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springbloom
New Member
Joined : Mar 2013
Posts : 3
Posted 3/22/2013 8:48 AM (GMT -7)
A loved one was diagnosed recently with Alcoholic Hepatitis. Binge drinking for many years and heavy drinking approximately last six years, (with continuos drinking for the two years). Drinking a 1.75 liter in two days or less. This is the first time alcohol has caused health problems for them.
They had felt tired for two months and blamed it on the heavy alcohol usage. Appetite decreased the last few months with continued heavy drinking but eating very little. Took themselves off alcohol by using beer for a couple of weeks. During withdrawal they became jaundiced and went to the hospital. According to Dr., liver was starting to fail and Bilirubin was in the lower twenties. Blood test, scans and MRI done. Enzymes started to lower (slowly) and they were sent home. Last blood test enzymes up again. NOT drinking. I guess my question is, does it take a long time to get better. It has been three weeks since hospitalization. Loved one is still jaundiced, fatigued, but they are eating better.They are on vitamins and pentoxiphylline I have looked up every everything I can find on liver diseases. I was very happy to find this forum.
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**David**
Veteran Member
Joined : Nov 2009
Posts : 3708
Posted 3/22/2013 8:56 AM (GMT -7)
If they have cirrhosis, the damage is already done. It depends on how much of the liver is scarred as to whether there will be improvement. Stopping drinking is a good start.
nullum beneficium impunitum...
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hep93
Elite Member
Joined : Jul 2005
Posts : 12014
Posted 3/22/2013 10:05 AM (GMT -7)
Hi, Springbloom, and welcome to the forum. I'm sorry your loved one has liver disease. Since you aren't revealing the sex of this person, I will just use the pronoun "he."

As David indicated, if there is cirrhosis, that part of the liver is essentially dead. If there is still healthy tissue then the liver can regenerate. But he must NOT drink...one day at a time. If he has a problem staying sober (and my guess is he will, since it's been such a huge part of his life for so long), he should go to AA or alcohol counseling, though AA has the best track record of keeping drunks sober. Thanks to that organization, I have been sober for 26 1/2 years. I could never have done it on my own.

He will also need to eat a healthful diet, low in sodium. He should abstain from red meat, as it's the most difficult protein for the body to metabolize. He should eat lots of fresh or frozen fruits and veggies, and chicken, fish and shellfish, beans and/or soy products, and dairy. I also recommend a multivitamin WITHOUT iron and 500 mg of vitamin C daily. His doctor may also recommend vitamin B12 for the short term. He should eat a candy bar when he feels like he needs alcohol. Alcohol has a high sugar content, so cravings are associated with that. Candy usually blocks the physical craving.

It will take months for him to get better, due to the damage that's been done over the years. When an alcoholic stops drinking, he may actually get worse for awhile. It's a metabolic thing which I won't go into. It will take 6 mos. to a year for him to really start feeling good. This is the tough part, to keep going forward without alcohol.

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.

Hugs,
Connie
hep93
Forum moderator - Hepatitis


"But that was yesterday, and I was a different person then."

Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

Liver transplant recipient, Oct. 27, 2011, at Mayo Hospital, Jacksonville, FL
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springbloom
New Member
Joined : Mar 2013
Posts : 3
Posted 3/22/2013 11:06 AM (GMT -7)
Thank you so much for your reply. This has been so scary and I really can't talk with anyone else. My loved one was kept drinking a secret, and was able to do so because they seldom saw other family members and isolated themselves at home. I am very thankful I found this site!
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hep93
Elite Member
Joined : Jul 2005
Posts : 12014
Posted 3/22/2013 12:06 PM (GMT -7)
That's typical behavior for an addict...isolating.

Hugs,
Connie
hep93
Forum moderator - Hepatitis


"But that was yesterday, and I was a different person then."

Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

Liver transplant recipient, Oct. 27, 2011, at Mayo Hospital, Jacksonville, FL
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MamaLama
Forum Moderator
Joined : Oct 2010
Posts : 4840
Posted 3/22/2013 1:39 PM (GMT -7)
Spring Bloom, I am an alcoholic's partner, and likely his enabler for a long long time. I covered the bad stuff from the outside world. He had alcoholic cirrhosis. HOWEVER, he also has Hep C and developed Hepatocellular Carcinoma. The hat trick for liver disease.

In 2003, a Hep C treatment failed, but he was sober. The hepatologist told him that if he continued to be sober, even with the Hep C causing problems, he would probably last 15 years before he needed a transplant. 15 more years!!! And he had been drinking heavily since he was a teen....not breaking up bars drunk, no dui's, just cocktails and wine every single night...starting with daytime beers on weekend and holidays. He was pretty drunk by bedtime but never seemed hung over in the morning and went off to work like nothing was going on with him.

But he only stayed sober a year.

That broke my heart and we stopped talking about it at that point. I threatened to leave and did not. I just did my stuff and he did his.

