Is this a serious warning sign?

[MissS_Zebra9]

Hi, just want some advice really as not sure what to do. My partner had Alcoholic Hepatitis just over 2 years ago and has continued to drink in excess of 10 beers a day. In the last few days the whites of his eyes have turned yellow and he has black poo. He has lost a lot of weight and doesn't eat much at all (1 small meal a day at best). He also sleeps a lot during the day. He recently had blood test and they want to do another set of bloods befire a doctors apointment on 2 June. I suppose the question I'm asking is should i seek medical before his appointment on 2 June given his symptoms?

[Mango5cm]

Because of the jaundice and the black poo I would say ring for an ambulance or he must go to A&E . It must be such a dreadful time for both of you . Hope he improves . X

[MissS_Zebra9 in reply to Mango5cm]

Thank you for your reply, it really does help to post on this site and know people are there and understand. I'm trying to get him to go A&E but he's refusing and says he'll be ok. I lost my father last week suddenly due to a cardiac arrest so am still trying to sort out his funeral as well as grieving so really not in the right mindset to deal with this on top. x

[BritishLiverTrust8 Moderator British Liver Trust]

Dear MissS-Zebra9

With these symptoms we would encourage your husband to be seen by his own doctor or another health care professional and not to leave it until the June 2nd appointment.

We're also sad and very sorry to read about the loss of your Father.

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

[MissS_Zebra9 in reply to BritishLiverTrust8]

Thank you, I am going to ring the doctors and see if I can get an appointment sooner or give 111 a call

[redpoint72]

Hi there.Please phone 111at ,least,if not hospital.....a and e.

Jaundice and dark tary stools are not good signs....

Or phone an ambulance.

Don't wait until June,thats to long.

I hope things improve.

My best.Chris

[MissS_Zebra9 in reply to redpoint72]

Thank you, I will phone 111 as he absolutely refuses to go A&E as he says he is fine.

[Harting]

He should self-present at A&E if he is ambulatory and can walk. For jaundice he will be seen as an emergency by the gastroenterology and hepatology team, who can tell a lot firstly by simply feeling his abdomen and liver area. Blood tests willl be undertaken and you will want to look at his bilirubin and GGT levels and see where they fit into the range given by the hospital. Then they should do a CT scan and an ultrasound to see the extent of any liver damage.

Does he have puffy ankles/legs?

[Mango5cm]

I’m so sorry to hear about your father - I hope you have family and friends to support you and someone to talk to . My thoughts are with you xx

[DD75]

Dear MissZebra9,

I'm so sorry about your loss, I had lost my dad around the time my husband ended up in critical care so I understand how terrible this must be for you.

Please, please call 111 or an ambulance regarding black stool as it could be a sign of internal bleeding (I'm not saying it is but no one will get angry for you ringing). Make sure you tell them your husband has previously been treated and is being referred because of liver/cirrhosis and tell them about the yellow eyes.

I know about husbands not wanting doctors and ambulances and I have eventually had to ignore husband because ive listened to him and hes got worse (my husband doesn't drink anymore but has serious complications) but if your husband is still drinking aswell it'll only make things worse but it will probably put in him a denial bubble as to what is going on.

Thinking of you as this sad time. 💙

[Aotea2012]

Lots of others have given advice…he needs to be seen now not wait till 2nd June. Far better to have a wasted trip to A&E than to wait and find he deteriorates, possibly to a life threatening condition. Black poo could (and I stress could) be a sign of internal bleeding. The liver when damaged develops scar tissue and this prevents blood flowing through it correctly. This increases the blood pressure (Portal Hypertension). The blood finds a way back to the heart by flowing through smaller blood vessels not designed to carry blood at pressure. These swell and potentially bleed. It’s a serious condition and needs urgent medical attention. 111 will simply run through an algorithm with you and advise a trip to A&E given his symptoms, previous hepatitis and continued excess alcohol consumption. When you get there they may find it is nothing, but don’t feel bad about this….it’s much much safer to have gone. Please try to persuade him to go.

[Porcupine_Tree]

Please ask him to stop drinking now. Then see the Consultant for I expect would be a barrage of tests. Maybe see GP first for bloods.Unfortunately this is the only way forward.

I would also talk with the BLT nurses ASAP to give you more advice and to listen to your concerns.

