My father is in the hospital

[Drache]

So I'm going to try and give as much info as I can. We have no idea if any or all these problems are interconnected.

First off my father has always had bad heart burn problems. So starting last year they started putting him on various kinds of medication. During one of these medications he developed a handful of small red spots on his upper chest. We thought it might be a reaction to the meds but they went away within a week and no one (his doctors) thought more about it.

Every now and then though, he would eat something, and 30 minutes later he would start belching, bad burps that smelled like gasoline. Then he said it would feel like a rock in his stomach and he would start throwing up. All the while having a pain in his stomach.

About a month ago they switched his medication to one called Nexium. Pretty much the same drug he was on before, just made by a different company.

A week after, my father developed a mark on his neck. At first we thought it was ringworm (looked exactly like it). He went to the doctor and they tested it, wasn't that. Then within days he developed more marks on his chest. At the moment it looks like this:





It's hard to describe but it literally looks like 2nd Degree Burn Marks.

And then any time he tried to eat or drink he'd start with the belching, the rock feeling, the bad pains, and the vomiting.

We thought that once again it's an allergic reaction to the meds although the doctors are saying it isn't that (except they have no idea what it is).

So for just over two weeks my father hasn't been able to keep food or drink down. They are pumping him full of fluids to keep him hydrated (4L of IV with Electrolytes, along with liquid  proton pump inhibitors) just yesterday, but he's lost 20lbs over the course of two weeks due to not being able to eat.

The best dermatologist in the province said he's seen nothing like this. They did a biopsy on one of the marks and still waiting to hear back from those results, they took 12 vials of blood for various tests (waiting on those results as well).

The doctor believes the inside of my father's stomach looks like his outsides and that is the cause of the stomach issue. My father is having a scope done in the morning to see what the inside of his stomach actually looks like.

[Lennard]

That's awful! I hope they figure it out soon!

[birdsandbees]

I'm no Doctor... but it certainly looks like Psoriasis of the skin. One cause is a reaction to medication..

[garner7555]

I'll be praying they can figure it out soon.

[Drache]

UPDATE:

So the doctor who is a personal friend pulled some strings and got the scope done and they found two things:

1) My dad's throat looks like his chest and back
2) They also found an ulcer in his esophagus

So they are certain now that they two aren't connected. They believe the ulcer started before the skin reaction. The did a biopsy on the ulcer to see if it's cancerous and started him on meds to help with that. They told him not to eat solid foods but try and find things he can stomach. If he can't though, he has to go in for surgery to fix the ulcer.

As for the skin problem, they aren't sure what it is. But talking to the head Pharmacist in a major hospital, I showed her the pictures without tell her anything and she asked me first off if my father is or was on Nexium. She said it's the worst case she's ever seen but believe it's something called Pityriasis Rosea.

Reading about Pityriasis Rosea, one thing stood out to me in the description; "In the early stages... can be mistaken for Ringworm".

On top of that many of the other symptoms fit.

[stripedelete]

Google Nexium side effects.    .... large hives.

Wishing him the best.

[birdsandbees]

I've taken Nexium for 10 years.. no issues.

Sure hope they figure this out quickly Drache!

[tan top]

crikey ,  hope they get it sorted soon , 

[1970Moparmann]

Drache,

My father has had a rare blood disorder for over 25 years.   It started out as a rash on his legs, then went to his head.   After countless dermatologists and no diagnosis, he was referred to a Oncologist.   Even though it is not cancer, my fathers doctor did find out that the only thing that has helped control the disease is Prednisone.   Recently, the doctor had to stop the Prednisone, due to an infection, and my father had a full body rash within 48 hours.   He had no idea that my father would have such a reaction.   The disease is called HES, look it up.   Not saying your father has this or not, but you might want to explore.   It is very rare.

http://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/related-conditions/hypereosinophilic-syndrome

[TruckDriver]

OMG... I hope they figure it out soon. Thoughts and prayers for you and your dad.

[XH29N0G]

I too hope they figure it out soon.  This is a horrible thing to go through.  My thoughts and hopes are with you.

[Mytur Binsdirti]

That's awful. Hope your dad recovers soon.

[Dave Kanofsky]

I'll be praying they can figure it out soon.

What he said!  Prayers for a proper diagnosis and a speedy recovery.

[DixieRestoParts]

Prayers sent for a speedy and full recovery !

[charge69]

My goodness, Drache, that is a pretty rough looking rash !  Prayers sent to you AND your Father to be healed quickly !

[69wannabe]

Prayers!!!!! Hope things get better soon!!!!

[Mike DC]

Best wishes with this.  Health problems are never any fun.

[ACUDANUT]

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,96647.275.html#lastPost
Damn, that looks like hell. I will Pray for you guys.