The Hep C ran away with his liver and so in ONLY 6 years he was at death's door. In took some time to see doctors and work through the process...but he didn't quit drinking. When he got sober that 6 months and became committed to his LIFE, he got on a list and he was transplanted in May 2011. And is doing pretty well.

Post transplant the sober folks who never had Hep C do the best. Those with Hep C generally find they will get sick again unless they have Sustained Viral Response to a Hep C treatment.

We have some folks who I hope will post who have gone years now without drinking and have staved off any talk of a transplant. It is the SOBER part that does the trick.

Best to you,

Mama Lama

Post Edited By Moderator (hep93) : 3/22/2013 9:15:51 PM (GMT-6)

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springbloom
New Member
Joined : Mar 2013
Posts : 3
Posted 3/22/2013 8:07 PM (GMT -7)
Thank you for sharing these stories. MamaLama I am glad things are going better for your loved one. It is helpful to hear stories of people getting better and advice about healthy lifestyles to help AH recovery, even if it takes several months or a year.
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SyXx
Veteran Member
Joined : Nov 2012
Posts : 890
Posted 3/23/2013 6:28 AM (GMT -7)
I do not have alcoholic hepatitis but just from experience with my liver doctors they have told me that patients who did damage by drinking to their liver can reverse their problems if they quit drinking and lead a healthy lifestyle. My liver was compared to that because they said once the primary problem is solved, in your loved ones case alcohol, then the liver should be able to regenerate. I just saw my doctor last week and he said they have seen outstanding recovery from patients who drink once they are committed to stopping and leading a healthy life.

So yes it might take time, but iif comitted things can be halted. just have to be aware that the damage is done and they must be careful with alcohol and tylenol etc.
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hep93
Elite Member
Joined : Jul 2005
Posts : 12014
Posted 3/23/2013 11:17 AM (GMT -7)
Syxx, our member, A.Ziffle, is an example of that. However, he only has about 15% of his liver functioning. As mentioned, the parts of the liver that are cirrhotic will NOT regenerate. But the healthy parts will regenerate and cirrhosis can be stopped in its tracks or the progression slowed if one lives a healthful lifestyle, including NO alcohol (never mind being "careful" about it.) Tylenol contains acetaminophen, not ibuprofen, and can be taken safely up to 1500 mg daily. It's ibuprofen that can do a lot of damage. Of course, it's best to only take medication prescribed by a physician.

Hugs,
Connie
hep93
Forum moderator - Hepatitis


"But that was yesterday, and I was a different person then."

Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

Liver transplant recipient, Oct. 27, 2011, at Mayo Hospital, Jacksonville, FL
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SyXx
Veteran Member
Joined : Nov 2012
Posts : 890
Posted 3/23/2013 3:02 PM (GMT -7)
I knew Zif has recovered well, i forgot to mention him.

No matter what, lead a healthy life and you can do well.
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Hyde1
Regular Member
Joined : Nov 2011
Posts : 51
Posted 3/24/2013 12:34 AM (GMT -7)
Welcome Springbloom! I have cirrhosis caused by alcohol, and like your loved one, went through some of the same symptoms and probably worse. When I first went to the hospital my family and friends were called in to say their goodbye's. They gave me days to live, then a month, 3 months and so on. Along with my liver I also had Kidney failure which didn't help things but I started to gradually get better. After 2 months in the hospital I was sent home. I was recently divorced at the time and have 3 small children so I moved in with a sister to recover. When I was in the hospital my Dr. told me if I hadn't gone to the ER that day I would've died, and that was all the help that I needed. I'm 37 years old and you're telling me this is it? Not gonna happen! Not seeing my kids again has stopped me from picking up a bottle and May 3rd will be 2 years for me. Liver disease is not easy, and I know some of us here can tell horror stories of how hard it is, but it can and has to be dealt with. It took about a year before I started to feel better. My liver is pretty well damaged, but with a lifestyle change I am now stable! I eat a low sodium diet, limit my red meat and eat a lot of fresh fruits and veggies, nothing canned! Exercise is also very important! I'm sure in your loved ones condition, muscle mass has deteriorated and they are weak and fatigued, so it's important to be somewhat active if possible. Walking is a great start! Stay away from OTC meds and listen exactly to what the Dr. says.
For myself, there are still bumps in the road, but from where I was and where I am now is a huge change. Most importantly, I get to wake up everyday knowing that I will get to see my kids and make sure that they are happy, healthy and protected!
Best of luck to you and your loved one!
Jeff

Post Edited (Hyde1) : 3/24/2013 1:41:19 AM (GMT-6)

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hep93
Elite Member
Joined : Jul 2005
Posts : 12014
Posted 3/24/2013 10:07 AM (GMT -7)
Jeff, nice to hear from you again and to know you are doing well! You are a good example of someone who survived and is doing so much better due to lifestyle changes.

Thanks for sharing.

Hugs,
Connie
hep93
Forum moderator - Hepatitis


"But that was yesterday, and I was a different person then."

Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

Liver transplant recipient, Oct. 27, 2011, at Mayo Hospital, Jacksonville, FL
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