Hi, I’m new on here and trying to get some answers and gain knowledge of Liver disease. My Dad has been a drinker all his adult life and 2 years ago was admitted to hospital for an emergency blood transfusion as he was so anaemic and close to organ failure. Advised to give up drinking; he chose not to apart from a few periods of abstinence. Ffwd to now and after a few months of itching legs, swollen legs and ankles and the drs giving him cream to apply and that’s it he continued to get worse. I didn’t realise & nor did he the connection to his liver. So, 3 weeks ago I visit him and realise he has a massively distended abdomen, looks terrible and finding it difficult to breathe. I ring the out of hrs dr and after 4 hrs eventually get a dr agree to see him (11pm!) I take him and am advised that he needs an urgent bowel referral and that he will hear from his normal dr first thing. Still not heard anything by midday so decide to take him to A&E. He is admitted and because of covid we can’t speak to anyone or visit. Just keep being told comfortable. Well he had 18 pints drained and kept in for 4 days. Discharged and although he initially looked gaunt he looked slightly better within a few days of eating better. Had an appointment for a drain on the 20th only to be told they weren’t expecting him and that he didn’t need a drain despite still being large on his tummy. Sent home again with no treatment. Now a week later he looks so frail and has literally aged beyond belief. Hollow cheeks and sunken eyes and his voice like a whisper. He is also getting fidgety and seems confused. Sorry for the long read but the hospital don’t/won’t give us any information on his prognosis only his diagnosis. They have admitted he should have had a 6 month follow up after his transfusion and they neglected to call him back. Please does anyone have any insight they could share with me? Could he improve and stay stable for months or is it sounding like end stage liver disease? The hospital have said if he has not heard from them within 2 months he should ring them to see when a consultant can see him. All a bit of a nightmare.
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Woodie01
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Woodie. If he is showing signs of confusion it could well be hepatic encephalopathy HE and will need treating urgently with lactulose and or refaxamin. Has he had that prescribed? If not call 111 now tell them he drinks heavily is showing signs of confusion and needs that treatment xx
Thank you for replying, he has not had any drink for about 8 weeks now. He doesn’t drink at home only in the pub so apart from them being closed, I don’t think he could even get there.
You do need to be proactive and chase things and follow things up yourselves at the moment due to covid having virtually taken over the NHS for much of this year. If you want test results etc, call your surgery they will point you in the right direction. But it does sound to me they have done all they can while you believe your Father has been drink free for just 8 weeks. The specialists wont give you an answer to how long he has as they never give up hope. But you do need to ask about lactulose for the HE if he doesnt already take it.Good luck
Thank you. I have literally spent hours on the phone being passed from dept to dept. I now have a direct line number to the Gastro ward but I’m confused- is this where liver patients get treated or is it just the drain they do their and he will see a liver dr at some point or are they one and the same dept? Sorry for all the answers.
I wouldn't know that I'm afraid. It's over 10 years since my husband was treated in hospital for pancreatitis, detoxed and died in intensive care. That's something you should ask the gastro ward. In the meantime, make a list of all the questions you need answering then call them. They will welcome your interest.Best wishes
Many hospitals only have a gastroenterology department and that's where liver patients are treated if they don't have any hepatologists on staff. My hubby is under a local gastroenterologist but also sees a liver specialist at a liver specialist centre.
Woodie it sound like he is verging on liver failure. Very things he is going through and the obvious liver issues such as distended tummy, losing weight quickly and weakness even when speaking tells me your dad should be on a liver ward having his scans, bloods and withdrawal from alcohol done under the care and supervision of a liver team. Take him back to A&E, demand that when you finally see a doctor he needs to be seen by a clinician from the liver team, only they can get him onto the appropriate ward. Although it sounds like he needs another drain, you don’t know his blood levels and kidney condition to ascertain if that can be done safely. Bottom line, he needs to stop drinking for life, get on a ward and be ready for a bit of a fight. I really hope he pulls through, you sound like a good son. 🙏
Hi there your dad’s symptoms was very similar to mine but I’m not a drinker, I showed up at A&E with a letter from my Dr due to my symptoms and they kept me in for twelve days the fluid in my stomach didn’t really reduce until I returned home and was put on diuretic and lactulose. While I was in hospital thou they gave me numerous drips and milky drinks and I returned home feeling much better than when I went in. Granted this was last year (summer) no COVID-19, I would go to A&E. Good luck 🤞
Daughter 😉 I am going to find out more about what I can do to get more information- tricky when they tell you nothing. They just discharged him without going through any after care plan.
Hello,
This is a horrible situation for you and your father to be in. We have information on our website that may help to give you a bit of background.
We also have a free helpline - you could speak to one of our liver specialist nurses. It is open Mon - Fri 10:00 - 15:00 0800 6527330
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Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
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