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Alcohol Induced Hepatitis and Relapse. Please Help!

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Posted 5/17/2016 1:51 AM (GMT 0)
I'm looking for some answers pertaining to my brother's condition. He is an alcoholic. about a year and a half ago, he went to the doc and they told him he had fatty liver. His abdomen was swollen, he was in pretty intense pain, and could barely eat. They told him to quit drinking obviously, but he didn't. A couple months later he was yellow from head to toe. Abdomen still swollen and could barely eat. This went on for months. He would try to stop drinking and then would relapse. He was jaundice for quite a while…at least 5 months. When our mom died, he was the worst he ever looked. He refused to go to the doctor but he somehow quit drinking, took a bunch of vitamins, and and did a "liver detox" (so he says). His color improved, although he continued to look really tan. Everyone ranted and raved over how much better he looked. I know he was on death's door and somehow he was able to improve without a doctor and without rehab (although he did go to meetings). Well, I just found out recently that he has started drinking again (and probably has been for several months). I know it's hard to determine how advanced his condition without a doctor, but here is my question: if you have hepatitis and stop drinking long enough for your symptoms to improve, but then start drinking again, will the same thing come back? Will it come back worse? How quickly can people die from this? I'm scared and I'm trying to prepare myself for what might be coming.

Post Edited (grayskies) : 5/17/2016 9:26:39 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/17/2016 4:25 PM (GMT 0)
grayskies, Yes liver condition will worsen as long as he continues to drink. Sometimes people will suddenly realize what's happening and what the cause is (Addiction) before severe damage sets in. A person who post here regularly (Healthynow) has a loved one who struggled repeatedly with staying sober, It aint as easy to quit as most think.
As you know we have a free market society and people will peddle dog pooh to make a buck. Seems there is no shortage on pooh peddlers in the self help departments in drug stores. I and many others have fail prey to this game. Mostly early on when we realize we have a problem. We desperately search the internet for info and find wonderful success stories of ancient remedies, A Mystical magical doctor who reside out of the U.S ( Beyond reach of prosecution or factual testing.) To your brother I say Beware. If such a remedy existed it would have long came to the fore front under the name of a large pharmaceutical company. No sense in not making a profit off someones illness.
As you know, It's impossible for us to put a limit on how long people will live while beating themselves dead. I'm a non practicing alcoholic. I was given the three month death sentence when I came outta a coma. Three doctors agreed I'd be dead for sure. Over the years of pain and anguish I suffered there was only brief moments that I didn't hope for death. I'm alive with minimal liver function, I take costly medications to compensate for the liver damage, My mental health is o.k for the most part but I still suffer from periods of H.E ( Hepatatic Encephalopathy). I could be this way from now to natural death, I could bleed out tomorrow and the list of if's goes on. I may be once again eligible for transplant listing which ultimately means I'll have to be close to death once again.
Nothing will change for him if he doesn't quit his addiction. Everything starts at that point and new doors open as the months go by. Learn to deal with the past, Learn to deal with the future. These are his decisions to make. Beg ,Plead and threaten will not be of use. It's all on him.


Ziff
Posted 5/18/2016 5:00 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you, Ziff for your response. He's broken my heart in more ways than I could ever describe. The addiction has changed him. It's made him heartless and manipulative and if his old self knew what his current self had done (and is doing) he would be mortified. I have to keep reminding myself that it's the addiction that has taken over. I'm afraid I've lost hope that he can ever really get better. He lacks self-awareness, empathy, remorse, and skills of self-preservation. So I'm learning the cruel life lesson of what it means to let go of someone else that I love. It's a different experience when that person is still alive.

I admire you for what you were able to pull yourself out of. Not many people would have the courage or the stamina to fight so hard. It sounds like you've had quite a journey and I thank you for sharing that.
Posted 5/18/2016 11:32 PM (GMT 0)
The mere fact you took the time to ask the question says a lot about you. Trying, Personal investment and sense of legitimate concern was what I saw in your posting. Allowing yourself to acknowledge that you have done all you can will be difficult, but know that many have suffered down the road your currently on. We are all just here for the ride. No steering wheel or oars. Boatloads of good intent but no way to avoid one rock in a sea full of water. My best to you and yours, and should you need a ear know that someone will be here on this forum.


Ziff
Posted 5/20/2016 7:19 PM (GMT 0)
I am a recovering Alcoholic - coming up on 35 years of sobriety 11/06/81.

I was diagnosed with Hep - C bank in 1977 ish - I stopped drinking in 1981
I do believe that if I did not stop when I did - I would be dead. This year I got one of those test that shows my liver is damaged - the extent I do not know. I completed the Hep-C treatment this back Dec - thru Mar 2016 and I am now un detected. Unless this person realizes he cannot drink - nothing will help except prayers. My suggestion to you is why not try Alanon - an organization for the families and friends of the Alkie and (the Alkie does not even have to have quit for you to participate). alanon will assist you in living with yourself not matter what the outcome is for your family member.

I am praying for you.

Respectfully
Posted 5/21/2016 5:36 PM (GMT 0)
gray skies, What Ziff says is true...only the alcoholic can decide when/if it is time to quit. I begged and threatened my partner for YEARS...but I was the only one upset. I attended Alanon in two states over the years and that is what I learned and have taken into other parts of my life...you can't fix the other guy.

I have posted his story many times....Hep C, Alcoholic Cirrhosis, Liver Cancers (Heptocellular Carcinoma, Plus a bum heart valve and failing kidneys...the man should not be alive. But alive he is, sober now 6 years, post liver transplant 5 years and 2 years post successful Hep C treatment. Though he is not as strong and active as he once was, he is alive, sober and doing pretty well. His heart valve has been replaced and his kidney doc keeps a close eye on him to be sure he gets on dialysis when and if it comes to that.

But his sobriety is HIS to look after. He never complains, never says he is tempted, realizes that he could do in his new liver quickly as he still had Hep C for the first few years post transplant doing bad things to the new liver.

Best to your family. I hope he makes some good decisions in time.

Let us hear from you again,

Hugs,
Mama Lama
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