What's wrong with this patient

DelGR · Jul 8, 2002

One of my sister-in-laws had some of the same symptoms. The MD messed around with all the GI procedures, Barium enema, ultrasound, finally did a CT scan and a liver biopsy. She had lymphoma in the late stages. She had to have a J-tube inserted for feedings due to a bowel obstruction. Then got very ill with her first Chemo and landed in the ICU several times thereafter with gangrene of lower extremity and clots in her heart. She had a total of 3 Chemos and died a day after the 3rd.

Strongly encourge her to get to an ER or see her MD.

TaraER-RN · Jul 8, 2002

I agree with everyone else...get her seen in an ER ASAP! You never know, she could end up having something not that serious...or you coul save her life! Good Luck!

kewlnurse · Jul 8, 2002

Could be thyroid related too

zumalong · Jul 8, 2002

**Isn't there a metabolic condition that makes your skin look bronze-y? Can't place my finger on it at the moment...**

Yes there is it is related to hyper secretion of adrenal glands. Regardless of cause she needs to be evaluated ASAP.

mario_ragucci · Jul 8, 2002

If you eat a bunch of carrots your skin can get a hue to it. I notice it in the palms of your hands. I heard of people who eat too much vitamin E supplements get yellowed also. Losing 35 pounds means something deserves a closer look. What is being lost. I hope it all works out!

jayna, RN · Jul 8, 2002

Yes, I agree with all of ya.

Denial- Is there something she's hiding from the family?

Is she trying to loss weight? Has she been taking any Vitamin suppliment.

MD ASAP and then Counselling

BadBird, BSN, RN · Jul 8, 2002

thanks for your thoughts, I agree with her seeing a MD STAT but she won't. I fear for her and tried to talk to her husband who is as redneck as they come and cluless. I won't see her until next weekend I will check her out then. Her sclera is not jaundiced yet but I will be watching. The thing that bugs me is they have insurance so there is no reason to avoid going to MD. I will keep all of you posted.

KRVRN, BSN, RN · Jul 8, 2002

Addison's

OrthoNutter · Jul 8, 2002

Originally posted by BadBird
I have a question to all my fellow nurses. My dear sister in law has lost approximately 35 pounds in 2 months without dieting, I find out yesterday that she has been vomiting a few times and I noticed her skin is golden. I tell her I think she needs to see her MD and she blows it off. What do you all think?

Just drag her into the ER yourself....something like that is unusual and needs urgent attention. Esp with the severe weight loss and what sounds like jaundice. I've seen pts with tumours of the liver with symptoms like this....even with timely medical intervention, some have not survived. Get her to the ER please!

Peeps Mcarthur · Jul 8, 2002

Print out this thread and show it to her then.

My wife won't take my advice for anything,not even her golf swing.

There's something about someone close to you not wanting to change that relationship to that of an instructor.

Perhapse there will be strength in numbers.

I wouldn't begin to try and diagnose this apparent condition without some labs and a look-see at the patient.The symptoms make me think duodenal and through the hepatopancreatic ampula on upstream of that to the usual suspects,pancreas,liver,gallbladder.

Dear Badbird's sister in law:

You don't know me,but maybe it would help hearing advice from someone that does know a potentialy seriouse health condition very well. You may not have any medical training and you yourself would likely say the same thing if you heard someone else had these symptoms.

It's true that there is just something strange about allowing someone to prod you like a lab rat to find out if you then have to go through the pain of knowing you have a disease and all the unknown fears but you must go through this now because it may be even worse to go through later because you waited...........................maybe even too late.

I have shared communications on this bulliten board with these nurses and I can tell you they are the finest of professionals and they would never say anything that they did not believe.

So,knowing thier integrity,I believe I speak for everyone when I say............................It's time to face this,whatever it is,and please go get seen by a doctor,and let us know that you're ok.

Signed

Brad....AKA Peeps Mcarthur

fedupnurse · Jul 8, 2002

Excellent choices of words Peeps! I agree wholeheartedly!!

Good luck BadBird. Hope it all works out.

mario_ragucci · Jul 9, 2002

This is just a thought of mine, but wouldn't it be unfair to hound someone to go to the doctor? This sounds like depression. But then, if a person doesn't want to do whats (apparently) right and go to the doctor, should you force them?

As a health care worker, this is a shocking statement. If I was ill, I would seek help because I want to keep living. But if someone is turning color gold and don't want to face, or go through, a serious illness....when do we say it's time to give up and respectfully leave them alone? Are we in their shoes?.

Again, this has no bearing on the present thread, but surely people's feelings about their own body are an issue.

Im sorry to bring this up :-(

If this person REALLY cares about themself, thade get it checked out. If they don't...now we are talking about something beyond recognising and pointing out objective symptoms.

Again, I'm sorry "(