Guest guest Posted November 18, 2008 Report Share Posted November 18, 2008 I agree with you MaC. We've dealt with Ed's bleeding varices for 2 years now.....They're nothing to take lightly! When Ed was in the hospital in June with a bleed, by the time he had noticed blood in his stool...his hemoglobin was down to 8. Love,Jill We don't remember days, we remember moments. Life is not measured by the breaths we take,but by the moments that take our breath away. Thanks for the information. . I told him to lay there for awhile and to get up slowly. In the morning I'll ask him if he it was that way again. If so going to call the Dr. He was just in for a check up last friday and did all the labs. They have told him he is not a candidate for a transplant. We are just going day by day. Hoping for some improvement so he will feel better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 18, 2008 Report Share Posted November 18, 2008 I'll really have to watch for any signs of bleeding . the Drs at the VA really never told me what to look for except that he could bleed from his mouth or stools. I'll have to tell him to watch his stools as I don't see those usually. ________________________________ To: livercirrhosissupport Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2008 6:58:13 AM Subject: Re: Bonnie I agree with you MaC. We've dealt with Ed's bleeding varices for 2 years now.....They' re nothing to take lightly! When Ed was in the hospital in June with a bleed, by the time he had noticed blood in his stool...his hemoglobin was down to 8. Love,Jill We don't remember days, we remember moments. Life is not measured by the breaths we take,but by the moments that take our breath away. Thanks for the information. . I told him to lay there for awhile and to get up slowly. In the morning I'll ask him if he it was that way again. If so going to call the Dr. He was just in for a check up last friday and did all the labs. They have told him he is not a candidate for a transplant. We are just going day by day. Hoping for some improvement so he will feel better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 18, 2008 Report Share Posted November 18, 2008 You go to the VA? Lyncia In life family and friends take us on all kinds of adventures, God helps us choose our path....Enjoy your journey! Thanks for the information. . I told him to lay there for awhile and to get up slowly. In the morning I'll ask him if he it was that way again. If so going to call the Dr. He was just in for a check up last friday and did all the labs. They have told him he is not a candidate for a transplant. We are just going day by day. Hoping for some improvement so he will feel better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 18, 2008 Report Share Posted November 18, 2008 So far the sugar level has been okay at the last Dr visit last Friday but that could change too. ________________________________ To: livercirrhosissupport Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2008 3:47:14 AM Subject: Re: Bonnie I have diabeltes and do blood monitoring 4 times a day with it and also visit the correct doctors when needed. In July I had a vessel that was bleeding causing me to se a dark circle and the special..... forfot what they called him. It was casused from too high sugar that the liver was not processing. Lyncia In life family and friends take us on all kinds of adventures, God helps us choose our path.....Enjoy your journey! Thanks for the information. I told him to lay there for awhile and to get up slowly. In the morning I'll ask him if he it was that way again. If so going to call the Dr. He was just in for a check up last friday and did all the labs. They have told him he is not a candidate for a transplant. We are just going day by day. Hoping for some improvement so he will feel better. ____________ _________ _________ __ From: abijann <no_reply@yahoogrou p s.com> To: livercirrhosissuppo rtyahoogroups (DOT) com Sent: Monday, November 17, 2008 9:44:50 PM Subject: Bonnie It may be coming from his encephalopathy or it could be a number of other things also. It could be the sugar level in his blood, his blood pressure dropping down, or becoming dehydrated, and there are others. The doctor needs to know this is happening as soon as possible. It could be vertigo also. When he wakes in the morning, he should lie in bed with his eyes close for just a minute before rising. When he goes to get up, he should put his legs out over the side and just sit there for a little bit before trying to get up. Some people have a problem with getting up too fast and the blood pressure dropping down because of it. He should not try to get up if he feels dizzy in anyway. No one here can tell you for sure what is going on. I have vertigo. This is where the room feels like it is spinning around and at times I cannot focus. I do this above and I also put warm wet washcloth soaks on my eyes to relax the muscle of my eyes. I wet a washcloth with very warm water and then place it over my closed eyes and the steam help to relax the muscle in the eye. You could try this and see if it helps him also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 18, 2008 Report Share Posted November 18, 2008 Yes he doctors at the VA at one location and they are only outpatient anymore so when he had to have his heart surgery they sent him to the VA in MN for that and when he has to be hospitalized for the ascites they had him go to Omaha. ________________________________ To: livercirrhosissupport Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2008 8:22:19 AM Subject: Re: Bonnie You go to the VA? Lyncia In life family and friends take us on all kinds of adventures, God helps us choose our path....Enjoy your journey! Thanks for the information. . I told him to lay there for awhile and to get up slowly. In the morning I'll ask him if he it was that way again. If so going to call the Dr. He was just in for a check up last friday and did all the labs. They have told him he is not a candidate for a transplant. We are just going day by day. Hoping for some improvement so he will feel better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 18, 2008 Report Share Posted November 18, 2008 Thanks I'll watch for any sign of the blood then. They haven't banded him but said he may have to have it done after they did the endoscopy on him in the hospital . ________________________________ To: livercirrhosissupport Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2008 12:25:45 AM Subject: Re: Bonnie When my husband's varices started to bleed, he would just have a little blood in his mouth in the mornings. He thought it was just his gums bleeding or something. I kept telling him it was too much blood and too dard for that. He ended up in the hospital for other reasons and I told the doctor about the bleeding. He immediately sent my husband to the GI lab and performed an endoscopy on him. He found numerous bleeds and banded several (sorry, don't remember exact number) vessels. Watch for the presence of ANY blood in his mouth, especially if it is dark blood as opposed to fresh looking red blood. Hugs........ ... Diane ____________ _________ _________ __ From: Bonnie Luebbe <blouleyahoo (DOT) com> To: livercirrhosissuppo rtyahoogroups (DOT) com Sent: Monday, November 17, 2008 11:52:27 PM Subject: Re: Bonnie Thanks for telling me. No they just said to watch for blood from the mouth or stools. I wouldn't have known to watch for that part. I'll have to really observe. and I'll tell him too when he has his stools to watch for it as I don't see those usually. They just said if I said it to get to the hospital right away. ____________ _________ _________ __ From: MaC <mac0184yahoo (DOT) com> To: livercirrhosissuppo rtyahoogroups (DOT) com Sent: Monday, November 17, 2008 11:47:37 PM Subject: Re: Bonnie Ok, my spidey sense just went off! Did they even tell you what the vomit or stools would like? Did they say that most bleeds go unnoticed and are a leading cause of death in cirrhotic patients with bleeding varices? Varices are a life threatening problem and sometimes leave no signs. Having blood looking stools or tarry looking stools is a warning sign of bleeding in the lower intestine. Coffee ground looking vomit is associated with blood in the upper digestive tract/stomach. 