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Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
active alcoholism in compensated cirrhosis
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active alcoholism in compensated cirrhosis
by dlmincptx, Jan 07, 2003 12:00AM
My husband is a 47-year-old with "compensated" cirrhosis. He was extremely ill last summer and spent a week in the hospital twice. He had a hemorroidectomy, which solved his severe anemia. He also had ascites, muscle wasting, etc. He managed to stop drinking for about four months, and really became healthier than I had imagined he would. After monthly visits to the GI physician with steady improvement, we were told last week that all liver fuction tests are now in the normal range, indicating that the cirrhosis is "compensated." Although he is still easily fatigued and does not yet have permission to return to his full-time job, my husband doesn't need to go to the doctor again until March. He takes diuretics and should take Lactulose to manage ammonia build-up, but often he doesn't take the Lactulose. (He has had episodes that indicate hepatic encephalopathy.)
Now for my question: Given this good news about his health, he has apparently decided it's okay to drink again. He has been to rehab twice in the last 3 years and never followed up with after-care. He goes to AA meetings a few times each week, but doesn't have a sponsor (His sponsor quit working with him last summer.) and has never gone past the fourth step. If he continues drinking, what should I expect health-wise? A slow decline back into his previous condition? A rapid deterioration? It might sound shallow, but I need to plan. I'm a teacher--should I alsways have a two-week stash of lesson plans for a sub and always expect that my husband could be hospitalized again any time?
Now for my question: Given this good news about his health, he has apparently decided it's okay to drink again. He has been to rehab twice in the last 3 years and never followed up with after-care. He goes to AA meetings a few times each week, but doesn't have a sponsor (His sponsor quit working with him last summer.) and has never gone past the fourth step. If he continues drinking, what should I expect health-wise? A slow decline back into his previous condition? A rapid deterioration? It might sound shallow, but I need to plan. I'm a teacher--should I alsways have a two-week stash of lesson plans for a sub and always expect that my husband could be hospitalized again any time?
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If he drinks, the liver will go bad, again. The "compensated" portion of the liver diagnosis probably because the liver can and had healed itself, but the damage is still there. Since there is already damage in the liver, when more infliction is made on it, it will become injured more quickly.
Don't 'nag' your hubby. I do suggest that you pray for him.
Bethany
Try to save any extra bit of money that you can, too.
Get as prepared as you can.