what to do next?

my husband is a healthy non-drinker who had what we thought was the flu last March--I've never seen h im so sick and we've been married a long time...  he never got his appetite back and was very very sick with it, he has been under a LOT of stress with his business and never gave it a thought that he had been losing weight...  until all of a sudden he couldn't eat anything without it going right through--- the Dr. thought gallbladder and he had blood tsts, ultra sound and a CT--  lots of fluid around his liver... gastro specialist has said that it looks as though it is cirrhosis and prescribed ciprofloxacin and spironolactone...  almost all tests he has had have been normal... he has no muscle tone left and after taking this med. for 2 days, everything is running right through again...  has been watching salt intake and not eating much at all... has had more blood work that we've been told will take 2 weeks... had 7 pounds of fluid drawn from abdomen and felt good for only a few hours and is now very sore...  where do we go from here?     we just don't know what to do as we've been waiting, waiting, for tests and the only thing we know is the fluid situation with just a slight elevation of one liver test... in the meantime, what can he eat ???  does Ensure have too much sodium?   he has another appt. to see the specialist in 2 weeks, but don't think either one of us can stand this...  as I've said it has been an extremely stressful time and we had to cancel a much needed vacation as he just couldn't take it... please help...

[Kevin Pho, MD]

If cirrhosis is suspected, a liver biopsy needs to be done to confirm the diagnosis.  The fact that fluid is building in the abdomen (aka ascites) supports the diagnosis of cirrhosis, or liver failure.  

There are many causes for liver failure - including hepatitis, hemochromatosis, rheumatological causes etc. - and they should be evaluated for once the diagnosis has been made.  

If cirrhosis has been diagnosed, a liver transplant may be the only option.  

I would consider a referral to a hepatologist (liver specialist).  This can be discussed with your personal physician.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
http://www.straightfromthedoc.com