as anyone gone to Bupa

[Dobielove]

Hi Guys

My question as anyone had there Cirrhosis diagnoses look at by a private firm Such as Bupa because my Husband is getting depressed and suicidal and is convinced that when he goes to his appointment at Leeds St James Hospital 1st week in July are going to tell him that the disease as got to the point that they will not be able to do anything. He started with blackouts on Monday and as had four and it is not getting any better he as low pressure, and as been unable to get out of bed since last Monday.

I got in touch with his liver nurses who got in touch with his liver specialist who didn’t give any Advice 🤦🏻‍♀️ just feel like his as been passed on to Leeds and his Doctor doesn't want to know and he not been able to get to his last liver nurse appointment as he collapses and blackout with in seconds of getting up and he’s also blacked out from the sitting position any advise on private appointments would be greatly appreciated ❤️😘xxx

[golly123]

Hi Dobielove. 111 give advice over the phone. If it were me, I'd dial 111 and get advice from them. Hope this helps. Best wishes Golly

[Dobielove in reply to golly123]

Hi Golly

Thanks I will give 111 ago thanks for taking the time to reply to my question much appreciated ❤️😘xxxx

[Roy1955]

Almost all liver related investigations and treatments can be paid for privately except transplant.

Are you considering self pay or do you have insurance?

Self pay is very expensive.

One thing though, almost all insurances exclude drug or alcohol related illness, including alcoholic cirrhosis. (just noticed in an older post you said he is T Total)

Regardless of that it sounds like he should be in hospital.

If in doubt call an ambulance.

[Dobielove in reply to Roy1955]

Hi Roy1955

Paying privately no insurance, his cirrhosis is not drug or Alcohol related.

I call for a ambulance when it happened as this was a new symptom and they came out and all they did was get him up with floor to the bed checked blood oxygen and glucose levels. The paramedic just said it was cirrhosis getting worst and was pointless taking him in, In our area the Hospital is at Critical capacity with patients on all corridors and have to an average of at least two days before we get a bed on a ward. I also rung his Liver nurses who got on the his Liver specialist Dr who had no Suggestion 🤷🏻‍♀️hence looking into me looking into see a specialist privately. He does have an appointment at the Liver specialist Hospital at James in Leeds but it is only in 5 weeks and it's get to the point were he is frightened to get of bed for fear for him blacking out again, he’s full of bruised everywhere.

Thanks for your reply I really appreciate it ❤️😘xxxDeb

[Roy1955]

I would not be happy to accept the paramedics "diagnosis".If YOU think he is getting worse call an ambulance again.

It's better to be waiting for a hospital bed than it is to be waiting for the undertaker!

[JPOM in reply to Roy1955]

Drink at least a half gallon of water daily and deep breathing exercises three times a day.

[Rshc]

I would suggest just going to A and E. My partner went through a big stretch last year of not being seen and eventually ended up being admitted for a week, I vowed then to make more of a fuss and if it gets to the point we are really worried just present ourselves at A and E. The worst that will happen is he gets checked and sent home.

[Dobielove in reply to Rshc]

Hi

He was seen in clinic with his liver specialist two weeks ago and he see his Liver nurse in the interim but as obviously not been able to go due to these blackouts rung them today as they will have to sort out blood test and blood pressure at home for him as he can’t stand or sit without blackout so no way I can get him to hospital safely I’m disabled myself which doesn't help the situation thanks for taking the time to reach out I really appreciate it hope things are going well with your health

Take Care ❤️😘xxx

[Ewife]

Hi, we used medical insurance initially and that's where he got his diagnosis. We was seen privately until he had his bleed and was referred to Leeds under the transplant team. So don't know if it will help your cause? We've ended up at A and E once since his bleed ( an episode of jaundice/covid), and I said after that experience next time I'd drive to St James A and E instead! Everyone seems a bit scared and in awe when you say youre under the transplant team.ATB

Ewife

[Dobielove in reply to Ewife]

Hi Ewife

Thanks for your reply from want I found on the internet if we going private all they will do is the scans and tests he already had as He already as a diagnosis of cirrhosis and as an appointment to see the Transplant team at Leeds the first week in July, He is terrified of going the appointment anyway but now he started we these blackout he’s even more so. I rung his Liver nurse again today ( Rung last week when they started and his specialist had no advice or help🤷🏻‍♀️) to see if she can get in touch with his specialist again as I can’t believe there is no medication that can help with these blackout he can’t stand for more than 30 seconds before he blackouts and he even blackout just sit he being treated for Low blood and if get no joy I am go get on to PAL.

