u/Gullible_Jelly0911

Hi everyone,

I had shared here earlier, and I’m posting again because I need some guidance and real experiences.

My father has recently been diagnosed with cirrhosis. He had been drinking heavily for around 20–25 years, but he has now completely stopped.

I wanted to ask if anyone here has experience with long-term/heavy drinking and quitting alcohol. What kind of withdrawal symptoms did you or your family member experience after stopping?

Right now, he is on medication prescribed by the doctor, and we are also making the necessary lifestyle changes. However, he has been feeling very weak, and I’m trying to understand if this is a normal part of withdrawal or something else we should be concerned about.

I read online that when someone who drinks daily stops suddenly, the body can feel weak for a few weeks as it adjusts—but I’m not sure how accurate that is.

I would really appreciate if anyone could share their experiences or what to expect during this phase. It would help me understand what he’s going through.

Hi everyone,

My father was recently diagnosed with liver cirrhosis. He has been a heavy drinker for a long time and was very stubborn about getting checked. Thankfully, a close friend finally convinced him to see a doctor. His MELD score is currently quite high, and the diagnosis has been a lot to process for our family.

For now, the doctor has mentioned that his liver is “compensating.” We had a CT scan, and luckily, there is no internal bleeding or ascites (fluid accumulation). He has completely stopped drinking, which is a huge relief. However, he has been feeling very weak since starting his medication, and his platelet count is quite low.

I’m looking for any advice or experiences from others who have dealt with this. Specifically:

• Dietary Tips: He has always loved spicy and flavorful food. Does anyone have tips or recipes to make “liver-friendly” meals (low-sodium, healthy) that are still tasty? We have already started him on Jowar rotis and are monitoring his sodium intake.

• Managing Weakness: Has anyone dealt with extreme weakness during early treatment? Is this a common side effect of the initial medication?

• Encouragement: I would appreciate hearing any positive stories or experiences. It’s hard to stay optimistic, and I just need to know that there is a path forward.

We have a follow-up appointment in a month, and we are following all medical advice. Any guidance or support would mean the world to us. Thank you for your time. He is 58 btw