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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
brothers symptoms
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve Prolapse, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests.
brothers symptoms
by dff0227, Dec 30, 2001 12:00AM
i have a 46 year old brother with chf for 10 years, he is also a big alcholic. his drinking has gotten worse and i think it is due to his pain. this is what is happening to him now. his feet are black from his toes to his knees, he has no more body fat, all bones. his stomach is so large, i expect this is due to liver failure. he coughs like he is going to throw a clot and i know this is due to all the fluid buildup because you can hear the fluid in his lungs. he eats very little and when he does, he usually throws it up. his mind seems to wander sometimes. he is always rubbing his legs. he is out of breath on any kind of exertion. he will only sit up in a chair. walks very frail. his skin is very grey. i do think he is going into end stage. we have had no luck on getting him any help. what i need to know, is what else i can expect in changes so i can be prepared to help him when the time comes. and does this sound like he could be or is in end stage. some of these things have happened in a short period of time. i spend as much time as possible being with him just to be there, even though he does not know my reasons for being with him. what else can i expect that can happen from here on. maybe as time gets closer i will have better luck getting him to a hospital if i am prepared with signs. one of his big problems beside his drinking is he has always said there was no hope for him, maybe not anymore, but there is always a miracle.
thank you debbie
thank you debbie
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-M.D.-CRC, Dec 31, 2001 12:00AM
Dear debbie,
He sounds pretty sick to me and I would probably take him to the Emergency Room or Veterans hospital (if he is a veteran) today. They can evaluate him and if need be admit him to the hospital. In any case he should stop drinking and take his medications which will help with some of his symptoms. Signs that he is worsening would be difficulty breathing, increasing fatigue and decreased responsiveness.
He sounds pretty sick to me and I would probably take him to the Emergency Room or Veterans hospital (if he is a veteran) today. They can evaluate him and if need be admit him to the hospital. In any case he should stop drinking and take his medications which will help with some of his symptoms. Signs that he is worsening would be difficulty breathing, increasing fatigue and decreased responsiveness.