Good Lick

[Hyper69]

please get him the help now .

He has internal bleeding .

Haemoglobin level is falling away hence in and out of consciousness ( Not sleeping )

999

He will go into hypovolemic shock if left in that condition .

[MissS_Zebra9]

Thank you all for your advice, it really is appreciated. I rang 111 and they have advised that he needs to go to A&E but he flatly refusing to go and I cannot physically drag him there. He just keeps saying he is fine, he said his bowel movements are getting better (I don't know how true this is as i haven't seen/ wont let me). I will keep trying to get him to A&E. I dont want to ring for an ambulance as he just wont go. He's already shouted at me to leave him alone. I am working full time, have an appointment with the celebrant for my dads funeral this evening and registering his death tomorrow morning so I'm completely exhausted. In some ways I feel like just letting him get on with it and ignoring him if he doesn't want to help himself but on the other hand I'm terrified I will lose him as well and I have 2 teenage kids to look after.

[Roy1955 in reply to MissS_Zebra9]

Tell him that then!Theres a high chance you will lose him if he does not get help.

That includes help for his current emergency condition (yes it's a medical emergency) and his ongoing drinking.

If he wants to live long enough to see his kids grow into adults he has to Change, Grow, Live.

Look that up.

CGL group near me.

CGL stands for change grow live.

It's not AA.

I used them.

[DD75 in reply to MissS_Zebra9]

MissSZebra,

I feel so much for you and I know the angst and torment you must be in.

I think your husband is in a complete denial bubble probably fuelled by the alcohol intake. He's being selfish, but sadly addicts/alcoholics often are as they're not well and can't see anything past getting their required substance.

Maybe try writing a letter to your husband and saying you're just worried about him and ask him if his stool is still black to go to A and E as he could potentially end up bleeding to death if not seen (be honest in the letter) print off some of these responses and put it with it and then leave for him to read when you're not around. It may not work it may snap him out of it a bit, honestly he may just drink to help block it out, but at least you've tried.

You're going through such a tough time. Try ringing the British Liver Trust Nurses to see what they suggest and also for some support for yourself.

Remember THIS IS NOT YOUR FAULT OR RESPONSIBILITY your husband is the only one who can do something unless (God forbid) he collapses and you need to get an ambulance.

Thinking of you 💙

[Tizzwas]

Harsh words here, if he is refusing your help then leave him to it.You have enough on your plate right now. He will need an ambulance at some stage so make him aware of that and if he carries on with this selfish attitude then he will die. He needs to stop drinking ASAP or he will die.

Concentrate on your Dad's funeral and your kids just for today, he will soon figure out that he needs you.

I'm so sorry to seem like a bitch but if he won't help himself then there's not much else you can do. Trust me, I have been that person.

Keep us updated x

[MissS_Zebra9 in reply to Tizzwas]

Thank you ❤️. I will keep you all updated x

[DD75 in reply to Tizzwas]

Totally agree Tizzwas. I've been where MisssZebra has been and it's horrendous for the spouse to witness.

My husband (no longer drinks) I just call him an ambulance now if needed, but tbf to him he rings hospital any sign of changes/ 'tells' as his consultant calls them.

But it took a horrendous 2 trips to critical care for him to come to this position admittedly his case is complicated so sometimes we can't even tell whats going on until like an hour before 😬.

[Kristian]

In short yes, they are very bad signs. As your husband is in complete denial you may need to prepare yourself for the worst. Best keep the number of that celebrant handy.Sorry, I know that's gonna sound a bit harsh. But maybe its the jolt he'll need to get his ass in to gear. Lets hope it's not already too late.

I wish you luck and hope your year gets better.

[Chick_atee]

I would to be honest. If there’s a yellow hue to his skin also he could be jaundiced. Is the stomach swollen?

Just with the yellowing and stool description I wouldn’t wait and say it’s urgent.

Not a medical person but this is what I would do.

Good luck.

[Benwillfred]

This is an emergency..go straight to A & E or call 999

[MissS_Zebra9]

Just to update you all, I've managed to get a face to face doctors appointment this morning at 11.15, just got to get him out of bed now to go!

[DD75 in reply to MissS_Zebra9]

Well done MissZebra9,

Hope it went ok? Are you ok?

Thinking of you 💙