Advice please

Posted , 9 users are following.

Hi just wondering if anyone can help my 67 year old dad is an alcoholic but he's been coughing really bad to the point where he's collapsed twice as he just can't get his breath and he's coughing up white stuff sorry I took him doctors last week he sent him for bloods and xray the xray was all clear and bloods shows gamma GT levels 1023 but I already knew that he smokes 60 a day and a 70cl bottle of vodka a day so with xray being clear could this have anything to do with the drinking

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  • Posted

    I,m sorry I can't give you advice,but I really feel for you.I,m surprised his X-ray is clear,they will need to do more tests,surely,the results may shock your dad to stop smoking,at least cut down,and a bottle vodka a day is also going to affect his health,I am in half bottle a day(don't smoke) am 60, and know I have to cut down,I am attending an addiction councellour,your dad really needs help!! Hope you get much more sound advice,this is a great sight,such helpful caring people! X

    • Posted

      Thank you Angela you're right such helpful people on here as for his drinking he's been to rehab twice already and waiting for his third stay but been told to cut back before they will consider him but still drinking the same it's like hitting my head against a brick wall

  • Posted

    Has your dad tried to stop drinking? Does he want to? Does he admit their is a problem. I'm no medical expert bit the drink plus smoking will eventually take its toll. I was alcohol dependant I did a community detox. If I hadn't I would have lost my home job and family. It was the only way. 2 months on I'm really well. I hope your dad gets sorted please access some support from services in your area they are for carers too. Good luck

    • Posted

      He says yes he wants to stop drinking but am not sure if think he just says it because he has me on his back in should leave him to it like my mum tells me to but I just can't give up on him as he has always been a fantastic dad until the drink tuck hold of him

    • Posted

      If it was my dad couldn't give up on him either. But get support yourself. He may need to try detox again with some people it takes a few attempts. Better that than a liver transplant one day.

  • Posted

    Hi Macliverpool, 

    Your Fathers Coughing, does he pass out? If so, then this could be "Cough Syncope"  where the coughing stops Oxygen going to the Brain, leading to colapse. The Breathless episodes could be related to Heart Problems cause by excess Drinking. I had the same symptoms, and after a particular episode of being really breatless for no reason, went to the Doctors next Day, checked my Oxygen Levels, sent me Straight to Hospital thinking it was a Clot on the Lung, turns out It was Heart Failure of the left Ventricle. This, inturn can put excess Fluid around the Liver and Lungs, Leading to a hacking Cough. I must point out that I had various ECG's and nothing showed up (this was a Month Before Hospital). You can by an Oximeter from the Pharmacy or get a different Doctor to check Him out. Smoking certainly wont help, try and get him to vape. He is not to Old to change, there are plenty of Paths He can take. But regarding the Alcohol, it has to be his choice. PM Me if you like, or if you have anything you would like to ask me. I hope you are able to help your Dad, Kudos for coming on here to talk about it. AL

    • Posted

      ^^^^

      @Mac, this is the most sensible and likely answer. Cough syncope is more common than people know (I had it last year). The heart problem is known as congestive heart failure. I also agree that ECGs and x-rays will quite often show nothing.

    • Posted

      Thank you AL I don't know if he actually passed out but when I've seen it happen it's like he can't breath or catch his breath the doctor we went to last week said his chest didn't sound good so me and my sister thinking copd but like I said x-ray all fine so I've made another appointment for tomorrow at doctors it sounds like you have been through a lot yourself

    • Posted

      Helping me again you must be sick of me haha I will tell the doctors tomorrow he has had it for a few months now would it last that long if it was congestive hart failure ?
    • Posted

      Congestive heart failure is not the same as heart failure/heart attack territory. Google it if you want to read up on it.

      "congestive heart failure left ventricle"

    • Posted

      Quite on the Cards that the Doctor would have Heard a "Crackling" Sound . As RHGB mentioned, Congestive Heart Failure is progresive, so it has to start somewhere. My Family were some how contacted in Spain and were told to come home because of the Situation maybe my last. I was lucky, I was reducing my Alcohol at the Time, whilst I was in Hospital they gave me a Detox, I have not touched it since. Coming up to two Years, so every cloud n all that. I hope the Appointment goes well, let us know how it went later. It's never too late, we have just had a Lady of 81 join our Clinic. smile

  • Posted

    60 smokes a day? Everyday?
    • Posted

      I know to youngsters 60 a day seems a lot. But older people would think  nothing of smoking 60 untipped (unfiltered to you) Woodbines back in the day.

      You used to be able to smoke in the house, in bed, the car, the office at work, the pub, somebody elses home, on the tube/train/bus, on an airplane, in a school classrom. I don't think there was anywhere you couldn't smoke and people did, all the time.

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