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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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90 Years Old,cirrhosis Of Liver, Swelling In Legs, Feet, Ascites, Losing Weight, Swallowing Difficulty, Thirsty. On Lasix. Suggestion?

My mother in law is 90 and has Cirrhosis of the Liver although she never drank much, most likely from pain meds for so many years, in any event, she has slurred speech today and does not feel well - she has a lot of swelling in her legs and in her feet, she is on Lasix which helps some, she also has Ascites, she is weak and losing weight, she has swallowing difficulties and is very thirsty all the time, but she keeps telling us she feels good, what do you think her prognosis is, how long do you think she has left and what should we expect in the weeks, months to come? She can t walk or stand because she is crippled and her good leg went out about 2 years ago, she is in a wheelchair or in bed, so she has a catheter, has also has bouts of Sepsis and was hospitalized with this a couple of times a few months ago - thanks for any insight into her condition
posted on Tue, 22 Oct 2013
Twitter Wed, 23 Oct 2013 Answered on
Twitter Wed, 13 Nov 2013 Last reviewed on
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi and thank you for this query. I a so sorry to hear about the condition of your mother in law.

From the information you have provided, I strongly suggest that her doctors evaluate and consider her for liver transplant. This is the lone magical procedure that can dramatically improve her state. All other measures are palliative and only a liver transplant can restore her health and guarantee her a good quality of life. With her age and other diseases, this may prove very very difficult.

How long she can live is a difficult answer. This is because there are many other laboratory investigations that correctly maps out how much more functional liver is left and what are the already existing complications are. One thing is sure, if nothing is done, we shall witness a continued decline in her health status over months. Associated with all the other conditions, she has many months but not years to live.

I hope this helps. sorry about this and feel free to ask more questions if need be. Thanks.
Dr. Ditah, MD
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90 Years Old,cirrhosis Of Liver, Swelling In Legs, Feet, Ascites, Losing Weight, Swallowing Difficulty, Thirsty. On Lasix. Suggestion?

Hi and thank you for this query. I a so sorry to hear about the condition of your mother in law. From the information you have provided, I strongly suggest that her doctors evaluate and consider her for liver transplant. This is the lone magical procedure that can dramatically improve her state. All other measures are palliative and only a liver transplant can restore her health and guarantee her a good quality of life. With her age and other diseases, this may prove very very difficult. How long she can live is a difficult answer. This is because there are many other laboratory investigations that correctly maps out how much more functional liver is left and what are the already existing complications are. One thing is sure, if nothing is done, we shall witness a continued decline in her health status over months. Associated with all the other conditions, she has many months but not years to live. I hope this helps. sorry about this and feel free to ask more questions if need be. Thanks. Dr. Ditah, MD