I am emailing about my husband whom I am very worried about!
Long story short - my husband is a heavy drinker and has been for many years, I class him a functioning alcoholic! Through the last year he has been complaining about a pain upper right quadrant, he went to A&E one evening and was told he has torn a chest muscle, moving to 2021 - for the last week he has been vomiting green and yellow bile (sorry gross), breathless, very fatigued and just not himself! We went to the Dr whom ordered tests and his LFT's were returned abnormal with his Ferritin being 2599!!!!!
He was diagnosed about 4 years ago with fatty liver however now they want him to go for an abdominal ultrasound, Fibroscan and take some vitamin supplements, I am afraid that this is Cirrhosis or even liver cancer and he wont live for long....
I am beside myself with worry and just really looking for some advice other than 'he must stop drinking' (we know this) and we are trying to get the Dr to prescribe some medication for alcohol dependency.
Thank you for reading
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Kayanne1980
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Hi Kayanne.Really he should be in hospital being medically detoxed and treated for any symptoms he may have at the moment. Is he having councelling to help him quit? There really isn't any medication for alcohol dependancy it has to be down to him to want and need to give up.
Many alcohol dependants believe they can cut down with a view to quitting, to avoid withdrawral symptoms, sadly they invariably fail and continue to drink indefinitely. If it's done safely in hospital under medical supervision, medication to suppress withdrawal symptoms will be given.
Make sure he has all the tests and scans offered to him to determine the extent of the damage to his liver.
It's a rough ride but with help and support you will get through. Establish a good relationship with all the doctors and specialists treating him so you can all work towards a good outcome for your husband.
Yes I agree these Ferritin levels are dangerously high and they not admitting him yet!!! I’m going to keep an eye on him and if it worsens I will rush him to Emergency
It’s such a worry don’t know where we are heading right now
Look out for episodes of confusion, clumsiness, even halucinations... this could be hepatic encephalopathy caused by toxins in the brain from the alcohol. It will need treating urgently with lactulose and refaxamin so get him straight to hospital. Also look out for excessive bleeding from nose, mouth or vomitting again it will require urgent attention .
Liver problems can cause raised ferritin, but so can Genetic Haemochromatosis (GH) and your husbands level is very high. Have they ruled out GH? It is very important to do this as GH is a condition which causes the body to store excess iron. This is toxic to the liver as the body stores the excess iron there and it can cause cirrhosis if un-diagnosed. GH and heavy drinking are a very bad combination for the liver. Anybody presenting with your husband’s ferritin level should be automatically checked for GH. It is treatable, but of course the drinking has to stop whether it is GH or not. GH is now thought to be one of the most common genetic conditions in people of Northern European ancestry. See haemochromatosis.org.uk/wha...
Hello HdonThe Dr has ordered a molecular test to check for GH but whilst we waiting for scans and test results I am afraid he is deuterating through it all - I don't know what to do anymore!
Hello, I'm very shocked your husband wasn't admitted to hospital especially being so sick and in this heat. His tummy is obviously completely empty to be vomiting bile acid. He could get dehydrated very quickly. If you are concerned at all I would bring straight to hospital. Detoxing at home can be very dangerous my ex husband is a functioning alcoholic, though he's going on drinking binges for up to 3 weeks. I still look out for him even though we're separated many years because of alcohol. We would still be together only for that. We lost our eldest son to suicide 15 years ago and the day he died he rang his daddy but he was too drunk to listen so his consiense is really hurting him. When he is detoxing he is given librim, but here in Northern Ireland they have stopped giving it to patients at home because its extremely dangerous. He gets admitted and gets fantastic treatment in hospital. I think your husband would fare better in hospital. That's extremely high levels of ferritin what we're is LFTs? If you are concerned hospital is where he should be. I know how difficult it is dealing with an alcoholic. Do you have family to help you? It's a lot to deal with alone. My ex husband lost his brother in march due to alcohol and yet it doesn't stop him. His family are all big drinkers and so was his father and mother now deceased. Please ask for help, its too much for you to deal with alone. God bless and please keep us posted in how he is. This is a great forum with so many helpful people. It's really hard as I have liver failure, never drank alcohol in my life but I had gallbladder surgery 33 years ago and they scattered stones into the ducts in my liver and pancreas. They didn't tell I was a guinea pig, I was the first person to have keyhole surgery in Northern Ireland and my notes for the surgery have disappeared!!! Take care of yourself and don't hesitate if you think he is getting worse and get him to hospital. Alethea. Xox 💔🙏🙏💔..
