How long can one live in the end stages of cirrhosis?!
Question:
How long can one live in the end stages of cirrhosis?
We were told today that my granmother was in the end stages. They are trying to regulate her amonia levels and problems with this just started about 1 month ago. Since then this is her third episode. She was first diagnosed with Cirrhosis about 9-10 yrs ago and her sister actually had to have a transplant and her brother passed away from this. None of them were drinkers. I just need to know approx. how long she has, the doctors wont really say.
Answers:
End stage liver disease can be caused by damage from hepatitis B or C, Primary biliary cirrhosis, or other liver diseases, even when one has never had a drink of alcohol.
To answer your question, there is no exact time, but when a person is in end stage, that means the liver is failing and they will have symptoms like the high ammonia levels which affect cognitive ability, fluid collects in the abdominal cavity and/or the legs, and other signs appear. They can treat the symptoms with lactulose for the ammonia, lasix for the water retention,etc, but the liver will still be performing poorly until it just stops. This can take anywhere from a couple of months to a couple of years unless she gets a transplant. She needs to be evaluated at a transplant center to see if she's a candidate. I know at least 7 people from my support group that have been transplanted and all are doing great. Don't wait.
Best wishes.