Hope things are good at your end and that you got or are waiting for the call for a match thank you so much for taking the time to reply to my question much appreciated ❤️😘xxxx

[Ewife in reply to Dobielove]

I would use your instinct though, if he has low blood pressure it could either be because he's losing volume or its been lowered by medication - generally speaking. (I'm not clinical, just using common sense) so I don't think you're worrying unnecessarily. Is his stool normal colour - might be a red flag to check for? Also, is he on BP meds for varices?

[Dobielove in reply to Ewife]

Hi Ewife

Yeah he's on blood pressure meds but not for varices he as postural hypertension Midodrine current dose 10mg three times daily the Specialist as been building them up Gradually since his last hospital stay when the water tablets bumetanide 2mg daily and spironolactone 100mg he been taking for only 2 weeks caused Kidney Failure he lost 40kg of fluid build up. He’s back on the Bumetanide but a lower dose of 1mg. He as been experiencing constant headaches which have stopped once the blackouts started, he does have an appointment for Leeds for a transplant assessment but I worry they will not consider him with latest episode ❤️😘xxx

[Alibaba80]

I go privately for a lot of appointments and for me personally, I get much better care and attention albeit probably because I am paying for it. But nonetheless I still get more time to ask questions and receive investigations that I request. I tend to be fobbed off and passed on a lot in the NHS....( just my opinion).

[Alibaba80]

What is your husband's current diagnosis? I also have low blood pressure due to my liver situation. Does he have a fast heart rate aswell?

[Dobielove in reply to Alibaba80]

Hi Alibaba80

Current diagnosis NAFLD Cirrhosis and yeah he as postural hypertension and as been experiencing constant headaches which have stopped once the blackouts started, he does have an appointment for Leeds for a transplant assessment but I worry they will not consider him with latest episode

Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions much appreciated and I things are good with you ❤️😘xxx

[mozlaw in reply to Dobielove]

when my father kept blacking out it was due to a heartproblem they kept him in butit was too late .because an ulcer burst as well as having a heart attack he lost so muchblood that he died .ith ink it would be good for someone to check hisheart .yes the paramedics kept bringig him back several times which was stupid.get him in hospital asap be4 it might be too late.

[Roy1955]

Go back to the Dr that prescribed Midodrine.

They prescribe a low dose to monitor for side effects and increase slowly but should be monitoring him in case the drug does not agree with him.

A known but rare side effect of that drug is possibly what your describing as blackouts.

Headache and fainting are serious side effects so get advice right away.

If you can't speak to the Dr today ask your pharmacist for advice.

mayoclinic.org/drugs-supple...

[Readlots]

Hi Debbie, I’d contact the Leeds transplant team direct, explain what’s happening, and ask for their advice.

[Dobielove in reply to Readlots]

Hi Readlots

Thanks for your private message going to email them tomorrow and see if they can advise Thank you so very much Really do appreciate you taking the time that's really nice of you to do ❤️😘xxxxx

[Ubwa]

I saw a private consultant when I had cirrhosis , moved over to NHS at TP time. He worked at the hospital too so was a bonus.

[Dobielove in reply to Ubwa]

Hi Ubwa

Thanks for your reply, he’s at the transplant stage now going to Leeds see the transplant specialist for all to see if he fit and bad enough to have the op

So from want I have researched myself on go private they would just do all the test he’s already had done as his as been diagnosed with cirrhosis as they don’t do transplant so I think it would be pointless to pay out to find out what we already know.

Hope your Transplant is going well and wish you the best of luck with everything

Thanks for getting the Time reply to reply most appreciated ❤️😘xxx