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Suggest Treatment For Weakness And Loss Of Appetite In Person With Liver Failure
Question: my son has liver failure and has had the fluid drained from his abdomen several times. he is weak and thin and doesn't eat--he is skin and bones but fights going to be drained again--what is his prognosis when all his liver tests are very abnormal?
Brief Answer:
depends upon diagnosis, severity
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for your question. It really depends upon his diagnosis and the severity of is disease. From what you describe it sounds like cirrhosis. With cirrhosis, the prognosis is extremely variable since it is influenced by a number of things such as cause of the cirrhosis, severity, complications and the presence of other illnesses. Patients who have cirrhosis can live for many years. However if there are complications of cirrhosis like ascites, bleeding varices or infections then lifespan can be shorter. It sounds like your son may have ascites. Ascites is the fluid that builds up in the abdominal cavity when the body is not able to clear it. I think his prognosis is guarded at best. I have had patients with this type of ascites live for a year or more but if your son is not eating and needing the fluid drained frequently he may not have that long to live. I am very sorry that he is so ill.
Regards,
Dr. Robinson
depends upon diagnosis, severity
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for your question. It really depends upon his diagnosis and the severity of is disease. From what you describe it sounds like cirrhosis. With cirrhosis, the prognosis is extremely variable since it is influenced by a number of things such as cause of the cirrhosis, severity, complications and the presence of other illnesses. Patients who have cirrhosis can live for many years. However if there are complications of cirrhosis like ascites, bleeding varices or infections then lifespan can be shorter. It sounds like your son may have ascites. Ascites is the fluid that builds up in the abdominal cavity when the body is not able to clear it. I think his prognosis is guarded at best. I have had patients with this type of ascites live for a year or more but if your son is not eating and needing the fluid drained frequently he may not have that long to live. I am very sorry that he is so ill.
Regards,
Dr. Robinson
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Thank you Dr XXXXXXX for being straight forward. Yes he has been diagnosed with cirrhosis from drinking most likely. Sorry I didn't get that in the question! I am limited in talking to his doctor, however he did recommend hospice to monitor his pain but he thinks that means nursing home---So, do they think it is 6 months or less and should he be told straight out he is dying--he thinks he will be better by spring--thank you----
Brief Answer:
I am so sorry
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for your follow up. Yes, usually when they recommend hospice, people are estimated to have less than 6 months to live. However, I have had patients in hospice that lived two years! I do think it is helpful for him to have a chance to prepare for his death. I think you can be honest with him. I would not remove all hope, things can change, but I do think he deserves to know what he may be facing. Some people are very resistant to his information and I would speak to him gently and not force the issue. You could say something like "the doctors feel that you may not live longer than 6 months, would you like to talk about that?" You just have to see how he reacts and be there and supportive to him as much as he will allow it. Some patients refuse to consider death and others are grateful that you said something so they have a chance to talk about it. Thank you for your concern for him. He is lucky to have you for a father.
Dr. Robinson
I am so sorry
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for your follow up. Yes, usually when they recommend hospice, people are estimated to have less than 6 months to live. However, I have had patients in hospice that lived two years! I do think it is helpful for him to have a chance to prepare for his death. I think you can be honest with him. I would not remove all hope, things can change, but I do think he deserves to know what he may be facing. Some people are very resistant to his information and I would speak to him gently and not force the issue. You could say something like "the doctors feel that you may not live longer than 6 months, would you like to talk about that?" You just have to see how he reacts and be there and supportive to him as much as he will allow it. Some patients refuse to consider death and others are grateful that you said something so they have a chance to talk about it. Thank you for your concern for him. He is lucky to have you for a father.
Dr. Robinson
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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