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I'm a nurse and work already busy job I never complain to him about it because I really wish I could stay home with him all day and watch over him. Feel really unappreciated. I know he doesn't feel good about himself and that's a big part of it too.His alcoholism stems from PTSD he's lived with for 20 years from being deployed to Iraq in 2003-2004 and Afghanistan in 2005. We have 3 boys who are grown now but he missed the birth of our 2nd son in 2005. VA is no help with ptsd.
It's been a very scary time. I'm constantly depressed and crying about how much time he could possibly have and losing my husband of 22 years. He is completely different. Was nicer and more loving when he was drinking. He's very standoffish and pushes me away. At the same time I'm researching and following doctors orders doing everything to make sure he can live as long as possible and hopefully be approved in 6 months for a transplant.
My husband is 43 and has Decompensated cirrhosis due to alcoholism. Just got the diagnosis 2 months ago when ammonia levels got to 143 and platelets were 41he ecame somewhat unresponsive spent 5 days in the hospital. His last drink was the day before he was rushed to the hospital. He had HE but the Lactulose and Rifaximin definitely seem to be helping sometimes. Also has portal hypertensive gastropathy and grade 1 non bleeding varicies. He's a completely different person. It was very scary.
My Husband has stage four cirrhosis, he will be 71 in Feb that’s also the two yr mark since he was rushed to hospital throwing up blood and we found out he had stage four cirrhosis. He’s never stopped smoking are drinking either. he’s obviously affected by the toxins in his brain , he can’t talk in a normal tone every answer is in a raise voice , he calls Me horrible names too, I get up at 3 am go to bed at 7 just to have more of my day without conflict! He makes odd mistakes too .
SarahJ 2 more hospitalizations of HE in May, the last stay was for 10 days & first ascites removal of 3 liters. However, got the word in July he is not being placed on transplant list due to comorbidities. His MELD has been between 11 &14 for 2 years, HE episodes increasing but MELD doesn't change much even with HIGH ammonia. His GI doc for past 4 years withdrew. He only has PC & Cardiologist. He will have more hospitalizations but no specialist. System sucks. Killing me as caregiver for sure!
My husband has had hep C since he was 13 years old. He’s 42 now. he was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver stage 4 in September 2020. he was on a treatment for three months. I’ve read a lot about the symptoms and complications even after the treatment has ended. He hasn’t been diagnosed with HE but he’s showing symptoms and I’m very worried and tired too.I feel drained. He’s emotionless lately and he has some episodes of just saying mean and hurtful things.My heart is broken! :,( help please!
Gayle, did you ever find any help. This is my life in a nutshell right now. When he has episodes he yells and doesn’t remember why. He stares off blankly in his own world. I feel like I have to constantly baby him. There is no us anymore. There are never future plans of any kind. He holds it together more when people are around. I feel like a support group would be amazing.
JenMH
Just wish he had help so he doesn't resort back to drinking.There's no veteran support groups anywhere near us.There's good days and bad days.I do try to overlook when I feel ignored or unappreciated because I know it's the HE. I'm feeling very lonely and understand the other comments about the frustration with HE.I really wish I had my husband back the way he used to be minus the drinking that was killing him.I prayed for many years for it to stop but never thought it would take cirrhosis.
February 28, 2026