What can I expect in the end stages of liver disease?

My husband was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis on October 14, 2015. He's been in and out of the hospital and I'm feeling so helpless. I keep telling myself he's going to get better, and I know I'm just fooling myself.. He was in the hospital for Hepatic Encephalopathy for a week. And then 3 days later he went back in again for the same thing, this time he not responding. Doctors were able to bring down his ammonia level. He is home, but all he does is sleep and doesn't really want to eat. I give him his lactolos and his other medications. He's had a fluids drained like a couple of months ago on his lungs. Has and enlarged spleen. I'm so scared and worried because I don't know what to expect from this disease.. I cry each time I see him this way.

You will never know exactly how your Father's last days will be until they happen. I was warned about how painful and possible troublesome my friend's Moms last days would be and it was nothing like what they prepared us for. If you look for the bad your last days with your Dad will be exactly that worry. Instead enjoy the days you have, Pray for guidance during this time and wake up each day to the joy of life that you have and make each one special. I know that this is a hard time for you but please look for the end. When the time is near make sure you tell your Father it is okay to leave you. This lets them know that you are aware of what is going on and you will miss them but you know that it is time to release this wore out body and he will be whole again with those who have gone before him and sit with God and all his angles in Heaven. God Bless you during this time and know that I will pray for strength and peace to your heart to accept each day and not look for the end but think of it as the begining.

My husband is dying of stage 4 cirrhosis he has blood all over our sheets he has swelling in his abdomen he had a fibroscan score of 48 normal is 10 it is very scary.. he has started the harvoni and ribavirin treatment for his hepatitis C he will not be on the transplant list as he has maJor heart problems a pacemaker defibrillator and heart valve he Has become very awnery and I hate it when he goes incoherent with the hepatic encephalopathy he looks like he's staring at the ceiling all the time in to space like nobody's there I call it the little bird look it takes so much time once 45 minutes just to get him in from the recliner into bed he gets arguing and combative I'm hanging in there I need four surgeries myself a hip replacement and two knee Replacements but he obviously can't care for me so I will care for him we are common law married we've been together 22 years it's a lot for a woman to go through who never got a marriage or a diamond ring but I love him and that's what you do when you love somebody you stand by them good luck to all of you

I am so sorry your dad is facing this, but it is good that he has you there. Have you asked about hospice involvement? A good hospice agencey should be very helpful with pain control. There is really no excuse for someone to have inadequate pain control at the end of life. Patients usually "know" even if things aren't discussed. This is a very difficult time for everyone, reach out for all the help you can find.

I am so sorry that you have to experience this upcoming loss. My dad had cancer that metastasized into the liver. I did everything I could to try and save him, but that was not within my control. His liver had been consumed with several tumors. I saw the MRI. which helped me to not call 911 when I knew he was in his last hours. I wanted him to die at home, not in the emergency room.
I knew I could do nothing more. What we observed was yellowing of his skin, and that worsened. He wasn't able to eat much and had loose stools. Make sure you have hospice or other support around for you. Enjoy the time you have together, and talk alot about all that is important . My dad didn't really complain of much pain, but each case is different. May god Bless.
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My sister in law had peritoneal CANCER that matastized in her liver. She was in pain but it was controlled with 2 pain meds. She tried marisol(?) but it knocked her out too much. She was told chemo was no longer working. She became weaker and weaker and her appetite decreased. She slept most of the day and would only get up for small meals. This lasted about 3 weeks. Although hospice was involved, she didn't want a hospital bed nor the services of an aid to bathe her. After the 3 weeks her husband needed the help and more hospice services were provided. By this time her pain did increase and she was given morphine. She lasted another 3 days and died peacefully in the arms of her loving husband. I just wish that when docs said chemo was not working but they would give her 2 more cycles she would have stopped the xhemi then and just signed up for hospice. She was dick this entire time and to me, this was precious time she could have had with her family. Her pain was controlled and her death was pain fee contrary to a lot of things that we had read. There was only one issue with breathing that happened shortly before Her death which was controlled by the meds in the hospice box . My advice to you, get hospice involved asap and spend as much time as you can with your dad.

