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about cirrhosis and ny husband

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Posted 1/9/2015 7:05 PM (GMT 0)
I don't quite know how to start. I really believe my husband has ALD/ESLD. He has a history of drinking hard liquor heavily. I have tried desperately for over 5 years to get him tested for cirrhosis to no avail. My husband has severe ascites. He had Gynocomastia. Every single time he has a bowel movement he stinks up the whole house. His bowel movements are gray to light tan, floaty ands greasy. It is like he is not absorbing fats and lipids. He has day/night sleep reversal. He also has Astirixis. He is very hard of hearing. The doctor's will not listen to me. He has also developed a nasty body odor. What gets me is that he thinks he is in good health! Another thing that gets me is that his LFT's have come back normal. He saw a GI doctor that told him that he has fluid on his abdomen and this doctor put him on a very very low dose of Spirinolactone. This water pill has not even touched the ascites! He is bigger than ever! He told my husband to cut down on his salt intake is all. He told my husband there is nothing wrong with his liver! He did no biopsy or anything! My husband thinks his health is prefect! I am at my words end with this man! Can anyone comment on what I should do? My husband is 67 years old.

Karhleen
Posted 1/9/2015 7:07 PM (GMT 0)
I forgot to mention my husband has drank very heavily for over 45 years.
Posted 1/9/2015 7:35 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome Karhleen, I am new here so I don't have any words of wisdom other than when you have time, read the posts by other members. My husband also thinks he is in perfect health! My husband refuses to go to the dr. so I just come on this site to read and educate myself, as I believe my husband may have cirrhosis and/or liver failure. You will find a wealth of information here. Good Luck to you.
Posted 1/9/2015 8:11 PM (GMT 0)
Your husband needs to see a Hepatologist. GI and Internal medicne doctors typically aren't qualified to diagnose and treat severe liver related issues. Please have the GI do a referral to nearest Hepatology clinic. I've went through much the same route he's going. Internal medicine doctor sent my labs out and incorrectly diagnosed me with Hep.C. and a GI doctor with a God complex figured he could treat me with low dose diuretics. Dang near killed me. I'm a ESLD survivor since 2007 due to alcoholism.
Posted 1/9/2015 8:12 PM (GMT 0)
You might want to think about Al Anon. He's in denial and is committing slow suicide.
Posted 1/9/2015 9:12 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lostlady, and Welcome to the Hep forum!

We are a group of those with liver disease, and those who love them. It sounds like you are very concerned about your husband's health and heavy drinking. If your husband's doctor said he did not have liver disease, perhaps a 2nd opinion is in order. I would question why the ascites...what is the diagnosis from his doctor?

Here is some info on ascites:

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001331/#adam_000286.disease.causes

Again, welcome. Big Hugs
Posted 1/9/2015 9:57 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all for your replies. I forgot to mention that he is also showing severe muscle wasting big time. He also has Hemangiomas. You see my father had Cirrhosis, but his was die to Anti-Tripsin Level A deficiency. My father did not drink. We were stunned when they told my mother that he had ESLD. I see a lot of the same symptoms he had with my husband. My husband also flat out refuses to even go near AA or any type of rehab. He says he does not have Cirrhosis, so it looks like there will be no transplant. This is his decision! He wants to be stubborn there is nothing I can do. I want to keep coming here.

Kathleen
Posted 1/11/2015 1:27 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome Kathleen,

Welcome to the Hep forum. I'm also new here and love it. In just a few days I have read and talked to such kind, informative people whom you can count on at any time. I keep coming back and will continue to do so too!

My parents (73,74) are alcoholics. They also deny that anything is wrong with them. But this is the kicker, they are both hospitalized as we speak due to complications of cirrhosis!

I have watched them commit a slow suicide, just like David said. A few years ago after pleading every time I talked to them, I finally accepted the fact that I will never change them. But I HAD to let them know how I felt and what they were doing to their bodies. So I ended up emailing them. They won't talk about it, so that's what I did to make MYSELF feel better, and for no other reason.

I didn't care if they deleted or not read it, but it took a load off of my shoulders.

If you ever want to talk or ask questions, I'm here and I'll try my best. I am going through what you are about to go through, or probably already are.

Hugs,
2W
Posted 1/11/2015 2:21 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you 2w.
I have just about given up on him and that is sad. We have been married for 32 years and he has drank heavy the whole time until this year with a few slip ups. He hasn't been drinking, because I told him that if he was going to continue drinking that it was over. I told him that either the bottle goes or he goes! When he tried to slip up I caught him and put an end to it. Hevhas drank heavy for at least 45 years. He doesn't look well at all and flat out refuses any medical care. All I can do is sit back and hope he comes to his senses.

Kathleen
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