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Some Good News at last

Posted , 11 users are following.

tess33005
tess33005

Most of you on this forum know about my husband's fight with AUD.

In the last two weeks he has been sober!. He has gone from drinking 15 or more cans a day, plus whisky, to just managing to stick to three cans a day, and no whisky at all. He's paying attention to his diabetes at last and is eating again.

I've been checking his blood sugars and they're lower and lower - almost within the normal range.

His early signs of dementia don't seem to me to be as bad. Yes, he is still forgetful, but it isn't getting any worse. This has definitely surprised me as I'm a Specialist Dementia Nurse.

I think he should be taking thiamine and B Vitamins - am I right?

Because he is such a private sort of man, I haven't said anything to him about his MUCH lower alcohol consumption - I'm just watching with joy.

 

I know he could relapse at any time but for the moment, he's doing a lot better, so he's hopefully not going to die quite yet.

3 likes, 25 replies

25 Replies

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  • RHGB
    RHGB tess33005

    Posted

    Thiamine for memory/cognitive skills, 100mg a day

    Vitamin B compound strong for general overall health/well being

    Folic acid help protect the body against some of the ravages of alcohol (should have a B12/Folate test done to check levels)

    Lactulose to combat hepatic encephalopathy and general confusion

    Ferritin levels should also be checked

     

    • tess33005
      tess33005 RHGB

      Posted

      Thanks, RH. Very helpful reply. I'll get all these things  and fix up an appointment for the blood tests.
  • Paper_fairy
    Paper_fairy tess33005

    Posted

    That's brilliant Tess and I hope he continues to get better.  Must be the magic malt loafs!!! Lots of hope and best wishes to you both xx
    • tess33005
      tess33005 Paper_fairy

      Posted

      You're up early, PF!

      So am \i, for once.

      Is it possible that malt loaf cures alcoholism - have I made a startling new discovery lol\/

      \i'll get in touch with you later xxxx

    • vickylou
      vickylou tess33005

      Posted

      Definitely thiamine and vit b compound strong. Glad to hear things are going better for you both. Well done on gigs, I keep saying I must quit and hubby. They are going back to 20 per pack, but with a big price increase. Health reasons alone should make us stop. Did you reduce first, or just stop?
    • Misssy2
      Misssy2 Paper_fairy

      Posted

      Paper! Don't encourage her on those Malt Loavestwisted...hahaha.

      I've been trying to get her to DETOX from them

    • tess33005
      tess33005 vickylou

      Posted

      Hi!

      I just stopped, but used nicotine patches for the first week. They really helped.

      I knew I'd never be able do it gradually - if there had been a packet of cigs around I wouldn't have been able to resist them.

      And MISSSY - FEAR NOT! The malt loaves are history, ok?

    • hope4cure
      hope4cure tess33005

      Posted

      Congrats on your news regarding your husband. That's a wicked combination diabetes & AUD. SO much sugar in alcohol. I will keep you both in my prayers. You will both RISE !!! One day at a time.

       

      Have you tried CHANTIX varenicline) instead of patches slowly introducing less nicotine weekly by less nicotine released into the system thru patches or lozenges, CHANTIX removes the cravings for nicotine. It's a RX from a doc. I quit after 5 pills. After 5 years of patches and lozenges.And no more for cravings for15 years now. Everyone is different. As patches and lozenges only made nicotine stay in my system never stopped the cravings. I'm sure there is the same meds under different name in the UK.

      (((Hugs)))

      HOPE4CURE 

      YOU ARE A SURVIVOR!

      And THATS AMAZING! confused

       

  • nicole36330
    nicole36330 tess33005

    Posted

    That's good news tess,I know he's not out of the woods but you must be slightly relieved
  • h1954
    h1954 tess33005

    Posted

    Doing well so far, really pleased for you and yes to the vit b and thiamine
  • Misssy2
    Misssy2 tess33005

    Posted

    Its nice to read you don't want your husband to DIE.

