Is this liver trouble

[Tay99]

Hello all l am just looking for some advice really my husband aged 56 was a very heavy drinker for a good number of years but past 3 years has not drank much but gradually over the past maybe 2months his stomach has started to distend kit feels really hard and he looks about 6 months pregnant it seems to get bigger as day goes on no other symptoms oh also was clearing leaves up other morning has always been quite fit as he is a builder work is very physical but got a bit breathless when clearing leaves up no other symptoms any advice or suggestions

Thankyou

[Laura009]

Hi Tay. Going to be tricky arranging a call with your GP over the next day or so but perhaps call 111 and describe his condition exactly as you have here. I hope they can help. Happy new year to you. Laura

[Tay99 in reply to Laura009]

Thankyou happy new year to you to .

[Laura009 in reply to Tay99]

Please do let us know how your husband does.

[Tay99 in reply to Laura009]

Will do

[Richard-Allen]

Hello Tay and welcome.

This sounds very much as it could be a condition called Ascites. This occurs when fluid builds up in the abdominal cavity. This could mean that the liver has become scarred and has reached the cirrhotic liver stage.

This fluid will need to be drained off at a hospital from time to time. Your GP should be informed of this as soon as possible. If this is allowed to continue to build up, the internal bits and bobs within the abdominal cavity will get pushed up under the ribcage. This will make it hard to breathe and the lungs are unable to extend to full capacity. It will also put a strain on the heart if not dealt with.

Further tests will need to be carried out to find out just how badly damaged his liver is.

If he is still drinking he most definitely needs to stop now. If he doesn’t stop, further complications will most certainly follow.

Please don’t go worrying here. Many people on this site who have had ascites are still here to talk about it and speak of their experiences.

I often use this BBC video to highlight the damage alcohol-abuse can cause. It may help: youtu.be/H0DlFkWoX68(Not working as expected?)

The British Liver Trust has some information on their website: britishlivertrust.org.uk/wh... and there is a good publication you can download from their website, about Alcohol-Related Liver Disease (ArLD): britishlivertrust.org.uk/wh...

I hope some of this information is of help. Please get in contact with your doctor, and if this condition gets much worse go straight to A&E.

Good Luck, and happy New Year to your husband.

Richard.

[Tay99 in reply to Richard-Allen]

Thankyou so much Richard for all the information very helpful l will take it all on board and get in touch with G.P after new year and may l wish you a happy new year toTay.

[Bluegirl52 in reply to Tay99]

The other reason for ascites is heart failure.

[Kristian]

Hi Tay,

At this moment in time its best not to jump to conclusions about the possible cause. It could be liver related, but could just as easily be something completely different as the pythons would say.

However, it is worth going to get it checked out with his gp and take it from there.

Good luck to you both.

[Tay99 in reply to Kristian]

Thankyou happy new year😁

[cammeag]

Hi. This is not a should I, shouldn’t I moment. This is like feeling all causes leading to a stroke and ignoring them. Please, do not hang about. The sooner seen the quicker resolved. Also, please, do not let your doctor fob you off...demand immediate attention. Most nurses and contributees on here have more knowledge of liver disease than 90% of gps.