911 should be called if you see this. MaC Bonnie Luebbe <blouleyahoo (DOT) com> wrote: They just said he may vomit some blood or it could pass out his bowels. Really didn't tell me other signs to watch for on it. I haven't taken his temp.. that's a good idea. ____________ _________ _________ __ From: MaC <mac0184yahoo (DOT) com> To: livercirrhosissuppo rtyahoogroups (DOT) com Sent: Monday, November 17, 2008 11:26:47 PM Subject: Re: Bonnie Did they tell you what to look for if the varices do bleed? Sometimes there are very little warning signs. One would be abdominal pain and trouble swallowing though. Have you taken his temperature? Is it normal range? If it gets real low, that is a cause for alarm. MaC Bonnie Luebbe <blouleyahoo (DOT) com> wrote: yes, they did the endoscopy in the hospital and they did find varices so they told me to watch for it and to take him to ER right away if he should bleed from them. At the Drs they have acouple pages of lab tests on him. His sodium was low, Bilirubin was some elevated at 1.6, alk was 237, the urine urobilinogen was 3 which they said was high. All the others look like they are in the normal range. ____________ _________ _________ __ From: MaC <mac0184yahoo (DOT) com> To: livercirrhosissuppo rtyahoogroups (DOT) com Sent: Monday, November 17, 2008 11:14:40 PM Subject: Re: Bonnie They did an endoscopy? Did they find varices? On his visit, did they do any lab tests? Do you know which ones? MaC Bonnie Luebbe <blouleyahoo (DOT) com> wrote: he was in this last Friday and he told the Dr about his pain and he gave him propoxyphene to take for it. They put the probe down into his esophagus to check it out before he left the hospital and said he may have trouble with that and bleed from it and to watch for that . So far that hasn't happened.. ____________ _________ _________ __ From: MaC <mac0184yahoo (DOT) com> To: livercirrhosissuppo rtyahoogroups (DOT) com Sent: Monday, November 17, 2008 10:37:31 PM Subject: Re: Bonnie When was the last time he has seen a doctor? I am worried about the statement, stomach/back pain with trouble swallowing. MaC Bonnie Luebbe <blouleyahoo (DOT) com> wrote: They did a glucose test and it was 98. They said he wasn't diabetic yet anyway. He quit drinking alcohol in April when he had the ascites so bad and in the hospital. They told him at that time he had cirrhosis. They didn't tap him then though and sent him home with duretics. They didn't help and kept getting worse. In Oct. he passed out at home. When he was admitted to ER they said he had liver failure and severe renal failure and his kidneys had shut down. They didn't expect him to make it through the night. After being in the hospital for 2 weeks his kidneys started to function again. T They drained off 7 liters of fluid and took more off with duretics. He lost 66 lbs from Oct until now! He's not eating much, pretty weak, sleeps alot, complains of his stomach & back hurting, and has trouble swallowing sometimes. He also has congestive heart failure. they said beings his other organs were in such bad shape he wouldn't qualify for a transplant as they didn't think he could make it through the surgery. ____________ _________ _________ __ From: MaC <mac0184yahoo (DOT) com> To: livercirrhosissuppo rtyahoogroups (DOT) com Sent: Monday, November 17, 2008 10:11:29 PM Subject: Re: Bonnie Bonnie, I was doing some reading and being that Cirrhosis can cause diabetic problems and even diabetes you may want to ask the doctors if they have done a glucose test for diabetes. Diabetes can cause eye problems. My wife was given a referral to an eye doctor to actually rule out diabetes when she was being treated for her cirrhosis. It's unfortunate to hear your husband was told he was not a candidate. Was he told this by a transplant hospital/team or transplant doctor? Did they give a reason? MaC Bonnie Luebbe <blouleyahoo (DOT) com> wrote: Thanks for the information. . I told him to lay there for awhile and to get up slowly. In the morning I'll ask him if he it was that way again. If so going to call the Dr. He was just in for a check up last friday and did all the labs. They have told him he is not a candidate for a transplant. We are just going day by day. Hoping for some improvement so he will feel better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 18, 2008 Report Share Posted November 18, 2008 The local Dr at the VA he goes to as an outpatient told him that and the various Drs he had at the VA in the last hospital visit also told him that. When he goes to the VA hospital in Omaha it seems he has a different Dr come in every morning. At the local VA outpatient clinic he Drs with only one that has treated him for several years for high blood pressure, and his heart, ________________________________ To: Livercirrhosissupport <livercirrhosissupport > Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2008 12:23:18 AM Subject: Re: Bonnie Bonnie, this is very important, but who are they? If it wasn't a hepatologist at a transplant hospital, you might not have gotten geed info. I have no reason to doubt your doctor, except all the people Here I know who didn't get a transplant who could have. Only a transplant surgeon can make the call for sure. LOve. BObby Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile Bonnie It may be coming from his encephalopathy or it could be a number of other things also. It could be the sugar level in his blood, his blood pressure dropping down, or becoming dehydrated, and there are others. The doctor needs to know this is happening as soon as possible. It could be vertigo also. When he wakes in the morning, he should lie in bed with his eyes close for just a minute before rising. When he goes to get up, he should put his legs out over the side and just sit there for a little bit before trying to get up. Some people have a problem with getting up too fast and the blood pressure dropping down because of it. He should not try to get up if he feels dizzy in anyway. No one here can tell you for sure what is going on. I have vertigo. This is where the room feels like it is spinning around and at times I cannot focus. I do this above and I also put warm wet washcloth soaks on my eyes to relax the muscle of my eyes. I wet a washcloth with very warm water and then place it over my closed eyes and the steam help to relax the muscle in the eye. You could try this and see if it helps him also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 18, 2008 Report Share Posted November 18, 2008 I've been reading all I can on this disease too. The Dr's in Omaha said his liver is scarred so bad it's not absorbing the fluids and they are going out into his body and will have to be tapped again. They didn't say he might have to be they said he will have to be. They told him that it depends on how badly the liver is damaged as it can rejuvenate itself but his is beyond that point where it can. ________________________________ To: livercirrhosissupport Sent: Monday, November 17, 2008 11:56:18 PM Subject: Re: Bonnie Bonnie, I am not a doctor, but I read a lot and my wife passed from this disease so I've experienced it but my thoughts or opinions cannot replace that of your doctor. Ok? His liver enzymes according to these tests may be good news or be the result of the liver shrinking in size. Sometimes, liver tests will look