Husband Won't Eat

[chrissa1]

Yep it's me again. My OH will not eat in hospital, he has pulled the tube they put up his nose into his stomach last night and I'm at my wit's end with the stubborn *&^%.

Will he die? What can they do if he continues to refuse nutrition?

[Sqad]

<<<<Will he die? What can they do if he continues to refuse nutrition<<<

Yes.

[ladyalex]

They might call in the psychiastrists......

[Sqad]

I misread it....I thought you said...." If he continues to refuse nutrition"

He cannot be force fed and it would appear that he is being dripped and sucked...plus his pneumonia, a difficult nursing problem. He could be sedated but that would impair his respiration which would make his pneumonia more difficult to manage.

[Sqad]

ladyalex..........not sure what the Psychiatrists can do as his mental condition is metabolic due to his physical condition.

[ladyalex]

Sorry, sqad, ignore me then...

More to the point, sorry for your not inconsiderable trouble, Chrissa1
I do hope someone comes up with something for him soon.

[Sqad]

ladyalex....dont apologise......I would never ignore you as you have a right to your answer.

[ladyalex]

:-))

[woofgang]

If they believe that his mental condition would improve if they could tube feed him, AND if he was in his right mind, that this is what he would want, then he might be sectioned and treated but practically, as its likely he would need to be sedated to be treated, it might not help, as Sqad has said. Chrissa my thoughts and prayers are with you both.
Psychiatrists and psychologists do give help with the management of people whose mental state is caused by an organic condition but would not treat them as such.

[chrissa1]

So if they can cure the pneumonia do you think his mental sate will improve and he might see sense. I've threatened him with no visits until he starts eating.

[woofgang]

chrissa its possible but i don't know your husband and what else might be underlying the pneumonia.....sorry

[chrissa1]

Cirrhosis of the liver which has caused kidney complications I'm afraid.

[Mamyalynne]

Oh Chrissa, I can add no more than what has been said, but do hope things can be resolved somehow, thinking of you.
Have you family to help, could they talk to him?

[woofgang]

I believe that you mentioned that he has or had an alcohol abuse problem and would not control his diabetes...how to put this tactfully....there are maybe underlying issues before the cirrhosis.

[chrissa1]

i've got my daughter and son and we've all tried, but just like with the alcohol he isn't taking a blind bit of notice.

[ttfn]

chrissa - so sorry for what you are all going through now ♥

[anneasquith]

you poor thing, does he have a drip in his hand or arm ?ie intravenous , i so hope he improves soon,

[chrissa1]

I was told today that he'd pulled out the canula that was in his hand so now it is in his arm strapped up with bandages.

[anneasquith]

hopefully chrissa, he will be unable to remove the i/v drip. at least he will be receiving fluids .and hopefully once his infection improves he may start to take oral fluids at least.

[welshlibranr]

So sad Chrissa, but you know, lots of folk pull out feeding tubes during the night, they don't remember what they are, just that their nose is irritated, and so they pull them out as a result!.......happens all the time sadly!........

[chrissa1]

Do they welshy, well that's a bit of a comfort as maybe he didn't do it out of spite or bl00dymindedness. Thanks.