year for acute liver cirrhosis. My husband is 37. He stopped drinking in January but unfortunately, the damage had already been done. However, the most recent blood work has came back with positive results with significant improvement and the doctor has cut back on a lot of his medications. What happens from here - will his liver fully recover or will there always be a remnant of this disease? Will he possibly need a transplant in the future anyway? I don't foresee him ever drinking again but can he not even have a sip of champagne at a wedding? My husband is not a typical alcoholic and I truly believe he wants to live more than he wants to drink. Thoughts? Comments?
Does liver cirrhosis truly ever go away?
Question posted by Triniteee03 on 6 Oct 2014
Last updated on 26 February 2015
Answers
LouAnnP
7 Oct 2014
im sorry for your husbands illness. i dont understand saying that he does not need a specialist for cirrhosis. my brother had a gi doc for it. make sure you know transplant protocols ahead of time . for ex at our transplant center you had to have 6 months of alcohol counciling to even get on the list. so you have to know ahead of time. you do have to stop drinking altogether. best wishes.
Stephen Treloar
7 Oct 2014
Acute cirrhosis is a bad sign as the cirrhotic tissue is scar tissue that cannot regenerate into working liver cells. Giving up drinking is critical in allowing remaining healthy liver tissue to regenerate which it does up to a point. His liver will never regrow and have 100% function but if he gave up in time there will be enough liver tissue to maintain a reasonable level of health. If you ever want to consider transplant options, total abstinence is a requirement.
You neglected to tell us the symptoms of the original Liver failure episode. Did he develop edema (fluid buildup in the legs), ascites (fluid buildup in the abdomen), jaundice (yellow eyes and or skin), pruritis (itchiness)? I only ask as I suffered numerous decompensation events (liver failure) over the years before the final one, 15 months ago, that reduced my life expectancy to less than 2 years. Through strict diet and healthy living I was able to increase it to around 5 but 2 recent surgeries (anesthetics) have just about finished me off. I'm looking at the transplant option now. I really don't want to die either.
Triniteee03
7 Oct 2014
Oops part of my question cut out. I meant to say his father died of acute liver cirrhosis this past February. My husband went into the hospital this past may because his stomach looked like he swallowed a basketball. They drained about 80 ounces and put him on a ton of medication. Mostly for ridding the body of toxins I think. His doctor was originally going to refer him to a specialist but since his blood work came back improved the dr doesn't think it's necessary. I am hoping these are all good omens and that the worst is behind us. Also, is it common to have sulfur build up with cirrhosis? He had horrible eggy burps and would vomit often. He hasn't had a eggy burp/vomiting episode in a month though. I hope you get a transplant and I will send out positive thoughts and prayers to you.
loukazoo
26 Feb 2015
Hello, I'm on my 7th day of Harvoni for the Hep-C, I also have Cirrohsis. Will my liver hold out after treatment, I haven't drank for 14yrs and never had to be tapped nor did I have swollen feet. Little swelling under breasts. I was so happy to get the Harvoni that I forgot to ask the Dr. these questions.
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cirrhosis, liver cirrhosis, recovery
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