Gurgling stomach

[Catfan1969]

My partner has cirrhosis and has felt really off today. He's constantly going to the loo and his stomach is slightly swollen is gurgling so loudley. Has anyone else experienced this? He's had an episode of ascites just before Christmas.

Thanks x

[pushthrough]

hey cat fan. Sorry to hear about your hubby. Yes, the stomach issues are pretty common with liver disease. We often feel bloated, gas like a pipeline, and the loo often. It does get better as the liver recovers. I hope he has rid himself of whatever caused the liver disease in the first place. I use to drink and quit over 2 years ago. So if it was drinking, virus etc. getting rid of it is the first and best thing he can do.

[oap74]

yep you just have to live with it and take extra care. All the best

[Roy1955]

Those symptoms need medical advice, not an Internet chat! See a Dr or go to A&E.

[pushthrough]

hey Catfan, Roy’s post is correct. I didn’t give a lot of thought when I posted. One thing you also need to make sure is that he’s not hiding additional symptoms. Such as blood in the stool, pale stool, dark urine etc…

If he is not getting checkups from the doctor he should go in for an emergency visit. This is especially true if whatever caused the disease has not been eliminated from his life.

[Catfan1969 in reply to pushthrough]

Hi he spoke to his consultant 2 weeks ago who was very matter of fact and told him he could expect 12 years at the most. This upset him and sent him into a downward spiral, which he recovered from. But yesterday triggered him again. He was seen by a nurse last week, doing liver cancer trials, so he will be monitored for that. She was disgusted he hadn't got a liver nurse, which she is trying to organise at the moment. It clearly affects his mental health, he seems better today, so he wants to see how things go as it could of been just a stomach bug.

Claire x

[pushthrough in reply to Catfan1969]

I think the very knowledgable Katie on this forum would want me to tell you that no Dr or anyone for that matter can put a timeline on his life. I believe Katie’s husband is going on 20 years with cirrhosis and there are others on here are alive and well after 15 years. The liver truly is a remarkable organ. It’s a shame it took me getting cirrhosis to realize that. Encourage your hubby to get on here and join the liver dance party 🕺

[AyrshireK in reply to pushthrough]

Hubby is approaching 11 years diagnosed but there are plenty folk about who are 20+ years diagnosed.

[Catfan1969 in reply to pushthrough]

I have tried but he dosent like talking about it. I'm the one that wants to know everything. He just gets very scared if he has a flare up x

[pushthrough in reply to Catfan1969]

I’m sorry, I know that must be stressful!

[Slsslw in reply to pushthrough]

what does blood in the stool have to do with cirrhosis? Is it a complication?

[AyrshireK in reply to Slsslw]

Blood in the stool or sticky, black stool is an indicator of bleeding within the gastro-intestinal system and needs urgent examination. In someone with cirrhosis it can possibly indicate a bleed from burst varices.Katie

[Catfan1969 in reply to AyrshireK]

Hi Katie, thanks for replying again 😊. No he hasn't any of those symptoms just this gurgling stomach.

Thanks Claire x

[Slsslw in reply to AyrshireK]

thank you

[Chick_atee]

Best to check with consultant on this. I have ascities that has never gone away. Improved with dueretics but I can’t stay on them forever. Very damaging for the kidneys. I live in hope ascities will go. Lots of gurgling at night for me and yes unfortunately the excess gas is very embarrassing but like someone else said it’s just the way it is. Frequent flyer to the loo too. I hope all improves and that the Dr. can find out exactly what’s causing the symptoms.

Best of luck.

[Catfan1969 in reply to Chick_atee]

Thanks for replying, how long have you had problems?

Claire

[Pie-eater]

I had cirrhosis for 27 years before I had to have a transplant. Hope your husband goes on alright.

[Catfan1969 in reply to Pie-eater]

Thanks for replying how we're your symptoms generally over the years? When fid you have your transplant?

Claire

[pushthrough in reply to Pie-eater]

Wow pie-eater, that’s a major triumph! Where have you been all this time? Your post just put some sunshine in my day!

[Pie-eater in reply to pushthrough]

Glad I cheered you up. I avoided forums as the less I heard about it the better, my wife on the other hand wanted to know every last detail, which suited me, as I didn’t have to think about it. Now I’ve had the transplant and feel more confident about the future I thought I’d join the BLT.

[Pie-eater]

I had an enormous belly and occasionally I had black sticky stools but never did anything about it. I eventually went to the doctors with chickenpox which is when he said my liver was enlarged. I stopped drinking immediately and was referred to a liver specialist. Nothing much was done for a while as the doctors were convinced I was still drinking but my liver function tests remained the same. One doctor even told my wife she had to stop drinking as well to heal my liver. Eventually I was diagnosed with Hepatitis C. I was accepted for a trial of an unlicensed (for Hep C) drug, Interfearon which cured the Hepatitis. Then I had a biopsy which revealed cirrhosis, and later on I was told I had oesophageal varices. I carried on for the next 20 odd years, having my varices banded every 5 years or so until one of my regular scans picked up changes in my liver which turned out to be cancer. I had TACE treatment for the next 2 years but the time between treatments was decreasing so I was due to start radio therapy instead. I was lucky enough to be offered a transplant last year. The only real symptoms I had were black stools, I once threw up blood and suffered badly with itching. I felt generally unwell but had got used to it so I thought that was normal.

[Chick_atee]

Since July 2022