sudden hearing loss

[bevpuppy]

My husband has been drinking 20 beers a day for years now.  His stomach is the size of a basket ball.  His legs are swelled and his feet are huge, red and his toe nails look strange.  His feet are so painful.  He rarely get up from his chair because the feet hurt and the doctor seems to think it may be gout.  I think its lack of circulation.  The reason he stays in the chair and drinks so much is because he has vertigo and when he stands, he is so off balance.  He feels he has no life. It all went down hill when he awoke with SHL the doctor said nothing can be done, live with it. He is also a heavy smoker.  He eats about 300 calories per day.  Is it possible to help the dizziness.   This was a specialist he saw.  I feel it is strange for a doctor to send you away with no hope. I know all the damage from the alcohol and smoking is killing him but maybe a chance of fixing the dizziness would be a turn around.  

[Thomas D Schiano, MD]

the liver tests are abnormal and look like alcoholic liver disease--if he stops, much of the liver damage can be recoupable.

[bevpuppy]

I just picked up a copy of his labs
ALK PHOS 187
AST 44 sgot
ALT 18  sgpt

BUN 1
CREATININE 0.5

basically I was told , his liver is shot

[Thomas D Schiano, MD]

thwe bp medication and water pills could be contributing to the vertigo--he should definitely see a neurologist

[bevpuppy]

Yes, he take reflux medication, blood pressure, thyroid, water pill, and meclazine.  He also take ibuprofen for headaches.  He says he has one all the time.  Also get a pain med.  I know these are bad for the liver but he doesnt do anything to help, he is says leave it alone, when I suggest help.

[Thomas D Schiano, MD]

he may have peripheral neuropathy also--I would suggest that he see a neurologist ASAP to help address multiple issues.  Is he taking any medications?