Alcoholism and cirrhosis

My mom has drank as long as I can remember, and she has had problems since Dec.of 2011. We are now going to the ER or a facility, if they can get us in, to get drained (paracentesis?) every two weeks. We are having trouble getting set appointments. Actually we are having trouble getting anywhere. Referrals? Advice? Alternative ideas? Alternative Doctors? It is all the unspoken. The diuretics are not working, she is on a strict diet now for months. She has been alcohol free since may 10th. Nothing seems to help....

I just wish someone would tell me what to expect. These places are backed up with appointments and overflowing with patients.......where is the information. Statistics? What is happening to these people? Why are we taught alcoholism is a disease (which I don't believe, I have watched 3 people cure themselves in the past 5 years) but the medical profession treats these people like dirt. They have that disease you learned about in school, I know it looks weird but it is ALCOHOLISM people. Or it is hep C? Which is very unfortunate for people, they didn't drink themselves into this predicament but they are lumped into this category and sometimes treated like drunks. It is so heart breaking. I just want to make her comfortable while she is here and it is not easy with medical help.

Does anyone know of a great source of information or a great book to read? What about a book for the patient, do you know of any? Cirrhosis: What a sad and lonely world to be in..... Anyhow I am grateful for all the posts that have true, live and raw information for me to compare and empathize with. The silent killer needs to be exposed and talked about. The hospitals in Columbus Ohio are overflowing with patients!!! You cant even get in for a paracentisis! What a discouraging mess!

Hi Goose,

I wrote a post yesterday, but lost it someohow before I submitted it. Sorry.

Alcohol use is prevalent all over the world. It is legal to buy. Alcohol abuse is rampant. BUT only a small % of alcohol users become addicted. And only a small percentage of those get cirrhosis. Like 15%...so it is not a direct line ... you drink, you die. It is more like you drink too much, you'll wreck the car and wind up divorced...but the health consequences for those who lose liver function is DEATH bar transplant when the liver is completely decompensated!

And, yes, DOCs are sort of frustrated with those who cause their own ill health.

But, as an overweight woman, I'd be pretty upset if someone wouldn't treat my hypertension or other health problem because I gained too much weight after a hysterectomy and have never worked myself back to my high school weight!

This happens, however.

You ask where to turn for information. This site has some really good information at the top of this forum. Look at those links.

And our forum has a SEARCH feature on the blue line at the top. You can put in a key word and old posts come up on that topic. That is why it is important to have your title be descriptive as the next Newbie can find your post and see how frustrated you are...and how much better you will feel when you begin to post your questions here.

Folks who stop drinking do improve over time. My Mike had a MELD of about 24 when he arrived at the hospital in September 2010. Near death. 3 months the hepatologist promised...if he continued to drink alcohol. He joined AA, quit completely and his labs got a little better. His MELD went to 17 for a while. When they found a hepatocellular carcinoma (a liver cancer tumor) in his liver, they put his MELD back up...to 22. And he was transplanted May 1, 2011..3 months after the cancer diagnosis and 6 months after his sobriety got documented!!!!!

Some here without Hep C have seen marked recovery from very dire conditions. Read some posts from A. Ziffle or HealthyNow...one a patient and one a caregiver. You can put those names in the SEARCH bar and see their recent posts.

And there are plenty of posts about letting go with compassion. This is very sad, and your Mom has made the first step.

I wonder if the problem with getting appointments is her health insurance status. If she does not have commercial insurance or Medicare, they may not want to take on a very sick person. Does she have Medicaid perhaps? Is she so rich she can pay for private insurance?

WE are having a heck of a time with managed Medicaid in Florida. I need to post about that in the next days...a nightmare is unfolding at our house with Mike's post transplant care!

Good luck to you both,

Carol

Post Edited By Moderator (hep93) : 10/27/2012 10:06:54 AM (GMT-6)

I'm not saying docs won't treat her immediate symptoms, but generally that's as much as they can/will do.