normal after the liver loses mass. MaC Bonnie Luebbe <blouleyahoo (DOT) com> wrote: At the Dr office last friday I see the creatinine was .8, the BUN 14. when they took them in the hospital his creatinine was 5 when we went in and dismissed it was 2..5. don't have the bun reading in the hospital . in the hospital his ast ws 1315 when entering and 209 when he left. now it is down to 29. and his alt was 104 and 109 when he left hospital and that is also down to 29 now. They didn't give us any other lab test results when we left the hospital. ____________ _________ _________ __ From: MaC <mac0184yahoo (DOT) com> To: livercirrhosissuppo rtyahoogroups (DOT) com Sent: Monday, November 17, 2008 11:28:19 PM Subject: Re: Bonnie Do you see a BUN reading or Creatinine? Bonnie Luebbe <blouleyahoo (DOT) com> wrote: I see on the other page of lab tests his MCV was high at 103, MCH was 35 which is alittle high, RDW was 15.8 which is alittle high, Newtrophil was 76.7 which is just above the normal level, and the Lymphocyte was low at 12..5 and the Urine specifcic gravity was 1.014 which is low. ____________ _________ _________ __ From: MaC <mac0184yahoo (DOT) com> To: livercirrhosissuppo rtyahoogroups (DOT) com Sent: Monday, November 17, 2008 11:14:40 PM Subject: Re: Bonnie They did an endoscopy? Did they find varices? On his visit, did they do any lab tests? Do you know which ones? MaC Bonnie Luebbe <blouleyahoo (DOT) com> wrote: he was in this last Friday and he told the Dr about his pain and he gave him propoxyphene to take for it. They put the probe down into his esophagus to check it out before he left the hospital and said he may have trouble with that and bleed from it and to watch for that . So far that hasn't happened.. ____________ _________ _________ __ From: MaC <mac0184yahoo (DOT) com> To: livercirrhosissuppo rtyahoogroups (DOT) com Sent: Monday, November 17, 2008 10:37:31 PM Subject: Re: Bonnie When was the last time he has seen a doctor? I am worried about the statement, stomach/back pain with trouble swallowing. MaC Bonnie Luebbe <blouleyahoo (DOT) com> wrote: They did a glucose test and it was 98. They said he wasn't diabetic yet anyway. He quit drinking alcohol in April when he had the ascites so bad and in the hospital. They told him at that time he had cirrhosis. They didn't tap him then though and sent him home with duretics. They didn't help and kept getting worse. In Oct. he passed out at home. When he was admitted to ER they said he had liver failure and severe renal failure and his kidneys had shut down. They didn't expect him to make it through the night. After being in the hospital for 2 weeks his kidneys started to function again. T They drained off 7 liters of fluid and took more off with duretics. He lost 66 lbs from Oct until now! He's not eating much, pretty weak, sleeps alot, complains of his stomach & back hurting, and has trouble swallowing sometimes. He also has congestive heart failure. they said beings his other organs were in such bad shape he wouldn't qualify for a transplant as they didn't think he could make it through the surgery. ____________ _________ _________ __ From: MaC <mac0184yahoo (DOT) com> To: livercirrhosissuppo rtyahoogroups (DOT) com Sent: Monday, November 17, 2008 10:11:29 PM Subject: Re: Bonnie Bonnie, I was doing some reading and being that Cirrhosis can cause diabetic problems and even diabetes you may want to ask the doctors if they have done a glucose test for diabetes. Diabetes can cause eye problems. My wife was given a referral to an eye doctor to actually rule out diabetes when she was being treated for her cirrhosis. It's unfortunate to hear your husband was told he was not a candidate. Was he told this by a transplant hospital/team or transplant doctor? Did they give a reason? MaC Bonnie Luebbe <blouleyahoo (DOT) com> wrote: Thanks for the information. . I told him to lay there for awhile and to get up slowly. In the morning I'll ask him if he it was that way again. If so going to call the Dr. He was just in for a check up last friday and did all the labs. They have told him he is not a candidate for a transplant. We are just going day by day. Hoping for some improvement so he will feel better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 18, 2008 Report Share Posted November 18, 2008 Mine changes so frequently high / low. Hope you have a monitoring machince. If not, go get one. They are cheap, but the test strips are expensive. The doctor should be able to give you a presp for that. Lyncia In life family and friends take us on all kinds of adventures, God helps us choose our path....Enjoy your journey! Thanks for the information. I told him to lay there for awhile and to get up slowly. In the morning I'll ask him if he it was that way again. If so going to call the Dr. He was just in for a check up last friday and did all the labs. They have told him he is not a candidate for a transplant. We are just going day by day. Hoping for some improvement so he will feel better. ____________ _________ _________ __ From: abijann <no_reply@yahoogrou p s.com> To: livercirrhosissuppo rtyahoogroups (DOT) com Sent: Monday, November 17, 2008 9:44:50 PM Subject: Bonnie It may be coming from his encephalopathy or it could be a number of other things also. It could be the sugar level in his blood, his blood pressure dropping down, or becoming dehydrated, and there are others. The doctor needs to know this is happening as soon as possible. It could be vertigo also. When he wakes in the morning, he should lie in bed with his eyes close for just a minute before rising. When he goes to get up, he should put his legs out over the side and just sit there for a little bit before trying to get up. Some people have a problem with getting up too fast and the blood pressure dropping down because of it. He should not try to get up if he feels dizzy in anyway. No one here can tell you for sure what is going on. I have vertigo. This is where the room feels like it is spinning around and at times I cannot focus. I do this above and I also put warm wet washcloth soaks on my eyes to relax the muscle of my eyes. I wet a washcloth with very warm water and then place it over my closed eyes and the steam help to relax the muscle in the eye. You could try this and see if it helps him also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 18, 2008 Report Share Posted November 18, 2008 I agree. Get your husband to an hepatologist.and see what is said....if you can....... Lyncia In life family and friends take us on all kinds of adventures, God helps us choose our path....Enjoy your journey! Subject: Re: Bonnie To: livercirrhosissupport Date: Tuesday, November 18, 2008, 8:34 AM The local Dr at the VA he goes to as an outpatient told him that and the various Drs he had at the VA in the last hospital visit also told him that. When he goes to the VA hospital in Omaha it seems he has a different Dr come in every morning. At the local VA outpatient clinic he Drs with only one that has treated him for several years for high blood pressure, and his heart, ____________ _________ _________ __ From: " robwalkingeagle@ yahoo.com " <robwalkingeagle@ yahoo.com> To: Livercirrhosissuppo rt <livercirrhosissuppo rtyahoogroups (DOT) com> Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2008 12:23:18 AM Subject: Re: Bonnie Bonnie, this is very important, but who are they? If it wasn't a hepatologist at a transplant hospital, you might not have gotten geed info. I have no reason to doubt your doctor, except all the people Here I know who didn't get a transplant who could have. Only a transplant surgeon can make the call for sure. LOve. BObby Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile Bonnie It may be coming from his encephalopathy or it could be a number of other things also. It could be the sugar level in