Planning for the future after a difficult episode

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I've copied my post from the alcohol forum I as feel it was relevent here. Sorry for any inconvenience

Hello everyone. First time poster here.

I have had a rather eventful 12 months and would like some advice regarding the issues I have

My name is Andy. I'm a 51 year old single male (no kids)

After probably 30 years of over indulgence I ended in hospital at the start of October last year after collapsing. I had been ill all his year and knew exactly what was causing it but carried on drinking anyway.

I was taken to hospital and was diagnosed with decompensated liver disesase with large volume paracentesis.

Whilst in hospital I had 3 drains (30 litres total), had an episode of hepatic encephalopothy and lost 4 and a half stone in weight. my prescription was 100mg spironolactone (upped to 200mg after my bloods stabilsed), lactalose and thiamine and restricted to 1.3l of liquid a day.

I was discharged at the end of October and apart from a single reoccurrence of ascites in January (my spironolactone dose was increased to 300mg per day and this gradually reduced it) have made what I feel is good progress . My weight had increased and my appetite has come back. Even though I feel this like I have aged 10 years after this episode.

After 2 inpatient appointments with the specialist, I have been re-classified as having compensated liver disease and a plan was made to refer me for transplant. I have been teetotal since being admitted.

It was during my assessment that another problem arose. The Ecg had detected a problem with my heart as well. I have a dilated left atrium with severely reduced LV systolic function and it at this point that I sit here writing this post.

The problem has been all along that no one wants to discuss my future. Not the doctor, the specialist. No one. How can anyone make any plans with no info. I feel like I have been in limbo for the past year and the future is far from clear.

Sorry for the wall of text and thanks for listening. If anyone has been in a similar position It would be nice to here from you .

Thanks

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  • Posted

    I would focus on fixing the heart first rather than just simply waiting on the liver transplant. It may take a while till you get a transplant and also you need healthy heart to go through with transplant operation. Also you have many choices of doctors and nurses to talk to if current ones are not up to your standard.

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