advice?

[kygirl30]

Ok- I just learned that my mother who is diagnosed with hep c, end stage renal disease, receives dialysis 3x a week and is a methadone patient (100mg per day) has abused lortabs, tramadol, darvocet and flexirils (approx consumed 70+pills in one month) and eats phengran like candy..... Her nephrologist doesn't seem concerned- she had 14yrs of soberity that lead to a relapse after hystercotomy  in which she started the methodone- 11years later all this has occured. I think she may need inpatient assesment- she argues the dialysis cleans out her blood and body so she isn't abusing the drugs because no longer in her system- i am sure this isn't true- Anyone have advice, know of treatment facility that may help detox the methadone and continue dialysis- or does she need additional detox from the prescription drug abuse- and why phengran? Also she is taking benedryl and pepcid frequently. Thanks!

[10356]

I'm glad your Mom is turning away from the pain killers and being up front with her Drs. For her Dr. not to believe her she sounds like a love.
Be good to each other and take care.
P.S If you ever need to talk Please feel free to PM me if you would like. Mom and you are in my prayers... Lesa

[kygirl30]

Your response is greatly appreciated- Your comments have validated some things and I can't tell you how that feels- thank you. best of luck to you- BTW I think mom has not used any of the painkillers since last tuesday and she is sounding better and has been telling her doctors about her abuse- the dr on the other hand are having a hard time believing her- go figure..... Wishing you the very best of luck with your health.

[10356]

I have hep C and one kidney. They will not give me a kidney transplant because of the Hep C will destroy the new one, they also will not treat the Hep C because the cure is so rough on the kidney they do not want to destroy it. Kidney disease can be painful.
Have you spoke to her Dr.? Your Mom dose sound like she is abusing thou, Maybe if you approached it by talking to your Mom about how much she has changed and how much you need her to be herself without the loratabs. Mom is a high risk for any Dr. or program so it may be hard to find one, again you might speak to her Dr. she probably has more then one if you don't like the answer.
I wish you and your Mom all the best you are in my thoughts........

[avisg]

It has to be so hard to see your mom like that .especially after 14 years sobers . Continue to encourage her to get clean . Let her know you there to help. That is one of the hardest parts about addiction for a family member. All you can do is hope she decides she wants to get clean. If you ever need someone to talk to feel free to email me .

[kygirl30]

thanks for the responses- end stage renal disease doesnt mean she is dying- it is a medical diagnosis- meaning she is on dialysis- she doesn't have any pain with the exception of the port sight. She could be a candidate for a transplant if she stopped smoking and reduced the methadone.  I am concerned with what if any treatment is needed due to the new prescription med abuse- she had been extremely active prior to the lortabs- cares for 6 horses daily, active all day, etc... she isn't laying around waiting to die- or wasnt until she started adding prescription meds.....

[grace10]

I agree too, kicking methadone is probably  not n her best interest right now.

[GoingToMakeIt]

I have to agree with magi. At this point in your mom's life, comfort is the most important thing.

[flmagi]

If your Mom is at end stage renal disease, with Hep C, I would think getting clean would be the least of her worries. This is probably why her nephrologist isn't concerned. She should just be made comfortable. I'm not really familiar with most of the drugs you mentioned, other than methadone, so I'm no expert on any of this. Just sounds like pain meds of some kind are probably needed at this point.