his blood, his blood pressure dropping down, or becoming dehydrated, and there are others. The doctor needs to know this is happening as soon as possible. It could be vertigo also. When he wakes in the morning, he should lie in bed with his eyes close for just a minute before rising. When he goes to get up, he should put his legs out over the side and just sit there for a little bit before trying to get up. Some people have a problem with getting up too fast and the blood pressure dropping down because of it. He should not try to get up if he feels dizzy in anyway. No one here can tell you for sure what is going on. I have vertigo. This is where the room feels like it is spinning around and at times I cannot focus. I do this above and I also put warm wet washcloth soaks on my eyes to relax the muscle of my eyes. I wet a washcloth with very warm water and then place it over my closed eyes and the steam help to relax the muscle in the eye. You could try this and see if it helps him also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 18, 2008 Report Share Posted November 18, 2008 Maybe his sugar level does go up and down like that too and that could cause the eye problem. The last Dr visit on Friday he didn't mention to watch that as his level was okay at the visit. Lyncia To: livercirrhosissupport Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2008 8:40:27 AM Subject: Re: Bonnie Mine changes so frequently high / low. Hope you have a monitoring machince. If not, go get one. They are cheap, but the test strips are expensive. The doctor should be able to give you a presp for that. Lyncia In life family and friends take us on all kinds of adventures, God helps us choose our path....Enjoy your journey! Thanks for the information. I told him to lay there for awhile and to get up slowly. In the morning I'll ask him if he it was that way again. If so going to call the Dr. He was just in for a check up last friday and did all the labs. They have told him he is not a candidate for a transplant. We are just going day by day. Hoping for some improvement so he will feel better. ____________ _________ _________ __ From: abijann <no_reply@yahoogrou p s.com> To: livercirrhosissuppo rtyahoogroups (DOT) com Sent: Monday, November 17, 2008 9:44:50 PM Subject: Bonnie It may be coming from his encephalopathy or it could be a number of other things also. It could be the sugar level in his blood, his blood pressure dropping down, or becoming dehydrated, and there are others. The doctor needs to know this is happening as soon as possible. It could be vertigo also. When he wakes in the morning, he should lie in bed with his eyes close for just a minute before rising. When he goes to get up, he should put his legs out over the side and just sit there for a little bit before trying to get up. Some people have a problem with getting up too fast and the blood pressure dropping down because of it. He should not try to get up if he feels dizzy in anyway. No one here can tell you for sure what is going on. I have vertigo. This is where the room feels like it is spinning around and at times I cannot focus. I do this above and I also put warm wet washcloth soaks on my eyes to relax the muscle of my eyes. I wet a washcloth with very warm water and then place it over my closed eyes and the steam help to relax the muscle in the eye. You could try this and see if it helps him also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 18, 2008 Report Share Posted November 18, 2008 hi bonnie i dont believe we've met ,i am barby caregiver to my husband bobby glen, i just wanted to tell you that you and your hubby are in my prayers,whats his name if you dont mind me asking.i am glad you are here with us and i wish you all the very best,much love barby- -- In livercirrhosissupport , Bonnie Luebbe wrote: > > I've been reading all I can on this disease too. The Dr's in Omaha said his liver is scarred so bad it's not absorbing the fluids and they are going out into his body and will have to be tapped again. They didn't say he might have to be they said he will have to be. They told him that it depends on how badly the liver is damaged as it can rejuvenate itself but his is beyond that point where it can. > > > > > ________________________________ > > To: livercirrhosissupport > Sent: Monday, November 17, 2008 11:56:18 PM > Subject: Re: Bonnie > > > Bonnie, > I am not a doctor, but I read a lot and my wife passed from this disease so I've experienced it but my thoughts or opinions cannot replace that of your doctor. Ok? His liver enzymes according to these tests may be good news or be the result of the liver shrinking in size. Sometimes, liver tests will look normal after the liver loses mass. > > MaC > > Bonnie Luebbe <blouleyahoo (DOT) com> wrote: At the Dr office last friday I see the creatinine was .8, the BUN 14. when they took them in the hospital his creatinine was 5 when we went in and dismissed it was 2..5. don't have the bun reading in the hospital . in the hospital his ast ws 1315 when entering and 209 when he left. now it is down to 29. and his alt was 104 and 109 when he left hospital and that is also down to 29 now. They didn't give us any other lab test results when we left the hospital. > > ____________ _________ _________ __ > From: MaC <mac0184yahoo (DOT) com> > To: livercirrhosissuppo rtyahoogroups (DOT) com > Sent: Monday, November 17, 2008 11:28:19 PM > Subject: Re: Bonnie > > Do you see a BUN reading or Creatinine? > > Bonnie Luebbe <blouleyahoo (DOT) com> wrote: I see on the other page of lab tests his MCV was high at 103, MCH was 35 which is alittle high, RDW was 15.8 which is alittle high, Newtrophil was 76.7 which is just above the normal level, and the Lymphocyte was low at 12..5 and the Urine specifcic gravity was 1.014 which is low. > > ____________ _________ _________ __ > From: MaC <mac0184yahoo (DOT) com> > To: livercirrhosissuppo rtyahoogroups (DOT) com > Sent: Monday, November 17, 2008 11:14:40 PM > Subject: Re: Bonnie > > They did an endoscopy? Did they find varices? > On his visit, did they do any lab tests? Do you know which ones? > > MaC > > Bonnie Luebbe <blouleyahoo (DOT) com> wrote: he was in this last Friday and he told the Dr about his pain and he gave him propoxyphene to take for it. They put the probe down into his esophagus to check it out before he left the hospital and said he may have trouble with that and bleed from it and to watch for that . So far that hasn't happened.. > > ____________ _________ _________ __ > From: MaC <mac0184yahoo (DOT) com> > To: livercirrhosissuppo rtyahoogroups (DOT) com > Sent: Monday, November 17, 2008 10:37:31 PM > Subject: Re: Bonnie > > When was the last time he has seen a doctor? I am worried about the statement, stomach/back pain with trouble swallowing. > > MaC > > Bonnie Luebbe <blouleyahoo (DOT) com> wrote: They did a glucose test and it was 98. They said he wasn't diabetic yet anyway. He quit drinking alcohol in April when he had the ascites so bad and in the hospital. They told him at that time he had cirrhosis. They didn't tap him then though and sent him home with duretics. They didn't help and kept getting worse. In Oct. he passed out at home. When he was admitted to ER they said he had liver failure and severe renal failure and his kidneys had shut down. They didn't expect him to make it through the night. After being in the hospital for 2 weeks his kidneys started to function again. T They drained off 7 liters of fluid and took more off with duretics. He lost 66 lbs from Oct until now! He's not eating much, pretty weak, sleeps alot, complains of his stomach & back hurting, and has trouble swallowing sometimes. He also has congestive heart failure. they said beings his other organs were in such bad > shape he wouldn't qualify for a transplant as they > didn't think he could make it through the surgery. > > ____________ _________ _________ __ > From: MaC <mac0184yahoo (DOT) com> > To: livercirrhosissuppo rtyahoogroups (DOT) com > Sent: Monday, November 17, 2008 10:11:29 PM > Subject: Re: Bonnie > > Bonnie, > I was doing some reading and being that Cirrhosis can cause diabetic problems and even diabetes you may want to ask the doctors if they have done a glucose test for diabetes. Diabetes can cause eye problems. My wife was given a referral to an eye doctor to actually rule out diabetes when she was being treated for her cirrhosis. > > It's unfortunate to hear your husband was told he was not a candidate. Was he told this by a transplant hospital/team or transplant doctor? Did they give a reason? > > MaC > > Bonnie Luebbe <blouleyahoo (DOT) com> wrote: Thanks for the information. . I told him to lay there for awhile and to get up slowly. In the morning I'll ask him if he it was that way again. If so going to call the Dr. He was just in for a check up last friday and did all the labs. They have told him he is not a candidate for a transplant. We are just going day by day. Hoping for some improvement so he will feel better. