A dad has told how he 'feels pregnant' after a liver condition caused his belly to swell leaving him in need of life-saving medical help.
David Burgess suffers from Wilson's Disease and now requires a transplant to help treat the condition.
The dad, 37, was diagnosed with the condition in 2005 when he was only 20, but is now in hospital after suffering some of the worst symptoms he has ever experienced.
Wilson's Disease is a rare genetic disorder which means that there is excess copper stored in various body tissues, in particular the liver, brain, and corneas of the eyes.
The disease is progressive and can cause liver (hepatic) disease, central nervous system dysfunction, and even death if left untreated.
David, a magician, was taken to hospital on April 10 2022 after becoming jaundiced.
While there he developed another condition called ascites, a build up of fluid in the lower limbs and abdomen, which caused his stomach to swell.
David said that medical staff carried out "all kinds" of tests out, and was given antibiotics as medics thought he could have an infection in the water around his liver.
Unfortunately David turned out to be allergic to two of the treatments he received.
Speaking to the ECHO, David said: “They asked was I allergic to anything and I said no and then we realised that I must have been allergic to the antibiotic. My legs went into a mad rash. They tried me on a different one and my arms went into a different rash.”
Medical staff later referred David to a specialist liver unit in Birmingham, where he has been staying for two weeks. He said: “They have basically given me a full MOT."
The dad is now waiting until the fluid causing his stomach to swell can be drained, but the complications mean he will have to wait a bit longer.
He said: “I’m usually 14 stone 11 and I have gone up to 17 stone due to the fluid. My legs are like balloons too and my feet are massive.
“It’s like being pregnant - that’s the feeling of it. That’s what they’ve all said because you get the stretches at the bottom of the stomach. I get under-stomach stretching pains. It’s probably the size of a beach ball.”
David is also waiting to see if he is eligible for a liver transplant, admitting that “It’s all a bit scary at the moment.”
He must also wait until he is resilient enough to endure the gruelling six-hour operation to replace his liver.
David has performed as a magician all over the world, but hasn't been able to work while in hospital.
He hopes to make a swift recovery, and is due to receive an update on Friday.
To visit David's GoFundMe page please click here
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