Help.

Really worried about my husband who seems to be getting more and more tired. He is aneamic and has a low blood count and is on iron tablets, but he just doesn't seem able to stay awake, every time he sits down, his eyes close and he's away.

Has anyone any experience of this.

We're going to first appt. for transplant assessment next week.

[AyrshireK]

It sounds like transplant assessment can't come soon enough, periods of mental confusion and drowsiness are listed as red flag symptoms on the British Liver Trust page about cirrhosis and it might be worth contacting his current specialist and/or transplant team if you feel he is becoming increasingly unwell.

Katie

[LAJ123]

Hello Catcher,

Based on my own experience and that of my wife who cared for me when I was very ill from cirrhosis;

From what you are saying, there could be something going on that needs medical attention as soon as possible.

I suggest that you call NHS 111 and describe the symptoms and his recent history. There is a lot they are able to do. They can give immediate advice, get a registered nurse or request a doctor to call you back. Based on your description of how he is, they are even able to, if appropriate, dispatch an ambulance to your address.

nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-se...

I hope all goes well for you.

Jim

[alfredthegreat]

Hi there. It sounds very, very like a description of me pre-transplant. the last couple of months before my transplant I was actually only up out of bed a couple of hours a day and if I sat down then i dropped off in minutes. I (managed to push myself to keep going and stay awake at clinic meetings and appointments (it's amazing what you can do when you have to!) but then it's easier and more comfortable to nod off at home. So this is not behaviour that is unheard of. Strangely enough I didn't suffer from some of the symptoms others suffered from like the yellowing or the ascites in the stomach area or varices it was mainly muscle wastage, extreme lethargy and a build up of fluid in my lower legs. Best to check out those iron levels though. Hope this helps you a little. Alfred

[Hidden]

Hi Catcher

I fell asleep all the time pre transplant, I even fell aleep at the assessment unit during the CT Scan....

Trouble is, post tp, I’m still the same.

Fell asleep sitting on the grass at the side of a road (wife was taking dog for walk and my legs weren’t up to it. You know the joke, my legs fallen asleep do you mind if I join it..). I was having a lovely kip, head rolling forward etc until this car drew up and passenger woke me up asking me if I was alright! Very kind of her but I was having lovely dreams 😁.

Even fell asleep through the whole of my favourite programme last week, the Apprentice!

Consultant says its normal, it’s all down to the tablets, Bless those little tablets 😁

So, from MY experience it’s “normal”, Catcher, but whether I’m normal or not is another question 😊

Miles

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[mncold]

Hi Catcher,

My husband did fall asleep easily early on and actually still does, so I think that is something to ask his doctors about. He also had low blood counts but was not put on iron pills.

It sounds like you might want to call his doctor and let him/her know that you are very concerned and your husband is not improving on the iron pills and at least get an appointment for the doctor to see him and let you both know if there are things that can be done to improve his condition.

Best wishes,

Mary

[Hidden]

Catcher

I think its all been said already, so just make sure at the Assessment next week they understand your husband’s issues.

Mioes

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