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 18, 2008 Report Share Posted November 18, 2008 That may be it. The higher the sugar, the worse the eyesight. Lyncia In life family and friends take us on all kinds of adventures, God helps us choose our path....Enjoy your journey! Thanks for the information. I told him to lay there for awhile and to get up slowly. In the morning I'll ask him if he it was that way again. If so going to call the Dr. He was just in for a check up last friday and did all the labs. They have told him he is not a candidate for a transplant. We are just going day by day. Hoping for some improvement so he will feel better. ____________ _________ _________ __ From: abijann <no_reply@yahoogrou p s.com> To: livercirrhosissuppo rtyahoogroups (DOT) com Sent: Monday, November 17, 2008 9:44:50 PM Subject: Bonnie It may be coming from his encephalopathy or it could be a number of other things also. It could be the sugar level in his blood, his blood pressure dropping down, or becoming dehydrated, and there are others. The doctor needs to know this is happening as soon as possible. It could be vertigo also. When he wakes in the morning, he should lie in bed with his eyes close for just a minute before rising. When he goes to get up, he should put his legs out over the side and just sit there for a little bit before trying to get up. Some people have a problem with getting up too fast and the blood pressure dropping down because of it. He should not try to get up if he feels dizzy in anyway. No one here can tell you for sure what is going on. I have vertigo. This is where the room feels like it is spinning around and at times I cannot focus. I do this above and I also put warm wet washcloth soaks on my eyes to relax the muscle of my eyes. I wet a washcloth with very warm water and then place it over my closed eyes and the steam help to relax the muscle in the eye. You could try this and see if it helps him also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 18, 2008 Report Share Posted November 18, 2008 This is what we are going thru with Ed right now. He was seeing double.....went to the opthomologist and she called it a sixth nerve palsy, due to his diabetes--the blood supply to his 6th cranial nerve was compromised because of his high blood sugars. but the good news is, it is getting better and will go back to normal. The bad news is , Ed has to be really good about his blood sugar levels or it coulod happen again! Love,Jill We don't remember days, we remember moments. Life is not measured by the breaths we take,but by the moments that take our breath away. Thanks for the information. I told him to lay there for awhile and to get up slowly. In the morning I'll ask him if he it was that way again. If so going to call the Dr. He was just in for a check up last friday and did all the labs. They have told him he is not a candidate for a transplant. We are just going day by day. Hoping for some improvement so he will feel better. ____________ _________ _________ __ From: abijann <no_reply@yahoogrou p s.com> To: livercirrhosissuppo rtyahoogroups (DOT) com Sent: Monday, November 17, 2008 9:44:50 PM Subject: Bonnie It may be coming from his encephalopathy or it could be a number of other things also. It could be the sugar level in his blood, his blood pressure dropping down, or becoming dehydrated, and there are others. The doctor needs to know this is happening as soon as possible. It could be vertigo also. When he wakes in the morning, he should lie in bed with his eyes close for just a minute before rising. When he goes to get up, he should put his legs out over the side and just sit there for a little bit before trying to get up. Some people have a problem with getting up too fast and the blood pressure dropping down because of it. He should not try to get up if he feels dizzy in anyway. No one here can tell you for sure what is going on. I have vertigo. This is where the room feels like it is spinning around and at times I cannot focus. I do this above and I also put warm wet washcloth soaks on my eyes to relax the muscle of my eyes. I wet a washcloth with very warm water and then place it over my closed eyes and the steam help to relax the muscle in the eye. You could try this and see if it helps him also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 18, 2008 Report Share Posted November 18, 2008 Bonnie - does he do more on the days he looks better? I have cirrhosis and coronary artery disease with 6 stents in my heart and just had triple bypass on April 14th. I have found it is best if I alternate my activies. The day after I have done something either strenuous for me or anything for a long period, even just riding in a car, I have to take the next day off. I could choose to have more days when I felt/looked good, but I wouldn't find my life very interesting that way. Could your husband be going through a similar cycle? Jan H > Thanks for the support. I've learned so much going through all of this > but then it seems have alot of questions yet. I don't think the Drs really > know as each person is different on how their bodies react to it. One day I > think he looks worse and the next better. Just get my hopes up some and then > realize I shouldn't. Up and down!!emotions run high! > > ________________________________ > From: diane chandler <dianechandler@... <dianechandler%40att.net>> > To: livercirrhosissupport <livercirrhosissupport%40yahoogroups.com> > Sent: Monday, November 17, 2008 11:16:11 PM > Subject: Re: Bonnie > > I know what you mean. My husband was told in Oct., 2007 that he had 6 > months at the outside. Well, that's been 13 months now and he's still > holding on. He's much sicker, but he's still here with me, thank the Lord. > This is a cruel disease and leaves family with so much uncertainty. Please > feel free to post anytime with questions or just to vent. We're all in the > same boat here just trying to lend support and comfort to each other till we > reach the other side. You are in my prayers. > > Hugs........ . > Diane > > ____________ _________ _________ __ > From: Bonnie Luebbe <blouleyahoo (DOT) com> > To: livercirrhosissuppo rtyahoogroups (DOT) com > Sent: Monday, November 17, 2008 11:10:32 PM > Subject: Re: Bonnie > > Yes, we have. Seems like it has all come on so fast but I'm sure it has > been going on for a long time before we knew it . He was working full time > even with the ascites getting so bad up until the day he passed out in Oct. > We were aware of the heart problem and he has quadruple bypass 3 years ago. > I know too that it can't go anywhere but down from here but you always hope > for a better day each day. The Dr told me in the hospital this may be the > best I will see him. But he has improved quite abit since then as he could > just get out of bed and walk about 6 ft is all at the end of the 2 weeks. > Now he can get around by himself so he has gained some strength back. > > ____________ _________ _________ __ > From: diane chandler <dianechandler@ att.net> > To: livercirrhosissuppo rtyahoogroups (DOT) com > Sent: Monday, November 17, 2008 11:01:46 PM > Subject: Re: Bonnie > > Bonnie, > It sounds like you've already been through a lot. Your husband has a lot > of problems that could affect his eyes. Diabetes and heart disease can both > affect the eyes. So, I would say you do need to call his doctor. I don't > want to sound discouraging, but it does sound as if your husband's condition > is entering a new stage. I am praying for you Bonnie and for your dear > husband. > > Hugs........ . > Diane > > ____________ _________ _________ __ > From: Bonnie Luebbe <blouleyahoo (DOT) com> > To: livercirrhosissuppo rtyahoogroups (DOT) com > Sent: Monday, November 17, 2008 10:26:51 PM > Subject: Re: Bonnie > > They did a glucose test and it was 98. They said he wasn't diabetic yet > anyway.. He quit drinking alcohol in April when he had the ascites so bad > and in the hospital. They told him at that time he had cirrhosis. They > didn't tap him then though and sent him home with duretics. They didn't help > and kept getting worse. In Oct. he passed out at home. When he was admitted > to ER they said he had liver failure and severe renal failure and his > kidneys had shut down. They didn't expect him to make it through the night. > After being in the hospital for 2 weeks his kidneys started to > function again. T They drained off 7 liters of fluid and took more off with > duretics. He lost 66 lbs from Oct until now! He's not eating much, pretty > weak, sleeps alot, complains of his stomach & back hurting, and has trouble > swallowing sometimes. He also has congestive heart failure. they said > beings his other organs were in such bad shape he wouldn't qualify for a > transplant as they > didn't think he could make it through the surgery. > > ____________ _________ _________ __ > From: MaC <mac0184yahoo (DOT) com> > To: livercirrhosissuppo rtyahoogroups (DOT) com > Sent: Monday, November 17, 2008 10:11:29 PM > Subject: Re: Bonnie > > Bonnie, > I was doing some reading and being that Cirrhosis can cause diabetic > problems and even diabetes you may want to ask the doctors if they have done > a glucose test for diabetes. Diabetes can cause eye problems. My wife was > given a referral to an eye doctor to actually rule out diabetes when she was > being treated for her cirrhosis. > > It's unfortunate to hear your husband was told he was not a candidate. Was > he told this by a transplant hospital/team or transplant doctor? Did they > give a reason? > > MaC > > Bonnie Luebbe <blouleyahoo (DOT) com> wrote: Thanks for the information. I > told him to lay there for awhile and to get up slowly. In the morning I'll > ask him if he it was that way again. If so going to call the Dr. He was just > in for a check up last friday and did all the labs. They have told him he is > not a candidate for a transplant... We are just going day by day. Hoping for > some improvement so he will feel better. > > ____________ _________ _________ __ > From: abijann <no_reply@yahoogrou p s.com> > To: livercirrhosissuppo rtyahoogroups (DOT) com > Sent: Monday, November 17, 2008 9:44:50 PM > Subject: Bonnie > > It may be coming from his encephalopathy or it could be a number > of other things also. It could be the sugar level in his blood, > his blood pressure dropping down, or becoming dehydrated, and there > are others. The doctor needs to know this is happening as soon as > possible.. It could be vertigo also. > > When he wakes in the morning, he should lie in bed with his eyes > close for just a minute before rising. When he goes to get > up, he should put his legs out over the side and just sit there > for a little bit before trying to get up. Some people have a problem > with getting up too fast and the blood pressure dropping down because > of it. He should not try to get up if he feels dizzy in anyway. > > No one here can tell you for sure what is going on. I have > vertigo. This is where the room feels like it is spinning around > and at times I cannot focus. I do this above and I also put warm > wet washcloth soaks on my eyes to relax the muscle of my eyes. > I wet a washcloth with very warm water and then place it over > my closed eyes and the steam help to relax the muscle in the eye. > You could try this and see if it helps him also. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 18, 2008 Report Share Posted November 18, 2008 Thank You-your email was very imformative. I will keep it and refer back to it. That does help me alot. Before he went to the hospital in Oct. he was getting the red blotches under the skin from the cells breaking and in the hospital they gave him vitamin K to help his blood clot. They do look better now but were up and down both arms pretty bad before. He also has PAD so both legs are real red dry and scaly and not alot of feeling. The left one they can't get a pulse on at all and the right one a slight one is all. He has had that problem quite awhile before the ascites started in. So his body is not in good shape. ________________________________ From: abijann <no_reply > To: livercirrhosissupport Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2008 12:52:06 PM Subject: Bonnie I'm going to explain a little here that may help you understand better what may be happening: Hemoglobin is the iron on the red blood cells, it is what oxygen hooks to to be carried throughout the body. Hemocrit is the amount of red blood cells that are in a sample of your blood. The doctors should watch these two levels closely as the MCV and MCH is high. The MCV shows the size of the red blood cell and the MCH shows the amount of hemoglobin on the red blood cells. This is a type of anemia...many patients with cirrhosis can develop anemias.. In Portal hypertension, varies can form. The blood that normally flows through the liver backs up now into the portal vein that carries the blood to the liver. This causes a pressure raise and forces this blood into vessels that normally doesn't handle this amount of blood. These vessels are usually located in the esophagus, rectum, and belly button area. What happens is these vessels, because they are not made to handle this blood...can have weak spots in them where the pressure pushes the blood hard against the wall of the vessel and pushes it outward. This almost looks like a balloon on the end of a straw. It can stretch so much until it bursts open. That is when the blood escapes. Any phlegm he coughs up should be checked to see if has any signs of anything that looks like streaks of pink or red in it. He can cough it up in a napkin. Blood that starts to dry can resemble coffee grounds. Bright red blood is oxygenated and purple color blood has loss some of it oxygen in it. It is all still blood. The reason why this is an emergency, is because this flow of blood has to be stopped or he could bleed to death.. it can cause internal bleeding also and also the loss of the blood that may need to be replaced by IV. People who have cirrhosis tend to bruise easily and have low platelet counts. You may see some bruising under the skin of these patients as their skin thins. This bruising under the skin slightly isn't much of a concern unless the bruising is quite large in nature. But the doctor should see this upon examination and take note of whether his blood is clotting well. Any open bleeding from the body, whether it be the rectum, mouth, belly button is an emergency. The doctor can try an go in and place bands around the varies and stop the bleeding. It is like taking a rubber band and strapping it around the end of the finger to shot off blood flow.. IF you have pets and notice that their tails are little stubs because the end of the tail has been removed...they do the same thing. Once the blood is shut off the tail ends dies and falls off. I'm sorry to hear that your husband cannot have the transplant. That is a very hard decision for the doctors to come to..but it should be made by either the transplant team of doctors or someone who is associated with them, like a hepatologist. They do alot of testing to come to this conclusion. It is true, that if the decision is made that he may not make it through surgery....they will deny the transplant be done. However, if his condition improves and they think otherwise... there is still a chance it will be done. I don't know how much you know about this disease. Any questions you have at all...I will try and others here will try to answer. __._,_..