    There is a girl in my group who was addicted to dry substance...and her husband is addicted to alcohol....She said yesterday on smoke break that....she didn't want to sound evil...but she wishes him to just DIE...it would be easier for her young son.

    I GET HER STATEMENT....I wanted the man who hit me 10/22 years to die too...when he had a heart attack.

    Anyway...That's awesome that your husband had some kind of awakening in himself....that he has cut down.  With alcohol...that is the ONLY way a person will stop....is if THEY have an inner drive to STOP.

    You are very smart at not mentioning it to him....observing.

    So..both of you on the road to more happiness than sorrow.....I love this!

    • tess33005
      tess33005 Misssy2

      Posted

      Hi Misssy,

      Despite our addictions my husband and I are very much in love with one another and I certainly will be desolate when he does die. I'm a realist - I know this may be too little, too late, but I'm very glad to see him giving it a go. XXXXX

  • ADEfree
    ADEfree tess33005

    Posted

    That's fantastic news, Tess! Understanding the nature of this disorder seems to have been a huge step forward for both of you.

    I wonder if a vitamin injection might be the best route, as it would avoid first pass liver metabolism? As I recall, Vitamin b12 is wanting in AUD in general and has an impact on memory. As it's stored in the liver, he might well be short on it for a couple of reasons.

    • tess33005
      tess33005 ADEfree

      Posted

      Thanks, Ade. I'll ask the doctor when i go on Monday - or if RHGB is reading this, please can you clarify for me? Thanks.

      STILL haven't got round to PM you Ade, but I will at some point.

    • RHGB
      RHGB tess33005

      Posted

      Personally (and I'm not medically qualified) I wouldn't bother/worry about injections. They are Pabrinex®.

      I/V High Potency injection, for intravenous use only, ascorbic acid 500 mg, anhydrous glucose 1 g, nicotinamide 160 mg, pyridoxine hydrochloride 50 mg, riboflavin 4 mg, thiamine hydrochloride 250 mg/10 mL. Net price 10 mL (in 2 × 5 mL amps) = £2.25

      Treatment of Wernicke's encephalopathy, by intravenous infusion of I/V High Potency, 2–3 pairs 3 times daily for 2 days; if no response, discontinue; if symptoms respond after 2 days, give by intravenous infusion of I/V High Potency or by deep intramuscular injection into the gluteal muscle of IM High Potency, 1 pair once daily for 5 days or for as long as improvement continues

      I was in hospital for liver failure and it wasn't given to me. To be quite honest, oral tablets taken regulary as per my previous post, are okay. It won't suddenly make you better by having vitamins injected into your muscles.

      It's more long term and regular use that is the most benefit, a short sharp burst is not going to solve any problems. Taking the vitamins orally, regularly and cutting down the alcohol is the best method to help. A quick shot of vitamins in the arm is not going to sort much.

    • tess33005
      tess33005 RHGB

      Posted

      Thank you. I think ADE meant that because my husband has liver damage, injections would safer. However, it has just occurred to me that he liver still has to metabolise medications, including any that are injected. Sorry - I didn't have my thinking cap on. Got an appointment for husband to see GP to get all these prescribed (he's on benefits) and to ask for the blood tests you mentioned, and a repeat of the previous LFTs.
    • RHGB
      RHGB tess33005

      Posted

      'because my husband has liver damage'

      Sorry, I have to say this first, so my posts don't get reported and deleted.

      I am not a doctor, nor medically trained.

      I believe I was the one that asked you for his Child-Pugh rating, and he is just into Child-Pugh Class C.

      I am Child-Pugh Class A, not quite the same, but believe me, I've been through it and had many conversations about it. I take every opportunity to interrogate anyone with a medical knowledge who I see to do with my condition.

      As a nurse you should know (don't take this as rudeness), that the quickest way into the system after IV, is under the tongue (sublingual). Crush them up. No metabolism required.

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