HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Troubled

Support Forums
>
Hepatitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 6/9/2011 11:49 AM (GMT 0)
shakehead  Well its been a long time. Mum has fell of the wagon on a numerous of occassions. Started to have nose bleeds and hand tremors. Urine is very dark but the new symptom she is having is sleeping a whole lot. Just gets up to have something to eat or drink and then shes out for the count.I know that her liver disease is going to progress becos she does not intend abstaining from alcohol. What should i expect next? confused
Posted 6/9/2011 12:31 PM (GMT 0)
Wow, Cindy, I feel for you because I am there too....My husband too will not quit. He has the nose bleeds and his hand tremors have progressively gotten worse over the last 6 mos. He also sleeps a lot. Does she have the ascites (swollen belly) yet? That too only gets worse......My husband just had his ultrasound and the radiologist says he is going to have to be drained...He has no appetite because the fluid is pressing on all his organs including stomach, therefore, not much room for food in there. Also, Is she able to hold an intelligent conversation with you or is she confused? I don't know what kind of meds she's on but a lot of people here take lactulose. That may be why she is sleeping more??  My husband has not had to do that yet. His sleeping is due to lack of energy.

I truly hate to be the bearer of bad news and I'm certainly not the expert on this forum, but I can tell you from personal experience that I have watched my husband go downhill in the last 6 mos. There's a major difference in him overall...looks, energy level, overall health. I know it's just a matter of time now. As everyone says, if they will quit, they have a chance to save what liver they have left, but if not, then I'm afraid there's not much more you can do other can encouraging her to eat healthy foods and drink water so she doesn't dehydrate, especially in this type of weather.

Good Luck Cindy and I'm sure others will have much to add here......

Posted 6/9/2011 1:23 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for your reply Sadwife.Sorry to here about your husband. Really dont know how to get some sense into these people. Mum is on lactulose and water pills that controls her ammonia levels and fluid retention however she still has the meds and then its back to the drinking a few hours after that.
I am from South africa and the weather here is absolutley cold.I really dont know what to do becos when we talk to her about she says that she will stop and she does for a couple of days then she starts again.
Posted 6/9/2011 1:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Cindy, sorry that you mom continues to drink.......it really does speed up the liver disease and all it's ugly symptoms.
Sad wife gave you good advice. You can only do so much.....the rest is up to her. In our resource thread has a list most of the issues that may happen.......read it if you haven't got a chance to do so yet. It also has a lot of other good information.

Take care........thoughts and prayers............
Posted 6/9/2011 1:54 PM (GMT 0)
Yes Cindy, they are in denial....Always promising to quit, cut back, stop tomorrow...Most of us with spouses that still drink have heard them all. And when they are really ill, then they'll stop for a bit, but just until they start feeling a little better again, then it's back to the bottle...Remember, they don't control the bottle, it controls them. And without professional help, there's probably no way she can stop on her own...Most here have stated that they pretty much have to hit rock bottom before they'll ever consider giving it up and trying to climb out of that hole they're in....And even then, it may not save them because when they get to a certain point, a transplant is the only thing that will.

If you have questions, please log in anytime and there are many knowledgable people here that can help you!

I feel for you................

Posted 6/9/2011 2:03 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Girl. Really appreiate it.Got a 5 year old daughter and she sees everything and wants to whats happening. I have a sister and brother but they dont come around that often.Its my husband, my daughter and myself that have to go through this. if she has over her limit then you hear the swearing and trying to provoke us into an argument. Before i used to yell at her but now i just ignore.I always say that god never gives us something we can't handle but then i think why do i have to go down the same road over and over again with her
Posted 6/9/2011 5:20 PM (GMT 0)
We have some others here that have small children involved in a situation similar to yours. I know you wish your daughter was not subjected to this, but I don't know your circumstances so you may not have a choice. Have you talked to your mother about her behaviour in front of your daughter? Even if you can't change the fact that she drinks, you can still make your rules about what your daughter is exposed to. You are a good daughter to take care of her when her other children are not involved so the burden is on you.. I would let her know that, and that you expect her to behave right in front of your daughter....I know it's hard, but now, you are basically the mother of both.....Funny how the tables turn isn't it? I wish you all the best because it is a tough position to be in.
Posted 6/9/2011 10:03 PM (GMT 0)

I want to clear up a misconception that was posted.   Sleeping has nothing to do with Lactulose.  Lactulose is to produce 3-6 BMS a day, which draws ammonia from the brain and reduces hepatic encephalopthy.  It's fatigue caused by liver disease that causes the sleeping.  I have it and I'm not even decompensated.

Regarding this comment:  "why do i have to go down the same road over and over again with her"   YOU DON'T HAVE TO.  It's a choice you have made.  You can step back at any time, since she continues to drink and nothing you can do will make a bit of difference.  I certainly would not involve your daughter.

The resource folder that PG mentioned is entitled Hepatitis Resources.  It covers ESLD, so you can get an idea of what to expect.  Basically her current symptoms will get even worse.  She may vomit frequently.  If she has esophageal varices, those could burst and she could bleed out.  Her belly may be extremely swollen.  She will likely have jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes.)  And she may go into a coma from which she never awakens.

Don't forget about the Caregivers forum, created especially for those who need a place to vent and get support and information from those in the same or similar situations.

Hugs,

Connie


✚ New Topic ✚ Reply