My husband, 60 y/o, was rushed to the hospital by ambulance due to weakness, jaundice, etc. Paramedics noticed his extended stomach, and asked if it was normal. He is quite slim.
He was jaundied, lethargic, and mentally out of it so to speak. He was dehyrated and during the hospital stay he recieved about thirty plus IV's w/potassium. His amomnia levels were high (84, latter rose to 94). While in the hospital they did a CT, 2 or 3 ultrasounds, numerous blood tests, and even a liver biopsy. The ascites became quite prominent with the IV's.
He was diagnosed with liver failure, Hepatic Encephalopathy after liver biopsy, also steatohepatitis with submassive necrosis, irregular islands of residual heptocytes showing marked fatty change are surrounded by young fibrous disease mixed acute and chronic inflmation, and condensed reticulin resulting from various unknown toxins. (Side note doc is checking for liver fluke due to our frquent travels to SE Asia).
Attending doctor (GI & Pathologist didn't agree with the pathology report. He performed a endoscpy where varices were detected. He told me my husband had advanced cirrohsis and had probably 2 years to a max of 7 years left IF he never drank and improved.
Doc then sent liver biopsy to a leading Liver Pathologist at UCSF (University California at San Francisco) which is a leading research hospital for further clarification. He told me a transplant was probable. The report came back that "there was a slight beginning of cirrhsis, fatty liver). OK this was an about face, or should I word it "save face" time foe the doctor.
Diet had been set to minimum animal protein, low sodium, etc. My husband is barely eating anything. Last visit doctor said it was OK for him to eat any meats.
It is very difficult to get him to eat or drink much water as he says he is full all the time.
Strangley the ultrasound and Metabolic blood panel results have not come back after 10 days. This is a large high rated hospital (top 100 Newsweek). Doc says "they weren't on his computer". OK, couldn't he call the hospital for the results? This is the third office visit with him. He also hasn't checked electrolytes UNTIL I demanded he do this. Blood work done the very next day.
He is going to double the diueretic after checking electrolytes as the ascites is not going down, although edema is less in ankles and feet. He has developed large red patchy areas on ankles and feet. Our doc says from lack of circulation. He is now using a cortisone cream which is helping.
Husband had an appointment w/our primary care doctor and wanted to know his amonia levels, and I said Dr. XYZ hasn't done any blood work to check that or electrolytes. AHEM! Just don't get it. This GI doc brags of his education, but does that really make him a good doctor??? Me thinks NOT! Now what? No liver specialists in our insurance covered group, and none closer than SF.
DH complains alot, snaps at me about "you don't expect me to eat all that do you?". Tat would be yelled with a 3 or 4 ounce serving of soup. He ate a few chunks of pineapple for breakfast, small amount of soup w/2 shrimp for lunch. Total calories by 4 PM today is less than 100, water less than 8 ounces.
What do I do????? He won't eat, says he can't. Weight is 178# Pre-hospitalization was 163#, went up to 183# with IV's. Normal was 175# for the previous 30 years or so.
Hope I don't sound like I am whinning........maybe I am...............
Dobra, but a worried wife
(post concussion syndrome) so the symtoms morphed from that to this! 