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Suggest Treatment For Blood In Sputum And Stool

Posted on Thu, 22 Jan 2015

Question: My ex husband is a long time alcoholic. He has had esophageal varicose in the past and has been told he has some cirrhosis. Recently he started coughing up blood and I suspect some in his stool too. He I was extremely tired. Recently in the last 10 days he gained 25 pounds and when I saw him his legs were grossly swollen with redness and some sores. He say his urine has been dark for a month. I can't get him to go to a doctor. What do you suspect? Is this life threatening as I suspec?

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (18 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, this is concerning!

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for using HCM.

I am so sorry to hear about what your ex husband is going through. These symptoms are concerning and raise the suspicion of a possible decompensation of his live disease. I am afraid he needs immediate attention if we really want to help him live longer at this time. Talk to his regular doctor or get him to the ER for help. I understand how demanding this can be but would offer the best opportunity to improve his XXXXXXX status.

I hope this helps. If you need more information, please do not hesitate to ask more questions and we would gladly address them.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (2 hours later)

If I can't get him to go to a doctor, what can I expect to happen next and how long might it be before something really bad happens given this swelling has been going on for at least a week. Also I forgot to mention that he gets short of breath when he moves around and I noticed his hands are shaky.

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please, why can't you get him to the hospital?

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

What is the issue that you cannot get him to the hospital. With all these symptoms, if nothing is done, then he may die. I am sure you wouldn't like this and please consider taking him to the hospital.

I hope this helps. I wish you well.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (7 hours later)

He refuses to go. I can't physically force him. He has said that he wants to die in his sleep. I have called an ambulance and gotten him to the emergency room several times, however if I call and he doesn't seem to be in distress and tells the paramedics he feels fine and he's not drunk and acts okay they will not take him, and then he will not trust me anymore and not let me come in to check on him. It's a balancing act. I will call an ambulance if I'm there and he's in distress for sure. I call him every day and stop by if he doesn't answer. And he and I have the same doctor so I am going to email him and reach out to see if he will call XXXXXXX I will tell him what you have told me about his condition and see if it carries any weight. Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
I understand!

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Certainly you cannot care more for someone who is not totally willing to participate. I believe you have done the right things and it is for him to make his decision. If he says he wants to die, he has the right to that and I was just making sure that he is aware of the potential consequences of not going to the hospital.

Talk to his doctors and let's see if something more promising comes up. I wish him him and courage as you live these difficult and challenging moments. If need be, we are always available to contribute.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar