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cirrhosis dx and depression

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Posted 11/15/2010 10:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hubby started getting the blues this weekend. I knew it was bound to happen, and I know it is a normal stage of him coming to terms with his dx.

Connie, I think a while back you mentioned that there will be emotions he needs to go through as he deals with his dx plus new sobriety. He was so sad this weekend and I feel helpless.

I am cycling through emotions too, but I went through a lot the week before our first trip to the doctor...when I just knew something was wrong with him/his liver and he was still in denial...and then more emotional turmoil and fear during his 2 weeks of detox...he was mostly sleeping...and I was researching and crying and raging and worrying. I have a head start on him...plus I am the wife, and while it is happening to me too, it's happening to his body.

Any advice to help him through?

Emma

Post Edited (healthynow) : 11/15/2010 3:59:42 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 11/15/2010 11:17 PM (GMT 0)
Emma, how often does he go to alcohol counseling?  I really wish he would go to AA where he could have support from others experiencing the same things and where he could find a sponsor...someone to talk to about his emotions.

When I first got sober, I cried constantly for 2 weeks.  It was like all the sorrow and pain in my life that I had been concealing with alcohol suddenly rose to the surface...plus I was losing my best friend, the booze.  It took months before I even smiled spontaneously...it was from someone telling a funny story in AA.  For a couple of minutes I forgot about myself.  It's a grieving process and you go through all the stages, one of which is depression.  That sounds like where your hubby is at right now...plus accepting the reality of his liver disease.  I'm sure he's angry, too.  I once heard that depression is anger turned inward.  It makes perfect sense.

Let him feel his pain.  It's part of the process.  But it's also important for him to open up in counseling.

Hugs,

Connie

Posted 11/15/2010 11:27 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Connie.
He attends group therapy 3 times a week...an hour and a half each time. Individual therapy for an hour every other week. I think he gets more out of the individual sessions than the group. His former co-worker that attends AA regularly said he would take hubby to a meeting...
Posted 11/16/2010 2:13 AM (GMT 0)

I hope the co-worker follows up on that.

Hugs,

Connie

Posted 11/16/2010 3:24 AM (GMT 0)
I'm new too and my Husband first got very sick in April of 2010 and it has been a roller coaster ride for our family. He has ESLD, Hep C and Cirrhosis, he has spent 30 days in hosp. 2 times and we were told he could die anytime. He has been sober but refuses to go to AA, I don't think he is strong enough for a liver transplant. He is in serious denial and the depression and constant itch is just about making him crazy, me too. At least I know there are other people out there that have had or are dealing with the same kind of problems. Thanks for letting me vent a bit.
Posted 11/16/2010 4:54 AM (GMT 0)

Mammagoat, welcome to the forum.  I'm sorry that your husband is sick.  If he does become well enough for a transplant, he can't qualify unless he has 6 months of documented attendance in AA or an alcohol treatment program (which one is determined by the transplant center.)   Also, it's a tough balancing act for transplant, as the patient must be sick enough to qualify but also well enough to survive the surgery.

 Has he ever had treatment for the hep C?

Do a search on here for itching.  We have a number of posts about it, with some great suggestions.

In order for people to get to know you and for you to get the greatest number of responses, please start a new thread (hit New Topic instead of Reply), give it a title and introduce yourself and your situation to others.

I see that you also have Sjogren's, so you really do have your hands full.

Hugs,

Connie

Posted 11/16/2010 9:22 PM (GMT 0)
Emma,

I have no words of advice but just to tell you that prayers are with and your hubby to stay strong through all of this. I hope he continues his therapy to help him through this.
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