Hi Kayanne, I am so sorry to hear about what you are both going through. I am in exactly the same boat, except my husband has now been diagnosed with cirrhosis. We travelled the same road you are going through right now, hospital admissions, tests and with him swearing each time he is going to stop. But he never has unfortunately. It is always easy for someone to say "stop drinking", as I hear it all the time from people, if only it was that easy! He knows, and you know that is what is required, but what we want to hear is "let us help you stop drinking".
I don't know whereabouts you live, but where I am in North Yorkshire they only advice our GP gives is for my husband to cut back. How does an alcoholic dependent just cut back? My husband cuts back by using smaller wine glasses, instead of the large ones he usually drinks from. And then drinks more because his glass is smaller! I have begged with the GP for an admission for a medical detox, but they won't do this for him because they said it has a low success rate. but my viewpoint is a low success rate is better than none at all. Unfortunately for me we are now in a situation where my husband has accepted his future, and continues to drink, and has accepted the consequences that go with it.
What has helped me tremendously is this site, and the amazing people on here with the advice available. The leaflets available through the BLT about liver disease are extremely helpful and better than Dr Google (where you only read the worst case scenario). From your question is sounds as if your husband wants help, which is a good sign as that for me is half the battle won. Yes it won't be easy but it is a start, baby steps are better than none at all, that is my opinion.
It is a horrible thing to watch when your loved one is going through this, and scary. I have been stressed out by it all, the sudden collapsing, the vomiting, not eating and sudden episodes of confusion and delirium. And he is now extremely vulnerable to infections, the past month he has had pneumonia and gum infections. What has helped me is becoming more aware of the disease and what to expect, it doesn't make it less worrying, but getting to grips with the terminology and knowing what questions you should be asking is a big help.
I know it is easier said than done, but try to look after yourself, this is very important. And don't focus on the "what if's" scenario as this will only stress you even more. I know as I have done this myself, checking each symptom off against the list of worst case possiblities. Put your faith in the doctors and specialists, they will run all the tests they need, and remember to keep asking questions, that is what they are there for. As Laura53923 has advised, establish a good relationship with them as this is a big help for you both going forward.
Thank you so much for your lovely response. I’m quite overwhelmed by the support! I am literally so sick of seeing my husband like this. I think he needs to be admitted especially with these high Ferritin levels but the DR has urgently written to Hepatology for advice as she is suspecting Hemachromatosis but also sent a specimen to be checked for if it’s hereditary etc. It’s so worrying I and he knows there is something severely wrong just what! The liver is clearly damaged to what extent I don’t know!
The checks and tests will reveal all.Look after yourself .. that is so very important to help you through.
I really feel for you both. Alcohol truly is a bastard.
Hi Kayanne,
We are sorry to read how unwell your husband is.
Based on the information you have provided, his symptoms and blood results, we would suggest that you could possibly try to speak to the GP again today about the clinical plan. and if he is to be admitted into hospital.
Also, as Laura has said already on this thread, if his condition deteriorates then we would always suggest you seek out emergency medical assistance via NHS111 or 999.
Its so frustrating, we are waiting for an urgent abdominal scan and fibro scan but we have heard NOTHING - my husband is still tired all the time, he has been prescribed Vitamin B now and Thiamine which is making no difference - I am really worried these Ferritin levels are just rising and rising and no one is doing anything about it!!!!
So sorry to hear this. You were a fighter who did all that could be expected and more to try and get the proper treatment for your husband. Best wishes.
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