wondering if I should "rat"

[scotty2]

My husband is drinks anywhere from 10 - 15 beers a day give or take.  He has been having stomach problems and seeing a doctor.  He was told he had diverticulosis and gerd and put on medication.  The medication has not helped -  go figure!!  - what I am wondering is if I should call the doctors office and enlighten him about my husbands alcohol consumption.  My husband says the Dr knows and says it is good for him to help him unwind  ???  
I doubt my husband was totally honest.  Any suggestions?  thanks

[milly66]

my boyfriend has been an alcholic for years, and drinks carlsberg the low strengh, maybe 12 each night, sometimes he drinks a few during the day, but i worry coz hes to scared to go to the doctors, he get bad stomachs and sometimes cant go to the toilet for days, what arte the signs to look for when things get really bad and he needs medical help

[ibizan]

I've been sober/clean 24 years,dayjob is substance abuse counselor......2 of the oldest clients i worked with were 68 and 72 yr.old men near death.......they got sober..one died of natural causes and the other is still ticking along like the energizer bunny!well u 2 have quite a history and have come this far......if he stays sober and drinking again would mean excruciating agony for him....he can have whats left of the rest of his life a enjoyable one..u two have worked for years to enjoy retirement.....time is what u make it and what he will CHOOSE to make of it minus alcohol!i really pounded coffee when i got sober......still enjoy good strong ground whole bean coffee but now in moderation.....i love good strong chai and  robust green tea!

[Louise111]

Thanks for your comments.    Yes, hell is a good description......funny thing is,  my husband is the nicest, kindst guy around.....and I'm the nicest, kindest gal around....we make a great couple......we both were Police Officers in CT....he for 31 years, and made it to Lieutenant, me for 20 years, just a Patrol Officer.....we retired, built a dream house in South Florida....we should be enjoying our lives, but instead, have this cloud of doom over our heads......My husband is only 62, I'm 56.....I'm a coffee drinker and cigarette smoker, but am trying to quit both!!!!  Tea has antioxidants......coffee, no value.   Today we went to a Hematologist, who said my husband's "numbers" on his blood work have improved slightly since last month, when he went into Rehab....which is great.  He's so tired, though......caught a bug at the Rehab, he has a hacking cough and phlegm.  Tomorrow we go for an Ultrasound on his abdomen and liver.  Good luck to your friend...she is so young....youth is a great healer...the younger, the more we can heal from anything.  God bless you.
Louise111

[ibizan]

Geez Louise!u been thru hell with ur hub as well!A good friend of mine has been sober 2 years.....she is off the liver transplant list.......i watched her kill herself with alcohol since 1990.But she is 42 now.They are watching her for liver cancer.Prayers for u and ur hub.....I watched a guy get a liver transplant that his family paid for......one month later he went back to the bar......he is dead today and his son is following in his footsteps....insane the choices ppl make!

[Louise111]

My husband drank three 6-packs of Coors Light from about 1990 to 2003, until he had a Stomache Varices episode and was hospitalized for 14 days.   He was sober from June 2003 until Jan. 2005....has slowly built up to the 18 beers again, and has been drink that amount for the last year or so.....now he is in "Stage 4" Liver Disease (Cirrhosis) it's also called "ESLD"....End Stage Liver Disease.....he just got out of a Rehab Facility....they were great......is on 15 scripts a day (a lot are special vitamins that his Liver needs).  He's constantly weak and tired....sleeps from 9 pm until 9 am.  He's 62 and if he can not deteriorate, maybe he can get a Liver Transplant in 6 mos. to a year, who knows....I just know that Alcoholism is a horrible Disease, and to die from it is so sad....certain diseases we have no control over......to die from drinking is a shame.  Get your husband help to stop....you go to Al-Anon or CODA meetings.....this has affected you also, as it has me....I'm not the same strong, self assured gal I used to be.  God bless you.
Louise111

[ibizan]

this is my take...dumbest question is the one not asked and the effort not taken....if either of these husbands did damage to themselves with an overdose or had a alcohol related crisis...then u can say i tried to do something even if the doctor could not speak with u!

[TennisGirl10]

I am in the same boat.  My husband consumes only beer but in the same volume you described.  He has a physical in March and I know he will not tell the doctor the truth.  My husband has not had any medical problems......YET.  I would be interested to know if the dr. would listen to you.  I think we both should "rat".

Tennis

[ibizan]

i sincerely doubt his doc knows the whole truth about his drinking.Due to HIPPA/confidentiality laws they may not even listen to u relay the info.....but its worth a try!docs get nervous prescribing meds to drinkers...liability issue if they overdose.....some don't care  and keep up the pill pushing....so good luck and let us know what the office says!