How long does it take for a person to die from cirrhosis?

Question:

I know this is sort of a morbid question, and one there's really no answer to unless you are God, but I thought I'd give it a shot anyway. My mom was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver in June of 2005. The doctors gave her little time to live, yet she's been here for two years longer than what they gave her. At the time they said she had 2% liver function left. How do you think it's possible for someone to live that long with supposedly 2% of their liver? I'm not a doctor so I don't understand it.

Answers:
There is so much involved when diagnosing a
patient...they have to take into account their
other medical conditions also, their family
history, and many other factors. A doctor
can only predict when a person's time is up...
they do not know for sure. None of the
tests they do are 100% accurate, as they
may be looking at films to show them what
may be happening and also, even if they
take a specimen right from the liver, it may
only show what that particular area has
wrong and not the whole liver. It is well
known that people can live a long time if
even part of their liver has normal cells in it.
Your mom may be one of them. Cirrhosis
can be only in one area of the liver, or it
can be throughout the whole liver. It sounds
like your mothers was only in a certain area.
If she is following everything the doctors tell
her to do, it is a plus in the fact she may
survive till they can get her an organ for
transplantation. I hope she was evaluated
to be placed on the transplant list.

The signs of complete liver failure are when
they develop ascites (fluid in the abdominal
area) and varies (veins near the esophagus)
and also portal hypertension (the blood that
flows to the liver, because it cannot go into
the liver, goes to other areas like the esophagus
and builds up pressure in them).

This link might help you to understand better
about cirrhosis
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases...

This is a very heartbreaking disease...your
mom having her loved ones near her to support
her through all this, is the best thing for her...
it may just be what is keeping her holding on.

It is neither possible nor proper to predict someone's remaining life. All doctors can say is likelihood to survive. That is possible only by having seen so many cases in similar condition. But they can't be sure.
Sticking to dietary restrictions and taking medicines regularly can improve quality and duration of life.
All my best wishes for your mom.

How long does it take for a person to die from cirrhosis?

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