Changes in skin colour and appetite

[Catfan1969]

I am so worried about my partner. Since Tuesday, he has developed fluid in his ankles and he says his skin has a yellow tinge to it. He dosent feel hungry and dosent feel well at all. His doctor is sending him for a scan this afternoon. He is compensated, and has 4 varices. We don't live together at the moment, I am planning to relocate to live with him. I am so worried about the future....😔

[BritishLiverTrust3 Administrator British Liver Trust]

Dear Catfan1969

If you [are in the UK and] would find it useful to talk things over, our nurse-led helpline is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 3pm on 0800 652 7330 (excluding bank holidays)

Best wishes

British Liver Trust

[Cat-B]

I’d wait for the scan results, I know it’s a scary time, it sounds like his doctor is keeping a close eye on him. Good luck

[Catfan1969 in reply to Cat-B]

Hi many thanks for replying. He had his scan, his liver has changed shape. And his reading has gone from 31 to 51 if he got that right. She said he needs to be careful if he goes over 75? That's decompensated? Today he feels bloated, sick, cold and can't shake his headache. He's so down today, and I'm so worried about him.

Hes lost 8 stone and eats healthy, walks and boxes now he feels its all been for nothing 😔.

[Cat-B in reply to Catfan1969]

oh dear, livers are highly complex and have an incredible ability to heal and repair. Is on the No salt, high protein and calorie diet? That’s what livers need to repair, gently exercising and lots of rest are also important. I know it’s scary but baby steps every day, remember the tortoise always wins the race in the end. Good luck to you both

[Catfan1969 in reply to Cat-B]

Hi

Yes he's on the no salt, protein diet. Dosent drink and just drinks juice and coffee. He's not eating, just dosent feel hungry. I suppose he's just got to wait for his gp to see the results. He seems pretty good. He's under a consultant and is due to see him soon hopefully

[Cat-B in reply to Catfan1969]

try little and often often (I ate by the clock and started with a ramekin dish every 2 hours) and always had a snack before bed even if it was a cookie or an ice lolly xx

[Catfan1969 in reply to Cat-B]

Thanks I will suggest it to him. Really hard as we don't live together yet.

Kind regards Claire

[AyrshireK]

What kind of scan did he have? There is no scan which can determine compensated/decompensated based on numbers (ultrasound might give a clue as to decompensation if there was fluid present).

I am guessing with 75 being mentioned it was probably a fibroscan which reads how fibrotic a liver is - it scores from 0-75 kPa and depending on underlying cause of condition what the score is reflects the degree of fibrous tissue.

As he already has a diagnosis of cirrhosis then this hasn't really added any further information to his diagnosis and fibroscan can't say what is compensated/decompensated since that would be determined based on symptoms present and results of blood tests.

Has he had some recent bloods? Was it his liver doctor who arranged this scan? It sounds like he's showing some symptoms at present which needs closer examination i.e. the swelling of the ankles - is this oedema? It also sounds like he needs support at appointments to help understand the med speak - two pairs of ears are better than one especially when someone is poorly and possibly mishearing information.

Katie

[Catfan1969 in reply to AyrshireK]

Hi Katie

Thanks for your reply, I spoke to one of the liver nurses, she was very helpful and understanding. She advised he try and get seen by or at least speak to his gp today. Or go to a@e, he is waiting for a call back from the gp

Thanks Claire