my sister

[karrielou]

Hi my sister is killing herself ,she is drinking lots every day from morning till bedtime ,she even takes a bottle of sherry to bed for the morning ,she is in pain and has lost a phenomenal amount of weight ...I had not seen her for a while and did not recognise her at all until she spoke. She has a massive distended stomach ....she is a funny colour hardly any teeth the ones left are rotten ...she smokes a lot and is not eating ,one chicken nugget would be a full meal for her and that's pushing it . my mum myself and her partner have offered to take her to the doctors but she refuses ,we tried to get him to visit she would not let him in ...she will not go out very far if at all . She totally refuses help and says she has her drink. She will not let anyone in from the medical side of things at all. I just wonder with her stomach and other issues how long she has left because I need to make arrangements etc. This is not sudden either she has had her stomach distension for about 7 or 8 years now . Hope you can help.

[ibizan]

In Ohio it is not legal to probate one for alcohol/drug issues.Don't know how laws vary from state to state with this.And to have one declared mentally incompetent is a process that takes MANY months with no guarantee of placing person in hospital PLUS who pays for this pricey care?Also anyone who goes into a alcohol/drug rehab unit can leave of their own free will...going AMA...against medical advice.If insurance is paying they can refuse to pay if person goes AMA -a  most complicated mess indeed!

[Jinx_777]

i wonder if she could be committed??  whoever her next of kin is, if she is not married, then it would be a parent that would need to file for her to be committed.  this is going to be your only option other than having someone check everyday to see if she is still alive

[Vickyford]

How much does she drink

[Vickyford]

She got a alcohol problem it's hard to understand if u not going though it xx

[karrielou]

Thankyou

[karrielou]

Thankyou

[karrielou]

thankyou but I don't live very close and don't drive but thankyou anyway x

[CML2014]

Hi Karrie,

hate to even suggest this , but it is worth thinking about. I had someone I was working with and the family was just beside themselves because she was drinking herself to death and they had to watch. She also would not let the medical field paly a part in her life.

The family and I were talking one night and decided the next time she drank and passed out we would load her in the car and take her to Emergency. They diagnosed her with end stage liver desease. Needless to say she was not pleased to wake up in the hospital, but she was able to be put on medication for her pain. Sometimes it is just too late to do anything more.
Unfortunately she would rather die than give it up, and exactly 6 months later she did. It might be worth a try, at least she will have a definitive diagnosis, and can make a better informed decision about her care.

Just a thought--I know it sounds sneaky, but sneaky is what I as an  alcoholic understood best.

Whatever direction you take I pray it will be one that will allow her to get help--even if she does not want it.

Sincerely,
CML

[bahamamama13165]

Could you get a photo of her to take to the doctor. Seeing her color and belly, along with your description of her alcohol intake, he might be willing to write down his suspicion of diagnosis. Which would probably say something about liver disease. Maybe seeing a doctors opinion on paper would scare her. She needs treatment now, if she wants to survive.  But she has to be convinced this is life threatening.  If she doesn't want to save her own life there is NOTHING you can do. I'm very sorry for your situation.

[dontworry_behappy1]

You might get some better direction if you posted your question on the "Alcoholism" or  "Living With Alcoholism".   This is sad and my heart goes out to you.  I think you will find some specialized support on the alcohol rested forum.  Nan's comments should be helpful too.

Best to you all

[nan535]

So sorry to hear about your sister's condition. It must be very hard to want to help a loved one who does not want to be helped. As you wrote she is killing herself with alcohol. How very sad.

Does your sister have Hep C also? I ask this because you posted it on the Hep C community.  The distended stomach is a sign of possible ascites which is a symptom of decompensated cirrhosis. The funny color you refer to is probably a sign of jaundice, another sign of cirrhosis.

I don't think anyone can predict "how long she has left".  Obviously if she continues how she is, it can't be very long. She is not eating and drinking alcohol daily. Her symptoms indicate she has advanced cirrhosis - likely end stage liver disease at this point.

As I said, so very sad for her and for you and your Mom.

I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.  Keep us posted.  There are many here to support you and help you with your questions.

Nan