Is Cirrhosis of the liver a painful way to die?

Question

My mother died on the 28th, but the autopsy results aren't in yet. However, I am pretty sure she died of cirrhosis of the liver, as she was a heavy drinker. I just want to know if she was in pain or not when she passed. Thank you.

PS: Please spare me the idiotic comments and ill talk of my mother.

She was not being seen by a doctor. She was an alcoholic. She was drunk the day she died, the day before, and the day before that. The cops would not take her because they said she isn't threatening to kill you or herself. Sad part of it was she really was killing herself. We could afford rehab, she was in debt, and nobody would take her. She would have been on the streets if it weren't for her ex husband. It was a very tragic end to her life, I hope she is now at peace with herself.

Thank you for answering my question. I still don't know what to think, as I haven't gotten the results back, and I don't know if she was unconscious or not due to the extremely dangerous amounts of alcohol she would consume when left alone. Thank you, nonetheless. Let's just hope she wasn't in pain. :)

EDIT: COULDN'T afford rehab, sorry.

Answer 1

those I have seen who died of this died slowly, and in pain. Also their skin color gradually changed to a golden green. No I'm being serious. Everyone who drinks should be educated that this can be the result of alcohol for them. People know about smoking and the lungs much more than they know about drinking and the liver.

Answer 2

Cirrhosis Pain

Answer 3

There are many people who have cirrhosis because
of alcohol. It is very difficult for a person to overcome the
addiction without some kind of help. They go through
symptoms that make them feel like they may die and if
taking another drink, helps these feelings stop...then it is
easy for them to return back to drinking. A person never
wants to feel sick. Many people do not know that the
doctors have drugs to help them cope with these symptoms
of coming off of alcohol. Going into a detox program at
the hospital would have been the best for her...but it is
too late now.

When a person has cirrhosis, they develop a condition
known as "Encephalopathy". As the liver cells die, the
liver isn't able to function well enough to change the
ammonia( which is a by product of the breaking down
of the proteins we use everyday) into urea to be disposed
of by the body. So the ammonia stays in the blood and
goes pass the blood brain barrier into the brain.
They call it Encephalopathy: Encephalo means brain
and pathy means disease. It causes the patient to be
easily confused, unable to handle things and make their
own decisions, and unable to think clearly and remember
things. You add onto this the fact that your mother also
drank up to the end....if she was in any pain at all...then
she might of not known for certain what was going on...
she may of been in a complete fog and not
recognized the pain if this is the case. People who
come to the point where their liver "completely" fails,
usually fall into a coma before dying. I know this because
of people who are on the transplant list and may have only
a few hours to live without a transplant can easily fall into
a coma before an organ becomes available.

No one can tell you for certain if this is what your Mom
went through...but this does seem to a logical
explanation of what she may have experience.

I'm sorry for your loss. It would be good to speak with
one of her doctors after you get the autopsy report.
Take care.

Answer 4

After reading about cirrhosis of the liver on the internet, I would say that it is a painful way to go. I am sorry for your loss. I wish you well.
She was probably being seen by a doctor, so they should have had the pain down as much as possible, if this is any consolation. If she was in pain, she would have made sure you knew. If she was in a coma, no, she didn't feel anything.

Answer 5

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Is Cirrhosis of the liver a painful way to die?
My mother died on the 28th, but the autopsy results aren't in yet. However, I am pretty sure she died of cirrhosis of the liver, as she was a heavy drinker. I just want to know if she was in pain or not when she passed. Thank you.

PS: Please spare me the idiotic comments and ill talk of my...

Answer 6

Hello, I am currently dying from cirrhosis.I was a cocktail party social drinker and was diagnosed two years ago with stage 4. I probably have another year or two before my liver shuts down completely. I am currently not in much pain and several doctors have told me as I get closer to death the pain is much more manageable. I have vomited blood from varices in my esophagus and been banded ( tying off the bleeding veins ) and had fluid drained from my abdomen. I have been told that any bleeding ( your liver produces clotting agents ) is minor like a bad nose bleed at worst. Do try and give your friends and loved ones some slack though the toxins that build up in your blood at end stage are very dementia like and can affect you in a bad way. Anyway, just wanted to add my bit.

Thanks, Ron K Ft Worth, TX

Answer 7

My father had cirrhosis and developed liver cancer his cancer was very small so small it took a long time to find. It did speed up his liver failure though. In his last few days he did take some pain medicine, but in his final days he told us he was not in pain.

Answer 8

I understand yes drinking is a part of having this but also it can be obesity, and other factors. I had an uncle who was NOT a drinker, nor obese and he dies of this. So it cant be from just being a drinker. The liver has a very important function which filters everything we drink. I have a friend who just died from this and just found out today that my cousin is dying of the same thing. He was going from side to side and moaning when I saw him yesterday which made me think, "is this painful?" My friend was on morphine when I saw her. And her sister did tell me it was painful, and said her father died of this and he was NOT a drinker.

Answer 9

Yes it is!!! I was there when my father passed away from it when i was 22. as he was dying, he was rolling from side to side, riving in pain. i was crying hysterically, as i couldn't bare to see him suffer. he finally rolled over onto his side for the last time and made this curdling/coughing sound...and then stopped breathing. not to mention that his stomach and genitals were bloated(with blood) with was beyond belief. at the time, i was drinking off and on myself and it put a lot of things into perspective for myself. it made me think of how life is so so precious. I still miss my dad to this very day.

Answer 10

I am 33 years old and was never much of a drinker,never did drugs and am fairly tiny but I was diagnosed with Cirrhosis of the liver a few months ago. so,far it's not painful. I am quickly losing weight and developing a bit of a yellowish tint and don't have the energy I had just a couple of years ago.