HCV+ alcoholic mom with probable cirrhosis

[bruja83]

Hello all, my mother 65 year old has hepC, likely acquired in the 1970s from injection drug use. She was diagnosed with fibrosis sometime after 2005. (Sorry I don't know the stage or what year it was.) She went on a peginterferon regimen, but had an adverse reaction, so did not complete it. Meanwhile she has continued to drink alcohol, and is pretty much blowing off the whole situation. She's not stupid--I know she knows the risks. I don't know if it's denial, just being tired of dealing with medical stuff (I think she is ashamed of her drinking problem.) I would describe her drinking pattern as non-dependent abuse. But as you all know, no drinking is good drinking in this case. I have no idea if she's progressed to cirrhosis yet. She does have some weight loss, slight abdominal swelling, as well as lots of pain and itching. I feel like I'm just hanging out, waiting for the other shoe to drop. I feel like she could become seriously ill at any time. Oh, also her dumb *** boyfriend enables her drinking. I don't know if he's oblivious or just doesn't give a ****. I guess I don't really have a question other than what can I do to prepare for the inevitable?

[HectorSF]

I am sorry to hear your sad story about your mother, her liver disease and her continued drinking.

As far as her hepatitis C she should be treated and then will be cured. Hepatitis C is now a totally curable virus with current treatments. This is assuming she will be compliant enough to do the treatment fully and properly.

The problem as you know is her drinking. The continual drinking in combination with hepatitis C is a very dangerous combination for someone her age. If she continues to drink no good ending will ever result.

Alcoholic liver disease can only be addressed by doctors or anyone else only AFTER a person has decided not to poison their liver another day with alcohol. Until then there is little the doctors can do to help. Alcoholism is a slow form of suicide.

I think the question really is… how can you change someone who is destroying their health and life? Basically you can’t save anyone else even you own mother. Only the alcoholic themselves can decide to change their way of life. A way of life that has probably been going on for many decades and is all they know.

I would try posting you question in the  MedHelp “Alcoholic, Living with an Community” where other loved ones of alcoholics discuss such issues as how to best deal with them and their issues.

After your mother stops her drinking then we can discuss her liver disease and what can be done to manage it.

Good luck to you and your mom.
Hector