___ Messages in this topic (0) Reply (via web post) | Start a new topic Messages | Files | Photos | Links | Polls | Calendar Group Email: livercirrhosissupport web address: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/livercirrhosissupport/ MARKETPLACE ________________________________ From kitchen basics to easy recipes - join the Group from Kraft Foods Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required) Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch format to Traditional Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe Recent Activity * 9 New Members * 13 New Photos * 1 New LinksVisit Your Group Yahoo! Health Achy Joint? Common arthritis myths debunked. Meditation and Lovingkindness A Yahoo! Group to share and learn. Ads on Yahoo! Learn more now. Reach customers searching for you. .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 18, 2008 Report Share Posted November 18, 2008 He has been up more than when we first came back from the hospital but when we do go --which has only been to the Dr for a follow ups it does lay him up for a day afterwards. I think its because he is so weak that his body has to take a day after that to adjust again. he doesn't eat much at a time. so sometimes in the middle of the night he gets up to have a bowl of cereal.. We'll just go day by day and see how it goes. A person feels like you have to be on alert all the time for any changes. It does get stressful. ________________________________ To: livercirrhosissupport Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2008 12:25:51 PM Subject: Re: Bonnie Bonnie - does he do more on the days he looks better? I have cirrhosis and coronary artery disease with 6 stents in my heart and just had triple bypass on April 14th. I have found it is best if I alternate my activies. The day after I have done something either strenuous for me or anything for a long period, even just riding in a car, I have to take the next day off. I could choose to have more days when I felt/looked good, but I wouldn't find my life very interesting that way. Could your husband be going through a similar cycle? Jan H On Mon, Nov 17, 2008 at 10:29 PM, Bonnie Luebbe <blouleyahoo (DOT) com> wrote: > Thanks for the support. I've learned so much going through all of this > but then it seems have alot of questions yet. I don't think the Drs really > know as each person is different on how their bodies react to it. One day I > think he looks worse and the next better. Just get my hopes up some and then > realize I shouldn't. Up and down!!emotions run high! > > ____________ _________ _________ __ > From: diane chandler <dianechandler@ att.net <dianechandler% 40att.net> > > To: livercirrhosissuppo rtyahoogroups (DOT) com<livercirrhosissupp ort%40yahoogroup s.com> > Sent: Monday, November 17, 2008 11:16:11 PM > Subject: Re: Bonnie > > I know what you mean. My husband was told in Oct., 2007 that he had 6 > months at the outside. Well, that's been 13 months now and he's still > holding on. He's much sicker, but he's still here with me, thank the Lord. > This is a cruel disease and leaves family with so much uncertainty. Please > feel free to post anytime with questions or just to vent. We're all in the > same boat here just trying to lend support and comfort to each other till we > reach the other side. You are in my prayers. > > Hugs........ . > Diane > > ____________ _________ _________ __ > From: Bonnie Luebbe <blouleyahoo (DOT) com> > To: livercirrhosissuppo rtyahoogroups (DOT) com > Sent: Monday, November 17, 2008 11:10:32 PM > Subject: Re: Bonnie > > Yes, we have. Seems like it has all come on so fast but I'm sure it has > been going on for a long time before we knew it . He was working full time > even with the ascites getting so bad up until the day he passed out in Oct. > We were aware of the heart problem and he has quadruple bypass 3 years ago. > I know too that it can't go anywhere but down from here but you always hope > for a better day each day. The Dr told me in the hospital this may be the > best I will see him. But he has improved quite abit since then as he could > just get out of bed and walk about 6 ft is all at the end of the 2 weeks. > Now he can get around by himself so he has gained some strength back. > > ____________ _________ _________ __ > From: diane chandler <dianechandler@ att.net> > To: livercirrhosissuppo rtyahoogroups (DOT) com > Sent: Monday, November 17, 2008 11:01:46 PM > Subject: Re: Bonnie > > Bonnie, > It sounds like you've already been through a lot. Your husband has a lot > of problems that could affect his eyes. Diabetes and heart disease can both > affect the eyes. So, I would say you do need to call his doctor. I don't > want to sound discouraging, but it does sound as if your husband's condition > is entering a new stage. I am praying for you Bonnie and for your dear > husband. > > Hugs........ . > Diane > > ____________ _________ _________ __ > From: Bonnie Luebbe <blouleyahoo (DOT) com> > To: livercirrhosissuppo rtyahoogroups (DOT) com > Sent: Monday, November 17, 2008 10:26:51 PM > Subject: Re: Bonnie > > They did a glucose test and it was 98. They said he wasn't diabetic yet > anyway.. He quit drinking alcohol in April when he had the ascites so bad > and in the hospital. They told him at that time he had cirrhosis. They > didn't tap him then though and sent him home with duretics. They didn't help > and kept getting worse. In Oct. he passed out at home. When he was admitted > to ER they said he had liver failure and severe renal failure and his > kidneys had shut down. They didn't expect him to make it through the night. > After being in the hospital for 2 weeks his kidneys started to > function again. T They drained off 7 liters of fluid and took more off with > duretics. He lost 66 lbs from Oct until now! He's not eating much, pretty > weak, sleeps alot, complains of his stomach & back hurting, and has trouble > swallowing sometimes. He also has congestive heart failure. they said > beings his other organs were in such bad shape he wouldn't qualify for a > transplant as they > didn't think he could make it through the surgery. > > ____________ _________ _________ __ > From: MaC <mac0184yahoo (DOT) com> > To: livercirrhosissuppo rtyahoogroups (DOT) com > Sent: Monday, November 17, 2008 10:11:29 PM > Subject: Re: Bonnie > > Bonnie, > I was doing some reading and being that Cirrhosis can cause diabetic > problems and even diabetes you may want to ask the doctors if they have done > a glucose test for diabetes. Diabetes can cause eye problems. My wife was > given a referral to an eye doctor to actually rule out diabetes when she was > being treated for her cirrhosis. > > It's unfortunate to hear your husband was told he was not a candidate. Was > he told this by a transplant hospital/team or transplant doctor? Did they > give a reason? > > MaC > > Bonnie Luebbe <blouleyahoo (DOT) com> wrote: Thanks for the information. I > told him to lay there for awhile and to get up slowly. In the morning I'll > ask him if he it was that way again. If so going to call the Dr. He was just > in for a check up last friday and did all the labs. They have told him he is > not a candidate for a transplant.. . We are just going day by day. Hoping for > some improvement so he will feel better. > > ____________ _________ _________ __ > From: abijann <no_reply@yahoogrou p s..com> > To: livercirrhosissuppo rtyahoogroups (DOT) com > Sent: Monday, November 17, 2008 9:44:50 PM > Subject: Bonnie > > It may be coming from his encephalopathy or it could be a number > of other things also. It could be the sugar level in his blood, > his blood pressure dropping down, or becoming dehydrated, and there > are others. The doctor needs to know this is happening as soon as > possible.. It could be vertigo also. > > When he wakes in the morning, he should lie in bed with his eyes > close for just a minute before rising. When he goes to get > up, he should put his legs out over the side and just sit there > for a little bit before trying to get up. Some people have a problem > with getting up too fast and the blood pressure dropping down because > of it. He should not try to get up if he feels dizzy in anyway. > > No one here can tell you for sure what is going on. I have > vertigo. This is where the room feels like it is spinning around > and at times I cannot focus. I do this above and I also put warm > wet washcloth soaks on my eyes to relax the muscle of my eyes. > I wet a washcloth with very warm water and then place it over > my closed eyes and the steam help to relax the muscle in the eye. > You could try this and see if it helps him also. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 19, 2008 Report Share Posted November 19, 2008 Thank you for the info. My husband has had both the ascites and the edema. His legs and feet swelled up first and got bigger and bigger where he couldn't get his shoes on. He cut out salt and said they would go down some at night when he had his feet up but then the next day they would swell up really bad again when he was on them. Then he started to fill up in his abdomen. And that got bigger and bigger to where his navel was protruded out and he was having trouble breathing. He couldn't eat as he felt so full and the only thing that would agree with him was a small bowl of ice cream for dinner. He said his stomach would feel sick for acouple hours after that if ate anything else and not worth it. He eats just a small amount now at a time . This morning he was so dizzy. After he took the lactulose and ate alittle oatmeal and laid back down he felt some better the rest of the day but in bed most of it. ________________________________ From: abijann <no_reply > To: livercirrhosissupport@... Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2008 10:56:09 PM Subject: Bonnie There are different type of fluid build up in a patient that has cirrhosis of the liver. Ascites is the one that builds up in the abdominal area. This is the one they can remove by a procedure known as paracentesis. This is caused because the liver can no longer make a protein known as Albumin efficiently. This albumin is what keeps the fluid in our vessels. When it goes low in our body, this fluid seeps out and collects in the abdomen. There are other vascular reasons also for this fluid to build up there also, but this is the main one. Things to be sure of if he has this procedure done is that his blood pressure doesn't drop down too low when they take the fluid, that this fluid is checked for possible bacteria, blood, etc and, if alot of fluid is taken, that they may replace some of the albumin by giving him an IV. If the fluid build up too much, it can cause pressure on the abdominal organs and he may not feel like eatting or drinking and he may have difficulty breathing. Usually give him smaller meals more often, than three large ones per day. If it gets to the point that he has any trouble breathing... decide if a paracentesis is what he wants. It gives patients instant relief for a little while. The fluid will build back up cause the cause of it forming cannot be eliminated. The doctor will have to take into account his heart problem and whether it is safe to remove this extra fluid. The second type of fluid build up is known as edema. It is mostly found in the legs, feet, arms, and sometimes other areas. It is caused because people with cirrhosis hold onto sodium in their bodies. Sodium is an element that holds water in the body and therefore the fluid stays. They usually start the patient on diuretics not so much to get rid of the fluid but more for getting rid of the extra sodium and the fluid will then leave with it. The patient is usually told to elevate the legs up just high enough that it is higher than the chest when laying down. Do not ever massage the legs, though. If there happens to be a blood clot there, it could break it apart and it will travel to the heart and lungs. These patients are also placed on a " lower " sodium diet. The doctor should inform them how much sodium they are allowed to have and how much fluid per day. Hope this helps you a little more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 19, 2008 Report Share Posted November 19, 2008 Thanks for all your knowledge on this disease. I'm keeping all your emails so I can refer back to them on his labs, etc this makes alot more sense to me to have it explained like this. The doctors must think you know it all and don't go into depth with it. I thought I had asked alot of questions but find out I've got alot to learn yet. I did make a chart so I can keep track of his labs since before he was hospitilized last until now. Then I can see if they are going up or down or staying stable. It took me quite awhile to figure out what the different symbols meant. Tomorrow I'm going to check on how much sodium he can have. abijann <no_reply > To: livercirrhosissupport Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2008 9:43:55 PM Subject: Bonnie The doctor should of told you how much sodium and how much fluid he is to have a day...if he hasn't, you should ask him. People do not know this cause it sounds odd...that someone with so much build up of fluid in the body and on diuretics can be dehydrated. Dehydration can cause dizzyness. Let me explain: Sodium hold fluid inside the body. The doctor puts him on a diuretic to get rid of the sodium...not the fluid. The fluid is like an extra benefit that if the sodium is removed the fluid will follow. But, if you think about it this way that I explain it...you will see more clearly. When there is excess sodium and not enough fluid...the sodium gets concentrated. It is like having a glass full of salt and only adding enough water to it so the salt seems to be moist. The salt stays there and doesn't move. The more fluid you add to it...the more the salt dissolves into the fluid and it is moveable. Understand? There has to be a certain amount of fluid in the body to move the salt to the kidneys to be pushed out of the body in the urine. If there isn't, since the salt is what hold the water in the body... then the salt doesn't move out as it should and the person becomes dehydrated. It is a little confusing. I hope you understand this. Therefore, when the doctor places the patient on a diuretic... he needs to be sure they know the amount of sodium and fluids they are allowed to have. Sodium is one of the elements that helps the heart to beat in rhythm...it also has to be watched closely to be sure it does not go below the normal range in the blood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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