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Husband in November 2019 went to hospital due to almost dying. Was on life support for 13 days, and in hospital and rehab for about two months. He was informed he had full cirrhosis of his liver, COPD, and also has an umbilical hernia protruding out of his belly button. Since he has been home, he has not drank (which is good); he has not really exercised at all, basically just watches tv, and sleeps throughout the day. He is up mostly all night. He does not take his lactulose every night, he doesn’t think he needs to. He does not get really confused though, so not sure if his liver is full cirrhosis.


My husband does get grumpy however that was the way he was before he went into hospital.


All he does is smoke and watch TV, he says he gets cold sometimes, and does not eat the way he used to, although he does eat.


I don’t know how to motivate him, and not sure if he is slowly dying, I know we all die, but my husband who worked like 10-12 hour days doing construction is not doing anything and it scares me. I have noticed he seems to have short term memory loss, which is really kind of sad, when my husband was what I say one of the smartest men I knew. Sometimes his knowledge would blow me away. I just need some advice or comfort.


Sincerely


Gina 😊

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Your husband needs to take the Lactulose as prescribed. Cirrhosis of the liver does not get better. Liver tissue does not regenerate itself. Lactulose binds with the excess ammonia in your husband’s blood from his livers inability to clear toxins and the ammonia is excreted in stool. Chances are if he doesn’t take it he will end up back in the hospital.
People with your husband’s disease often get liver transplants. (Mickey Mantle comes to mind) or they will die. Mikey however was an exception as usually alcoholics are not good candidates for a transplant & Mickey had $ that facilitated his jump to the front of list for transplants. jmho.
Short term memory loss can also be from alcohol abuse as alcohol effects the brain as well as the liver.
Cirrhosis is a serious disease. Next time he may not be so lucky. It’s not an easy disease to manage. The liver effects blood clotting, glucose metabolism and storage, and many other vital functions. As they say, Liver is life.
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ginamomgoodman Jul 2020
Thank you Shane, that’s what I needed to hear, we have a doctors appt on July 8th and am hoping to see what he still needs to take
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When was his last follow up visit with the doctor? I think that is your starting point.

It is sad, scary and angry making to watch a loved on decline.
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ginamomgoodman Jul 2020
We have a doctors appt on July 8, to find out blood 🩸 test results, so hopefully we will see if he still needs the lactulose
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I saw it was a laxative but I also read this

"Hepatic encephalopathy
The loss of brain function when a damaged liver doesn't remove toxins from the blood."

Another reason for using Lactulous. So if husband is showing symptoms like a Dementia, then the toxins are building up in his body.

Your header says possible cirrhosis but you post says full blown. I would go with full blown. Your husband is also suffering from COPD. Of course he is tired and being cold may come from that. You may want to do some research on both. Helps when talking to doctors and helps with what questions to ask.

I know this will sound blunt but you may need to except that husband may not improve. You need to look to the future. He may not be able to work again. So if you haven't already, file for Social Security disability. If your son is under 18, he may receive something. The SS lawyer is free. His fee comes out of the retro payment your husband will receive once he is OKd. He should get Medicare and Medicaid. I would also ask the doctor about palliative care.

So sorry your family is going thru this.
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ginamomgoodman Jul 2020
Thank you for the reply; I think I am hoping that the hospital was wrong in saying it’s full blown. My husband does not seem to act weird because he keeps forgetting or not taking his lactulose, I am hoping on July 8th we can find out if he still needs it. However it is saddening to see him not do anything, I mean he was always on the go and to not remember things from today to tomorrow is also heartrenching
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I expect it's extra important that he doesn't get constipated because of his hernia.

But if he's not constipated (not even close!) then he doesn't need the Lactulose.

The liver is a wonderful organ. And your husband hasn't been drinking for six months. Of course I can't know, but I wouldn't be surprised if things are much
better than was to be expected in hospital.

Is your husband's PCP doing regular blood tests on him?

You're right that all being well he ought to take some exercise, especially if he's used to being active. Does he have any male friends who are dog walkers, anyone who might get him out into the fresh air in a gentle, social way?
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Shane1124 Jul 2020
Laculose is given as a routine medication for end stage liver disease to get rid of the toxins via stool specifically ammonia buildup in the blood from liver failure. It often causes diarrhea/loose stool which is why ESLD patients don’t like to take it. Liver tissue does not regenerate.
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