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Cirrhosis and alcohol consumption

I know that I'm an alcoholic, and have been since I was 10.  When I was a kid, I used to get into my mom's wine and beer, and later got with friends with the same interests and started developing my drinking career.  Over the years, I have been successful in my drinking career (as well as my scientific and family life) BUT the difference now is that I can't stop.  I know about AA and have been to rehab and all that stuff.  I have cirrhosis and continue to drink approx. 3 fifths a day of vodka of course.  Insanity, absolute insanity and I know it.  I have been reading the Big Book (@ page 70 right now) and I think I am starting to see something I never saw before ( I'm  feeling remorse and shame ).  I got 3 children in college, and three teens at home, and I don't want them to bury me, like I had to do with my dad and brother.

Any suggestions, please??????

Tony
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1475202 tn?1536270977
Ibizzy besides myself you are the last person I ever worry about giving up their sobriety. You are a very strong lady and I think it's wonderful how much time every day you devote to helping so many others!

Randy
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1475202 tn?1536270977
Hi Lesa your so thoughtful but my cirrhosis is something I did to myself so no feeling bad for me. Actually things are going quite well considering.

You mentioned kidney failure and many other things going on, I don't know what other things but I would be glad to listen. If there is something related to liver disease maybe I can help?

please feel welcome to post or message me if you like. I wish the best for you.

Randy
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Avatar universal
COMMUNITY LEADER
lesa-many healing prayers 4 u......and my beloved poohbear-i'd like to think i got a good handle on it.....don't feel close to a drink at all... the thought of it and the smell of it makes my nose twitch in Yuckdom!:)
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Avatar universal
whats left of ur life is worth living!  Thank you for this !! I was feeling a lil down today was reading this and got all teary eyed.. I'm so sorry Rpoo for your Mom and your diagnoses I agree with my much valued friend sara Thank the Good Spirits you are sober !! I go to the Dr. tomorrow to see if we start dialysis/treatment. Although I do not know the medical jargon I do understand when the numbers on my blood test rise our go down.. I feel a lil scared of the future as I have a lot going on besides kidney failure.. The not knowing of a plan had me craving today, but no longer.. Thank you for sharing.. with love in my heart. lesa
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1475202 tn?1536270977
I think it's safe to say you got a pretty good handle on it, just these last 29 yrs or so! :)
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Avatar universal
COMMUNITY LEADER
Spanky- u musta misread my post....i've been sober/clean 29 years now!And i have read the Big Book many a time...still refer to it 2 this day! i was talking @ the thoughts of drinking....and smoking pot....not the actual use of it did i do!U need to go back and re-read my post much slower!
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Avatar universal
Hi,
Sorry to disagree, but I do very strongly. The most important point is that we don't know the state of this liver. Milk Thistle is a very good remedy for acute attacks of enlarged and fatty liver. A doctor might recommend it. But a patient with End-stage Liver Disease is not a candidate for Milk Thistle. Hospitals immediately take it off the drug roster. Later, after a transplant, milk thistle and many other remedies give much help.
Thank you.
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Avatar universal
   If you continue drinking at that rate you will be dead in 6 to 12 months.  That's the bad news if you read your big book and pray to a higher power you will have a better chance this support group will help you if you can take advise.  AA is a support group we practice spiritual principles and twelve steps of recovery.  Your life has become unmanageable and I think you no that.    I had a brother who died from addiction, and a close friend who died from cirrhosis of liver he also kept drinking he only lived 12 months after he found out.  This disease kills it will take your sanity and every thing that you hold close.  I suggest you go back to a treatment center I had to go two times myself we alcohols have a tolerance for pain but the second time I started working the steps and praying to a higher power and I have not drug or drink since.     You can do this it will help you live longer.
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Avatar universal
My heart breaks for your situation.  If you can, please convince him to go to ER just this once.  This minute.  He is in a very very serious situation, but not hopeless.  I pray for you.
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1475202 tn?1536270977
Wow you are both so awesome! I dont even know what to say to something so incredibly nice. I'll just try THANK YOU and I hope you both know how much your words mean.

Randy

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Avatar universal
COMMUNITY LEADER
thx sara.....there is nowhere anyone can go but down the toilet w/lewy body dementia.U and I have the BEST 4 legged therapists around!:)rpoo-value u u big poo...u make me smile and r a wealth of information and proof that sober is better......and whats left of ur life is worth living!
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495284 tn?1333894042
Your strength and determination is something that leaves me in awe~~
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495284 tn?1333894042
I had to grab the kleenex when i read your post.  I am so sorry about your mom going downhill even further.  Thank God you have such wonderful memories of your mom before this disease ravaged her body.  What a blessing for the both of you that you have been there for her sober.

Some people believe dogs and cats are just animals, you and i know differently.  What keota did for you yesterday no therapist could do in a lifetime........Give that big boy a hug and kiss from me and the fainting goat! (oops kitties too!)
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1475202 tn?1536270977
Thats cause she knows ill dump that honey pot on her head if she dont! he he Just dont tell her I said that!

Randy
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Avatar universal
COMMUNITY LEADER
ok now i know what ur talkin bout.....oh so sorry there...glad ur wife loves u a big gargantuan honeypot and helps u!:)
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1475202 tn?1536270977
Yes, dementia is actually very much like hepatic encephalopathy. In my case both have developed due to liver disfunction.

