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Is this a New Jim - at last?

Posted , 8 users are following.

tess33005
tess33005

Jim is down to one can a day. He also has some prescribed small doses of diazepam.

When the letter came for the abdominal ultrasound I could see he was very worried.

So he announced that his only chance was to stop drinking.

Soon he will have his paracentesis - that will bring great relief. I just hope that it can be done before we go to Scotland on 10th September.

Still - little steps - or is it finally big steps?

He was very apologetic about his binge the other night and said he couldn't put himself, me and the children through any more distress.

His drink of choice is orange juice and soda water. He's even checking his blood sugars daily now.

I don't want to raise my hopes too high but surely this is a vast improvement..............if it lasts.

BTW does anyone know the correct dose of thiamine for him? And should he be on strong vitamin B?

Thanks for all your support, everyone.

Tess xx

0 likes, 19 replies

19 Replies

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  • RHGB
    RHGB tess33005

    Posted

    Thiamine, 100mg x 2 a day to begin with, then 100mg  1 x a day long term. The GP should say when it is okay to drop the dosage. The trouble is, he probbaly had gastritis and this stops the body absorbing it. If he has gastritis he should be on omperazole.

    Vitamin B compound strong and folic acid to replaace the folate. Of course he should be going for regular blood tests to monitor these. We've had the discussion about latulose. And if he is suffering from peripheral odema, then spironolactone as well. The problem with most vitamins and supplements, is that they are water soluble and get washed out, which is why in severe cases people are given injections of Pabrinex.

    Make sure he asks (or better you if you're present) the radiologogist to give you a synopsis of the ultrasound, They will quite often tell you things the gastro doesn't and if you don't see the gastro and the report just gets sent to your GP, then it is third hand by then. Just be honest and upfront with the radiologist and say, we're all adults here, we know the situation, can you give me a brief summary of the findings. I learnt more from my one than anyone else.

    And for all those wondering what 'paracentesis' is, it is an ascites drain.

    • tess33005
      tess33005 RHGB

      Posted

      Thank you so much. Jim hasn't got peripheral oedema. He is now having regular blood tests.

      Our doctor has asked me to phone him as soon as the abdominal scan is completed, so that he can hassle the Liver Specialist (he's already hassled him) to get Jim an urgent appointment.

      Jim has thiamine 100mg. I will ask the doctor for strong vitamin B.

      Again, thank you for your help.

      Love Tess x

    • ADEfree
      ADEfree tess33005

      Posted

      Very encouraging news, Tess! Convey a "well done" from us!

    • tess33005
      tess33005 ADEfree

      Posted

      He'll only expect another badge..........

      But I will, anyway.

      RHGB - forgot to say Jim is on lansoprazole for gastritis, which is practically the same as omeprazole. Thanks for advice.

      T.

    • RHGB
      RHGB tess33005

      Posted

      Regarding the spironolactone, even though he doesn't have peripheral oedema, it is also good to help keep ascites down and returning once you have a drain. A diuretic of any type would help, spirononlactone seems to be the drug of choice.

      The ultrasound should show if he has oesophageal varices, if that is the case, he should be on a specialist beta blocker such as carvedilol.

    • tess33005
      tess33005 RHGB

      Posted

      Thank you.

      All received and understood.

      You have been a great help, RH.

      Tess x

  • h1954
    h1954 tess33005

    Posted

    I think the usual dose is thiamine 100mg three times a day and vit b compound strong tablets three times a day.

    It I'd sounding more positive - don't give up hope - hugs and prayers x

    • tess33005
      tess33005 h1954

      Posted

      Thanks, H.

      All prayers welcomed, most sincerely.

      Love Tess xx

  • Misssy2
    Misssy2 tess33005

    Posted

    It seems that Jim has had an "awakening".

    They always say with alcohol...that no one can help...and the person has to really have "something" that impacts THEM deeply before we will even consider stopping the alcohol.

    It seems that Jim has looked at his fate and decided to fight for his life.

    I think this is a REALLY good sign that the letter for the abdominal scan has worried him.  And he has declared "HIMSELF" that all he can do is stop drinking.

    I'm very hopeful for Jim...and you smile

    • tess33005
      tess33005 Misssy2

      Posted

      So am I, Misssy.

      And his blood sugars are normal today!

    • Misssy2
      Misssy2 tess33005

      Posted

      i'm glad that you are excited finally.

      And his blood sugar is normal!  Mine are fluctuating in the last 3 weeks....I think my poor pancreas is recovering.  So, he may flucuate as well...don't worry about it thou...as long as he continues on this path...his health may improve greatly.

       

    • tess33005
      tess33005 Misssy2

      Posted

      Wv.vell, not drinking a million cans of lager a day, and now eating healthily, is, I am sure, the reason why his blood sugars are normal now.......

      He's doing so well - and hates me to comment on how well he's doing - so I just shut up (v. unusual for me) and watch with delight.

      I just hope he can stick to it. He's even got a new SIM card for his phone so that all his still alcoholic friends can't call him and tempt him.

    • Misssy2
      Misssy2 tess33005

      Posted

      I really have a good feeling about his effort and determination at this moment.
    • Misssy2
      Misssy2

      Posted

      When people start making CHANGES...things CHANGE.
    • ADEfree
      ADEfree tess33005

      Posted

      Fantastic news about the SIM! Very encouraging!
    • tess33005
      tess33005 h1954

      Posted

      AND he has not drunk any alcohol for three days, now.

      Which is miraculous. He is sticking to orange juice and soda water, and a coulple of cups of decaff coffee a day.

      The diazepam helps, of course. He has stopped having nightmares.

      When I go to the pharmacy each day to get my own diazepam (re - taper) I always ask if there's anything at the shops he needs. For three days he has not asked for lager.

      He had a habit of going to the shops at about six p.m. to make sure he had enough lager for his needs. He no longer does that. He went for a walk two days ago and came back with mushrooms - not lager - and I'd smell it on him if he'd had any.

      Personally I think the big change came when he got a new SIM card. The only numbers on it are mine, his brother's and the children's. The still suffering alcoholics who disrupted our lives recently will NEVER be told the new number. If they phone me, I'll say he's out.

      The diazepam is helping a lot. Just small doses, as Jim has never been a drug taker. The dose he takes at night (4mg) knocks him right out.

      AND YESTERDAY HE SAID HE WASN'T CRAVING ALCOHOL AT ALL.

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