Cirrhosis life expectancy

[BertAndErnie244]

Does anyone have experience of a 40 year old alcoholic dying from cirrhosis?
My nephew was in intensive care this spring with liver and kidney failure. He came home and continued to drink. I'm sure he can't have long to live unless he stops drinking but as he won't let his doctor speak to me (his parents are no longer around) I have no way of knowing.
Does anyone know the signs that he is beyond hope of recovery?
Thank you

He needs to stop drinking . He will have been told that .

If his liver is cirrhotic it’s irreversible but is managed by not drinking and symptom control . If he drinks alcohol at this stage his liver will fail and prognosis is poor .

At this stage he may he jaundiced with a swollen abdomen amongst other symptoms

@Adm1010

He needs to stop drinking . He will have been told that .

If his liver is cirrhotic it’s irreversible but is managed by not drinking and symptom control . If he drinks alcohol at this stage his liver will fail and prognosis is poor .

At this stage he may he jaundiced with a swollen abdomen amongst other symptoms

Thanks for replying. It sounds similar to what I thought would be the case. I know he won't be able to stop drinking. There have been stays at rehabilitation centres and other treatments and none seem to work. Are we talking months?

It’s impossible to say tbh . Lots of factors affect prognosis . He needs to be seen and monitored regularly in the hospital liver clinic where they will manage any symptoms .

@Adm1010 thanks

Do you know if he has decompensated liver disease? How much is he drinking?
It is usually something related that causes the death, although it is caused by liver failing.
I sadly have some knowledge of this if you want to pm me OP, happy to chat.

Thank you @Shuttheblinds

I don't know about the stage of damage he has. He won't disclose much. Even tried to say his icu stay wasn't related to his drinking (the hospital confirmed it was).

I will message you, thanks again

It sounds exactly the same as the experience I have had dealing with similar. It is so difficult.
Ok great, will wait for your pm.

Ascites, the collection of fluid in the abdomen, is one of the later stages of liver disease. Has he got this?

I’ve name changed for this. My brother died in the summer due to alcoholism. 4 years previously he was told he must stop drinking and he did for a couple of years. Then he started again. He ended up with decompensated liver disease and was admitted to hospital and died three weeks later. He was 39. Happy to chat via PM if I can help in anyway.

An aunt and uncle of mine both died of liver cirrhosis caused by non alcoholic fatty liver disease. Symptoms were tiredness and end state, yellowing of skin and vomiting blood. Possibly bloody poo but can't remember exactly. Don't think they had pain until the end stages. Once cirrhosis there is no cure. Neither my aunt or uncle were put on liver transplant list.

My father was diagnosed with cirrhosis and told by the GP that he’d be dead within a few months if he didn’t stop entirely. He cut down slightly for a while, and lived another 5 years. I did get him to take a high dose of Carduus marianus after that.

@weaselwords

Ascites, the collection of fluid in the abdomen, is one of the later stages of liver disease. Has he got this?

Yes I think it was drained whilst he was in hospital

@Iusedtobeasister

I’ve name changed for this. My brother died in the summer due to alcoholism. 4 years previously he was told he must stop drinking and he did for a couple of years. Then he started again. He ended up with decompensated liver disease and was admitted to hospital and died three weeks later. He was 39. Happy to chat via PM if I can help in anyway.

I'm so sorry. It is so young to lose someone. I don't think my nephew has managed to stop drinking. It must be harder when the person has stopped and then started again.

@PurplePinecone

An aunt and uncle of mine both died of liver cirrhosis caused by non alcoholic fatty liver disease. Symptoms were tiredness and end state, yellowing of skin and vomiting blood. Possibly bloody poo but can't remember exactly. Don't think they had pain until the end stages. Once cirrhosis there is no cure. Neither my aunt or uncle were put on liver transplant list.

Very sorry you lost them. And thank you for replying

@DrinkingWishingSmokingHoping

My father was diagnosed with cirrhosis and told by the GP that he’d be dead within a few months if he didn’t stop entirely. He cut down slightly for a while, and lived another 5 years. I did get him to take a high dose of Carduus marianus after that.

I'm sorry about your dad. It leaves the rest of us feeling so powerless doesn't it

My dad had NASH and died about 12 months after his first drain from ascites. I remember googling at the time and people can live much longer with ascites, but it is an end stage sign. I’m so sorry.

Not as young but at 52 my stepfather was dead within 12 weeks of diagnosis.

Dgm who had been an alcoholic all her life was sent from hospital to a care home to die. They told df it was a matter of weeks. She actually lived another seventeen years, outliving df, and died at 83 after a major stroke. She was incredibly well for the last seventeen years once she had all but stopped drinking and cut down her 100 a day smoking habit.