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	VIEW IMAGE   Posted Today 11:05 PM (GMT -6)	VIEW IMAGEVIEW IMAGE
	I just found you guys and already you have been a great help to me.  My 52 year old daughter has been drinking since she was in her twenty's and it has cought up with her.  Two days in ICU and two more on the reg floor with high ammonia levels, problems walking, confusion, and sleeping all the time lead me to take her to the ER.  Never though I would see this girl looking like a zombie, but here she is and I though this is how it is going to be for the rest of her life.  I am 75 and not able to get around very well myself, lost my husband to cancer in May, which really set my daughter off on a long drinking bout.  What I have read here, tells me it will be rough, but it can get better then it is now.  I have to think about what will happen to her when I am gone and what you folks have said has already helped me to think somewhat stright.  Thank you for being there and letting me know I am not alone.

Perq, welcome to the forum. I'm very sorry for the loss of your husband. The main thing that your daughter can do to help her liver is to stop drinking. Has she ever been to AA? If she continues to drink, she will die sooner than later, and it will not be a pleasant death. She would not be a candidate for transplant until she has 6 months of documented sobriety. In addition, she may have other health problems (such as cardiac trouble) that would prohibit such a traumatic surgery.

Try not to worry about her, and especially not what will happen when you're gone. She's an adult. She made choices and now she is living with the consequences. There is a possibility that she can turn things around, but that is strictly up to her.

You might want to check out the topic "Caregivers," as you will find a lot of support in that thread.

Hugs,
Connie

Thanks for all the welcome notes. Right now the plan of treatment is to take her med's, eats right and no drinking. I am at the moment pretty much in control of all of this, She has not had anything to drink since the middle of June, but she still tries to get out of the house and walk up to the little store on the corner, but she can't get that far. I have told the owner if anyone there sells her any beer and something happens to her I will sue. She is not in her right mind and it is like having a four year old to take care of again. I don't know if her mind will ever be any strighter or if this is what we will have to live with. She does not have any ins. no job no income of any kind. We have applied for disability but don't know if that will work out. At least then she would have medicaid and could go to the Dr. She is being seen at a community care center by a PA and of course the house Dr when she was in the hospital in July. If things with her mind and walking don't get better, I will take her back to the hospital and see what more they can do, but you know how that works. I have followed the Dr's instructions except for the liquid stuff and I did not know untill I found you folks how important that is. All in all I just pray a lot and roll over and try again. Thanks again for your kind words. I will try to find the caretaker blog and get on to the liver blog again,

Perq, when you say "the liquid thing," do you mean Lactulose?  It's very important that she take this to help clear her mind.  Ammonia builds up in the brain causing strange behavior and acting "off."  Lactulose eliminates this through multiple BMs a day.

Hugs,

Connie

Abysterical, have you posted prior to your posts today? Or were you just a lurker until now? If you are new to posting, would you please start a new thread (hit New Topic instead of Reply) and introduce yourself and your situation to others?

Thanks!

Hugs,
Connie