Im so sorry. I just lost my wife to liver failure. IF IT ENDS UP WHERE HIS LIVER IS GOING TO FAIL.....
I have to say that it will come out of nowhere... atleast you know its going to happen. .. maybe my experiences can give you some idea what to expect so you can be ready to make every effort to make it as easy as possible for him and you both. i know it differs from person to person. With liver failure, the person with little time left could very well face kidney issues.. when function of one thing starts to go, others begin to follow...and one of the key complications when the liver fails, blood ammonia levels will most likely go up and will also likely experience delusions and confusion.. if that be the case then, just keep your loved one comfortable and BE READY to go to the hospital so steps can be mate to make him comfortable and try to prevent seizures that can happen because of the rise of blood enzymes and ammonia.
My wife knew her time was coming, so she began to drink to help ease some of the stress and discomfort...
Soon Her ammonia levels along with other toxins in the blood affected the brain and she began to cease. .. i mannaged to get her to the hospital before that began so the hospital tepated her and , still had a hard time going. But all in all, it was just the body and the nervous system that dramatize the scene. She was under... first it was a drug induced coma, then the machine was breathing for her.... truthfuly she was medicated through most of the end process of passing.. any time a person begins to die, even though the main organs required to live begin to shut down, the nervous system tends to be the longest part of the hump... also, the heart ive learned is very resilient...
dont be alarmed, because what appears to be a struggle , really isnt as bad as it may look. As long as he is tebated, the medication stills the mind and brain activity where he shouldnt be aware of the seporation of mind and body.... when the time comes to take the tube, it wont take long..... ofcourse THOSE WERE THE ABSOLUTE LONGEST MINUTES OF MY LIFE, EVER !!! Even though she is gone, and life to her now is nothing more than a blink... the hardest part is having to go on without your loved one hoping every day that i can bee with her again....
Just be strong, and appreciate every single moment you can while you can.

Im so sorry. I just lost my wife to liver failure. IF IT ENDS UP WHERE HIS LIVER IS GOING TO FAIL.....
I have to say that it will come out of nowhere... atleast you know its going to happen. .. maybe my experiences can give you some idea what to expect so you can be ready to make every effort to make it as easy as possible for him and you both. i know it differs from person to person. With liver failure, the person with little time left could very well face kidney issues.. when function of one thing starts to go, others begin to follow...and one of the key complications when the liver fails, blood ammonia levels will most likely go up and will also likely experience delusions and confusion.. if that be the case then, just keep your loved one comfortable and BE READY to go to the hospital so steps can be mate to make him comfortable and try to prevent seizures that can happen because of the rise of blood enzymes and ammonia.
My wife knew her time was coming, so she began to drink to help ease some of the stress and discomfort...
Soon Her ammonia levels along with other toxins in the blood affected the brain and she began to cease. .. i mannaged to get her to the hospital before that began so the hospital tepated her and , still had a hard time going. But all in all, it was just the body and the nervous system that dramatize the scene. She was under... first it was a drug induced coma, then the machine was breathing for her.... truthfuly she was medicated through most of the end process of passing.. any time a person begins to die, even though the main organs required to live begin to shut down, the nervous system tends to be the longest part of the hump... also, the heart ive learned is very resilient...
dont be alarmed, because what appears to be a struggle , really isnt as bad as it may look. As long as he is tebated, the medication stills the mind and brain activity where he shouldnt be aware of the seporation of mind and body.... when the time comes to take the tube, it wont take long..... ofcourse THOSE WERE THE ABSOLUTE LONGEST MINUTES OF MY LIFE, EVER !!! Even though she is gone, and life to her now is nothing more than a blink... the hardest part is having to go on without your loved one hoping every day that i can bee with her again....
Just be strong, and appreciate every single moment you can while you can.

Hello my Mam had terminal liver cancer she lasted nine months after being diagnosed. In the days leading up to her death she was shopping cleaning up etc she just deteriorated one morning saying random things and losing control of her bowels. We rang doctor and he advised hospital within 48 hours of hospital she passed away peacefully aged 57 she never moaned or let her illness get to her

My mom passed away the next day after my first post. Thankfully she did not go through pain and delirium. The nurses were sad as she was courageous and held strong till the last moments. My advice to you all would be to get your loved one cared for by specialised medical staff and also to provide full familial support.