Randy
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Avatar universal
COMMUNITY LEADER
u got diagnosed w/dementia?
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1475202 tn?1536270977
I sat in my garage day after day watching movie after movie and drinking beer after beer. I chose the garage so I could have my smokes too. I thought I work hard and I come home and be a peaceful lovin husband. I'm not hurting anything. I'm not hurting anyone! People that wouldn't agree with my lifestlye to bad, move on!

All the time I spent sitting in the chair rather than doing things with my wife and other loved ones. That time is gone. Career gone also. $600 a month over a course of 2-3 years all gone. 20 years of alcoholism, monies unaccounted for. Who or what was it hurting?
What does your Vodka and drugs mean to you? Add it up before its too late B****! Your done wasting my time!
Diagnosed at age 38.  

To date:
end stage cirrhosis
gall stones
slpenomegally
Portal hypertension
Varicies
Spider nivi
Hepatic encephalopathy
Hiatal hernia
Umbilical hernia

New as of last weeks evaluation:
Clinical major depression
Dementia
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Avatar universal
COMMUNITY LEADER
how ya doin gal?bet those animals are keeping u in line!:)yesterday i went to see my mom who u know is being ravaged by Lewy Body Dementia.How i hate that disease!My real mother left in 2006 and what i go to visit is this hideous ugly disease!It was a sad visit yesterday as she was screaming delusional material at me.I couldn't wait to leave her disease!27 years ago i woulda smoked a big fat joint on the way home and stopped at the bar for A DRINK!!!!!hahahah.....when did i ever have just one?probably when i was 14!My mind was confuddled but so many recovery tools over the years and taking what i could use from 12 step meetings and those w/good recovery that many other lost souls have mocked here have helped to keep it on track and albeit push thru the doodoo of life!when i got home my Keota boy knew i was down.He put his feet on me.....pushed me w/his nose which got rubbed of course like it always does...and he pressed his head on me and rested it on my leg.We stayed this way for quite awhile and i felt the tension ease from me.What a therapist i have!:)No drink or drug did i desire!just not an option!yes no more mental hell w/the drink/drug...there is enuf hell on earth to contend with minus adding that to the soup pot!
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495284 tn?1333894042
As one wise woman has told me before....Dont waste your energy!  

Thank God we no longer live that he!!~~
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Avatar universal
COMMUNITY LEADER
i will never understand why ppl come in2 this forum extolling the virtues of their so-called alcohol and drug use in full view of the health problems its causing them.If you want to go drink.......and overuse prescription drugs from a doctor or off the street..then i guess its ur constitutional right to do so!this is not the place to post about it.......and i w/my dry humor that i know u have and understand so well will say to folks who do so.....go have the ones for me i cannot have will not have and refuse 2 have!:)
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Avatar universal
COMMUNITY LEADER
again this is a forum for those seeking assistance in staying sober...if u want to continue drinking and doing hydrocodone and use milk thistle to keep ur liver bolstered....this is not the forum to post about it!there r many roads to recovery and complete abstinence from alcohol and all drugs....we respect whatever means one acheives that by......not by vodka maintenance and hydrocodone assistance!
Helpful - 0
1475202 tn?1536270977
Some doctors recommend Milk Thistle and some do not. It's a personal belief and so is praying, holding hands, s'eance and going to AA.  We do what we have to so that our goal of sobriety is reached. Those who do not support this goal should not post and disrupt the group.

Symptoms of advanced liver failure can indicate the development of serious complications, such as portal hypertension or esophageal varices. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you, or someone you are with, have any of these symptoms:

Ascites (buildup of fluid and swelling in the abdomen)

Bleeding, such as vomiting blood or severe rectal bleeding

Change in level of consciousness or alertness, such as passing out or unresponsiveness

Change in mental status or sudden behavior change, such as confusion, delirium, lethargy, hallucinations and delusions

Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)

Muscle tremors or shakiness

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Here are a couple of things you should know about Milk Thistle:

Milk thistle lowers blood sugar levels, and should be used cautiously by patients with hypoglycemia and diabetes.

According to the Mayo Clinic, a number of research studies have examined milk thistle to determine if the herb is useful in treating conditions such as cancer, chronic liver disease, acute viral hepatitis, and cirrhosis. Although some studies show promising results, as of 2010, the evidence is not clear enough to strongly recommend milk thistle as a treatment for any of these life-threatening diseases.

Randy





Read more: Pros and Cons of Using Milk Thistle | eHow.co.uk http://www.ehow.co.uk/facts_7154106_pros-cons-using-milk-thistle.html#ixzz1WCllI58V
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Avatar universal
milk thistle has an active ingredient called sillymarin and it will help liver to do a better job and in hospital it is one of the things given to help livers to keep from failing because the liver like the kidneys don't give a lot of warning before failure; for instance when a person eats wild mushrooms and finds they picked wrong the liver can fail and death in few days.

SO SOME DON'T like advice on how to boost or help the liver; ok u can pray, hold hands, maybe a seance or join AA (only problem is such programs have a success of 5%)
but in the mean time; milk thistle
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