After 30 years with hep c, the liver is completely hard---over the past three months fluid has been drained from the extended abdomen--1st 16 litres, 18litres then 20 litres. Legs with edema. Lack of appetite, sleeping from approx. 4pm for the night, weight loss approx. 50 lbs. What is the prognosis????
Hi, I am so sorry to hear about your condition. It looks like you are currently in decompensated stage of liver cirrhosis (\"hard Liver\"). You are suffering from classical features of portal hypertension (fluid build up in the belly) and other symptoms of liver failure (poor appetite, weight loss, excessive sleepiness, etc.). The best available treatment for someone at your stage is a liver transplant. It will completely get rid of the fluid build up although regaining your strength and appetite may take a while. But transplant cannot be offered to everyone and depends most on your current performance status (physical fitness, age, other co-morbid conditions like diabetes, heart problems etc.). If it turns out that you are not a transplant candidate, and I presume medications have failed to control the fluid build up, then one of the options to be considered is TIPS. Although it will not reverse the liver failure, it will prevent fluid build up in your belly. Ad Chat Doctor. I suggest you don't give up and explore all therapeutic options available. Please do not hesitate to contact me for any clarifications needed - rxsuresh@gmail.com