I am at my wits end my ex partner who we are still very close was diagnosed with cerousis of the liver stage 1 he has or had gorndus he was admitted to hospital 4weeks ago and his stomach needed draining because his stomach and feet we very swollen because it was over the weekend they wouldn't do it he was discharged after 2 days with just tablets then begun to be violently sick for 2 weeks then I had to ring an ambulance again over the weekend got to A & E but they had to take blood and after 6hrs no blood results He then was admitted to an emergency day ward they drained his stomach and 6.7l of fluid was extracted he was sent home still being sick. Over the next 2 weeks his stomach is swollen again. He was admitted to hospital but stomach not drained blood test done and sent home. He now refuses to take any tablets or go and have his stomach drained. I am at my wits end I don't know anything about liver illness or who to speak to even his immediate family have spoken to him. Any advice will be most welcome
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Hobsons
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Sad to say your friend is very poorly. This is beyond stage 1 cirrhosis and he's displaying symptoms of a very poorly, struggling liver which would be classified as 'decompensated'.
Ascites in the tummy, oedema in his legs and jaundice all show his liver isn't good. I take it the tablets he was discharged with were diuretics/water tablets to try to reduce the fluid build up. A low salt diet is required too and this may help prevent fluid retention.
It's odd that they have kept just discharging him, he needs to be referred to gastroenterology or better still hepatology (liver specialists).
What is the cause of his cirrhosis? Is he in denial about it and has he been compliant whilst in hospital?
Normally if you work with the doctors they will pull out all the stops to get a patient well. The danger of ascites is that the fluid can become infected and this can cause very major problems.
Thank you so much for your response he is not in denial and is totally aware he has never been rude to any doctors I was with him the first time he was admitted I went to see him on the Saturday day and asked the doctor if they were going to drain his stomach which was mentioned my the consultant in E & A on the Thursday night but the doctor on Saturday said no it cost to much money I was a bit dumb founded but he is a doctor and I am not then 1hr later he was discharged he then had it done a week and a half later apparently something is leaking somewhere so we are meant to belive. When he was released on the second time still no fluid drained even though his stomach was the same size as before they took same fluid from his stomach to see if it was infected now over a week not heard anything We are supposed to be flying to Greece on the 12/06/24 Don't know if he can no referral has been made just stuck in limbo but thank you so much for your reply
If your friend has ascites and jaundice as you describe then his cirrhosis is decompensated, and he most likely also has varices, swollen veins, in his oesophagus. These symptoms are all serious and under no circumstances should you even consider flying anywhere as varices can burst at altitude and he could die!
What is the cause of the cirrhosis do you know? Have they drunk alcohol heavily on a regular basis previously? Are they seeing a doctor regularly for these symptoms? Have they been advised to follow any advice like not drinking, eating a particular diet, taking a regular medication?
These symptoms are not in line with stage 1 cirrhosis. They are in line with someone who is very, very unwell and getting worse which means the liver is being inflamed by something.
With regard to your holiday, I would not be travelling, as previous poster has said it would be highly dangerous to fly and if you travelled with an undeclared medical condition you would void any travel insurance and could end up paying the medical bills. I would not be flying anywhere but would be badgering my GP regularly to understand the symptoms better. Just turning up at A&E is not enough, your GP needs to refer your partner to a liver specialist urgently.
When did he get the original cirrhosis diagnosis. And has he followed any medical advice given since then e.g. avoiding alcohol or certain foods, taking prescribed medication etc?
He has had drink for 3 months his diet has been bad and had a problem taking tablets as had been violent sick when ate food or even a drink of water but that seems to have subsided over last 5 days he has stopped all tablets as he thinks his body can heal its self I having trying to get him to take the medication what the hospital gave him but he refuses I know he is stupid but he is stubborn
Any admission to hospital with new diagnosis of liver disease should get you an appointment in time with the gastrology dept at out patients and normally would begin 6 monthly tests to monitor. The fact the hospital have prescribed him dieretics means that they should be monitoring him. They also will of sent a letter to his doctor and a copy to him of their findings and his stay in hospital. I would get him to see his gp to go over anything and get them to directly chase the hospital. If he is having an adverse reaction to the medication the doctors should be working with him. Even though he is your ex partner being there for him as a good friend will really help him. Xx
Thank you all for guidance he going to the emergency day ward on Friday to drain his stomach and has an endoscopy next Tuesday and I am ring GP for any updates Thank you all for your guidance
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Newly diagnosed hubby feeling lost
Confused
Feeling helpless
